Page 155 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

Rather than plead his case, Whitestone’s shoulders slump. He takes out a key that matches the one Fief held and slides it into the lock. The moment the metal clicks, Juniper shoves him aside and hobbles into the cell.

She grunts as she kneels in front of me. Her satchel hits the dirt with a thump. The irritation fades from her gaze as she scans my face.

Her hand cups my cheek, but she takes care not to apply too much pressure. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I came as soon as I could.”

Tears burn my eyes. “It’s okay.”

But it’s not. We both know it’s not.

Her thumb brushes my cheek.

Over her shoulder, she says, “Leave.”

“Juni, I⁠—”

“I said leave, Nolan,” she snaps. “I’d like to speak with my daughter alone.”

A stricken look flashes over the Elder’s face before he coughs and dips his eyes. “Of course.”

He shuffles back the way he came.

Once the distant door clicks shut, Juniper turns to me. “I warned you about the Ironheart boy.”

A heavy sigh passes my lips. “How much do you know?”

“Enough.” Her eyes flash. “If I get my hands on him, I’ll castrate him.”

I choke on a laugh that’s half sob. “He’s not the one who beat me.”

“No, that was Fief. He’s foolishly been bragging about it to the others.”

Heat flares in my belly. My magic swirls around the emotion with an approving purr. It's grown in strength, but there’s still a strange, fuzzy sensation hovering around it.

“What’s going on out there?” I jerk my head toward the corridor and the town beyond. “This isn’t because of the human rebellion. Right?”

Her lips flatten. “No. There’s been a coup.”

My breath catches. “A coup?”

She nods, face grim. “After the fire, General Ironheart demanded an emergency meeting with the Elders. From what Nolan told me, they were supposed to discuss enhancing safety measures following that night’s destruction."

“And?” I prompt as my stomach roils. “What happened?”

“The army overthrew the Elders after last night’s celebrations, and they formed a ruling council composed entirely of military personnel."

Lev’s words during our dance play in my head—the ones about an upcoming war.

“And what?” I croak. “The town is just…okay with that?”

“You and I both know Verdanthians respect Ironheart. They won’t speak against him. Not without cause.”

I guess hearing that one of his soldiers is beating an innocent woman in the barracks’ cell isn't enough…

I grind my teeth together. “What is Ironheart’s goal? What does he want?”

“That, my love, I can’t say. But it’s clear the general believes you’re hiding something about the Fae squad in the forest, and they’re determined to get the truth from you.”

“In the forest?” My heart hammers. “The Fae haven’t left?”