Page 198 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

Sparks drop onto the rug. It’s a miracle it doesn’t catch fire.

She gestures at Darius. “Pretty boy is awake. My sister fulfilled her deal!”

“No,” Jaxon replies, and his gaze locks on mine. His voice is steady, but there’s a faint thread of apology weaving through it that makes my stomach twist. “Not completely.”

Dread punches holes in my lungs.

“You’re wrong.” My legs shake as I swing them over the edge of the cot and rise.

Ferria grips my elbow. I flinch, but her flames don’t burn.

I lift my chin and meet Rian’s stoic stare. “I healed Darius.”

I force myself to look at the Fae prince.

His lips twist in sympathy before he speaks. “You gave me back my mind, sweet Elara, but the curse remains within my soul.”

His eyes flick down. I follow⁠—

And gasp.

The shadowed vines still crawl over my arms. Solid. Unyielding.

“No.” My voice cracks as disbelief hollows me out.

My knees buckle. Ferria pulls me into her side, holding me up.

“Th-that’s not possible.”

Darius lifts his chin and taps his chest. “See for yourself.”

I don’t hesitate. Weakened magic flows from my fingers and floats across the tent, the light dimmer, but just as determined as I am to discover if all our efforts—all our pain—has been for nothing.

A growl vibrates in Rian’s throat when my power brushes Darius’s torso. I ignore him. If he thinks I’m not going to confirm for myself that the curse remains, he’s delusional.

My power burrows deep, weaving through Darius’s veins toward his heart.

At first, there’s nothing. No darkness. No resistance.

Hope flares.

Then…agony.

I cry out , and my body locks up.

“Elara!” Ferria shouts.

The tiniest pebble of black snaps out and tries to capture my magic. The darkness pulses at the contact, seeming to swell in size. Darius grunts.

With a scream, I yank my power out of Darius’s chest. It wavers before flying back to me, like a wounded animal seeking shelter. I stumble and fall back onto the cot.

“Lara!” Ferria sits next to me, holding my shoulders tight.

Her hands tremble.

My chest heaves, eyes wide with horror as I stare at Darius’s chest.

“It’s still there,” I whisper.