Page 200 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

And to think…I missed them.

“....agree to the terms.”

I catch the end of Rian’s words.

“She agrees!” Ferria screams, her hands hovering over my weeping arms. “Just make it stop!”

“She must speak the words.”

Ferria snarls, then cups the sides of my face with shaking hands. “Elara, look at me!”

My dazed eyes lock onto her blurry face. I’m losing too much blood. I know this, and yet my magic doesn’t rise to the surface to try and mend the wounds.

No, that’s not right. The warmth I associate with my power has grown into a fierce inferno in my chest, but it’s like it’s trapped there, unable to help me.

“You need to say you will help Darius—that you still agree to the deal!” Ferria shouts.

It takes a moment for the words to pierce the fog.

Once they do, hatred rises, a vicious tide, but I shove it down. I need to survive this. Retribution can come later.

“I-I will help Darius,” I rasp. “I agree to the deal.”

Shadows pulse outward, swallowing the tent in total darkness. Cold swirls over my skin.

I gasp.

Ferria curses.

Then the darkness recedes.

I blink and stare at my arms. The skin is mended. All traces of blood are gone. Only the black vines remain, coiled into my flesh.

Slowly, I drag my eyes up.

Rian watches me.

For a heartbeat, something unsettled crosses his face—regret, maybe. His jaw tightens, his gaze drops, and hope flares in my chest before I can stop it. Maybe he has changed his mind and will free me from the deal.

I’m mistaken.

When Rian’s eyes lift again, the softness has vanished, replaced by something sharp and assured. Triumphant. Pleased.

Like he’s already won, and he knows there’s nothing I can do about it.

And just like that, any and all affection I thought I had for the Fae disappears like smoke on the breeze.

He watched his shadows shred my skin without balking. Same for Darius and Jaxon. The Fae are cruel, ruthless creatures who will do anything to get what they want.

And right now, that includes me.

Until I can heal Darius, I’m their captive.

“You’re a monster,” I say.

Rian smirks. “I never claimed to be anything else. Now, rest. We leave at dawn.”

With that, he turns, shadows fold around him, and he disappears through the tent opening. Darius follows without a backward glance.