Page 52 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

The unconscious Fae’s chest rises and falls steadily. A drop of broth leaks from the corner of his mouth. I pick up a cloth and dip it into the water basin in front of the lone mirror in the tent, then walk back over to wipe his lips and chin, studying his face.

Like all Fae, Darius is handsome. And it’s likely only because he’s unconscious, but his features are more relaxed. Soft. Gentle, even.

Jaxon clears his throat.

I almost drop the cloth on Darius’s tunic. Whirling around, I prepare to defend my staring, but Jaxon’s eyes aren’t on me.

The Fae stares at his friend. His jaw clenches.

Then he asks, “How is his treatment going?”

I search his face for a clue as to what he’s thinking. “There’s no noticeable change yet, but I’m doing my best to change that.”

“I believe you.”

I blink. “You do?”

“You don’t strike me as someone who gives up when they’re backed against a wall. I believe you are doing everything you can to fulfill your deal and save your town.”

I tilt my head to the side. “That almost sounded like a compliment.”

“As much of a compliment I can ever give a human.”

I frown at the derisive note he uses to say the word.

Fae despise humans as much as we fear Fae. But unlike Fae, humans never did anything to the Fae other than occupy land they wanted for themselves. I mean, how dare we choose to live on a lush continent, ripe with vegetation, right?

I blame fatigue for the words that pass my lips next.

“Well, this human is all that stands between your friend and the curse that ravages his body.” I wave a hand at Darius. “So perhaps you all can be a little kinder.”

Jaxon smiles, but it’s dull. “Perhaps.”

I scan his face and note the tightness around the corners of his eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“What makes you think something is wrong?” He turns away and goes back to searching for the vile rodent.

“Instinct.”

Jaxon hums a noncommittal noise and toes at a wicker basket in the corner.

“Can you tell me what happened to him?” I ask.

He lifts the basket’s lid and peers inside. “To whom?”

“Darius.”

He straightens, dropping the lid, and meets my eye. “What do you want to know?”

Everything.

“How long has he been like this?”

“Unconscious? A fortnight as of today.”

Two weeks?! I glance at the male and marvel, once more, at how resilient the Fae are. How…formidable.

“And when did you know he was affected by the…curse?” I ask.