Page 90 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

Rian’s eyes zero in on my mouth. His nostrils flare. “Have you touched Darius’s skin again?”

“No.”

“Hmm.” Shadows flicker over his face, masking his reaction. “Interesting.”

“Please,” I beg once more. “I know Fae forbid humans from possessing magic, but I swear I only use it for good.”

“Are you telling me you don’t heal mortal men?”

“I…do?”

“And do you know, for certain, that none of those men are allied with the rebellion that seeks to overthrow the king?” His eyes flash silver, cold and searing all at once.

My heart stutters. “I-I’ve already told you…no one in Verdanthia is part of the rebellion.”

“Wrong, Elara.” My name rolls from his lips.

A shiver races down my spine.

The pull I felt in the tavern surges back, hot and unbidden, roaring through my chest. I smother the embers before they catch and send my whole body ablaze.

“So I’m to be punished,” I manage, heat crawling up my cheeks as my treacherous gaze snags on the gap in his tunic and the strong column of golden skin revealed there, “for helping men who later betray the Fae?”

“Who said anything about punishing you?”

“You did.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Well, it was implied,” I snap, flinging a hand toward him in exasperation. “Otherwise, why would you be so…”—I falter, gesturing at the swirling darkness cloaking him—“shadowy?”

The air stills. His shadows freeze, suspended mid-coil. Then his head tilts back, and he laughs. Deep. Unrestrained.

And Gods save me, his laughter is the most musical, sensual sound I’ve heard all my life.

The flickering lantern on the end table showcases his sculpted profile as he continues to belt out his amusement.

“What’s so funny?” I demand, folding my arms tight across my chest, as though that can shield me from the traitorous pounding of my own heart.

My attraction to this male has to stop. He’s Fae. He could kill me in the blink of an eye. He is not a romantic prospect. Besides…I have Lev.

“You.” Rian lowers his head, and the grin tugging his lips makes my stomach clench. “For someone who is so intelligent, you are so quick to make incorrect assumptions.”

Was that a compliment? Followed by an insult?

“And what assumption would that be?” I challenge.

His smile falls. “What makes you believe I would punish the woman who is keenly motivated to help one of my closest friends?”

Friends?

I gaze at Darius. That’s the first time one of the Fae has used the term to describe their unconscious companion.

“But you can’t help Darius with your magic.”

My head snaps back to Rian. “What? Why?”

His eyes sharpen, cutting straight into mine as though peeling back layers of skin and bone to peer into my soul. “If your magic is what I suspect, it’s too volatile to use on Darius. You need training on Fae minds, our bodies, and the way your power would thread through us. Otherwise, it’ll destroy more than it heals.”