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THE LAUGHTER ONLY ANGERS Darcie as the tip of her sword rises to his neck, silencing him. Behind her, Jacob struggles, but Darcie keeps him trapped.
"Where is Milon?" Darcie asks again.
"Milon does not exist," says Riven, grinning cockily. "When Tamara was banished, I left the Unseelie Court, searching for her in the Freefall much like others, but my intentions were purer. Then, when I found her, we found ourselves in a situation just like this one."
"The Queen knows?" Darcie questions. "And she still spared you?"
"I am not your enemy," Riven claims. "I ran from home searching for a way to help my kingdom. My father's ruling has been unfair; both humans and the Fae have suffered. Those who would follow me are too afraid to betray my father and I could never ask them in fear for their loved ones. Tamara, though, gave me hope. I could not offer marriage to the Queen, but I could offer my assistance in the promise that when the Unseelie Court fell, I would be on the throne."
"King Fabian blames the Seelie Court for your disappearance," says Darcie. "Our kingdoms are clashing over it and you've been under our nose the whole time."
"The Queen and King don't know," Riven explains. "Karina had searched my mind, proving my innocence, but there came the question of what happens next. If I returned, then my father would have killed me for betraying him, then war would have broken out. If I was seen, then it would have ended in the same result."
"So, you hid," Darcie realises. "Becoming Milon."
"Yes, it was—"
"Darcie?"
Hearing her name, Darcie freezes, becoming too distracted but Riven does not use it to his advantage. There's too much going on: Darcie wants to reunite with her friends, but she cannot give them the attention when Riven could still be a threat. After all, he has fooled everyone with who he is.
So, Darcie lets Jacob go, who is still protesting. Not looking at Embry, her hand spreads wide, building a dome from the Fae stone that separates them. The two cry out, but Darcie's attention is back on Riven, keeping her foot firmly on his chest and the blade to his throat.
"How long do you have until that wall comes crashing down?" Riven asks.
"I can hold them," says Darcie. "But I suggest you be quick."
Riven smirks again. "I'm not used to you ordering me around."
"Get used to it," Darcie tells him. "As I'm too used to having friends betray me."
"Very well," says Riven, laughing. "So, after our truce, Tamara, Avo, Karina, and I debated what happens next. It was Karina who suggested that I changed my appearance and had my mind wiped. I would become just another Faerie in the Seelie Court until the time came for the Unseelie Prince to return."
