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For a moment, she wondered whether to voice her concern. Could she just be seeing things, or was there another type of dark magic in this place? Had she just been socialized to view all non-elemental magic as having a deep corruption?

Once, she’d believed all demons were evil. She couldn’t let herself see the shadow fae in the same way. Elias had taughther better than that. In addition, Arden and the shadow fae had shown her nothing but kindness. It was past time she started to believe the best in others.

Ever so slowly, she relaxed her stance.

Gesturing to the stones on the ground, she said, “Who were they?”

“Shadow fae who fell to the demons of this realm or who succumbed to time.” Lines formed between the prince’s brows. “This is where we bury our dead.” His hands curled into fists at his sides. “We were forced to flee to the Abyss. The other fae never liked our kind, never trusted our magic.”

For a moment, she thought to ask just how many fae courts there were. What she’d learned of the fae was limited to knowledge the enchantresses had. She imagined she only knew of the most powerful courts.

Arden strode forward and knelt before a stone with script in a language she didn’t recognize.

“When the fae wars began, we were hunted down by the other courts and slaughtered.” His fingers lingered on the stone. “The Twilight Court queen convinced the other courts to rally and take us out, claiming we were a threat to their existence. That we possessed dark magic.”

“I’m sorry for what happened to you,” she said, her voice gentle.

The prince stood and walked to several more stones, touching each in kind.

“Some died from injuries sustained during our final battle with the other fae courts. Others died from exposure or from wounds inflicted by the demons in this realm.” His voice was distant as though lost to memories and time. “Far too few died of old age. But those who did… They died knowing they’d never again see their homeland. My…” His voice faltered as he knelt before another stone. Unlike the others, this one had somedesigns around the name. It was clear someone had taken great care to memorialize whoever rested beneath the earth. “My mate died on our journey here. She was protecting me from a demon.”

Turning, he looked at her, his eyes welling with tears. “I know what it means to be separated from your mate, and I don’t want that for you, child.”

She swallowed thickly, able to imagine all too easily Elias throwing himself in harm’s way to protect her—and then having to live through the ages without him.

Coming to stand before her, the prince brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s one of the greatest hardships to be blessed with a long life and then have to live through the years alone. Without the one who gives our existence meaning. It’s because of that that I want to help you.”

Thoughts swirled through her mind, but she latched on to one thing. “I’m thankful for all that you’ve taught me, but if I have any hope of saving my mate before it’s too late, I need more than control. I need power.”

The prince nodded as though expecting this. “And that’s why I’ve brought you to this place. The place where we discovered our true power.”

She blinked. “What?”

“The fae courts were right to fear what we could do with our magic—what we might become.” A cold fire alighted in the back of his eyes. “It wasn’t until we came here that we learned the true possibilities of our magic.”

Slowly, he rose and turned to the stone slab at the center of the cavern.

Frowning, she said, “I don’t understand.”

“When we came to the Abyss, we were desperate for enough power to protect ourselves,” he said. “We were dying far too quickly. More and more of us fell with each demon attack. We knew we’d soon perish if we didn’t find another way to fend offthe hordes. That’s when we found the mountain.” He gestured to the cavern and then to the stone at its center. “And the one who inhabits it.”

Suddenly, a dark wind swept across the cavern, extinguishing her lantern on the far wall and all the candles throughout the room. Instantly everything fell under shadow. While she could still see sections of the cavern with her shadow fae abilities, other parts of it were under an impenetrable black.

Just as she’d felt when she journeyed through the gateway and first came to the Abyss, a presence hovered around her and settled on her shoulders.

Her mind reeled.

A knowing smile played over the prince’s lips. “He’s called the Everdark, one of the greater demons.”

The presence moved from her shoulders as she shook her head.

No, it wasn’t possible?—

Before she could finish the thought, power blossomed around her so vast that she nearly passed out from the assault on her senses.

Her knee scraped against the ground as she gasped, sucking in air. “What have you done?” she demanded, her enchantress instincts surging to the surface. “Alliances with demons are dangerous—especiallygreater demons.”

Arden raised a brow. “Given who your mate is, I thought you’d be more… understanding.”