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Les Fées: The French Fae Legend #3
The Dark Deceit
A dangerous secret lies at the heart of the Fae Lands. A secret that could save three kingdoms - or burn them all to the ground.
The secret is Prince Corin's to bear alone, if his sanity can stand it.
But while Corin suffers, his mother's machinations continue and queen Audrianne makes plans of her own to secure their realm's future. Sickness looms over the Fae like a dark cloud as the tainted mortal world poisons both them and their land, and the queen wants it stopped.
Rumours reach her that a Light Fae man, long since dead and regarded as a saint for his incredible healing powers, fathered a child in the mortal realm. If the man's gift has been passed on - to his great, great granddaughter, Anaïs - the queen wants her, and the Duke of Dannon is just the man to bring her to their world.
Secrets, lies and scandal are the coin of the Fae court and no man's reputation is more scandalous than the Duke of Dannon. Boredom has drawn him to turn his elegant hand to the dirty work of being the queen's chief spy, and secret lover. Feared and admired, his dark reputation does little to keep the women from trying to snare him, a fate that he refuses to contemplate - until Anaïs makes him remember what his honour once stood for.
Still fighting to keep the power of the land from driving him to madness, Corin needs to take Alfheim from the queen’s grasp. But he is drawn ever deeper into a power struggle with the Light Fae’s King over Anaïs and her talents. Now, as the creatures of Dark Wood begin to stir, an old god awakens and Corin cannot run forever.
Corin, Laen and Dannon will soon be drawn towards a bloody battle for power ...
Will it be Anaïs who tips them over the edge?
The secret is Prince Corin's to bear alone, if his sanity can stand it.
But while Corin suffers, his mother's machinations continue and queen Audrianne makes plans of her own to secure their realm's future. Sickness looms over the Fae like a dark cloud as the tainted mortal world poisons both them and their land, and the queen wants it stopped.
Rumours reach her that a Light Fae man, long since dead and regarded as a saint for his incredible healing powers, fathered a child in the mortal realm. If the man's gift has been passed on - to his great, great granddaughter, Anaïs - the queen wants her, and the Duke of Dannon is just the man to bring her to their world.
Secrets, lies and scandal are the coin of the Fae court and no man's reputation is more scandalous than the Duke of Dannon. Boredom has drawn him to turn his elegant hand to the dirty work of being the queen's chief spy, and secret lover. Feared and admired, his dark reputation does little to keep the women from trying to snare him, a fate that he refuses to contemplate - until Anaïs makes him remember what his honour once stood for.
Still fighting to keep the power of the land from driving him to madness, Corin needs to take Alfheim from the queen’s grasp. But he is drawn ever deeper into a power struggle with the Light Fae’s King over Anaïs and her talents. Now, as the creatures of Dark Wood begin to stir, an old god awakens and Corin cannot run forever.
Corin, Laen and Dannon will soon be drawn towards a bloody battle for power ...
Will it be Anaïs who tips them over the edge?
507 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2013
78 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Emma V. Leech
110 books805 followersBestselling author hiding mostly in 19th-century England, venturing out only for chocolate and tea.
Emma V. Leech is the award-winning author of multiple bestselling series across Regency romance, Regency mystery and paranormal romance. Fall in love with swoon-worthy rogues, bold heroines, witty banter and deeply romantic happily-ever-afters. Follow Emma on BookBub for new releases and exclusive deals.
EMMA’S BOOKS
Rogues And Gentlemen
Regency romance – 17-book series (ongoing)
Sexy, tumultuous and irresistibly romantic. From pirates and smugglers to earls and dukes, these unforgettable rogues will sweep you away!
Winter Rogue
A Regency Christmas romance within the Rogues & Gentlemen world
A scandal-weary earl, a runaway heiress and a crumbling country estate snowed in for Christmas. A sensual, heart-tugging holiday novella about redemption, desire and a love neither of them expects.
A Rogues and Gentlemen Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
A collection of three romantic holiday stories featuring beloved Rogues & Gentlemen characters. Expect snowstorms, sizzling tension, unexpected proposals, mistletoe moments and heart-melting happily-ever-afters – a cosy festive escape for Regency romance lovers.
The Girl Is Not For Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
Miss Olivia Penrose is the only thing standing between her family and ruin when a brooding aristocrat crashes into her carefully laid plans. Sparks fly amid family secrets, snowy scandals and irresistible festive longing in this passionate, witty and deeply romantic winter read.
Girls Who Dare
Regency romance – 12-book series
Inside every wallflower is the heart of a lioness. When these overlooked young women make a pact to change their lives, rules are broken, reputations are risked and love becomes the most daring adventure of all.
Daring Daughters
Victorian romance – 19-book series and two compilations
The next generation of the Girls Who Dare. Their mothers risked everything for love – now their daughters are ready to be even bolder. An ongoing series of fiercely romantic stories set in a rapidly changing world.
Wicked Sons
Victorian romance – 12-book series
Their mothers dared all for love. Their sisters did the same. Now it’s the sons’ turn… dangerous, tempting and determined not to fall – until the right woman brings them to their knees.
The Venturesome Ladies Of Little Valentine
Regency romance – my current series
A quiet seaside village, a wave of scandalous newcomers and local ladies who refuse to be swept aside. A warm, witty Regency series full of secrets, second chances and delicious enemies-to-lovers romance.
The Regency Romance Mysteries
Regency romantic suspense – 3-book series
Dashing heroes, wicked villains, murder, mystery – and heroines who refuse to sit prettily and wait to be rescued. Perfect if you like your Regency romance served with danger and intrigue.
The French Vampire Legend
Paranormal romance – 4-book series
A dark, dramatic and heart-wrenching tale of courage, sacrifice and a love that not even time, war or monsters can destroy. Gothic atmosphere, high stakes and a romance that refuses to die.
The French Fae Legend
Fantasy romance – 4-book series
An award-winning saga with close to sixteen million online reads. Moving between modern-day France and the Fae Lands, these books weave powerful magic, danger and an all-consuming love that proves stronger than any enchantment.
The Book Lover
A standalone paranormal romance novella
A book-obsessed young woman, an infuriatingly charming stranger and the unnerving sense that stories might be bleeding into real life. A short, intensely romantic tale for anyone who has ever fallen in love with books… and perhaps with something not entirely of this world.
Emma V. Leech is the award-winning author of multiple bestselling series across Regency romance, Regency mystery and paranormal romance. Fall in love with swoon-worthy rogues, bold heroines, witty banter and deeply romantic happily-ever-afters. Follow Emma on BookBub for new releases and exclusive deals.
EMMA’S BOOKS
Rogues And Gentlemen
Regency romance – 17-book series (ongoing)
Sexy, tumultuous and irresistibly romantic. From pirates and smugglers to earls and dukes, these unforgettable rogues will sweep you away!
Winter Rogue
A Regency Christmas romance within the Rogues & Gentlemen world
A scandal-weary earl, a runaway heiress and a crumbling country estate snowed in for Christmas. A sensual, heart-tugging holiday novella about redemption, desire and a love neither of them expects.
A Rogues and Gentlemen Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
A collection of three romantic holiday stories featuring beloved Rogues & Gentlemen characters. Expect snowstorms, sizzling tension, unexpected proposals, mistletoe moments and heart-melting happily-ever-afters – a cosy festive escape for Regency romance lovers.
The Girl Is Not For Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
Miss Olivia Penrose is the only thing standing between her family and ruin when a brooding aristocrat crashes into her carefully laid plans. Sparks fly amid family secrets, snowy scandals and irresistible festive longing in this passionate, witty and deeply romantic winter read.
Girls Who Dare
Regency romance – 12-book series
Inside every wallflower is the heart of a lioness. When these overlooked young women make a pact to change their lives, rules are broken, reputations are risked and love becomes the most daring adventure of all.
Daring Daughters
Victorian romance – 19-book series and two compilations
The next generation of the Girls Who Dare. Their mothers risked everything for love – now their daughters are ready to be even bolder. An ongoing series of fiercely romantic stories set in a rapidly changing world.
Wicked Sons
Victorian romance – 12-book series
Their mothers dared all for love. Their sisters did the same. Now it’s the sons’ turn… dangerous, tempting and determined not to fall – until the right woman brings them to their knees.
The Venturesome Ladies Of Little Valentine
Regency romance – my current series
A quiet seaside village, a wave of scandalous newcomers and local ladies who refuse to be swept aside. A warm, witty Regency series full of secrets, second chances and delicious enemies-to-lovers romance.
The Regency Romance Mysteries
Regency romantic suspense – 3-book series
Dashing heroes, wicked villains, murder, mystery – and heroines who refuse to sit prettily and wait to be rescued. Perfect if you like your Regency romance served with danger and intrigue.
The French Vampire Legend
Paranormal romance – 4-book series
A dark, dramatic and heart-wrenching tale of courage, sacrifice and a love that not even time, war or monsters can destroy. Gothic atmosphere, high stakes and a romance that refuses to die.
The French Fae Legend
Fantasy romance – 4-book series
An award-winning saga with close to sixteen million online reads. Moving between modern-day France and the Fae Lands, these books weave powerful magic, danger and an all-consuming love that proves stronger than any enchantment.
The Book Lover
A standalone paranormal romance novella
A book-obsessed young woman, an infuriatingly charming stranger and the unnerving sense that stories might be bleeding into real life. A short, intensely romantic tale for anyone who has ever fallen in love with books… and perhaps with something not entirely of this world.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 12, 2018
Wonderful series- A must read
Many know that my wife of almost 50 years is ill and I read to her daily. I admit that most are simp!e romances but I admit to loving this series, so full of adventure, fear, and love! This old Navy man waits as many for the next book out in May 2018-pre-order it today! Thank you Ms Leech for your spirited, thoughtful books.
Many know that my wife of almost 50 years is ill and I read to her daily. I admit that most are simp!e romances but I admit to loving this series, so full of adventure, fear, and love! This old Navy man waits as many for the next book out in May 2018-pre-order it today! Thank you Ms Leech for your spirited, thoughtful books.
February 25, 2016
Claudette's whining and immaturity ruined the awesome plot!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2015
I'd already read this last year but decided I'd read it again so worth it love these books
January 29, 2019
The Battle for King
I am addicted to this book series. I like Dannon and Anais, but it took too long for them to be together. I lost some respect for Dannon with his actions when they returned to the Fae land. Anais did a very foolish act as well to help him. I am glad to have the heroes and heroines from books one and two in this story. This book was darker than the first two. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.
I am addicted to this book series. I like Dannon and Anais, but it took too long for them to be together. I lost some respect for Dannon with his actions when they returned to the Fae land. Anais did a very foolish act as well to help him. I am glad to have the heroes and heroines from books one and two in this story. This book was darker than the first two. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.
October 11, 2019
Fantastic Book! Great continuation of the series!
Corin struggles with the voices in his head, as the fae lands call to him to claim them. Claudette struggles with her relationship with Corin and his mother the queen. Laen and Ocaene are surprised with some exciting news, and several new characters are introduced into the story. Fast paced action, steamy sexual situations, great world building, and fantastic descriptions. Highly recommend this book!
Corin struggles with the voices in his head, as the fae lands call to him to claim them. Claudette struggles with her relationship with Corin and his mother the queen. Laen and Ocaene are surprised with some exciting news, and several new characters are introduced into the story. Fast paced action, steamy sexual situations, great world building, and fantastic descriptions. Highly recommend this book!
September 25, 2025
This particular series starts to come alive with more action and purpose along with less emotional angst. To my mind it is still a bit too long and there are certainly some editing errors, such as "past times" instead of "pastimes".
Although for the most part I enjoyed the book, particularly Anais getting to understand and handle her gifts, I did feel that some of the plotting didn't work as it failed to stand up to the logical outcome of Corrin's power in some situations.
Although for the most part I enjoyed the book, particularly Anais getting to understand and handle her gifts, I did feel that some of the plotting didn't work as it failed to stand up to the logical outcome of Corrin's power in some situations.
August 6, 2019
So much better than the first two in the series. The plot kept my interested. Dannon and Anais were likeable, and their romance was believable; though much of the story still revolves around Corin. One big complaint was the grammar mistakes, which better editing would have resolved; but the main reason I had to downgrade my rating to a 3 was the scene between Corin and Claudette after the battle (no spoiler alerts), which was just wrong in every way.
April 8, 2018
An interesting read!
Quite intriguing. Reminds me of devas and asuras of the Indian mythology where the good and the bad resides in each of us and it is the individual who choses the preferred path.
Quite intriguing. Reminds me of devas and asuras of the Indian mythology where the good and the bad resides in each of us and it is the individual who choses the preferred path.
March 6, 2023
amazing!
If you haven’t read this series (or the vampire series) you need to. This is the best Fantasy series I have ever read and should not be dismissed!! Emma Leech you are one hell of a writer!!
If you haven’t read this series (or the vampire series) you need to. This is the best Fantasy series I have ever read and should not be dismissed!! Emma Leech you are one hell of a writer!!
November 12, 2017
Simply wonderful
I can't get enough of Emma's stories, every story I have read, I have given a five star rating. I just adore Corin, even when he's being just a tad wicked.
I can't get enough of Emma's stories, every story I have read, I have given a five star rating. I just adore Corin, even when he's being just a tad wicked.
August 25, 2019
Awesome
Once again I am struck in awe at the sheer brilliance of Emma’s words. Every time I read one of her stories I am struck speechless. So addictive!
Once again I am struck in awe at the sheer brilliance of Emma’s words. Every time I read one of her stories I am struck speechless. So addictive!
December 29, 2022
This was my least favorite of the trilogy. I did love the character anais especially when she was in the human world. The duke of Dannon was not the best. I prefer Corin, but it was a good read.
March 12, 2023
+1 star for dannon. Too much of Corin
July 28, 2016
Very enjoyable, though I look forward to reading it again when it's published properly and has been edited -- I read this on Wattpad after reading the previous two books on Kindle, and suffice it to say that the editing process is a good thing. However, the story and the characters are still enthralling, and after a shaky start ("The Dark Prince" is too close to a formulaic romance for my tastes) the story and characters are getting more and more interesting. Dannon and the Queen are particularly complex and intriguing.
August 23, 2016
OH MY GOD! I cannot wait for this to be made into a proper book. I love Dannon and Anais, who is probably one of my favourite Emma Leech characters so far. I was also very happy to see Dannon realise early on that he had feelings for her. And their banter is hilarious, I couldn't stop grinning. Actually, the whole book is hilarious. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much reading a book as I did reading chapters 18 and 19.
PS: I love Corin!
PS: I love Corin!
December 1, 2018
What a rush!
This series is moving along at such an epic rate! The characters grip you, their struggle and fight for what they need most tugs at your heart strings.
I've always enjoyed reading anything from Emma Leech, but I must admit to seeing a large section of this book not as meticulously edited as her other works, and finding it somewhat of a disappointment.
This series is moving along at such an epic rate! The characters grip you, their struggle and fight for what they need most tugs at your heart strings.
I've always enjoyed reading anything from Emma Leech, but I must admit to seeing a large section of this book not as meticulously edited as her other works, and finding it somewhat of a disappointment.
May 5, 2015
very good book
July 5, 2014
Dannon was given tasks to bring Anai, a healer Fae, for the Queen. He threaded his way carefully, trying not to fall for the girl.
March 30, 2015
I read most of your stories from Wattpad and I am absolutely in loved. Hopefully you'll write a story in 1st person instead of 3rd. Other than that, you are very descriptive and creative :)
July 18, 2015
Awsome Book! I definitely recommend these Dark Series books from Emma Leech.
August 1, 2015
Just keeps getting better.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews