Page 7 of Dragon Unleashed

The Virrey’s hot breath billows in my face.

“Ever disrespect my direct order again and I will ensure every one of your allegiance pays for it. Tonight I’ll make an exception.”

I breathe a sigh of relief, but it’s short-lived.

“Make no mistake, you will be punished. Until you learn obedience you will not leave Fates Academy, unless on academic grounds or to visit my estate. Effective immediately.” Without breaking eye contact with me, he addresses his son. “Farrell, take yourloveand escort her to your rooms. Not one of you leaves your quarters again tonight.”

With a simple wave the Virrey bursts the bubble and my feet are my own again.

“Lorelei is overwhelmed, she will retire, along with the rest of their allegiance,” he announces to the crowd. “For tonight, let us celebrate. Tomorrow, we make plans for her powers.”

The mere mention of him using me, using my powers has my magic flaring again. Flames skitter along my arms, flickering from white to purple and back again, a tingle rushing across my skin. My aether bubbles under the surface.

Farrell’s lips twitch.

“Calm down,” he snaps.

Naeve squeezes my hand, pushing her power into me. From behind Zephyr’s magic does the same.

Chano’s big gray eyes hold my gaze steadily. “Let’s get out of here, alive.”

He adds his magic to the others’, gently pushing it at me, letting me know I can take from him if I need to. Letting me decide what happens next. Decide what I do with all this extra power. Attack or retreat…

Slowly, my flames sputter and die. I give a curt nod; it’s all I can manage. If I speak now, I’ll rip into Farrell and his father in front of the crowd.

Farrell stands mere feet away, his arms crossed over his bulging chest, glowering. Like he knows I won’t attack him again. Like somehow I’m at fault for all this.

Silas, Sanders, and Chano’s four guards march us along marble hallways beneath gilded-frame paintings of ancientroyalty and tapestries depicting the dragons of old. I’d be in awe of the beauty if I weren’t so furious with the ramrod-straight-backed asshole in front of me.

A smudge of soot streaks up the back of Farrell’s neck above his collar and the occasional waft of smoke drifts back to me. I wonder how long it’ll take him to get rid of the smell.

Silas steps up close beside me. Staring straight ahead as we walk down corridor after corridor, he starts to talk, his moth-eaten lips barely moving.

“You’re trouble, princess,” he mutters.

“Piss right off,” I hiss back.Why are we whispering?

“You’re alsointrouble.” He glances at me so briefly I almost miss the concern in his eyes. “I have a present for you. To help.”

I stop walking, but he yanks me along, and I trip over my own feet.

“How can someone so clumsy be—” He stops himself. “Never mind. I have something for you, but it’s not ready yet. Stay safe until it reaches you.”

Something about his tone makes me bite back my acerbic response. He strides forward, away from me, leaving no time for questions. For an old man he’s fast.

Tonight’s disaster hits me all over again and I drag my feet. I should have kept my aether locked down. How stupid can I get?

We’re finally ushered into a private lounge nestled between the rooms we’ve been allocated. Farrell comes to a halt in front of a giant mantelpiece with a wrought iron mirror. Almost lazily he rubs the ashy smudge off his neck, before twisting this way and that, ensuring there’s no other scorch marks left behind.

I’m ready to explode and he’s—what? Preening?

I storm toward him, and his piercing blue eyes finally rise to meet mine in the glass. Slowly he spins to face me, holding his hands up in a placating gesture. Straining up into his face, I jab a finger at his chest.

“Explain yourself. Now.” I punctuate each word with a poke.

“Now, now, children. Before you kiss and make up, I have a few more words,” the Virrey says.

I didn’t even see him arrive. Does he never stop? I turn reluctantly, bringing him into my sights. Of the two of them, I’d rather have my back to Farrell.

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