Page 116 of The Forbidden Dragon King
Each one of his words slices me open and makes me bleed.
I slam Daire back with a single move, wrapping my strong hand around his slim neck. He struggles, but I hold him still by his curls. I twist our positions, pinning him to the wall instead.
He gasps, as his sensitive wings are crushed against the wall.
I flex my fingers around Daire’s throat, stroking my thumb gently over his bobbing Adam’s apple. “I’d say that it was the one who could have his throat crushed right now.”
To my surprise, Daire doesn’t back down. He only directly meets my gaze.
“Then do it,” Daire replies. I jolt, when I realize that the glassiness in his eyes is agony. They appear unfocused, as if he’s not truly seeing me. Has he been able to see me fully from the moment that I stepped into the cell? “End my agony.”
Worry surges through me.
“What’s wrong with you? Is there too much iron down here?” When I let go of Daire’s throat, he slumps against the wall, panting. I trace over a livid bruise on his sharp cheekbone. “Are you in severe pain? These bruises, which fucker did this to you?”
Daire turns away his head. “They’re not important. I’m fine.”
“You can hardly stand.”
“Then let me sit.”
I take a step back, and he slumps to the ground, curling his wings around himself.
He ducks his head, and his hair veils his face. His shoulders are tight with pain. I should know better than most what it looks like to conceal your agony.
I turn toward the door. “I’m getting a healer.”
“Don’t.” Daire looks up at me now with true panic in his eyes. “I’m suffering at your uncle’s order.”
I freeze, resting my hand on the bars.
I take a steadying breath.
Of course he is. I should have known.
“He punished you…?” I ask through clenched teeth.
“I thought that you believed in thrashing misbehaving pets.”
My fingers curl tightly around the bar, throttling it. “You may not have not noticed but I talk a lot of shit.”
Daire chokes on a laugh. “I noticed. If I look at you too long, it’s like seeing myself in a dark, still pool. And seeing my reflection is something that I’m avoiding doing until I can at least brush my hair.”
“Narcissist.”
“Says my mirror image.” Daire runs his fingers through his tangled hair. “Also, the word you’re looking for isgod.”
“It truly isn’t.” Then I add in a low, urgent voice, hoping that there is no way Maximinus can be spying on me even here, “Tomorrow, I will be leaving the Shadow Court for several days. Vampire skirmishes in the borderlands have become more intense, and I need to quell them. I’ll take you with me. You’ll be safe with me there.”
I don’t miss the irony that Daire will be safer with me on a battlefield against vampires, than in my own capital. But then, I never miss the irony that I am safer on the battlefield than I ever have been in my own home.
Daire looks up at me with large, surprised eyes.
His expression softens, before he sprawls back, pillowing his head on his hands. “Why would I leave such luxurious lodgings?”
I puff out a breath in frustration. “I gave your men and you my oath. If you’re in danger…being hurt…”
“By someone other than you, aye?” Daire gives a sharp smile.
