Page 126 of The Forbidden Dragon King
“I think,” War pushes herself off the tree, “that you’re planning to slip away and do something reckless.”
I bounce on my toes, cocking my head and giving my best puppy dog innocent look. “What, me…?”
That look doesn’t work on Aurelius. Sadly, it also doesn’t work on War.
She prowls towards me across the garden, dropping her hand to the hilt of her sword.
I bare my considerably smaller teeth than hers, backing away before the intimidating Alpha.
My back hits the rosebush, and I wince at the scratch of the thorns through the thin linen.
War towers over me. The light catches on her ruby and gold armor.
Her scent is powerful, woodsy and crisp, like a grove of olive trees.
“Relius is so pheromone drunk that he has been conned into believing you’re a sweet Omega.” War’s ash blond curls brush over my cheeks, as she leans close to whisper, “You’re not.I see the savage wolf who is playing both sides. I see the wolf who is an equal trickster to her soulmate, the fae fucker.”
My mouth goes dry.
Shit, shit, shit.
Why did I let my guard down for a moment around this legendary warrior? This Alpha who casually suggested killing me to make life easier for Aurelius?
Is there anything that she wouldn’t do for her King?
Her loyalty is fanatical.
Or is this what true families are like?
War’s hazel eyes gleam with victory at what she reads in my face. “Don’t worry, I admire it. You’re no less dangerous in your own way than any of the Golden Family. You fit. Don’t think that we won’t all be watching your every move, however, and that fae fucker’s too.”
“Understood.” I’m impressed at how level my voice sounds, considering my heart is beating like a hummingbird’s.
War nods, satisfied, finally leaning to give me just a tiny amount of space, although she is still blocking out the sun. “So, tell me where we’re going to be reckless together.”
I stare at her in shock. “You’re not going to stop me…?”
“That depends.”
“The North Tower,” I risk admitting. “Lucius told me that every trace of Emperor Hadrian has been hidden away there.”
War hisses out an annoyed breath. “Did the blabbermouthed fucker happen to also tell you that the North Tower is forbidden to anyone but the royal family?”
I nod.
War pulls back from me. “I’m going to spank that brat until he can’t sit down for a month”
“Don’t,” I say, quickly. “He’s my friend.”
Strangely, it doesn’t feel like a lie.
War’s expression gentles a fraction. “Well, Luc needsan Omega friend in this place. First, tell me why you’d risk breaking the rules to go exploring.”
I hesitate, before explaining. “I want — need — to understand Aurelius.”
“What if you don’t like what you find out?”
“Then I don’t.”
