Page 157 of The Forbidden Dragon King
My pulse speeds up. My palms are sweaty.
Hurriedly, I press on my snowflake mark. Then I gasp at the wave of pain that hits me.
My gaze shoots into the darkness.
I know with horrifying certainty that those soft, sickening thuds are someone hurting my fae soulmate.
I sprint down the corridor, passing the empty cells with iron bars.
Daire dancing in the moonlight, spinning breathtakingly fast, as his silk outfit twirls out and ragged shadows flutter around him… How much I’d wanted to dance in his arms, just the two of us…
Daire is curled up on the floor with his arms around his head to protect himself. He’s once again dressed in his servant’s uniform with the lavender cloak draped over it. His wings are folded back as far as possible to try and hide them from the blows of the guards — all three of them, the raven starving cowards. The guards, however, appear to be still directing as many of the kicks with their heavy black boots to them as possible.
Thump, thump, thump.
I cringe on each kick.
“Stop it,” I yell.
The guards don’t even look up.
“I said, fucking stop it.” I grab the Head Guard’s arm,as he raises his leg to kick Daire again. “He’s the King’s personal pet. On what authority are you doing this?”
What rule is there that says I can’t use Aurelius’ status and power?
When caught in a trap, a wolf may use any trick to escape.
Isn’t that fair?
I tap the Golden Dragon brooch pointedly.
Daire slowly lowers his arms from his head, peering up at me through bruised eyes. He shoots me a secret smile.
I’m surprised that he doesn’t wink.
The Head Guard, Tiberius, is a heavy set Beta in his fifties with steel threading through his short blond hair. His large features are striking, and he has a bearing that makes him look like he’s used to being obeyed without needing to ask twice.
Sucks for him that neither Daire nor I are the obedient type.
Tiberius glowers at me. “What authority, pet? The authority of being in charge of running this dungeon. And this here…” He toes Daire, who winces. “Is my prisoner right now. When he’s a mouthy fucker, I can discipline him.”
“Does the King know?” I tilt up my chin.
Please, say no.
The Head Guard snorts. “King Aurelius has a kingdom to run. Do you think that he cares about one disobedient pet? Now, get the fuck out of here and stop wasting my time.”
“Good plan. I’m behind that too.” Daire pushes himself to his knees with difficulty.
He glances significantly back down the corridor the way that I have just come. His eyes flash with both concern and urgency.
He’s scared, not for himself but for me.
“I’m not leaving,” I say.
Joy and surpriseburst through my bond with Daire.
Our gazes catch and hold. For a long moment, it’s as if there is no one else in the entire realms.
