Page 189 of The Forbidden Dragon King
Aurelius’ smoky scent washes over me, along with his dominant pheromones. I breathe them in like salvation.
Aurelius works at the ropes that are holding my wings up in concentrated silence, careful not to actually touch my feathers.
I groan, as my wings droop. I fold them lightly over my back, shielding it from view and judgment.
Aurelius unlocks my hands from the shackles, and I collapse to the floor.
Pain shudders through me.
With difficulty, I raise my head.
I’m shocked to see that Freya is standing with Ignatius’ arms wrapped around her. It looks like the Alpha has been holding her back from running forward, rather than comforting her.
She’s clasping a furious, feral looking Five to her chest.
Ignatius’ expression is strained. He’s petting Freya’s back like he needs the touch as much as she does.
Freya’s eyes gleam with tears.
I drop my hands to the floor, shaking my head to try and clear it. My back feels like it’s been set alight.
When a shadow covers me, I raise my head again.
Aurelius towers over me like a cold sun.
I meet his emotionless eyes, as he studies me, assessing.
I try to make my tongue work, blinking the sweat out of my eyes. But I can’t.
Aurelius seems to find what he wants in my expression because he turns on his heel and marches to Caligo, who is still standing with the whip in his hand.
Aurelius wrenches the whip out of Caligo’s grip and hurls it across the parade ground with a controlled fury. “I never agreed to this type of discipline in the academy. An iron infused whip being used against a fae is barbaric.”
“I don’t accept the weak within these walls,” Caligo replies. “They need to be weeded out, so that the strong can flourish. Don’t you remember that rule, Aurelius? You appear to have forgotten your lessons. Restraint. Control.Self-discipline.Perhaps, you should return for one to one tutoring with me. Your emotions are all over the place, and you seem to be feeling more than?—”
“Silence.” The word is said quietly but with such authority that Caligo’s mouth snaps shut. The dying sun gleams off Aurelius’ crown, as he backs Caligo against the wall of the parade ground. I watch with the same surprise as the rest of the cadets. “I am no longer a child or under your authority. Do you think that you can still control or threaten me? I have been away on campaign for three years. You don’t know me any longer.”
“It looks like I don’t.” Caligo raises his chin. “But your pets are under my authority. I’m the Chief Instructor here. While they’re in my academy, I decide how to discipline them, or are you abusing your power like a tyrant?”
Aurelius’ golden eyes become molten. “You’ve never seen me as a tyrant. Don’t tempt me. Also, these students are still members ofmyarmy. I have a duty of care to them. My soldiers are my family, and even though I may not be able to change these harsh traditions and trials yet, I can still stop your overreaching cruelties. I don’t instill loyalty through fear.”
“Don’t you? Don’t we?”
Aurelius takes a step back, straightening his shoulders. “Kneel.”
Caligo looks winded, giving a nervous laugh. His gaze darts to the avidly watching students.
Forgotten on the floor, I turn my head to sneak a look at the cadets.
Ignatius is watching Caligo’s humiliation at Aurelius’ hand with a combination of hero-worship and vicious enjoyment.
Warmth spreads through my chest, however, that Freya isn’t looking at Aurelius.
She’s staring straight atme.
Our gazes meet.
She forces a smile, raising our soul mark to her lips. She kisses it fervently, desperate for me to feel it because I am still alive. I shudder at the pleasure of her kisses on my skin, when I am shaking with pain from my back and dislocated wrist.
