Page 225 of The Forbidden Dragon King
“I know that. I d-d-didn’t…”
“You’re in pain.” Aurelius cuts him off sharply, scrutinizing him.
“Fuck off.”
“You’ve been in pain and hiding it for weeks. You don’t think that I know what that looks like? I’ve been an expert at it since I was a child.”
“I’ve been painted black and blue in bloody bruises that your guards and instructors putthere,” Daire snarls, but I can tell that he’s evading the question. “I haven’t hidden anything.”
“Daire…?” I whisper, not sure what I’m most horrified about but mostly distressed that I’ve been missing something important about my soul bond.
“What?” Daire roars, finally pushing Aurelius back and twirling out of his hold. He stumbles back, further into the cavern. “Did you think that I was some kind of righteous person? That I haven’t killed? That you could destroy me and I wouldn’t scheme? I’ve never lied or tried to hide what I am: trickster, bandit, scoundrel.”
“That’s what you are.” My throat is rough with tears. “Not who you are.”
Aurelius’ expression is hard. “What does Maximinus have on you?”
Daire finally stops his retreat. He pales but he doesn’t answer.
“I’m a thief. A traitor who killed to escape my own kingdom. I’m not some pampered Omega who you need to pretend around. But the feuds between your royal houses will lead to all of our deaths,” I say, anguished. “They’re tearing apart the Shadow Realms and have been for generations. We’re all orphans. We should be looking out for each other as family. When the fuck are these wars going to end?”
Aurelius ignores me, gaze fixed on Daire. “I asked you what my uncle has on you. You’re this upset because you truly want us to be pack. You thought that you’d found your fated mates.”
“Stop.”
Aurelius prowls toward Daire. “Didn’t it feel good not to be alone anymore? Not the only leader? The only one who knew what it felt like to be a king?”
“I said, stop.”
“To be seen by me and respected?”
“I will fucking kill you,” Daire howls, beating his wings furiously.
Aurelius smiles in hollow victory. “Now, there’s you unleashing the true inner Unseelie. I see you now. But I don’t think that you’re acting against me willingly, at least, not anymore.”
“What does it matter?” Daire balls his hands at his side. “I just want Freya out of your poisonous court.”
“I can’t leave,” Aurelius replies with tightly controlled rage. “It’s my court and I’m taking it back. I want you both ruling at my side, but only if you’re not going to stab me in the back for Maximinus.”
“You bloody bastard. How can you still doubt that after we shared our rut…?”
Aurelius cocks his head. “Have you shared other people’s beds, before you slit their throats?”
Daire startles, wide-eyed.
Aurelius nods but without satisfaction. “I thought that was you. Wraith is the best connected spy in the court.” Grief flashes across his eyes at the mention of Wraith, before he buries it. “You see now, why I have to be sure?”
“I see,” Daire’s eyes blaze, “that you’ve been playing a crueler game than I ever have.”
“Aurelius,” I grab his arm, shaking apart from theconflict within our pack that I don’t understand, “Daire is my soul bond. Your rider. Our mate.”
“He is,” Aurelius replies. “Nothing changes how much I wish he could be mine. But he is also the fae who is planning to kill me and overthrow my kingdom.”
My gaze shoots to Daire.
To start with, it’s true that we were scheming against Aurelius. But things have changed now.
Right?
