Page 55 of The Forbidden Dragon King
Aurelius stands up, and instantly, I miss his closeness. “Not yet. He hasn’t been tamed. Can’t you accept that he’s the villain here? You haven’t congratulated me for finally defeating him. A rough bandit like him is unworthy to?—”
“I’ve been called unworthy all my life,” I say, sharply. “I don’t judge people and I don’t want themtamed.”
“Stay inside. Trust my word. And get some rest.” Aurelius stalks away from the bed and out of the tent again, trailing his sodden crimson cloak behind him like a weeping wound.
I’ll sleep for now.
But later, I have my secret escape route out of the back of the tent, and I will find the second pet.
Then I’ll work out a way to help us both escape.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Draca Military Camp
Freya
I creep stealthilythrough the nighttime camp with my back pressed to the defensive wall enclosing it, which is built out of wood, earth, and stone.
Adrenaline rushes through my veins, as I force my trembling legs to carry me through the camp.
I glance over my shoulder, panicked that I’ll discover Aurelius stalking after me. Somehow, it feels like he knows what I’m thinking and doing too much of the time.
Having lowered inhibitions with thewine around him was a bad idea.
Did I really call himpretty? Withbeautiful but cruel lips?
I shake my head.
I can’t remember if I told him that I wanted to kiss them…?
Except, I did yearn to and just how much frightens me, as does how much I missed him when he was away and the joy that I felt on his safe return.
I push myself to walk faster under the shadow of the wall. I’m blocked from the view of the barracks by the granary, not that there are soldiers around to see me anyway.
Aurelius has thrown a victory feast in the central Forum for everybody, apart from his prisoners and pets, of course.
I pause, listening to the cheers and laughter.
Aurelius sounds popular.
But then, there’s an ancient Alpha saying:He who supplies the mead is king for the night.
The rain has finally stopped, but a freezing breath of wind blows across my cheeks and tangles my hair across my eyes.
Impatiently, I push my hair back, scanning across to the darkest, forgotten corner of the camp.
No torches blaze here. There are no campfires to warm it.
It wasn’t hard to get chatting to my Beta guards, as soon as I woke up from my rest with a thumping headache and a determination to never drink wine again. They gloated with glee about thefallen Shadow Fae King,once a divine being, now a prisoner, and where he was being held.
I clasp the hunk of bread under my arm.
I bet Aurelius would be petty enough not to feed Daire. I hate to think of anyone being hungry, when I’ve spent so many days with my stomach clawing with hunger pains.
As if I’d stay inside Aurelius’ tent just because he’s ordered me to.
I may be a pet but I don’t take orders.
