Page 58 of The Forbidden Dragon King
It strikes me suddenly that Daire is missing his tall bronze and emerald crown of intricate feathers.
Did Aurelius take it from him? Fuck, that must have been a blow.
I had my bond stripped from me. Does it feel as hollowing for a king to have their throne taken?
What am I saying?
My bond was only my heart. A throne is the hearts of thousands…millions…of soldiers and citizens.
I’m glad that I’ve only held my own life in my hands. I’d be a disaster as a ruler.
Probably, as much of a disaster as this Daire is, despite his posturing as a god, since he ended his kingdom.
I wiggle the bread side to side, when Daire’s knees buckle with exhaustion and hunger. “No mocking, I swear. I stole this from Aurelius to bring to you.”
“You stole it from him?” Daire’s expression instantly warms. His wings fold away again. He grimaces, holding his side like his rib may be broken. “Now you’re speaking my language.” He collapses to his knees, as if he’s used up all his energy. I watch him, worried. “Give me a moment, aye?”
“Your face…?” I bite my lip.
“I know. God-like.”
I can’t help smiling. “I mean that you need a healer.”
He looks up, and his curls obscure his eyes. “You should see the other guy.”
Except, I have.
I don’t remember everything that Aurelius said to me this morning. But I do remember that he strolled back into the tent looking immaculate in his golden armor.
I don’t say that to Daire.
He appears to have lost enough already in the last few days, and I won’t also take his knot.
“Do you know who I am?” He asks, carefully.
“You’re King Daire.”
His smile is thin. “Aye, I once was. But the King died in the burning ruins of Rune forest with his friends. My blood was sacrificed to the greed and lust for power of the dragon shifters. Now, there is only Kit, the pet bound to serve King Aurelius.”
“That’s a lie. You can’t beonlyanything.”
“I don’t lie. Also, are you flirting with me?” Daire drops to a seductive sprawl in front of the bars close enough that I could reach through and see if his wings are as soft as they look.
Close enough to kiss the blood from his swollen lips.
I know not to trust him, but by the moon, I want to. Fae lie through their truths.
I look at him with wide eyes.
“I wouldn’t dare.” I shove the bread in front of him through the bars.
“Now,that’sa lie.” Daire snatches up the bread and ripsinto it with canines that are sharper than my own in a way I know means that he hasn’t eaten for days, probably since before the battle.
I watch him, feeling remarkably satisfied. I didn’t know that it could be rewarding for an Omega to feed an Alpha. But I’m definitely getting a kick out of this.
Daire takes another bite, before studying me over the top of the bread as he chews. “You’re another prisoner, aye?”
I settle onto my knees. “I don’t know.”
