Page 87 of The Forbidden Dragon King
“I could advise the Council that you should be held in the dungeons next to your fae pet,” Maximinus says casually, as if he’s not voicing my worst fear, which has been held over me since I was a child. “Collared and manacled in enchanted chains under my direct control.” I shudder. I know what that means. Is it what he’s always truly wanted? The power?The throne?“How would you like to live your long life alone in the dark? If you can’t accept that you are forbidden to bond, then you will destroy us all.”
“I won’t,” I swear.
“A wicked beast like you will always give in to temptation. It’s destined. An evil Golden Dragon is nothing but wrath and fire. Obey me, or I will direct the Council to give you the same fate as Emperor Hadrian. They will burn you to ash on your own dagger.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Shadow Court
Freya
My heart poundsin my chest as I stroll down the grand corridor, which is flanked by marble columns. I do my best to pretend that I’m meant to be here and not look like I’m actually stealthily stalking the King.
I have enough experience of this from all the times that I acted the servant, while actually stalking Bard.
Pining one-sided loves do come in handy for something. Who knew?
Luckily, Aurelius is also acting like prey right now, ripe to be hunted. He’sdistracted, lost in his own head.
A wolf would tear him apart in this state.
It feels good to be hunting again.
My legs are still shaky from my heat. I’m desperate to curl up in my nest and sleep.
Yet after serving breakfast to Aurelius and the Golden Family, I am left with more questions than answers.
And I’m fucking determined to get those answers.
I have to know why I’m drawn to my enemy in this all-consuming way. I have to know why it’s concern that’s dragging me after Aurelius down this shadowy corridor, rather than back to my warm, safe bed.
When Aurelius passed me in the dining room, he looked like his knees were close to buckling.
Had he been about to say something?
Why won’t he talk to me anymore? Only issuing cold commands and glancing at me from afar?
Is it because of my bond to Daire?
Yet Aurelius feels like he’s my pack, and not knowing whether he is or not is tearing me apart.
I hang back, keeping my gaze fixed on Aurelius’ broad, straight back.
As long as you don’t break yours at the same time…
Does Aurelius truly love me? If he does, however, why is he avoiding me?
I hug my arms around myself.
When Lucius warned me that dragons notice when you steal shit, it was on the tip of my tongue to say thatwolvesnotice too.
For example, I’ve noticed the missing pillow cases, hair ties, and the tunic that I had to request to be replaced.
I narrow my eyes at the golden hair, which curls softly at the base of Aurelius’ neck.
A certain dragon who forbids me from entering his room must be using my stolen items to line his nest.
Aurelius will never admit it. Yet he needs my scent, as much as I need his to sleep.
