Page 125 of The Forbidden Dragon King
I found a note on my pillow, smelling of smoke and leather. I pressed it to my nose, taking a deep breath, before opening it with trembling hands.
Inside was written in Aurelius’ neat hand:
My Spark, I shall miss you. I will think about you every day and take the memory of your touch into battle with me.
This campaign against the Bloods should last less than a week. War has your new duties.
Be safe for me, my fiery Omega.
Aurelius.
Tears pricked my eyes.
I’m confused by my feelings for Aurelius.
I turn away from War, not wanting her to read my expression.
Will Aurelius cope without my touch and pheromones? His need for me, his love, is something that I didn’t know would pull at me like this.
But then, we’re connected by golden threads of fate.
Aurelius may not have immediately told me that truth but he’s been hiding a lot of truths, including about the cruelty of his uncle.
I narrow my eyes, as rage surges through me.
Is it treason to want to tear out a royal’s throat? After all, Maximinus truly deserves it.
Aurelius is trapped by his Crown and his fear of becoming the ancient Golden Dragon Emperor, Hadrian.
I don’t believe in any of that. We make our own fates. Yet there is a net closing over Aurelius, Daire, and me.
I can feel it, prickling over my skin.
I need to understand exactly what is going on in this Shadow Court.
Also, what exactly a Golden Dragon is. Why is everybody so terrified of Emperor Hadrian? This forbidden North Tower?
I glance at the archway of the rose garden that leads further into the royal chambers, which only Aurelius and Maximinus have access to.
Then I side-eye War.
She’s staring up with a critical eye at some dragon rider academy cadets, who are flying above us in the blue sky. They are swooping around on maneuvers.
I edge as silently as I can towards the archway.
Without looking down from the sky, War demands, “Where are you going?”
I freeze.
I push my damp hair out of my face, nervously tugging at the hem of my tunic.
“Nowhere.” I laugh nervously. “I just need to piss.”
“You have some balls to lie to an Imperial Legate.” War’s fierce gaze snaps to mine.
I’m pinned in place.
Should I run?
