Page 167 of The Forbidden Dragon King
And that’s undeniably true. He does.
Aurelius’ expression hardens. “You’re a menace. If I don’t, who will?”
“That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“None of this changes the point that I’ve granted you freedom to work as servants in the palace. I’ve insisted that both of you are well paid. Spark isn’t a captive, and I never wanted her to be one.”
“Do you want a nuzzle?” I ask in confusion. “A pat on the head? Kiss as a reward?”
Aurelius sighs. “I want you both to be safe. I forbid you to enter the academy.”
Daire huffs. “So much for freedom.”
“I am in charge around here.” Aurelius arches his brow. “Most people, surprising as it sounds, listen to my commands.”
“Amazing.”
Aurelius avoids our gazes. “There has never been a non-shifter in the academy.”
“You’re the fuckingKing, boss.” Daire moves with his uncanny speed across the room, pushing Aurelius against the desk. “If we’re taking the risks, then you can also find the courage off the battlefield and take them too. Don’t you make the laws, along with the Council? All tyrants fall. So, don’t become the same tyrant as the dragons inyour family, past, and legacy. The seasons change. The world doesn’t stand still.”
Daire’s wings rise to wrap around Aurelius in a move that is half intimidation and half caress.
My pulse spikes, as I wait for Aurelius to reach for his dagger or any number of concealed weapons. At least to shove Daire off.
Instead, he grabs Daire by the neck, pulling him closer, as if his touch is grounding for him.
At the same time, Aurelius’ voice is low with frustration. “By the Shadow Gods, you two have no idea how dangerous the first few days are for cadets. Caligo believes that it weeds out the weak, allowing more space for the strong to grow in the sun. That’s why Uncle Max would see it as a fitting punishment. He wouldn’t expect you to survive the trials. And even if you do, then you could face a worse fate. As a Golden Dragon, I’m the only academy graduate without a rider. Yet the rules would be different for you because you’re not royalty. If you’re not selected as dragon riders, which is a mutual connection that has never happened outside a dragon Omega and Alpha pairing before, then our sacred tradition dictates that you’ll be sacrificed to the Shadow Gods.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Parade Ground, Shadow Military Academy
Daire
I pullat the restrictive laces and high collar of the plain leather Shadow Military Academy uniform. How do the dragons breathe in these things? How do they find a way to repress everything?
I shake out my wings, as if I can still feel the wild winds beneath them as I fly over the frost kissed forests.
I glance around the parade ground courtyard casually, while in reality scoping out the single archway through the stone back wall into the dorms,the bars on the narrow windows, and the corridor along the far wall that must lead to an outside training area.
I avoid looking at the tall, wooden whipping post, which is erected in the center of the barren courtyard. I also avoid thinking about the fact I was almost shackled to that and flogged, rather than promoted into becoming a cadet.
But then, what are a few more scars to add to my others?
I can’t make out the details of the courtyard, as my vision is blurry at the edges. Yet it’s sharper than it has been for a while.
Maximinus rewarded me with a double dose of the antidote because he was so pleased with my assassination of Quintus. He especially liked my added rune magic, which sent his rival to the Shadow Devils.
I didn’t do that for Maximinus.
Like the rest of the palace, however, I can sense that the walls here are also lined with iron. It’s why I don’t need to be trapped in iron manacles to be controlled. A veil is permanently drawn between me and my most powerful, primal magic, as well as my flight.
From the moment that Aurelius brought me here, he stole my soul.
I should want to bloody eviscerate him.
I do.
