Page 190 of The Forbidden Dragon King
“Did I say something amusing?” Aurelius’ voice becomes even icier. “You’ve forgotten your place, or maybe, I forgot mine for awhile there. Who between us is King?”
I glance back at Caligo, who is frozen in place like no one has challenged him before.
Is Aurelius doing this for me? Would he have stood up for any student?
Or is this only for himself? Performative?
I hate how hard my heart is hoping that he’s tearingCaligo apart in front of his instructors and cadets for my sake.
Caligo pulls a face, before he lowers himself to his knees. “You are, Your Majesty.”
“Finally,” Aurelius’ eyes are frighteningly cold, “you remember to call meYour Majesty. Is the problem that you also remember the number of times that you stripped me of my shirt and tied me to that post? How often you whipped me for the smallest offense? Or is it more that you enjoy imaginingmeas you wield the lash?”
As if he can’t help it, Caligo betrays himself, when his gaze darts to Ignatius.
Aurelius cocks his head, following the direction of his gaze. He turns and studies Ignatius, who immediately drops his arm from around Freya and snaps into perfect parade rest.
“What’s your name, cadet?” Aurelius demands, narrowing his eyes. “You look…well…”
He trails off.
If I was able to right now, I would laugh. After all his boasting of his close ties to Aurelius, the King doesn’t even recognize that they are related.
Ignatius’ cheeks pink, but he continues to stare blankly ahead. “My name is Ignatius Messalla, Your Majesty. You’re my… I’m…that is to say…”
“Out with it.”
“I’m your relative. A distant cousin.”
Aurelius scrutinizes Ignatius more closely. “I see. Tell me, Ignatius, have you been whipped yet?”
Ignatius’ flush deepens, and his shoulders slump. “My apologies, Your Majesty, for failing you.”
“I didn’t say that you had failed me. I wish that I had known you were in my court. I would like to know you better. What was the offense?”
Ignatius breaks his position, staring at Aurelius with painful hope. The type of hope that comes from being seen.
He hesitates. “I was missing a button on my uniform during the first inspection.”
Instantly, Aurelius’ eyes swirl with rage. Sparks ignite between his horns.
I don’t care what anyone else thinks. Aurelius is glorious like this. He could tear down his entire Shadow Court and every corrupt bastard within it.
“Aurelius,” Freya warns, panicked.
She takes a step forward.
Aurelius clasps his hands behind his back, shuddering with the effort to hold onto his control.
He turns on his heel back to Caligo, who at least has the sense to shrink back. “You would go after my pet?My family?Did you enjoy reenacting the same trick that you used on me with the button?”
“You both needed teaching that the moment you enter this academy you are no longer nobles, instead you are fucking nobodies,Your Majesty.”
Aurelius’ thin smile could slice throats. “I’m not a nobody now. Who am I again?”
“My King, Your Majesty.”
“Then by your King’s command, ride out to join yourbrother in the borderlands. Tiberius and you can serve me better with the army in the south, facing the vampires with Propraetor Rustica Atticus, than in my capital.”
