Page 209 of The Forbidden Dragon King
My Golden Family know the secret about Freya being Lanlin’s Omega. As a spy, I doubt Wraith misses much that goes on in the Shadow Court. She understands as well as I do that this is happening because of my feud with Lanlin over our shared Omega.
“Stay close,” I whisper.
Freya nods against my back.
War slashes a shadow with her sword that’s trying to snatch Lucius, while he twirls out of the way. They both prowl in front of me through the beetles. Blood trails down Lucius’ temple, staining his curls.
“Fun and games are over. Time to return to the palace.” War gestures with her sword. Her eyes are blazing. “There are four of us here to protect you. Once your pets are somewhere safe, we can?—”
I shake my head. “Protect the citizens. They have no one.”
War’s hand tightens on her sword, and she takes a step closer, until she’s so close that her breath is hot against my face. “Fuck that. I’m protecting you. There are thousands of citizens, but only one king. You know, I’m not one for praise or fancy words, but you need to get your head out of your ass and stop believing the bullshit that your psycho family and instructors have told you about yourself. You’re the only hope that this empire has for a decent leader who won’t bathe us all in blood.I won’t let you die.”
I stare into her wild eyes. She’s breathing hard.
Lucius rests his hand on her arm. “My Alpha is right. You’re too important, Relius. To all of us personally butalso to this kingdom, empire, and the future of the realms.”
Surprised, pride wells up inside me.
Glancing between my Golden Family, they all nod.
“All right,” I agree. “What are we all standing around for then?”
Together, we battle our way through the crowds toward the palace. Toys, hairclips, and sparkling jewelry are trampled into the mud, as if they’re nothing but trash. Flame, fig, and honey cakes are smashed underfoot. Villains and hero masks are drowned under waves of shadows.
Freya slips, and I catch her. Daire slashes through waves of beetles with his wing and then a shadow that’s questing around Freya’s waist.
“Do you hear something?” I demand.
War turns back, cocking her head.
Vicious nods. “It sounds like…”
“Rats,” Lucius says, horrified.
A swarm of rats explode from the walls, shadows,everywhere.
The breath is punched from me.
I stagger at the shock of the memory.
I fucking can’t do this again.
“Stop this,” I whisper. “Lan, fight me properly. Not this…”
Nothing.
Only the squeaking and hissing of a thousand,millionfurious rats, accompanied by the screams of my people, writhing beneath them.
How did Lanlin’s magic become this strong? When did his powers become this deadly?
“Shadow Gods preserve us.” War shoves Lucius behind her, battling off the furry attack.
A blast of fog rolls over the steaming hot shadows, until I can barely see, only hear the terrifying carnage around me.
“Aurelius,” Freya is shaking, “they’re biting my ankles. There’s one on my leg.”
She’s sobbing. My Omega is crying.
