Page 3 of The Forbidden Dragon King
Even at night, it’s bustling.
Ruby, jade, and pearl dragons swoop over the rooftops. Their wings sparkle like starlight.
I’ve never been allowed to visit the capital myself. Only the walls of the palace are silver and iron lined, which protect it from both vampire and fae attack.
The cost is too high to save everyone, Tarquin explained to me,there is always a choice about who to save and who to sacrifice.
Why are the corrupt aristocrats, assassin guilds, and treacherous spies inside the walls of the Shadow Court worth saving? But the merchants, workers, and their kids outside them are deemed the worthless sacrifice?
I stare down at the tenements in the nighttime capital.
What’s a real family like?
It’s toodangerous outside of the palace for you, Maximinus says.
He means,I am too dangerous to be let outside.
I draw in a sharp breath.
Even at this distance, I cansmellthe pheromones of so many other dragons. I shudder at the swirl of their uncontrolled emotions: terror, rage, and passion.
The emotions surround the dragons like shades, whispering in their ears.
Frantically, I shake my own head.
I ball my hands into fists, letting my nails lengthen to claws and slice open my palms.
Uncle, brother, and Caligo are right. I need to be trained to be free of those ghosts. Free of my wicked temptation. I must become as cold as gold. A warrior. A weapon for the Draca Kingdom in the east to wield.
Feel nothing. Be nothing. Feel nothing…
Suddenly, magic shimmers and wavers in the air.
Something has shifted.
My eyes widen.
I take a deep breath. I’m flooded with the pheromones of a powerful Alpha.
A Shadow Vampire.
“May the Shadow Gods preserve us.”My throat is tight.
How the fuck is that possible?
Then a horrified realization shoots through me. I’m late to my meeting with Tarquin, who will expect that I am the only one who knows about it.
My brother is at the top of this tower waiting for me by himself without his guards…
I let out a roar, throwing myself up the remaining steps. My dragon is battling to get out. My wings are itching on my back.
Then I hear the scream.
I stumble in shock.
Is that Tarquin?
Please don’t let it be…
