Page 47 of The Forbidden Dragon King
I stare up at him. My strained muscles tremble.
Is he serious? Hope wells through me that I can save my people.
“There is no precedent for that.” Maximinus marches to stand at Aurelius’ shoulder, where Aurelius just said he wantedme. “It is the will of the Council that he is to be executed as a blood sacrifice to the Shadow Gods in gratitude for our victory.”
“Have I not spilled enough blood tonight to satisfy the Shadow Gods?” Aurelius’ voice rumbles with warning. “I’ll take him as a pet then. Isn’t that my right? Don’t worry, if he’s disobedient, he shall spend his days within the dungeon.”
Maximinus’ eyes light up with a violent desire that sickens me. “As long as I may also claim him to tame and train in the courtesan arts. He can already dance and sing. He should make a pretty entertainer at our feasts. Perhaps, you have the right idea. What other kingdom will dare rise up against us, if they know that their King may end up on display in the Shadow Court?”
Aurelius hesitates, but then inclines his head.
The fae are nobody’spets.
Nobody’scourtesans.
The sword would have been a swift death. A kindness.
I had thought that Aurelius and I shared a fate in some way. Always fighting on opposite sides of a war that neither of us started, I still admired the dragon.
Once, I thought that if not for his brother’s actions, we could have been friends.
Now, I hate him
He couldn’t allow me a simple death. Instead, he’s chosen a life for me of iron and humiliation.
“Aurelius,” I try, hoping that War isn’t wrong about the chance at a deal and knowing the power of a name, “tell me one thing. Are some of my featherglass still living?”
“For the moment.”
I bite my swollen lip, trying not to think about what that means. “And the rest of my army…?”
Aurelius crosses his arms. “That depends on you.”
The muscles in my back feel like they’ve been torn in two, as I’m pulled into a bow on the altar: Aurelius’ sacrifice.
But truly, I’m not his.
I’m my people’s; I always have been.
My flesh is already scarred with a hundred marks of that sacrifice. What is one more?
“How about a deal?” I say. “I promise to bend the knee and serve as your pet in the Shadow Court, as long as you let my people live. They will fight for you but as free mercenaries. They’re loyal to me.Good soldiers.You won’t treat them as pets.”
“Never make deals with fae,” Maximinus cautions.
“But he’s no longer a fae; he’s my pet,” Aurelius replies. “MyKitten.”
I bristle.
Aurelius leans closer, gripping my chin.
My heart leaps into my throat, however, when he presses a golden dragon dagger to my throat.
His pheromones become even stronger; his scent smokier.
“This is still sheathed.” Aurelius’ voice is low and hard. “If I ever use the blade, then you will be turned to ash. I take your deal,Kit, but don’t fucking test me.”
“May the Shadow Devils choke you, arsehole,” I spit back. “I am already ash.”
