Page 48 of The Forbidden Dragon King (Shadow Kings #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Palace Dungeons, Shadow Court

F reya

My eyes droop with exhaustion. I stumble as I drag myself down the stone steps into the damp cold of the dungeon. I tighten my hands around the breakfast tray, struggling not to drop it.

I barely managed to sleep last night, and when I did, I was haunted by nightmares.

A beautiful monster with piercing red-wine eyes and hair fluttering to his waist like shadows searched for me in a sea of rats and a mist of moonlight moths.

But then, he howled in pain, as a spark landed on his silky hair, flaring into a raging fire.

Sparks caught on the wings of the moths, scorching them from white to black.

At last, the flames exploded into an inferno, burning the monster to ash.

Why had I woken up sobbing? Clutching at my throat, as if searching for the feel of fangs?

I bite my lip, as my neck tingles.

What’s wrong with me?

Why am I feeling connected to a Shadow Vampire King who I haven’t met? Who is the son of parents who murdered mine?

On the moon, maybe I’m still shaken from what happened in the Silver Banquet Hall.

Cursed daggers are all fun and games, until someone is turned into a pile of ash.

I ran out of the hall, as soon as I could, terrified of the performance that Maximinus had just made sure Aurelius put on.

I’d thought that Daire’s performance had been dangerous as weaponized seduction, but then Aurelius had stepped forward and proved that he may put fresh roses in my room and sweetly suck honey from my clit but he was also the Golden Dragon of legend.

A butcher.

War swore that Aurelius wasn’t Hadrian.

Yet as I watched the shadows wreathe around Aurelius, I’d glimpsed in his expression the forbidding dragon who I’d seen in the statue in the North Tower.

Emperor Hadrian.

Suddenly, both the legend and the prophecy feels frighteningly more real.

I shiver, dragging my cloak closer around myself .

Suddenly, I jolt to a stop, as the sound of a blow echoes down the stone corridor, followed by a bitten back cry. Then a flurry of blows and kicks.

“Fuck.” I bend over to place the tray down on the mold infested floor.

My pulse speeds up. My palms are sweaty.

Hurriedly, I press on my snowflake mark. Then I gasp at the wave of pain that hits me.

My gaze shoots into the darkness.

I know with horrifying certainty that those soft, sickening thuds are someone hurting my fae soulmate.

I sprint down the corridor, passing the empty cells with iron bars.

Daire dancing in the moonlight, spinning breathtakingly fast, as his silk outfit twirls out and ragged shadows flutter around him… How much I’d wanted to dance in his arms, just the two of us…

Daire is curled up on the floor with his arms around his head to protect himself.

He’s once again dressed in his servant’s uniform with the lavender cloak draped over it.

His wings are folded back as far as possible to try and hide them from the blows of the guards — all three of them, the raven starving cowards.

The guards, however, appear to be still directing as many of the kicks with their heavy black boots to them as possible.

Thump, thump, thump.

I cringe on each kick.

“Stop it,” I yell.

The guards don’t even look up.

“I said, fucking stop it.” I grab the Head Guard’s arm, as he raises his leg to kick Daire again. “He’s the King’s personal pet. On what authority are you doing this?”

What rule is there that says I can’t use Aurelius’ status and power?

When caught in a trap, a wolf may use any trick to escape.

Isn’t that fair?

I tap the Golden Dragon brooch pointedly.

Daire slowly lowers his arms from his head, peering up at me through bruised eyes. He shoots me a secret smile.

I’m surprised that he doesn’t wink.

The Head Guard, Tiberius, is a heavy set Beta in his fifties with steel threading through his short blond hair. His large features are striking, and he has a bearing that makes him look like he’s used to being obeyed without needing to ask twice.

Sucks for him that neither Daire nor I are the obedient type.

Tiberius glowers at me. “What authority, pet? The authority of being in charge of running this dungeon. And this here…” He toes Daire, who winces. “Is my prisoner right now. When he’s a mouthy fucker, I can discipline him.”

“Does the King know?” I tilt up my chin.

Please, say no.

The Head Guard snorts. “King Aurelius has a kingdom to run. Do you think that he cares about one disobedient pet? Now, get the fuck out of here and stop wasting my time. ”

“Good plan. I’m behind that too.” Daire pushes himself to his knees with difficulty.

He glances significantly back down the corridor the way that I have just come. His eyes flash with both concern and urgency.

He’s scared, not for himself but for me.

“I’m not leaving,” I say.

Joy and surprise burst through my bond with Daire.

Our gazes catch and hold. For a long moment, it’s as if there is no one else in the entire realms.

Until Tiberius stalks towards me, pressing me against the wall. “How loyal. Do you have feelings for this other pet? Are you a filthy fae lover? But why don’t you play with us, instead? Dragons are much better lovers, treasure.”

I shudder, as Tiberius reaches to touch my cheek.

I’m going to bite his fingers off.

Before I can, Daire shifts behind Tiberius, speaking up softly.

“Touch me, then you may live. But touch her …” Daire’s voice is sugary sweet. Yet it’s like being smothered to death by blossoms. Tiberius becomes ashen at the sudden danger that shimmers in the air, snatching his hand back from me. “…and you will die.”

Tiberius twirls away from me, as if he always intended to, unable to meet the eyes of his fellow guards, who are now glancing unsure between the prisoner and their Head Guard. “Acting tough, pet? You swagger around just because His Majesty favors you. ”

“He has a funny way of showing it,” Daire mutters, smoothing his curls back from his face.

He explores his bruised jaw, as if checking that it’s not broken. Then he fluffs his wings, before settling them back with a wince.

Tiberius’ expression darkens. “You’re a unique, interesting toy to him.

I remember His Majesty when he was in the academy.

Caligo, the Chief Instructor there, is my brother.

He’d tell me all about the young prince and how fickle he was.

He never could focus on his lessons of self-discipline and self-control.

You offer him novelty. And when he’s bored of you, then he’ll toss you to the Council. And they fucking hate you.”

My heart is beating too fast. I ball my hands into fists.

Daire’s lips thin. “But I’m so lovable.”

“You are pretty.” Tiberius gestures to the guards who grab Daire by the shoulders, holding him straight for inspection.

Tiberius grips Daire harshly by the chin, turning his head from side to side.

I take a quick step forward.

“I’m fine,” Daire rushes to say. “Just take a nice rest over there, Spark.”

I hesitate, unsure.

I trust Daire, however, and I know that those who think they are in charge of a situation with him, never are.

Tiberius smirks. “That’s right, pet. Let me examine my prisoner. Hmm, you looked better last night wearing those expensive silks and satins.”

“Are we having a chat about clothes?” Daire wrenches his chin out of Tiberius’ grin. “Why don’t we swap tips? Your belt is too tight for?—”

Tiberius, predictably, backhands Daire.

Daire’s eyes glitter with amusement. “Truth hurts.”

Tiberius reddens with embarrassment. “Like this?”

He backhands Daire again.

I glance down the corridor. Should I go get Aurelius to stop this? Because Daire doesn’t appear to be able to stop running his mouth.

Is that the curse of all charming rogues?

Or does Daire have a scheme going on here that I don’t know about?

Daire licks the blood, which is streaming down his chin from his busted lip. “Aye, just like that.”

Tiberius takes a step back from Daire, breathing hard. “You make a better whore than a prisoner. The courtiers are gossiping this morning about your performance at the banquet. I’m sure that we would all love to see you put on a performance for us now.”

“And I’d love the Shadow Devils to rip out your spines and ram them up your arses. But we’ll both have to learn to live with the disappointment.”

I sigh.

See, cursed.

“Fucker.” Tiberius gestures to his men and they haul Daire up between them. “Dance or…”

Unexpectedly, loud hissing starts up from the shadows beside me.

Tiberius glances over his shoulder at me. “Are you daring to hiss at me, Omega? ”

Five stalks out of the shadows.

Her tabby fur is standing on end, while her powerful tail is swishing. Her ragged ears are flattened to her head.

Five’s gaze is locked on the way that the guards are holding onto Daire.

“Five.” Daire is attempting to sound soothing, but his pheromones are sour with concern. “We’re just playing, aye? This is a game.”

He smiles but it doesn’t trick Five.

Instead, the cat launches herself at the nearest guard, who looks about the same age as me with strawberry blond hair and anxious eyes. She sinks her teeth and claws into his ankle in the vulnerable area above his boot.

The guard howls, letting go of Daire’s arm. He shakes his leg frantically, attempting to get the bristling cat to let go of his bleeding leg.

Good cat, defending our fae. I knew that she was an Alpha.

“Get this psycho pussy off me,” the guard howls.

I lean against the wall, crossing my arms and watching in amusement.

I suck in a sharp breath, however, when Tiberius snarls, taking a step forward.

“Stand still,” he commands. “I’ll teach the fucking ugly thing not attack its masters.”

When his gaze slides to Daire’s, and his lip curls up at the side, I know — I fucking know — what he’s doing and why.

Five is Daire’s only friend down here. Tiberius is attacking one pet to teach another a lesson .

When he raises his boot, as if to kick the cat, something shifts in Daire; it’s a minute change, but I catch it.

His eyes become wild and uncontrolled.

Incensed.

He twists out of the final guard’s hold like water flowing around rock. My eyes widen. He could have broken free any time that he wanted.

The guard stumbles back in shock.

Daire slams his fist into the man’s chest and then his jaw, lightning fast. The guard slumps to the floor.

Shadows lick out from Daire’s wings, whipping around Tiberius’ raised leg and dragging it violently behind him, before he can attack Five.

Tiberius yells out, slamming to the floor. His face smashes against the stone.

I grin savagely at the crack. That sounded like broken bones, nose and possibly teeth.

Good.

“Nobody hurts my cat,” Daire growls. “And if they do…”

Daire leaps onto Tiberius’ back with an elegant spin. He spreads his wings and sparkling shadows thread around them.

“Do you love my dance?” He jumps hard on Tiberius’ back.

Tiberius grunts.

Daire gives a sharp smile. “You do?”

He leaps again, and this time, I hear a rib snap.

When Daire’s gaze fixes on the final guard with the bundle of fur still locked around his ankle, the dragon backs away with a whimper.

I meet Daire’s gaze, before strolling to join him, as he springs off Tiberius’ back and prowls toward the guard.

It’s thrilling to be walking at the side of an Alpha like this.

“I was only following orders,” the guard whines.

Daire’s expression becomes icier. “What an obedient soldier you are. Would you follow them to march into hell? Aye, you would. I can see it in your eyes. I saw it in the eyes of the dragon warriors who were trained in your academy. I saw it in their eyes on the day that they burned every civilian in my Winter Court or ambushed my army during our sacred rite. But you’d only be following orders , aye? ”

The guard nods, more cautiously.

“How about following your fucking conscience?” Daire hisses.

“I d-d-don’t know about anything like t-t-that,” the guard stutters. “This is only my f-f-first week. Please don’t kill me, sir.”

“ Sir ,” Daire chuckles. “Wasn’t I your toy before?”

“Five,” I coax, “good girl. You can let go now.”

Reluctantly, Five releases the guard’s ankle, getting in a final swipe with her claws.

She winds around Daire’s ankles, asking for petting as a reward.

Daire smiles fondly, crouching down. Then he strokes along Five’s back, and she arches up into his hand. She purrs, bumping his leg with her head .

Daire scoops her up, settling her on his shoulder, before standing. Still loudly purring, Five balances herself around his neck like a furry scarf.

Trust Daire to enjoy having such a dangerous cat, who still has blood on her teeth and claws, close to his throat.

Daire’s gaze meets the trembling guard’s. “This is the part where you take us to Aurelius for punishment.”