Page 50 of The Forbidden Dragon King (Shadow Kings #1)

“Never.”

“Then report to the parade ground for your punishment. You can move back into the servant dorms but only after you receive ten lashes.”

“Not more? You’re going soft, boss.” Daire stands with a shrug. “Just don’t make Spark watch.”

Why isn’t he protesting? Was he expecting this?

Planning for this?

“As if I would,” Aurelius drawls. “You’ll need to take your shirt off for the whip, and who wants to see you shirtless?”

Sickened, I remember the peephole out onto the parade ground behind the academy, along with its whipping post.

My eyes widen.

“Hey, wait, wait .” I straighten, staring between the two Alphas. “Are you fucking kidding? You can’t do this. Daire is pack.”

Aurelius leans back in his seat. “Kit is my pet, as well as your Alpha. I’m sure that you’ve informed him by now that he’s connected to us both by golden threads.

But he’s still an enemy king who is only alive because I am keeping him that way.

He attacked three guards. Ten lashes is less than I received, when I first entered the academy, for having a button missing on my cadet uniform. ”

I pale, remembering the times that King Ulf would whip his own son. I dreaded witnessing what Ulf did to Bard, when the Shadow Wolf King flew into his rages. As much as I hate Bard now, it stirred every protective instinct in me then.

I ball my fists at the thought of either Aurelius or Daire being whipped .

On the other hand, this is a chance for me to find out about the academy, which I want to enter.

I always have a plan, even if it’s a dangerous one.

Don’t they say that you need to take risks to win?

“How old were you when you were sent to the academy?” I ask.

“Six,” Aurelius replies, emotionless. I wince. “Our psycho fae here, therefore, can take the same type of beating that I did as a child.”

Daire ducks his head. “But should I have to?”

I rush across the marble floor to grab Daire’s arm, before he foolishly marches out to the parade ground to prove some kind of point. These two are locked in a knot measuring contest, whenever they’re in the same room.

The two dominant Alphas are trying to figure out how they fit together, and as hot as I think they’d be together with me in bed, I have no idea if they’d end up fucking me or fighting each other.

Killing each other.

“Stop,” I plead. “You don’t deserve any more scars.”

“Aye,” Daire replies, softly. “I do.”

Aurelius’ cheek twitches. “I take it back. Thrashing you isn’t worth these dramatics, when I already feel like my head is about to split open. I’ll think of something else because if I don’t, then my uncle will hear about it and use it against all of us.”

I twist to Aurelius. “You’re doing this to protect Daire from Maximinus.”

“Of course he is.” Daire rolls his eyes. “The cold Dragon King in a fated match with his nemesis has only been an act. A really good one.”

I growl.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Kit, you don’t qualify as my nemesis.

More like an annoying fly that needed swatting,” Aurelius says with a dangerous curl of his sensual lips.

“It seems to me that the cat is a bad influence on you. Also, against the rules. Since when did I allow you, a kitten, to keep a cat? How about this as the punishment: Give me Five.”

He holds out his arms, as if Daire will simply hand over his cat.

Well, that’s a mistake.

Daire’s eyes flash with fury, before he backs away toward the door. “May the cat eat you, and may the Shadow Devils eat the cat.”

I grimace. “Graphic.”

“Is that a no, Kitten?” Aurelius’ smile becomes wicked, a predator sensing his prey’s weak spot.

I stare at Aurelius, warily.

This side to him comes out, when he’s around Daire. Is it the real Aurelius, which is softened around me? How he likes to play with Alphas?

Or does he truly hate Daire, as both of us fear?

Does Hadrian?

That would break all of our hearts.

Aurelius pushes himself out of his seat and prowls around the desk toward Daire. I try to snatch at his sleeve, but Aurelius shakes me off.

Five hisses at Aurelius .

“As rebellious as her owner.” Aurelius sounds delighted.

“I’m not her owner.” Daire continues to stumble backwards, baring his fangs like he craves to hiss as loudly as Five is. “That’s why we’re different. I never try to own anyone as if they’re treasure.”

Aurelius presses Daire against the marble, leaning one hand on the white wall above him. “I’ll take her for you.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Hurting me that way?” Daire is breathing too fast. “You take what people love the most. Their cats…their Omegas…”

My breath hitches.

Aurelius leans even closer to Daire, forcing him to meet his icy gaze. “She’ll get to know and love me. Then when she sleeps in the soft bed that I make for her and eats the fine foods that I feed her, compared to the stone floor and scraps that you can offer, who do you think she’ll choose?”

He’s no longer talking about the cat.

We all know it.

I hurl myself at Aurelius, grabbing him by his crimson cloak and dragging him back from Daire. He allows himself to be pulled away a couple of steps with a chuckle.

“Don’t.” I’m panting. Shaking. “Why can’t Five choose both? Do I need to teach you what pack means?”

Aurelius clenches his hands. “Since I’ve never had one, probably.”

“How Daire is being treated — how this entire court runs on shadows and secrets — isn’t right,” I insist. “What happened to you last night wasn’t either.

Do you remember that you were forced to drink, over and over?

Daire and I both wanted to intervene but what could we do?

You, on the other hand, can change things. ”

Aurelius shakes his head. “I can’t.”

“You mean that you’re choosing not to,” Daire says, quietly.

“I mean that I can’t . At least, not yet.

Do you think that I enjoy fighting endless battles?

Working every hour of the day and night?

Hiding my feelings behind a mask, while sycophantic courtiers flock around me, at the same time that they’re truly courting the favor of my uncle?

Let me crush the Bloods, then once the kingdoms are united in an empire, I can take back the power in my own court.

Then I will finally be able to make the changes to help everybody. ”

“And you’ll be an emperor.” I try not to think of Emperor Hadrian.

I fail.

Aurelius lifts up his chin. “So, give your future emperor that damn cat.”

Daire rests his hand protectively on Five’s head. “You can share her but you’re not taking her.”

“Daire and Five are friends,” I insist. “Think of something else.”

Aurelius turns to me. “You think of it. You’ve vetoed both my ideas.”

My heart speeds up.

This is it. My opportunity.

I adjust my uniform, pretending to think hard. Daire quirks his brow at me, as if daring me to do my worst .

Actually, I already know what I’m going to say. Daire and I have discussed it. I didn’t know that I would be able to persuade Aurelius this way, but on the other hand, I’m not sure whether Daire did.

I just don’t know how Aurelius will react.

Worse case scenario, he’ll bang his head on the desk again.

“Make me responsible for both these pets.” I gesture at Daire and Five, who both manage to look offended. “I promise that?—”

“You can tame them?” Aurelius is already shaking his head.

“I already told you before that I won’t be tamed and I won’t tame anyone else either.” My eyes flash. “But they’ll behave for me.”

Daire appears to be catching on, lounging against the wall. “She’s the only person in the world who I would behave for.”

Aurelius glances between us. “Say that I believe that, how is it a punishment? It sounds more like a reward.”

Here it comes.

“Because you’ll be sending us to train in the Shadow Military Academy,” I rush to say. “Won’t that appease your uncle? You know, the place where the whippings happen?”

Daire attempts to look devastated, but his eyes are gleaming with a suspicious level of mischief. “Harsh but fair. I do love a strict woman. Judgment accepted.”

To my shock, Aurelius turns and stalks to the desk. He rests his hands on it and sighs .

I stare at the curve of his powerful shoulders in confusion.

“I may appear a cold Dragon King …” He sounds exhausted.

Guilt twists in my stomach. How much did last night take out of him?

“But I’m not merciless. Do you really think that I would send you into the academy, where Caligo is the Chief Instructor?

You just broke his brother’s nose and are the cause of his exile. He’s ruined.”

Daire smirks. “Couldn’t have happened to a nicer dragon.”

I shiver, chilled.

If Caligo is even half as much of an asshole as Tiberius is, then Daire and I are in trouble. But it’ll be worth it.

“Pick something else,” Aurelius commands. “Spark is good. I won’t have her endangered, simply to teach you a lesson.”

Daire’s expression sours. “And what lesson would that be? Lie down and take my beatings like a good little fae?”

Aurelius turns around to study him. “Trust me enough to fucking tell me who is hurting you and know that I will stop them.”

Daire’s eyes widen with surprise, before his cheeks tint with pink.

He wraps his wings around himself. “Touching, boss.”

“What if we want to be able to protect ourselves?” I demand. “What if I’m fucking fed up of being afraid? You two are warriors. You can fight, but the most I’ve done is pick up a spear one time. As cadets, we’ll be better able to stand up for ourselves. ”

“Better able to get yourselves killed.” Aurelius runs his fingers through his hair.

Fury sweeps through me, one that I didn’t even know had been building my entire life. “Then I’ll be dead but I won’t be defined as nothing but a non-shifter anymore. Nothing but a rejected Omega. If this is what I need to do to properly serve at your side, then I’ll risk it.”

“And I’m not an Omega, but I keep getting treated like my knot has been chopped off,” Daire adds.

“I could best serve you like I swore to in our deal wearing a military uniform. Didn’t you want me as your adviser, before Maximinus manipulated you?

You said that I was an excellent strategist .

We could spend a couple of months in the academy to make it look official, then you could summon us back to your side, but this time, as your personal staff, rather than pets.

Just think what we could achieve against the vampires with me at your shoulder.

After all, to the Bloods, I’m the infamous Shadow Queen Slayer.

You know, the vampires were your allies, when your illustrious brother allowed my featherglass to slaughter the vampire army and take out their Queen.

How fortunate for him that he somehow got delayed to the fight that day.

Shame for the vampires who died though.”

“Don’t talk about Tarquin.” Aurelius’ eyes become molten. “You’re not worthy to speak of him.”

“Aren’t I?” Daire challenges. “Maybe you’re right. After all, I haven’t wiped out an entire court, razed a city, or betrayed my allies yet.”

Aurelius’ jaw clenches. “You’ve only slaughtered Lanlin’s mother in battle, led a band of outlaws in raids against your rightful dragon overlords, rebelled and murdered more people than I ever have.”

Daire puffs out his chest in pride. “I’m honored that you’ve been keeping a record of my achievements, boss. But you left out how cute I look in tight breeches.”

And that’s undeniably true. He does.

Aurelius’ expression hardens. “You’re a menace. If I don’t, who will?”

“That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

“None of this changes the point that I’ve granted you freedom to work as servants in the palace. I’ve insisted that both of you are well paid. Spark isn’t a captive, and I never wanted her to be one.”

“Do you want a nuzzle?” I ask in confusion. “A pat on the head? Kiss as a reward?”

Aurelius sighs. “I want you both to be safe. I forbid you to enter the academy.”

Daire huffs. “So much for freedom.”

“I am in charge around here.” Aurelius arches his brow. “Most people, surprising as it sounds, listen to my commands.”

“Amazing.”

Aurelius avoids our gazes. “There has never been a non-shifter in the academy.”

“You’re the fucking King , boss.” Daire moves with his uncanny speed across the room, pushing Aurelius against the desk.

“If we’re taking the risks, then you can also find the courage off the battlefield and take them too.

Don’t you make the laws, along with the Council?

All tyrants fall. So, don’t become the same tyrant as the dragons in your family, past, and legacy.

The seasons change. The world doesn’t stand still. ”

Daire’s wings rise to wrap around Aurelius in a move that is half intimidation and half caress.

My pulse spikes, as I wait for Aurelius to reach for his dagger or any number of concealed weapons. At least to shove Daire off.

Instead, he grabs Daire by the neck, pulling him closer, as if his touch is grounding for him.

At the same time, Aurelius’ voice is low with frustration.

“By the Shadow Gods, you two have no idea how dangerous the first few days are for cadets. Caligo believes that it weeds out the weak, allowing more space for the strong to grow in the sun. That’s why Uncle Max would see it as a fitting punishment.

He wouldn’t expect you to survive the trials.

And even if you do, then you could face a worse fate.

As a Golden Dragon, I’m the only academy graduate without a rider.

Yet the rules would be different for you because you’re not royalty.

If you’re not selected as dragon riders, which is a mutual connection that has never happened outside a dragon Omega and Alpha pairing before, then our sacred tradition dictates that you’ll be sacrificed to the Shadow Gods. ”