Page 68 of The Forbidden Dragon King (Shadow Kings #1)

“I’m your pack,” Daire snarls, but a sob escapes him that he’s unable to hold back. “May the Shadow Devils choke you, I thought that meant something. I’m an idiot. I thought?—"

“What did you think, Kitty? That you could share my nest and my Omega but plot with my uncle to steal my throne?”

“I didn’t?—”

“What did he promise you? Freedom? Riches? Your crown? It’s all lies.”

“I know that. I d-d-didn’t…”

“You’re in pain.” Aurelius cuts him off sharply, scrutinizing him.

“Fuck off.”

“You’ve been in pain and hiding it for weeks. You don’t think that I know what that looks like? I’ve been an expert at it since I was a child.”

“I’ve been painted black and blue in bloody bruises that your guards and instructors put there,” Daire snarls, but I can tell that he’s evading the question. “I haven’t hidden anything.”

“Daire…?” I whisper, not sure what I’m most horrified about but mostly distressed that I’ve been missing something important about my soul bond.

“What?” Daire roars, finally pushing Aurelius back and twirling out of his hold.

He stumbles back, further into the cavern.

“Did you think that I was some kind of righteous person? That I haven’t killed?

That you could destroy me and I wouldn’t scheme?

I’ve never lied or tried to hide what I am: trickster, bandit, scoundrel. ”

“That’s what you are.” My throat is rough with tears. “Not who you are.”

Aurelius’ expression is hard. “What does Maximinus have on you?”

Daire finally stops his retreat. He pales but he doesn’t answer.

“I’m a thief. A traitor who killed to escape my own kingdom.

I’m not some pampered Omega who you need to pretend around.

But the feuds between your royal houses will lead to all of our deaths,” I say, anguished.

“They’re tearing apart the Shadow Realms and have been for generations.

We’re all orphans. We should be looking out for each other as family.

When the fuck are these wars going to end? ”

Aurelius ignores me, gaze fixed on Daire. “I asked you what my uncle has on you. You’re this upset because you truly want us to be pack. You thought that you’d found your fated mates.”

“Stop. ”

Aurelius prowls toward Daire. “Didn’t it feel good not to be alone anymore? Not the only leader? The only one who knew what it felt like to be a king?”

“I said, stop.”

“To be seen by me and respected?”

“I will fucking kill you,” Daire howls, beating his wings furiously.

Aurelius smiles in hollow victory. “Now, there’s you unleashing the true inner Unseelie. I see you now. But I don’t think that you’re acting against me willingly, at least, not anymore.”

“What does it matter?” Daire balls his hands at his side. “I just want Freya out of your poisonous court.”

“I can’t leave,” Aurelius replies with tightly controlled rage. “It’s my court and I’m taking it back. I want you both ruling at my side, but only if you’re not going to stab me in the back for Maximinus.”

“You bloody bastard. How can you still doubt that after we shared our rut…?”

Aurelius cocks his head. “Have you shared other people’s beds, before you slit their throats?”

Daire startles, wide-eyed.

Aurelius nods but without satisfaction. “I thought that was you. Wraith is the best connected spy in the court.” Grief flashes across his eyes at the mention of Wraith, before he buries it. “You see now, why I have to be sure?”

“I see,” Daire’s eyes blaze, “that you’ve been playing a crueler game than I ever have.”

“Aurelius,” I grab his arm, shaking apart from the conflict within our pack that I don’t understand, “Daire is my soul bond. Your rider. Our mate.”

“He is,” Aurelius replies. “Nothing changes how much I wish he could be mine. But he is also the fae who is planning to kill me and overthrow my kingdom.”

My gaze shoots to Daire.

To start with, it’s true that we were scheming against Aurelius. But things have changed now.

Right?

Daire is silent.

“Say something,” I whisper.

“There is nothing that I can say,” Daire replies, flatly.

“He won’t believe me. Tarquin’s prejudiced views about fae poisoned him against me years ago, or someone now in the court has been whispering in his ear.

Plus, remember the fae rule: Never confess.

So, is this the part that you kick my arse out of the pack? ”

Terror jolts through me.

I am never letting that happen.

Aurelius’ lips twist. “What gave you that idea? I told you before, you’re mine now, forever.

Nothing has changed. I just needed you to know that you haven’t played me: I’ve played you .

Also,” his voice gentles for the first time, “however my uncle is controlling you, we can face it together. You’re bound to me now.

Either, you can fight me and lose like you always do.

Or you can fight with me, and we can all win together. ”

Daire stalks back toward him. “Only you could make something romantic sound like a threat. First, tell me how we’re going to survive tonight if we return to your corrupt Shadow Court.”

Aurelius tilts up his chin. “You’re cadets and I’m the King but we left the city in the middle of an attack.

There are statutes in a war that allow an Alpha to leave a battlefield, when their Omega falls into heat.

But this was no normal battle. Then we bonded.

That’s the opportunity Uncle has been waiting for.

He could try to execute you. Whatever happens, don’t reject me.

I’ll find a way to protect you both. No matter how much you hate me or hate my plot, don’t reject my bond. ”

My stomach drops. “Why will we hate you?”

All of a sudden, golden chains wind like snakes out of the walls of the cave, wrapping around my throat. I gasp and struggle, as I’m dragged against the wall.

Horrified, I kick and thrash.

Adrenaline surges through me, as I’m pinned alongside Aurelius and Daire. They’re clutching at their throats as they are strangled.

Then Maximinus strides into the cavern.