Page 70 of The Forbidden Dragon King (Shadow Kings #1)

I kick out in frustration and then regret it, when the movement sends a shock wave of pain through my shoulders.

“Why were you working for Maximinus? He’s worse than Aurelius.

He was behind the First Fae War and has been fanning the flames of the second one.

On the other hand, Aurelius has been trying to end the fighting.

You’ve seen his back. On the moon, isn’t it obvious how hard he’s trying to break the hold of both his uncle and Council in order to reform the realms? ”

“Should I be grateful?” Daire’s voice is dangerously soft. “Forget how I was brought to this capital in a cage, as you seem to have done?”

I flinch. “He loves you.”

“He loves you .”

I look away .

I’ll fall apart now, if I don’t hold onto the memory of our first times together, being bitten by them at the same time, then waking up tangled in both these Alphas’ arms.

I know that I am equally both their Omegas. I can’t choose between them.

I won’t.

I stare at my Raven King, who is trussed up in silver chains across the aisle. He should be sitting on the throne in his bronze and emerald feather crown and not manacled to a column as a prisoner.

Yet has he ever truly been bound by these dragons?

“I swore to serve both Aurelius and you.” Daire’s expression is unreadable.

“And that’s never changed. He needs to do more than claim us, however, to make right the ancient feuds within the Shadow Realms. He needs to free them.

He must make a choice to be the blood that rebirths spring after the winter. ”

“Don’t speak in riddles. I’ve decided that I hate prophecies.”

“Me too, love.”

I give a shaky smile. “Thanks for saving my feather. I was in too much shock, when that servant tried to take it from my hair.”

Daire flashes his sharp teeth. “Aye, the Beta is lucky he still has his finger. No one touches a soulmate’s pinion feather.”

Tears burn my eyes. “We’re really going to die tonight, aren’t we?”

“Look at me.” Daire’s voice is sharp enough to startle me to raise my head and stare at him across the grand aisle. “The one thing that I’ve learned intimately in my long years on the battlefield is that everyone dies. But that’s not going to be tonight. The bloody psycho Hadrian won’t allow it.”

“What if he’s in enchanted chains the same as we are?”

“Aye, I’d bet my wings he is. The calculating but cruel emperor who once dominated these lands is still inside Aurelius. Didn’t you hear what he said? No matter how much you hate me or hate my plot, don’t reject my bond. ”

Yeah, and I wish that I hadn’t.

What is Aurelius scheming?

“Why do I think that we will hate however he tries to save us almost as much as being devoured by the Shadow Gods?”

Daire cocks his head. “Probably because we will. But pain can be survived. The important thing is to stay alive, aye?”

I swallow at the earnestness of his tone. I know that he needs me to nod. So, I do.

“The Seelie Fae of the Summer Court, who believe themselves so much better than us Unseelie, despite the fact that they never came to our aid and allowed us to be wiped out by the dragons, have a myth about death that I was obsessed with in the years after…” Dare bites off what he’s about to say, as if it’s still too painful.

Years after the destruction of the Winter Court.

“They say that if you’d died unjustly, on the way along the shadow bridge after death, a portal would open, allowing you to be reborn into your younger self.

I would dream…over and over…what I would do differently.

At first, that I could have save d the Winter Court.

When I became older, I wished that I would have died instead of my friends in battles, so that I could go back with the knowledge to be faster and better and save them.

After Aurelius defeated me, I’ve thought, if only I could return to the past and plan to ambush him instead.

Then, for once, I would win and take him as my pet.

I would topple Draca, make Aurelius kneel, and free the realms. I would finally be the hero for my people, rather the reason that my kingdom fell.

But then, I realized that the Seelie do nothing but trade in dreams. I need to wake up.

There is no going back and only one life. ”

My chest is tight.

Then I startle, and my heartbeat spikes, when I hear a door bang open and loud footsteps clattering behind the apse.

Daire and I exchange panicked looks.

Here they come.

“I’m here, love,” Daire whispers.

The Council members file into the room, wearing matching grim expressions. The twelve councilors are dressed in ceremonial silver robes with elaborate dragon pins that mark out their status.

They take their places in front of the dragon statues, one for each of them

I hurriedly scan their hands.

A female Alpha at the front in her forties with a tight bun, and a harsh expression, as if she could slice your throat with the thinnest of smiles, steps forward in silence .

I don’t recognize her.

Moonlight catches on her silver signet ring.

My breath stutters, when Aurelius stalks out of the shadows next to his uncle.

For a moment, horror shoots through me.

Aurelius is dressed resplendently in a golden tunic, tan breeches, and crimson cloak. His crown gleams. He’s walking with his shoulders back, as if he’s going into war. He doesn’t look at Daire or me.

What’s going on? What in the realms of troll fuckers is…?

Then, as Aurelius rounds the throne, relief surges through me at the sight of the enchanted chains that are binding his wrists.

Is it fucked up to be relieved that your fated mate is being held captive as well, even if they’re being paraded as a puppet king, rather than that they’ve betrayed you?

After a lifetime of relying on no one but myself, I’ve only just allowed myself to trust these Alphas. It would break me to lose that trust.

Aurelius sits stiffly on his throne. “Why do we need these theatrics? I am the one who abandoned the city. I am aware that I am guilty of dereliction of duty. Punish me, damn you, then let me get on with my duties. I have a city to rebuild and citizens who need me.”

Maximinus doesn’t answer. He stands quietly in military parade posture to the side of the throne, watchful. He’s dressed in armor and leathers, jutting out his jaw.

I am terrifyingly aware that he could kill everyone here with a flick of his wrist .

Everyone else knows it too.

“You do not have the authority within these walls,” the Head of the Council barks. “You don’t get to decide the guilty and innocent. These two are cadets. They also abandoned their city when it was under attack.”

“Where were you, raven starver?” I growl. “Any of you? Safe inside the palace walls? Well, we were in the streets. We fought.”

Twelve furious Alphas turn their full attention on me. Their dominant pheromones flood the basilica.

I cringe back but don’t drop my gaze.

“Aren’t you ashamed to speak?” An ancient Council member with snow white hair and beard points a wavering finger at me. “An omega wolf shifter and a filthy fae daring to seduce our King away from protecting his city.”

A third, female Alpha, who would have been pretty if not for the sneering twist to her mouth gives a contemptuous laugh. “Look at the pets, in such a terrible state, hanging as criminals in chains. You should have allowed this to be a public hearing in order for them to be thoroughly shamed.”

My cheeks flush.

“You don’t shame us by treating us like this.” Daire’s eyes blaze. “You only shame yourselves.”

I light up with savage satisfaction at the Council’s muttered fury.

Assholes.

“Silence, fae!” The Head of the Council storms down from the apse. I tense in fear, as she prowls to stand in front of Daire. She studies him with disgust. “I will never understand what our kind sees in such barbarous, feathered creatures. Kitten, isn’t that what our King calls you? His pet?”

“He’s a cadet,” I snarl. “The King’s dragon rider and fated mate, just like I am. Treat him with some fucking respect.”

“Aye,” Daire attempts to make himself look like he’s enjoying hanging in his chains, indolently stretching, “how do you show your respect to your King’s dragon riders around here?

How about starting by letting me out of these chains?

Then we can all forget this business about punishment and… ooph .”

The Head of the Council punches Daire in the stomach.

“Stop it,” I cry out.

Daire struggles for breath, unable to recover because of the chains around him.

Aurelius growls, trying to stand up, but Maximinus weights the chains around Aurelius’ wrists with a single gesture, keeping him on the throne.

“These are the two uncivilized creatures who you’d bond with, boy?” Maximinus shakes his head. “Both insolent and uncontrollable. You always were poor at decision making.”

“I am devastated to have disappointed you, Uncle,” Aurelius deadpans.

Maximinus lays his hand on Aurelius’ shoulder, making it look like a reassuring gesture. Aurelius hides the pain well, but I can see how hard Maximinus is clawing in with his nails.

“You rejected a match with my perfect daughter, Liviana, for these outcasts and criminals…?” The Head of the Council punches Daire again.

I struggle, but there is nothing I can do.

Helpless, I look at Aurelius. “Please…”

For the first time, his gaze flicks to mine.

My heart drops at how cold it is.

It is as emotionless as ice.

Except, now that I am looking more closely, Aurelius’ hair is a mess beneath his crown, rather than neatly combed as normal. There is the smudge of a bruise forming along his sharp cheekbone, as if he’s been backhanded.

My brow furrows at the memory of the Omega who would flirt with Aurelius and waltz into his bedroom like she owned it and him: a pretty silver winged Omega, Liviana.

Daire appears to understand the danger of the connection at the same time that I do, becoming ashen.