Page 100 of The Fallen Fae King

Aurelius was too.

I duck my head. I understand that you need to be seen to hand out justice. You were at war with each other, however, and you were the one who was keeping his Omega from him. How could you just give Lanlin to Wraith? She’s grieving the death of her lover. What the fuck do you think she’s going to do to him to take her revenge?

Aurelius takes a moment to reply. Lan is safer in the Guild of Assassins than he is in the Shadow Court right now near my uncle.

My eyes widen. You’re protecting him.

Aurelius banks sharply to the left. Did I say that, my treasured rider?

You never say what you mean.

It’s why I’ve survived in the Shadow Court so long, he replies. I gained the backing of the Guilds by handing over my brother’s killer to atone. I need that, along with the support that I have won from the army and cadets, or I can’t wrest the power from my uncle and the Council.

You have a plan. I breathe out in relief. By the moon, you’re working to save all of us.

Didn’t you trust that I was? Aurelius’ smoky voice winds into my mind. You asked me to secretly work undercover, my Queen. By the Shadow Gods, this is the cost. I will burn my empire down. I will give Daire and your kingdom back. But not everybody can be saved.

There is something about the way he says that — the finality — that shocks me.

I can no longer feel the breeze or the sun on my cheeks. Your plan was to sacrifice Lanlin…to bleed him out…and fulfill the prophecy to save the rest of us. Is it still?

Aurelius roars, and flames shoot from his mouth.

The dragons around us scatter in panic.

Sparks spray from the Golden Dragon’s horns. Embers drift like smoldering confetti around me.

If it saves you, Aurelius growls, I would bleed Lan out, Daire, and myself. I would bleed out the fucking world.

Shaken, I’m not sure if it is Aurelius speaking…or Hadrian.

I’m no longer sure that it matters.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Maximinus’ Study, Shadow Court

Daire

I shake with exhaustion, kneeling on the hard marble in front of Maximinus in his study. I pray to the Shadow Devils that it will be for the last time.

Except, Maximinus is a slippery bastard.

Am I daft to believe his promise that capturing Lanlin and bringing him back to Draca Kingdom was my last mission?

Will he free me?

The small, sharp stones of knotted mosaic dig into my bare skin. I shiver, wishing that I’d at least been allowed to change into something more than my wedding kilt.

I was dragged here by my hair, however, by Maximinus immediately after Lanlin was taken away by the guards.

I couldn’t stop them, and I wasn’t allowed to take the twisted crowns with me. It hurts deep in my soul to abandon my new crown on the cold floor.

One month.

My mind races, running through possibilities and options.

Lanlin’s captivity makes the next step of my plan more difficult but not impossible. In some ways, it’ll provide the distraction that I need.