Page 118 of The Fallen Fae King

“Thoughtless.”

Daire hums his agreement, before he places the cup onto the tray again. Then after a moment’s hesitation, he rips off the bottom of his cloak. He ties the scrap of lavender wool around his wounded wrist as a bandage.

I take his wrist between my hands, checking over it. “It’s only a month. Then we’ll be together again.”

Daire’s gaze slips from mine. “Will we?”

My stomach drops. “What do you mean?”

Daire’s tormented gaze meets mine. “Spark, I need to tell you something. It’s buggering hard. There’s never going to be a right time and…someone’s watching us.”

“What?” I twirl around in shock.

“There.” Daire’s expression steels. “We’re being followed.” Daire’s wings stiffen into weapons like blades as he prowls down the corridor. “Come out, little rat.”

He reaches to grab someone by the arm and yanks them out of the shadows.

“No need to be so rough, fae,” a voice says like frozen honey. “I’m a silver dragon not a rat.”

“But you were stalking us.”

“Lurking.”

Daire throws the dragon against the wall in front of me.

I stare at Lucius, who is wearing a flowing tunic with roses stitched at the shoulders. The pretty Omega is hanging his head, avoiding my gaze.

He wrings his hands.

“I didn’t know how to approach you.” Lucius peeks at me. “How do I say, I’m sorry that my condemned traitor of a father carried out an ambush on you that could have killed you both.”

I lean against the wall, crossing my arms. “Probably like that.”

Daire glances between us. “You’re apologizing to Freya…?”

“I’m trying to. She’s my only Omega friend.”

“What about me?”

“You’re an Alpha.” Lucius’ eyes sharpen. “And we’re not friends.”

Daire grins. “I like you.”

My lips thin. “Your dad destroyed Lanlin’s sacred village. I’ve never been through anything like their ambush. We saw…all the villagers being burned…our skin was covered in their ash…”

“I didn’t know about the attack. I didn’t betray you.” Lucius’ eyes gleam with tears. “I was interrogated…they executed my family.”

“You’ve burned my villages.” Daire tilts his head. “You were there when Aurelius burned my sacred grove.”

Lucius gives Daire a long look. “The difference is that one happened because Aurelius wished it and the other was the act of a traitor. I am loyal.” When he grabs my hands, I realize that he’s shaking. “I don’t want you to think that I deceived you.”

I assess him for a long moment.

I am sure that he is behind most of Aurelius’ strategy and schemes. He’s smart. And I believe him.

I’ve never had an Omega friend before and having one who feels like he owes me will be useful.

Unexpectedly, Lucius drops to his knees in front of me. “I’m sorry for my family’s actions. I haven’t even been in contact with them for years. They have done nothing but abuse me my entire life, until their attempt to grab power almost led to my death alongside them. I don’t know how to make up for what they did. So, punish me. Beat me, then we can be friends again.”