Page 155 of The Fallen Fae King

Ahm’s expression drops. “Sorry, Your Majesty. I forget sometimes…”

…That you’re not Lazarus.

He doesn’t need to say it.

How much Ahm misses his Alpha is like the phantom ache of a missing limb. He asked me on the first night if he could sleep on the same side of the cell with me.

Yara was angry with the Beta, but he was injured and silently crying for my twin.

I let him curl in my arms like he was an Omega, and we didn’t talk about it or the way that he murmured Laz with such torment in his voice that it shattered me.

At least then, I wasn’t the one to say it.

Now, Ahm hangs around me because I know it makes him feel closer to my brother, and because he does, Yara does as well.

At least it made it easier to take control of the other Bloods. Ahm and Yara are respected.

“Listen up,” Yara calls. “Lanlin is running some drills. Try to keep up.”

Her eyes gleam with bright excitement, which is reflected in mine.

As the Eternals turn to me, I can see the same expression on their faces.

They are smiling, knocking shoulders with each other, as if despite everything in this nightmare Guild, they have found friendship, and now in me, they are looking to find hope.

It was never like this with my army. The soldiers were frightened of me, and they should have been here.

Yet I find that I enjoy being underestimated.

I slink between the starving, scarred soldiers who take up crouching stances. They carry shields and wooden swords. On the other hand, I am unarmed and shackled.

Yet I am the most powerful one here.

I have never needed any weapon but my fangs and claws.

When the bravest Blood rushes me, adrenaline surges through me in a way that tugs my lips into a smile.

By the Shadow Devils, this is the outlet I have needed.

I dodge to the side with ease, before hooking his ankle.

He hits the sand hard.

“Next,” I command.

Another attack. Another vampire hits the sand.

The third vampire, older and grizzled — more experienced — tries to match my speed.

It is not a bad move, except that no one can move as fast as I can.

This time, I catch the Blood around the throat, dangling him in the air.

The other Eternals watch with wide eyes.

I tighten my claws around his throat, as he scrabbles at my hand. “Don’t match your opponent. Fight to your own strengths. Breathe.”

Finally, he lowers his hands, rather than giving in to his fear that I will snap his neck.