Page 161 of The Fallen Fae King

“War would like that. She could manhandle me more than she already does, and doing that is one of her favorite things, especially when I am in heat.”

“I know. The walls of tents are fucking thin on campaign.”

Lucius laughs. “Can I help it if we’re…?”

“Too loud?”

“In love.” Lucius’ cheekbones dust with pink. Then he glances at me slyly. “The other things that you asked me about…? They’ve been set in motion.”

I nod, curtly.

Lucius has been working on my scheme against Maximinus ever since I saved him and brought him to my court. Now, he has been helping me to ensure that the army, cadets, and guilds will remain on my side.

“Did you guard my Omega last night?” I ask.

Lucius’ eyes glitter. “Guarded? Gossiped with Freya, while she ate the treats that I’d brought her, more like. Then I played cards with Daire. Although, I’m suspecting that the fae is using real magic. That feathered fucker wins every hand.”

I puff up my chest. “He loses against me.”

Lucius looks at me from underneath his long lashes. “Are you sure that he doesn’t let you believe that?”

I’m beginning to wonder that too.

Daire only loses when he wants to, and to him, somehow every loss is a win.

I don’t reply, turning the corner of Consort House.

I spot Ignatius and Aquila, who are at their post in front of the oak front door. But right now, they aren’t guarding it.

I let out a growl of fury.

Aquila is pinning Ignatius to the limestone column beside the door.

The Omega’s eyes are ice-cold. He raises his hand to backhand his Alpha.

Ignatius’ gaze is lowered, and his shoulders are slumped. His scent is bitter with a bleak sadness. But he hasn’t even raised his own hands either to fight back or to protect himself.

Like this has happened before.

Suddenly, I am flooded with the memory of all the times that I have been struck by Maximinus.

Inside me, Hadrian roars.

My eyes swirl to molten gold.

Blinding rage overtakes me.

I launch myself at Aquila, whose face pales with terror.

I grab Aquila by the hair, hauling him away from my cousin. I throw him against the wall with a heavy thud that must have broken at least one of his ribs.

He doubles over with a grunt of pain.

I draw Hadrian’s Dagger.

Dully, I am aware that Lucius is calling my name and pulling on my cloak.

I ignore him.