Page 195 of The Fallen Fae King

“Insult them again, and I shall tear out your tongue.” My pheromones sour in a rolling fog. “Why would she run from me?”

“Maybe because you threaten to pull out people’s tongues?” Daire mutters.

Freya snorts a laugh.

I circle my mates, tracing over their silky shoulders. But my gaze rests with predatory danger on Decima.

“How do I know why Omegas do what they do? Hysterical, flighty things that they are.” Decima glances at the door, as if working out whether she can escape through it herself.

“Or she knew that you were plotting treason.” Cato plops a fat grape into his mouth like he’s not her co-conspirator.

I must admit that he has a knot of steel even though he is a snake.

Decima gapes at him in shock. “What are you doing?”

It’s obvious: denouncing her to make himself look innocent, before she can denounce him.

Decima has played these games in the Shadow Court long enough to know that.

After all, she taught that identical trick to her daughter.

I glance over my shoulder at Maximinus. He is stonily watching the scene unfold; it is hard to know what way he will jump.

The only variable that was impossible to be certain of was Maximinus’ reaction. Yet he has no loyalty to anyone. I am certain that he will sacrifice a few pawns.

This fucker hasn’t yet realized it.

“Maximinus, speak for me,” Decima throws herself to her knees, dramatically raising her arms in supplication. I roll my eyes. And she says that Omegas are the dramatic ones. “I am Head of the Council. You know that I am innocent.”

Now, that is a threat. And the most foolish fucking thing that she could have said.

Maximinus glares at her. “Stop your bleating. Nobody believes a word from your shameful lips. I won’t let your treachery spoil any more of my nephew’s wedding. Guards, take her away to my dungeons and⁠—”

“Wait.” I hold up my hand, imperiously. It is satisfying to watch Maximinus’ mouth snap shut in shock. When was the last time someone interrupted him with an order? He’ll have to get used to it. “Cato, since you called it treason, what is the punishment for that?”

Cato swallows.

He edges even further away from Decima, along with the other panicked councilors. “Execution, your Majesty.”

“What an excellent idea,” I reply. “And so much better than a simple toast to welcome my new mates.”

“Sin and you are really into gory body parts as gifts, aren’t you?” Daire snaps out his wings. The guests huddle back, dropping their drinks in fear at his display. “Luckily, I like them too.”

I grin, twirling to the throne.

I pull out the two-handed sword with a long blade and pear-shaped pommel, which is woven into the throne’s design.

I shudder with a dark thrill at its familiar feel.

This was Hadrian’s sword, which he used to carry out executions in this basilica. I can sense the blood soaked into it and the restless spirits of those unjustly slain by its blade.

But today, I will be using it for justice.

I stalk toward Decima, as the Beta servers rush as far as they can to the back of the chamber.

Everyone is watching me.

I can feel the prickle of Maximinus’ stare on my neck.