Page 81 of The Fallen Fae King

My pheromones roll around me in waves, deep and drugging, because I will finally…fucking finally…be united with the woman who means more to me than my Crown.

After all, I have offered to burn down my kingdom for her.

I have fucking knelt for her.

Yet my Wolf Goddess bonded with my enemy. She called Lanlin pack.

After she has spent so much time in Blood Kingdom, separated from me, will she still love me as fiercely as I adore her?

I barely trust my new feelings.

How can I trust that someone as kind as Freya hasn’t been manipulated by a vampire who tricked me that he was not only my best friend but would never betray me, before murdering my brother?

I straighten my shoulders, tilting up my chin.

At long last, after years of blood and sweat, I will be avenged on Lanlin.

I am dressed in my scarlet cape and golden battle armor like dragon scales.

I am determined to look regal tonight.

Lanlin will know that I am his Emperor.

Dragon scale armlets are wrapped around my wrists and biceps. Hadrian’s Dagger is sheathed at my waist.

I blink rapidly, trying to ignore the cursed dagger’s dark whispering.

Hadrian is pulsing just beneath my skin. He is desperate to burst out and see his mates. I can sense how much he has missed them. He craves to burn Lanlin for daring to rut his Omega.

Lucius sat on my bed and polished my armor with a rag this afternoon to gleaming perfection to ensure my first impression is impressive.

I stroked Five, Daire’s fleabag of a cat this afternoon, while Lucius worked on my armor. Five insisted on curling on my lap. I had nothing to do with it.

I didn’t whisper to Five that her da would be returning home soon.

At least Lucius wisely pretended not to hear me, even if his gray eyes did twinkle with amusement.

Lucius walked me through how tonight needed to go because Lanlin’s capture is a piece of political theater.

Everything in the Shadow Court is. And Lucius is one of the best players.

Tribune Lucius Atticus is a noble Omega, silver dragon, and my closest friend. He is also the smartest strategist in the Shadow Court, which is why he is a member of my Golden Family. He hides behind his pretty looks, which makes him popular with the Alphas who he persuades toward my schemes with his sweet words and sweeter looks.

Tonight, I will finally fulfill my Blood Oath to Tarquin.

I will avenge my brother. I will take revenge on the Shadow Vampire who murdered him.

But by the Shadow Gods, why do I feel numb? Why is joy not surging through me?

Isn’t this justice?

Instead, dread churns in my guts. Both anxiety and anticipation race through me to see Freya once again.

What if she breaks her bond with me?

I could fucking lose her.

I would burn myself if that happened, but Hadrian would burn the realms.