Page 95 of The Fallen Fae King

Pulse pounding, I raise my other wrist to my mouth and bite on the delicate snowflake. I know how to gain Daire’s attention.

Instantly, Daire gently bites back.

My shoulders relax.

Is Daire still with Lanlin? My roguish fae is always scheming, but he has made a deal to serve all three of us.

Doesn’t that mean he will protect us?

I stare around my bedroom, which is the first room of my own that anyone has granted me. Before Aurelius gave me this room, I’d lived in shared rooms in the Moon Court.

Now, however, it doesn’t feel like it belongs to me.

Aurelius hasn’t moved anything. The bedroom has been cleaned, however, and kept pristine like it was waiting for my return.

I hate how much I have missed Aurelius.

When I saw him sprawled on his throne-like couch in the banquet room, I barely held myself back from running to him.

I could sense how much Aurelius needed me. His pheromones were out of control.

He needs my touch and scent.

I do trust him…when it comes to me. But how can I trust him when it comes to his greatest enemy?

He fucking hates Lanlin.

I cross my tiny bedroom, which has stone walls, floor, and beamed, arched roof. The thin light of dawn spears through the window.

I can’t hold back a smile when I sniff the sweet, floral scent of roses from the fresh bouquet that has been placed in a dragon vase on the table beside my bed.

Is that an apology? Or a welcome home gift from Aurelius?

The oak shrine for my parents, carved in the shape of two wolves, stands in the far corner.

Aurelius carved that shrine for me, when he learned that I had never had anywhere to grieve for my parents. It was one of his many small acts of kindness and courting, which I barely noticed when I first traveled to Bael.

Now I see those acts for what they are, as clearly as I see Lanlin’s similar gestures.

Aurelius isn’t good at showing his emotions, but I finally realize that he has been trying hard in his own way…trying in a way that he never has before because no one has shown him love.

This is new to him.

My expression softens.

My possessive fool of an Alpha.

I reach to stroke over the dress that Aurelius has gifted me. It lies on the end of the bed.

The robe is wool but glitters with thousands of golden threads, which have been woven through it. It’s the type of dress that is fit for a Dragon Empress.

Aurelius’ Empress.

I snatch back my hand.

I can’t wear this dress, not so soon after I was clothed in the traditional wedding outfit as Lanlin’s Queen.

I snarl, shoving the dress away from me and off the bed.