Page 99 of The Fallen Fae King

My brow furrows.

What is he doing?

I nod, however, and move back into the archway that leads to the study.

Instantly, Aurelius transforms into his Golden Dragon shifter form with a roar. His scaled tail winds around the olive tree.

Five meows with excitement.

Aurelius’ wings are folded behind his back, as he crouches to fit inside the garden and not smash down the courtyard with his giant form.

The sun glints off his horns that curve from his head.

Shadows armor his sinuous back. They disintegrate from the tips of his wings like ash. They reach out, wrapping around my waist.

I let out a yelp, as I am lifted up and dropped onto the dragon’s back. Then his shadows hold me onto his back.

Ready, my treasure? Aurelius’ voice drifts like smoke into my mind.

I shiver.

Aurelius’ telepathic connection in dragon form is more intimate than being knotted to him.

I lean forward, stroking my hand over the warm scales on his back, before leaning to kiss him. “Ready.”

He twists his serpent neck to look at me with glowing eyes. My perfect mate and rider, I will prove myself worthy of you.

Then he surges up into the sky with dizzying speed.

I cling to him, grinning at the thrill.

He flaps his wings, flying higher and higher into the bright blue of the sky. Then he circles away from the palace.

If we can talk safely now, I reply back into his mind. I need to know that what happened…how you behaved…when I arrived back through the portal was an act.

Lucius scripted it…every word that I spoke. Isn’t he an evil genius? Aurelius replies.

You are for how convincing you were.

Did I say that I didn’t enjoy seeing my enemy in chains? Aurelius rumbles. A dragon likes to hoard enemies. I’m doing a good job.

My soul feels alive, as the breeze tugs my hair behind me. Aurelius circles away from the walls of the Shadow Court toward Bael.

Pearl, ruby, and silver dragons pass us at a respectful distance. The air is alive with them. The skies are busier than the roads below.

The capital looks beautiful from up here.

I spent my life trapped inside, until Daire and you gave me the courage to take you to the Carnival of Shadows, Aurelius sounds unbearably sad. In his shifter form, he appears to be able to access emotions that he suppresses most of the time. It was the best night of my life and then it was my worst. And that was because of Lan.

My smile fades, as I remember the joy of dancing with Aurelius and Daire, before the screams began. Then the terror as the beetles and bats swarmed through the streets, while the rats tore Vicious to pieces.

Lanlin was feral, I try. He was searching for me…

And Vic was my friend. Aurelius’ voice wavers with pain. Now she’s dead.

When Aurelius circles lower over the center of the capital, I can see the market is still damaged. Although there have been attempts to rebuild, the destruction of that night has left its mark.

Aurelius brought me out here to see this. His city and his people were scarred by Lanlin.