Page 22 of The Flame King's Queen

Are things not so sweet between you and your own Omega?

What a surprise.

“What do you want?” Kane asks. “This is my territory.”

This land belongs to me. His dragons are my dragons. It’s with my grace that he has either, though to prove it’s with my grace, I’ll have to fight him, and I have no desire for pointless bloodshed.

“I want what benefits both of us. Peace for Maledin and safety for our dragons.” I glance behind me to Auryn, whose wings are spread and muscles are tightly corded with aggression. “How is your flare? I can provide you with people who can tend to your dragons if any of them are sick or injured.”

“You mean that white-haired prick who stole my woman? If I ever see his face again, I’ll slice off his knot.”

I smile faintly because I’d like to see Kane try. “It was an offer in good faith, but you needn’t accept. I’ll get to the point. I’m here to ask if you will keep your word.”

A smirk crosses Kane’s lips, and he relaxes slightly. “My word? Of what do you speak?”

I ignore the stupid question. Kane agreed to use his warlock abilities to disrupt the southern barrier to allow my dragon army to pass through. “Five days from now, the dawn after the half-moon, we will attack the southern stronghold where Emmeric is hiding.”

“Not without me, you won’t, or you’ll be battering your big stupid heads against that barrier while the Shadow King laughs at you.”

“Just as you say. Will you join the attack?”

“Why should I?”

“Because I believe you are a man of your word.”

Kane’s eyes widen briefly in goading. “Can’t the King of Maledin offer me any greater enticement?”

“Discuss your enticements with your Omega, as she was the one whose terms you agreed to. She will probably remind you that joining us is its own reward.”

“Is it?”

“We will kill Emmeric, the one who made your life a torment.”

Kane’s lips press together in anger. “Yes. There is that.” He casts a look over his shoulder, though there is no one there. I can only imagine that he is thinking of something. Or someone.

“May we count on your assistance?” I press Kane.

He turns back to me, and his lifeless black eyes seem colder than ever. “Bringing down that barrier is all I’m going to do. I’m not joining in your fight against that thing or his army.”

“Forcing a gateway in the barrier for my dragon army is all I ask of you. I may also request your help with freeing a dragon, but only after the battle is won.”

“Force a gateway? I’ll do better than that. I’ll bring the barrier down,” Kane snarls. “There isn’t a ward that can keep me out.”

Hatred for Emmeric and pride in his abilities is writ large on his face. This is a man who craves both vengeance and to prove himself.

“The dawn after the half-moon. We will watch for your dragon, Kane.” I turn and walk back to Scourge.

Kane calls after me, “Do you know he can raise the dead? I’ve had to kill some of his men several times over when they have strayed onto my territory.”

I turn back to him. “Yes, I know.”

“How is he doing that?”

I smile at him and cock my head to one side. “You’re very interested considering you won’t be fighting. Are you sure I can’t tempt you and Auryn to join in the battle?”

Kane glances at Isavelle. “I do love slaughtering magic users.”

The smile dies on my lips. Fuck this asshole.

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