Page 43 of The Flame King's Queen

Kane narrows his eyes and shifts his weight, but he doesn’t deny his foul temper. “IfAuryn and I don’t beat your soft, docile, domesticated dragons in a fair competition, we will accept defeat and return to our own flare.”

Stesha and I exchange doubtful glances.

“You think me a liar?” Kane says. “It’s you who are the treacherous ones. I was peacefully existing with my mate and my flare far to the east whenhecame and stole her away from me.” He nods at Stesha. “Of course I retaliated, as you both would have done yourselves in such vile fucking circumstances. You deigned to give me my mate back if I helped you in the south, which I did. Now I’m here to celebrate your wedding to that witch in exactly the manner you desire, and you are still treating me as if I’m the villain.”

“Oh yes, you’re so hard done by. Never put a talon wrong. The picture of fucking innocence,” Stesha says.

“Put yourself in my shoes, you white-haired prick. What would you have done if I’d stolen someone from you? Or are you so knotless that you would have done nothing?”

I can tell from Stesha’s scent and the rough way he’s breathing that being called knotless and reminded that he was unable to protect Zenevieve from Emmeric is making him angry.

I put out a placating hand, hoping to calm both of them before they indulge in violence. “All right, both of you. Kane, I hope you’ve learned by now that we will always protect those who are harmed by ignorant Alphas. You may stay and compete if you and Auryn are able to control yourselves. I will hold you to the same standards as I do all my dragonriders.”

“I am not one ofyourdragonriders,” he snarls.

“No, but you are my subject. Riding an Alpha dragon does not make you king. Do you wish to compete, or do you wish to challenge my throne?”

“I have no desire to rule over a bunch of knotless idiots.”

“Then you may compete in the games, but I have conditions. You must refrain from speaking with Ravenna. She’s told you to keep away from her. Will you accept her wishes without exception?”

His jaw grinds together in irritation. “Are you even going to ask what she did to me?”

My gaze travels down his body. He’s shivering and his complexion is sickly yellow. I wonder how he’s survived this long. Pure stubbornness and rage, probably. “Do you wish to accuse Ravenna of wrongdoing? We can have a hearing in the Great Hall, and you will both have the chance to air your grievances before I pass judgment on you.”

I’m sure Ravenna has reasons for poisoning her mate that we’d all feel sympathetic about.

Kane glares at me. “No, I don’t want to air my grievances, but an acknowledgment of what she’s done to me would be nice.”

“You look like shit. You’re probably going to die. Are you happy?” Stesha says.

“Moving on,” I mutter.

“No, not moving on.” Kane points a shaking forefinger at Stesha. “I don’t want him near my mate. You will not talk to her or look at her or even be in her presence.”

“You don’t order me around,” Stesha tells him coldly.

“Swear it. If you touch even one hair on her head, I will gut you from throat to knot.”

The mention of touching another Omega’s hair, which Stesha once did to Isavelle, ratchets up Stesha’s temper even more, and he shouts, “I’m not the one who is after your mate.”

Kane’s yellowed, bloodshot eyes widen. “What are you talking about? Who’s after my mate? I’ll kill all of you.”

I get between the two Alphas and push them apart. “No one is killing anyone. Ravenna is not interested in any man, and she wishes to be left in peace. Kane, focus on regaining your health so that we don’t have to scrape you off the rocks after the first event. Stesha, get a hold of yourself. Despite what you may think, Kane, I want you and Auryn to do well in the games. There should be peace and friendly competition between our two flares.”

Kane’s nostrils flare as he breathes hard, glaring at Stesha.

“That being said, your dragon can’t remain within the city walls,” I tell him. “Dragons from two flares can’t share the same space. You will find a suitable place for Auryn a short flight to the north. You can ride a horse?”

“Of course. How do think I hunted witches?”

I wish I could strangle him. Kane is always on the cusp of losing his temper, and he goads every other man into acting the same way. “Then I will send a horse and camp supplies to you so that you may remain nearby with your dragon and train for the events. You can enter and leave Lenhale freely to hear news of the games and seek treatment for your sickness at the Flame Temple, but Auryn may enter only for the events. Is that clear?”

Kane thinks for a long time, a muscle in his jaw ticking. “It’s acceptable.”

I turn to Stesha. “Does the dragonmaster agree?”

“If the fledglings and the wider population are safe from harm, then I don’t care what Kane does. May the best rider and dragon win.”

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