Page 137 of The Forbidden Dragon King
“Whatever’s making you feel as scared as if Shadow Devils are about to drag you down to hell,” Daire says, “just tell me.”
“You can sense that through the bond…?”
“Aye.”
“Aurelius has been alone through every rut,” I explain in a rush. “He’s not merely forbidden to bond but to even have a rut mate. It’s torture. He’s not only touch starved. It’s turning him feral.”
Daire’s expression darkens. “Maximinus, damn his soul.”
“Aurelius collapsed. He was vulnerable, and fuck knows what could have happened if another Omega had found him in that state. My pheromones were the only thing that helped him. Daire, I’m his Omega.”
“He loves you,” Dare says, quietly.
“Are you upset?”
Daire looks surprised. “Why would I be? Fae only have one soulmate, but that doesn’t mean that we own each other. You’re free to love or fuck whoever you wish.”
“So, you should be as well then.”
Daire’s lips quirk. “You’re the only Omega who blossoms in my heart, and that’ll never change, love.” I flush, smiling. “Look, it’s cruel for anyone to be touch starved. The bloody idiot probably deserves it, but a feral dragon in charge of this kingdom would be a disaster for every realm. I hate to praise the Alphahole, but Aurelius has brilliant self-control that he hasn’t snapped before now. He’s your Alpha, but so am I.”
He holds out his arms to me, and I crawl around the tray to settle on his lap. I nuzzle against his throat, breathing in his strong pheromones and his magical scent.
I purr, licking his neck.
Daire holds me tightly, breathing in my scent.
He rests his chin on the top of my head, covering me in the waterfall of his hair. “Okay, love?”
My purring cuts off abruptly.
“He’s not only my Alpha, even if he can’t bond me,” Iforce myself to continue. “He also claims that he canseefate like golden threads.”
Daire’s eyes glitter with excitement. “On the sacred ash, he isn’t only a pretty face.”
“He says,” I add, more sharply, “that he can see the threads join the three of us together.”
Daire looks stunned, before he whistles.
“Well, that explains a lot.” Then he looks smug. “I am god-like. And you are my beautiful Omega. Why wouldn’t fate link us to the most powerful king in the realms?”
“A king who is Hadrian reincarnated.”
Daire shrugs. “Have you even met Aurelius? He’s a frightened, second prince, grieving his older brother. A cadet drilled with rules, who has spent most of his life inside this palace. He was never even meant to rule. He’s not a true bloody king. He’s definitely not a bloody emperor.”
“Don’t talk about him like that.”
For the first time, Daire’s expression cools. “I see. I thought that this didn’t change things between us. But does it?”
“It changes things with Aurelius.”
“Do you think that a life-time pursuing revenge for your family, friends, and kingdom should be set aside for love?”
“Mine or yours?”
He flinches.
Bullseye.
