Page 175 of The Forbidden Dragon King
Daire slams him down, again and again. He grinds his back onto the floor, until Ignatius is pleading and begging.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m…” Ignatius babbles.
“To her,” Daire says, coldly. “Say it to my Omega.”
“I’m s-s-sorry,” Ignatius manages to get out between his gasping sobs.
Ignatius is a mess.
His cheeks are blotchy and slick with tears. His long, golden hair is tangled over his face. His icy blue eyes are red-rimmed.
He looks nothing like the immaculate soldier from parade this morning.
“Louder,” Daire insists. “Convince me that you’re genuine.”
“I’m s-s-sorry,” Ignatius repeats, louder and more desperate. “I won’t be d-disrespectful again. I apologize.”
“That’s more like it. Do you accept his apology, love?”
I hesitate just long enough to enjoy the panicked pleading in Ignatius’ eyes, before I relent and nod. “As long as he doesn’t bully us or anyone else again.”
“I won’t,” Ignatius whispers.
Daire drops Ignatius to the floor, patting him on the head. “Now, ice or wet towel, remember?”
Then he turns and saunters back to me, as the shadows recede back into his wings. He holds his arm out to me again, and I take it.
Bard didn’t even notice when I was bullied. The wolf prince allowed his gang of friends to torment me. He buried his nose in a book and walked on by, when my head was pushed into buckets of water.
Yet now I’m with a royal Alpha who will stand up against anyone who bullies me.
My soul is singing with joy.
I could kiss Daire’s obsidian feathers and never stop.
Daire clicks his tongue at Five. “Time to make your da look good, Five. Catch some mice and present them as gifts to Caligo, right in his boots would do nicely. Go on then.”
I chuckle.
Five pulls as close to a smirk as a cat is capable of at Ignatius, before slinking out of the door, as if she understands every word that Daire just said.
I’m still not sure how close the fae’s connection to animals and nature runs.
I let Daire lead me back into the corridor. I’m buzzing, still high on the thrill.
“You taught him a lesson with a sock…” Daire leans to murmur against my ear, laughter in his voice.
“And soap,” I add, patting my pocket.
“Brilliant.”
“Where are we going? Are we actually following through on our protest to sleep outside?”
Daire looks offended. “Nay, I can look after my soulmate.” I don’t say that he’s not so good at looking after himself. “I scoped out the academy. There’s a supply closet that seems warm enough.”
I pull him to a stop. “You’re incredible.”
“Are you just realizing that now?”
