Page 236 of The Forbidden Dragon King
Lucius rests his hand on Aurelius’ shoulder, squeezing.
What remains of the Golden Family stand united in the center of the basilica.
Yet it frightens me how in control Maximinus still looks, watching Aurelius’ grief with a contemptuously curled lip.
“Stop this disgraceful display.” Maximinus shakes his head. “All these emotions. Do you know how weak you look? I believe that you need to be taken back under my Guardianship for further lessons.”
Aurelius pales.
“Get fucked,Horror of Bael.”War meets Aurelius’ eye significantly, before turning back to Decima. “Neither the King nor his mates should be judged today or punished. They made the plan that led to the rescue of the city. I was only following out my King’s orders.”
“And an Alpha’s heat with their dragon riders is protected under law,” Lucius points out, firmly. “I madecertain of that two years ago. Even in war, if a heat hits then an Alpha’s primary duty is to his Omega dragon rider. They are not deserting, if they leave the field of battle to see their Omega safely through their heat. The King would not have been able to fight when he was in rut, neither would Kit. Would you prefer that they had stayed and all died that night?”
His voice is tight with emotion and rage.
Several of the council members are shifting and looking uncomfortable now, casting each other glances.
“On what authority do you dare to enter the Council’s basilica and attempt to teach us the law?” Decima demands but she sounds shaky now. “This sacred ground is only for noble silver dragons, not ruby and jade. I will have you publicly whipped and?—”
“Eat shit, daughter of a bitch,” War growls without looking around. “You’re all traitors. If you are intending to chain or kill us too, Maximinus, then know that the entire army and the academy cadets led by Ignatius are surrounding the basilica. They have orders to burn this building and slaughter everyone inside, if all of us — including the King’s dragon riders — don’t safely exit.”
At long last, Maximinus looks shaken.
He launches himself out of the throne. “What have you done, boy?”
Aurelius’ lips curl into a cold smirk, as he disentangles himself from Wraith and gathers up the sword in his bound hands. He pushes himself to his full height.
It’s as if he’s been reborn.
Now, he’s the one with the power in this room.
He casually swings the sword between his hands. “You may have won the Council, Uncle, but you forget that the one who wins thearmy, rules the kingdom. I have spent three years sleeping, eating, and paying in blood alongside my soldiers. I have saved their lives and those of their friends and mates on the battlefield. They are as loyal, as these nobles are disloyal serpents on my fucking breast. So, this is called a stalemate. We could kill each other here or we could compromise.”
Daire is grinning as widely as I am. “How about a deal? I love those.”
I grin.
Joy surges through me, wild and unrestrained. There is a way out. Aurelius is as good at scheming as Daire is, and he’s just outfoxed his Uncle.
Maximinus’ hands are balled into fists, as if he’d be striking Aurelius if he was standing close enough. “You would threaten your own family over fucking pets?”
“Over my pack,” Aurelius declares, and his voice rings through the basilica, “my Queen and King.”
The council members gasp in shock.
Despite everything, part of me doubted that Aurelius would truly declare Daire and me as rulers beside him.
But for once, I don’t mind being proved wrong.
Happiness floods through me, and I realize that I’m experiencing Daire’s reaction on top of mine for being claimed as both pack and King publicly.
“You hear that?” I call. “Queen.”
Decima gives a nasty laugh. “The wolf shifter bitch is just some orphan trash. She’s a rejected Omega. Thesoulmate of a conquered King turned bandit. She is not worthy to be your mate. Why would you want to touch someone who has already been sullied? A fae lover?”
“Maybe I am a fae lover too.” Aurelius saunters toward Daire.
My grin freezes, when he raises the sword, resting the blunt tip underneath Daire’s chin.
