Page 237 of The Forbidden Dragon King
Daire’s breathing becomes ragged, and he stills. “Normally, I’m all for a little sword crossing. But right now, could we skip the blood play…?”
Aurelius pulls back, blanking his expression. Then he holds the sword with two hands, steadying it on his shoulder.
Did I misread this? Aurelius hasn’t actually been pressured into executing us, right?
My eyes widen with panic. “Shit, stop. What are you…?”
Aurelius swings the sword, as I scream.
The blade severs the chains that are holding Daire’s arms above his head.
Daire howls with agony, as his arms that have been held up in the same position for too long are finally allowed to drop. Then Aurelius swings twice more, cutting the chains at Daire’s chest and waist.
Aurelius doesn’t catch Daire, allowing him to crumple in a groaning pile on the floor.
Dares crushed wings flap weakly.
“I thought that you were a fae lover,” Daire grumbles.
“More like hater turned ally. You’re free aren’t you? Don’t be ungrateful, Kitten.” Aurelius turns toward me.
“How did he cut through your chains?” Decima demands, turning to Maximinus.
“The executioner sword is the weapon that is used to carry out judgment in here.” Maximinus runs his hand over his bald head in frustration. “To kill or to free.”
Huh, shows how often the sword is used to free, since she doesn’t know that. When was mercy last shown in Draca Kingdom? Within the Shadow Court?
“Freya is worthy of being our King’s mate.” Wraith twists to face me. Her expression is wary. “My Guild doesn’t want me to share this secret yet. They certainly don’t want me to tell you. After what’s happened with Vic, however, I don’t want to die and take this with me. I will suffer any consequences for breaking their rule.”
“Wraith,” Aurelius says, concerned, “be careful. You’re bound by your Guild. I won’t lose you as well.”
What secret? One about me?
I feel like I’m about to open a book and once I do, I will never be able to unsee what’s inside.
Part of me wants to keep it shut. The curious, impulsive side saysfuck it.
No one has considered me worthy before.
“I won’t hide any longer that she’s not only the sole survivor of the Orm massacre but also a secret princess: the baby daughter of the King and Queen of the previous court.”
I’m shaking; I can’t stop.
“You’re wrong.” I’m talking too fast. My mind is reeling. “Why are you lying? I mourned that princess every year at the barrows, along with the other victims whodied. I have a shrine for my parents. Why are you manipulating me like this?”
Aurelius tilts his head, studying me. “That means you’re the true Omega Queen of the Fang Kingdom. It’s only King Ulf who put in place the strict hierarchy with Omegas unable to rule or lead. It makes sense now why he’s oppressed an entire dynamic to ensure that you could never challenge him for the throne. The golden threads knew your true identity, even if we didn’t.”
“No.” I twist in my chains, despite the pain in my wrists. “I don’t fucking believe it. I’m nobody. Why would…? King Ulf and Bard, they’re…”
My eyes mist with tears.
What if I am wolf shifter royalty? What if I spent all those years in the dorms, being bullied and alone, cleaning on my knees, while Bard and his friends got to waltz past me wrapped in their rich, warm clothes and arrogance?
What if I suffered all this time, but truly, I should have been the elite?
Would I still be me?
Who the fuck even am I?
