Page 140 of The Forbidden Dragon King
“I’m already being trained by Maximinus as a courtesan.” Daire still doesn’t turn around like he’s ashamed to face me. “Do you think that Aurelius would stand up formeagainst his uncle?”
I tremble with rage.
I hate that Daire has to spend any time with Maximinus and be humiliated like that.
An Omega Courtesan is a respected role. A sacred one. But forcing an Alpha King to perform is nothing but cruelty.
“Maximinus is only trying to…” I bite my lip.
“Show me my place?” Daire completes for me, copying Maximinus’ sneer. “Aye, I thought that too. He has had me working with a dance and singing instructor. I am exceptionally talented at both.”
Despite myself, I grin. “The Shadow Gods themselves would give you a standing ovation.”
“Fuck the Shadow Gods. I thought that Maximinus would never parade me in public. Except, this weekend, a feast to memorialize King Tarquin is being held, and I’m the entertainment.”
“Fuck.” I tighten my hold on Daire’s curls with a growl.
When Daire said that this was war, one that wasn’t over yet, he was right. It’s simply one that we’re fighting without swords or fire, but the only weapons that we have now that we’re behind enemy lines.
How was I naïve enough to believe that Daire could simply set aside his scheme?
I drop my hand away from his hair.
“On Saturday night, I’ll manage to get through the feast by imagining that I am dancing for you alone, love,” Daire says. “It doesn’t matter how full the Banquet Hall is or what surprises Maximinus has planned, every move, dance, and song will be for you, Spark.”
To my shock, he turns around. At the same time, he wrenches out his long, glossy pinion feather.
“Stop it.” I try to pull at his hand, but I’m too late. “You’re hurting yourself again.”
“Nothing’s worth anything, if it doesn’t require sacrifice.”
The beautiful, shimmering feather lies on his palm.
I can’t look away from it.
“This is for you, love.” He holds it up like an offering before a goddess.
I’m breathing too fast, devastated. “Will it grow back?”
Daire’s eyes are glassy with pain, as he nods. “Eventually.”
“How will you fly until then?”
“The magic suppresses my ability to fly anyway, or at least, punishes me to the point of wishing that I was dead if I try. What does it matter if this makes it harder?”
Reverentially, he slips the feather behind my ear. His magic doesn’t sear or burn. Instead, it’s like a gentle crooning, rippling through my hair and down the sensitive skin on the back of my neck.
I take a deep breath, adjusting to the intense sensation. “Thank you.”
This gift is more precious than any I’ve been given before. Daire owns nothing but he’s plucked a part of himself to weave into my hair.
Once, I was obsessed with fae rune magic.
Now, I have a feather from the wingtip of the Raven King himself in my hair.
Am I dreaming?
Daire adjusts the feather, for the first time looking contented; I can sense the same joy surging through thebond. “This is my courting gift. Try not to lose it, aye? I only have one other right now. A Shadow Fae only gifts their pinion to their soulmate. It will protect you from attacks by other fae. When you’re in extreme danger, my wings will sense it now. I will always find a way to protect you. It doesn’t matter if the dragons drape me in satins and silks as their courtesan tomorrow night, I will still be the most deadlygodat that feast. I will bite the hand that pets me.”
