Page 147 of The Forbidden Dragon King
Aurelius watches him, confused. “You don’t need to do that.”
“Let the pet alone.” Maximinus waves his hand, dismissively. “It’s what he’s trained for.”
I narrow my eyes at Daire, especially as he looks over Quintus’ shoulder at me and then winks.
Daire has more hidden plans than I can ever hope to guess.
Aurelius notices me rubbing my sore elbow, where Quintus grabbed me. “Do you need a healer?”
I shake my head, squirming out of his hold.
“Quintus Sempronia,” Aurelius says, focusing to get the words out through the fog of wine, “do not hurteitherof my pets. I’m possessive. I burn people who hurtthose I…those who belong to me. Have I made that clear?”
The silence in the hall is deafening after his declaration.
Dangerous.
Is this what Maximinus wanted?
Quintus pales. “It’s clear, but to be equally clear, this silver haired sweetheart climbed into my lap and started rubbing over me like an Omega in heat and not the other way around.”
Alphahole.
“What happened to him being asavage beast?” Aurelius’ eyes are hard.
“Everybody warms up to me once they get to know me.” Daire loops his arms around Quintus’ neck. “Don’t you agree, boss?”
Aurelius narrows his eyes, his gaze cooling.
“Enough.” Maximinus stands up sharply, grabbing Aurelius by his muscled bicep.
He drags Aurelius stumbling after him toward the front of the hall.
Aurelius is unsteady. He doesn’t look like he’d have been able to walk without his uncle’s hold on him, which Maximinus attempts to make look supportive, rather than controlling.
Immediately, Lucius stands up, attempting to join them.
Maximinus fixes Lucius with a quelling glare. “Sit. Down. Omega.”
Reluctantly, Lucius perches on theedge of the couch again. His eye has already swollen shut, beginning to bruise. Blood is still slowly seeping from the wound on his cheek.
On the moon, what am I supposed to do?
I’m outranked by everyone here with the possible exception of Daire, and after the performance that he’s just put on, I have the feeling that he’s won himself enough admirers from within the court that his pet status is now higher than mine.
Daire has a talent for turning losses into victories. But then, like me, he’s had a lot of practice.
When I make to follow Aurelius, Daire shakes his head at me.
Dread lies heavy as a stone in my stomach.
I try not to watch out of the corner of my eye, as Quintus gropes Daire’s chest, wrinkling his silky costume, as if the fae is a horse at market that he’s testing, before deciding to buy and ride it.
Daire is sitting calm and unmoving like he’s not being touched at all. His gaze is distant. He isn’t smiling but leans in to murmur something to Quintus that I can’t hear.
ThenQuintusis smiling.
It sets my teeth on edge.
