Page 170 of The Forbidden Dragon King
When he leans to brush what I’m certain is imaginaryfluff from the arm of her uniform, I hold myself back with difficulty.
I stiffen, when he walks past me.
Caligo ignores me, however, stopping on Ignatius. “Messalla.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I guess you believe that you are something special? A silver dragon who is related to the King? Expecting to be treated with kid gloves?”
My eyes widen at the level of venom in Caligo’s voice.
I’ve just found someone who the instructor may hate more than me, which is useful. But why? Is it because Ignatius is connected to Aurelius?
Did Caligo target Aurelius, when he was trained here?
“No, sir.” Ignatius’ voice doesn’t waver; he continues to look straight ahead.
Are Shadow Dragons trained from birth into good little soldier boys?
Caligo backhands Ignatius, and finally the cadet’s shocked gaze meets the instructor’s.
“Look at me, fucker.” Caligo’s voice is low and hard. “I’m a ruby dragon and proud of being a proper veteran soldier. Once you entered my academy,youbecame nobody. Just another cadet. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Repeat it.I am a nobody.”
Ignatius hesitates for a moment, before he repeats in a strained voice, “I am a nobody.”
Caligo reaches out, gripping the top button on Ignatius’ uniform. He twists it, until it breaks off.
Then he throws it onto the ground.
What the hell?
Caligo tuts, flicking over the area where the uniform is now damaged. “Look at that, cadet, your uniform is missing a button. You’ve failed the inspection. This evening, you will report to the post for a whipping. Ten lashes.”
Ignatius pales. “Yes, sir.”
Freya draws in a sharp breath.
Is this what happened to Aurelius on his first day? It looks like one of the instructor’s standard tricks.
What a fucking bully.
But why did he choose Ignatius? Is it because he believes that he can forge him into a weapon in the same way that he has Aurelius?
Or because he wants to break him?
It’s ironic that Caligo appears to have the same idea about dividing the group into the strongest and weakest on the first day. Shame for Ignatius that his high opinion of himself has just been shattered because it turns out thathe’sthe prey.
“Something that you want to say, wolf?” Caligo taunts, dangerously quiet.
Freya shakes her head.
When Caligo turns to me, I’m not surprised.
“I bet that you’re expecting me to make your life hell, fae.” Caligo adjusts my uniform in careful but firm movements that could be avulcular, if it wasn’t for his words. “After all, you broke my brother’s nose. Cracked his teeth. And he’s been sent to the borderlands because of you.”
