Page 176 of The Forbidden Dragon King
I narrow my eyes. “You knew that this was going to happen.”
“It was likely. How many of those dragons have family who I faced on the battlefield? Lost relatives under my featherglass’ spears and arrows? My side in the war were conquered, but loss and grief are always on two sides. I’m not a simple soldier like the other fae who have been accepted here.I’m the leader.I’m surprised that they haven’t tried to assassinate me yet.”
I shove him against the wall. “Shut up.”
“Now you sound like Ignatius.”
“Is that why you weren’t fighting back, when I came in?”
Daire’s expression is complicated. “Should I have been bothered that some cadets were messing with my bed? I’ve slept on the floor in a cell for weeks. For a decade, the only bed that I’ve known has been the forest leaves, the only blanket my own wings’ feathers, even in the harshest winters. A pampered soldier like Aurelius may need tents with luxurious nests even in the midst of campaigns, but a rebel like me only survived as long as I did because my army could move our camp quickly and with little equipmentor supplies. Because we could endure hardships that no one else could imagine.”
I reach up to cup his bruised cheek. “What if I don’t want you to endure anymore?”
His eyes gleam in the dark corridor. “Don’t take away my main talent.”
“You still shouldn’t have let Ignatius treat you like that.”
“I like this protective side to you, love.” Daire holds my hand, as it’s cupping his cheek, and presses it more tightly against his bruise. “When you’re hurting, you hurt others. That fae bastard, the distant abandoned cousin, had just been whipped. There’s something worse than being bullied and tormented for most of your life and that’s knowing nobody would care or even notice if you lived or died. I have a sense that if Ignatius wasn’t a useful pawn or bargaining chip in whatever his family are playing, he would understand that. He was just taking out his anger on the cadet who Caligo had signaled was fair game. I’d have allowed it, if he hadn’t bad mouthed you.”
“Why?” Frustrated, I snatch away my hand.
“Because it made me look even less of a threat. If they knew my true power, then these cadets wouldn’t only torment me, they’d kill me.”
Fear floods me.
I glance up and down the corridor again to check that we’re alone. Cold creeps up my spine at the light spilling from the dorm room. The only safety is here in the dark with an Unseelie.
“These dragon shifters fear the truly strong,” Daireexplains. “I’ve learned just how true that is within this bloody Shadow Court. The fae revere primal forces of nature. Wearethe power of the shadows; we don’t fear it. Only by being in this paranoid, fear-filled court that both fights over who holds the power and trembles before true power, do I understand that Aurelius has been protecting me.”
“He’s been protecting us both but the Alphahole is unable to drop his emotionless mask well enough to show it.”
“Raised in a place like this,” Daire gestures around at the cold academy, “bloody surprising. I could have cut off his knot for calling me Kit and making me a pet. Now that I’ve learned about his court, however, I understand that it’s the only way I would have been allowed to survive here. When he first captured me, I would still have rather he killed me. But then, I met you…” His gaze is intense; my skin tingles. “…and I’d give anything for just one more day with you.”
“Then you’re lucky that we have a lifetime.” I raise the snowflake to my wrist and kiss it. “I don’t intend to fucking die or be sacrificed to the Shadow Gods. So, you’ll have more than one day. You’ll have until our hair turns white.”
Daire’s expression crumples. He takes a ragged breath.
What have I said?
He snatches me by the hand and drags me down the corridor. “I don’t want to waste another moment. I’m going to build you your first nest.”
I don’t tell him that Aurelius has already built me nestsboth at the camp and then in the suite of rooms, which I have come to realize is our royal dragon nest together and has been from the start.
Daire is too excited, and as his soulmate, this is too special for him.
“I can’t wait.” I smile.
Then Daire trips over a low stool, which is set at the side of the corridor.
“Careful,” I say. “Didn’t you see that?”
“It’s dark.” Daire’s voice is tight. “I’m distracted by how incredible your pussy is going to feel around my cock. I feel like I’ve rutted you already, but we weren’t touching, only through the bond. Since then, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about fucking you. You’re dangerous. Around you, I can hardly think clearly…see clearly.”
My breath hitches. Hot and cold rush through me.
Daire shoves open a nondescript door on the side of the corridor.
He hauls me inside. “Tonight, I’m yours. We’re finally alone. Tell me what you want.”
