I stroll underneath Daire, studying him coolly. “I’ll remove the gag but I am still the only king here. You’re my honored dragon rider and Lanlin’s current Blood Lover. But I expect you to show me respect.”
When I snap my fingers, the gag vanishes.
Daire works the muscles of his mouth. “Go fuck yourself in the arse, boss.”
I wince on theboss.
“Off to a good start.” I turn back to Freya, who is watching anxiously, as if I’m about to gut Daire. I find that I hate it. “I have completed my investigation on the traitor.”
“Did you look into that pretty male Omega who follows you around like a puppy?” Daire asks.
“It’s not Lucius,” Freya says, quickly.
My lips pinch at the memory of Lucius’ tears.
Lanlin killed in one night every member of Lucius’ family who had been on that ambush — Alpha father, brothers, and sisters.
Lucius’ family did nothing but abuse and then disown him.
He still wept, however, when he was told about their deaths.
I have worked without sleep to find out the truth because if I couldn’t, then the Council and my uncle were clamoring that Lucius be handed over to the Guild of Assassins to be interrogated —tortured.
I swore to myself as a child that I would never allow Lucius to be hurt. It would also have destroyed my support within the army, who are as loyal to War and her dragon rider Omega, Lucius, as War is to me.
Despite that loyalty, War would fly away with Lucius and burn anyone who tried to stop her, before she allowed Lucius to be tortured or executed.
My entire Golden Family would have fallen apart, along with my alliances.
“Our bonding here,” I gesture around at the cavern, “was the best moment of my life. I was forbidden to bond because of the prophecy; I never expected that it would happen. To have this experience with you was like a dream. I wasn’t able, however, to give you an appropriate bonding gift. I hope that you like my choice.”
I give a wicked smile, meeting Daire’s gaze.
He arches his brow at me in question.
Then I click my fingers.
A severed head tumbles to hit the floor with a wet thump.
The dragon’s features are clawed, from where Hadrian tore into them in a frenzy. The eyes are gouged, and the short, steely blond hair is caked with dried blood.
Freya gasps.
Daire doesn’t react, merely cocking his head and sniffing. “Well, that stinks. Rusted iron. Can I send your gift back?”
“What is it with you Alphas and severed heads as gifts?” Freya demands.
“The heads of your enemies,” I clarify. “Anyone who tries to kill you…dies.”
Who the fuck has been offering her severed heads?
It had better not have been Lanlin. Although it does sound like the type of thing my ex-friend would do. That or necklaces made from his enemies’ fangs.
“Who is it?” Freya is looking green.
“Caligo.” I glance up at Daire. Instantly, his expression brightens. “The Shadow Military Academy’s instructor who I banished for whipping Daire. He didn’t go into exile to the Borderlands with his brother but instead, used his connections with his ex-students within the army and court and worked against me. He was hoping to kill both of you with this move, as well as overthrow the Shadow Court.”
“Worked out well for him.” Daire grins. “Brilliant bonding gift.”
