Lanlin’s lips quirk. “As you wish, dearheart. What color?”
He’s serious.
I swallow. “Ehm, green?”
“Is that your favorite?”
“I’m guessing that yours is black.”
I gesture at his clothes and gloves.
Lanlin’s eyes flicker with something that I don’t understand. “Actually, fiery orange is like your hair. I have always loved the sun and wished that I could feel its warmth on my skin. I apologize, dear. You may mock me now.”
“Why would I? You’ve just made me think of a great idea for the throne cushion: green with a sun design.”
Lanlin’s cheek flush. “It is decided then.”
He straightens, revealing me to the room again.
My skin feels too hot as well.
I glance at Horus.
Horus appears shaken. “Well, Freya, you are quite exquisite. I am sure that I will meet you again at one of my parties. Your eyes are like precious emeralds. Your hair is the sun come down from the sky to light our dark night. Your?—”
“Oh, do my ass next.” I squirm on the throne. Do Horus’ lines usually work on the Omegas here? “Is it like a succulent peach? You could just bite it for hours, right? And my toes are like wiggling worms. My?—”
“Perfect little nose,” Daire’s eyes are dancing with amusement, “is the sweet plum that the ravens peck.”
Maybe Daire is enjoying this too much.
I still laugh.
Horus drops his mask, revealing the true ugliness underneath. His fangs extend in anger.
“Interrogate them, Mother.” Horus’ eyes are hard.
Immediately on the alert, Lanlin rests his hand on the back of the throne. “There is nothing to ask.”
“I see.” Isis cocks her head, glancing around to ensure that she has the full attention of both the Void Cult and members of the Scarlet Temple. As plainly dressed as she is, it’s clear that she holds the power here. “As your poor, belated mother and father’s consort, however, I still feel a duty to their kingdom. Their blood and spirits would cry out to me otherwise. Isn’t that only right? KalaKant was killed by a fae. Do you believe that she would expect you to take a fae as your Blood Lover? Now that the peace has been broken, let us execute both wolf and fae as a blood sacrifice for KalaKant…”
Lanlin’s roar echoes through the chamber, and everyone shrinks back.
My heartbeat races. Adrenaline spikes through me.
But I’m not scared.
This is a protective Alpha, near feral, protecting his pack. I witnessed it in Fang Kingdom. I just never thought that anyone would be driven to it because of Daire or me.
“Nobody harms my blood mates,” Lanlin snarls. Shadows curl from his shoulders, forming monstrous shadow bat wings behind him. “The treaty stands.”
His giant wings are like vast silhouettes against the constellation walls.
Yet despite everything, I have the feeling that Lanlin isn’t the monster in this room.
I catch sight of Daire’s expression, which is lit with admiration.
I’m not sure if it is wing envy or admiration that Lanlin is so publicly standing up for us as a pack.
