Page 102 of The Fallen Fae King

My blood doesn’t taste like ambrosia to me, but everyone has their food preferences, right?

Choosing to feed Lanlin my blood and serve him is one of the best deals that I have made. Admiringly, I imagine having someone like my Bat King at my side with both our magic freed.

We’d be unstoppable.

Plus, when I die, I’d know that Freya would have two Alphas, Aurelius and Lanlin, who would destroy kingdoms for her. But how do I stop the idiots from destroying each other first?

Maximinus tuts. “Still a mouthy brat, I see.”

“Don’t you mean a charming rogue?”

“I don’t find savage bandits charming.” He grips me brutally by the chin. “It’s clear that I haven’t been strict enough with you, pet. I’ll hone my methods when I try again with the vampire.”

I bare my teeth, wrenching my chin out of Maximinus’ grip. “Bollocks. Sin has been sent to the Guild of Assassins.”

“Only for a month. I will petition the Council that as soon as he is released, he’ll be handed into my care to be trained. He is already the realm’s best fighter and assassin. My nephew helped me by giving him to the Guild. They can start the breaking process, and I will complete it. A pet assassin like Lanlin Sin at my side will strengthen my position, wouldn’t you say?”

“I’d say that you’ll be in for a shock.” My eyes flash with rage. Lanlin is smart. Sharp. He is nothing like the easily manipulated fool that Maximinus believes. “Sin is the apex predator.”

Maximinus bloody chuckles. “Oh, you are a naïve fae. Do you still not understand how things work in this empire? The apex predator is me.” I grit my teeth at the sudden blur of movement, as he leans closer. “Once more for old time’s sake, sweet fae?”

There is a quick move right in front of my eyes like the flick of his wrist, as if he’s about to surge the iron poisoning through me.

“Fuck.” I flinch, steadying myself for the agony to knock me to the floor.

Nothing.

Confused, I furrow my brow.

“Boss…?” I venture.

“See how well the conditioning works, sweet pet?” Maximinus flicks his wrist again, and again, I flinch. “I merely need to raise my hand, and you brace yourself for punishment. Poisoning that invades someone’s entire body is effective. It’s an invisible and successful control and discipline method. I should adapt something similar for the academy. The cadets take too long to recover when the skin is stripped from their backs. The whip is too old-fashioned and brutal.”

“Aye, because poisoning is not brutal at all,” I mutter.

I shift on the mosaic floor, trying to ease the pain in my knees.

I listen intently to Maximinus’ footfalls as he walks away across the study, then as a drawer opens.

My shoulders stiffen.

What’s he taking out?

He slams the drawer shut with a bang.

“Do you know why I’m known as the pet-hater?” He asks, quietly. “Don’t think my spies don’t inform me of every nickname that is thrown at me.”

“Hmm, because you’re a cold-hearted arsehole?”

“Cold-hearted?” Maximinus’ voice becomes icy with rage. “Love and bonding are a type of madness. I have only fallen into them once, and it holds my sole regret. I blame my brother for his encouragement to visit the cells with the fae prisoners. He offered one to me as a pet. I should have known not to trust the pleading, seducing lavender eyes of the pretty fae who made me fall for him too fast. I was entranced in a way that I had never been for anyone. I took him into my rooms, dressing him in fine clothes and courting him like he was a dragon. The Council warned me that it was a mistake. I didn’t listen.”

I startle.

Lavender eyes…?

They only belong to fae royalty.

Who the hell did Maximinus take as a pet before me?