Page 125 of The Fallen Fae King

He looks up at me, as if I am the sun shining over the horizon for him.

Is it wrong to bring him hope?

Is it ever wrong?

I can’t leave him in this bleak place in despair, however, when I know that he still has twisted games to face.

Also, when at some point he will find out the truth about his twin — that the dragon he wants to bond with burned his twin alive.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Aurelius’ Study, Shadow Court

Aurelius

I ignore the clawing hunger in my stomach, along with my wooziness.

Also, the sharp, stabbing migraine, which is starting behind my eyes.

Dehydration, I think dully.

I’ve experienced it enough on my campaigns.

I should take breaks to drink at least. I missed breakfast again.

I can’t stop work, however, because these papers need to be checked and signed by lunch.

War will likely burst into my study, threaten to shove her sword up my backside so far that I taste the steel if I starve myself again, then drag me to the kitchens to eat.

She’s done it before.

I already spent yesterday and this morning with War and Lucius inspecting the troops and barracks.

I wanted to assess the equipment and make sure that the army’s needs were being properly met. I was always on top of that when we were on campaigns. Now that we’re back in Bael, I won’t allow those who bled alongside me to be mistreated.

Plus, the soldiers’ loyalty will be key to my plans.

“Sign here.” Ignatius shifts closer to me on the bench that he has pulled next to me behind the oak desk. “And here.”

Making my cousin my secretary is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Although I do regret that now he has dual roles as both my personal secretary and instructor at the academy, the shadows under his eyes are even deeper than mine are.

Ignatius pushes the parchment on top of the others in front of me. I scan down the official paper before signing.

The scratch of the quill is loud in the quiet of the study.

I miss my Spark.

I understand why she hasn’t invited me into her nest, however, because keeping our distance right now is sensible.

It still hurts.

The golden threads are fraying.

My lips pinch.

I can’t think about that now. I need to concentrate on my work.

Maximinus is just waiting for me to reveal a crack in my armor, which proves that I am not as fit a ruler as my brother was.