Page 156 of The Fallen Fae King

It is hard to resist the temptation with the bloodlust washing through me, but I drop him to the floor. “Good. A battle isn’t about speed but the rhythm of the attack.”

I launch myself with a growl on the closest rank of Eternals.

When they defend themselves, I take them out one by one, demonstrating how each move flows from one to the other.

I wish that I could still transform into my fog, which is the smoothest move of all.

Yet my other methods of fighting are just as fluid.

“No move should be wasted.” I am lost in the high of the fight. “Or in war, you will waste blood.”

I catch a young Eternal under his guard, nicking his neck with my claw to prove that he would be dead.

He blushes.

Then I spin to the Eternal beside him who should have had his back. “Protect the soldier next to you. Or you’re next.” I prove my point by shoving him onto his back and hovering my fangs over his throat.

Then I twirl to my feet. “Now, practice.”

I stalk through the lines of Eternals who are now as fired up as I am.

When I first started to train them, their shoulders had been slumped with defeat. Their eyes had been glassy with fear.

After all, I know Taran and his guard’s cruelty, and they’d watched their friends die, one by one.

But now, I’m trying to give them something to hold onto. Freya gave that to me, and Daire has forced me to see that a king owes it to his people.

I am trying to become a leader who my mates can be proud of.

By the Void, I won’t hide from my duty any longer.

“Balance,” I correct. “Eyes up.”

When I glance across the arena, I catch Ahm’s fond gaze resting on me. He waves with no military respect at all.

I didn’t understand how Daire could weep for a Shadow Human that he had only just met.

He called Barnabas his friend.

Yet Ahm and Yara have become my family because they are Lazarus’ nestmates. These Eternals are also important to them.

It feels strange.

They are offering me friendship.

I am unsure how to deal with it, but I wish to reward it.

If anything that I teach them helps them to survive in the arena, then I will have done my job. But the secret job that I am doing is getting them ready to escape from here and then revolt against our oppressors.

If these dragons believe that they can control the monster who they have long feared, then I will prove to them why they fear me.

As I prowl through the sparring Eternals, I lift the chin of one who barely looks strong enough to hold their shield and then adjust the stance of a Blood with more welts than I have across his shoulders.

Unexpectedly, I notice movement above in the shadows of the seats.

When I glance up, I realize that Taran and Wraith are now watching me, whispering to each other.

My shoulders stiffen.