Page 222 of The Fallen Fae King

Earnest. Trusting.

He has already destroyed himself for Freya and me once. Sometimes, those who you have played against and beaten are the easiest to fool because they never believe that you’ll play the same trick twice.

Except, this time, I’m being more honest with Lanlin than I am with most people.

He knows that I am blind and dying.

And soon, he’ll know that I’m rescuing my fallen kingdom.

Aurelius and I have never been on the same side. At least, not how he thought we were with him being the dominant Alpha in charge with me licking his boots at his feet, grateful for every time that he saved me like the white knight.

I’m not the damsel.

I’m the villain.

My eyes glitter darkly. “We’re more than that. We’re the people who are plotting a rebellion. A bloody revolution from inside the heart of the dragons’ own court, which none of them saw coming.”

Lanlin draws back from me. “What have you done?”

I fold my wings. “I’ve freed you and I’ve freed my people. Why? Because I’m a bloody god. And it’s time for me to return home.”

On cue, I hear the sound of screams, the clash of swords, and desperate shouts from further in the maze of the dungeon.

“What in the name of the Shadow Devils is that?” Lanlin drops into a fighting crouch.

“Not in their name,” I say with sudden seriousness, turning to face the cell door. “Thank King Daire of the House of Thorn and his Frost Clan. Freya isn’t here now, so I can properly thank you, warrior to warrior, for not sacrificing me on that altar.”

Lanlin stares at me in confusion, trusting but on the alert.

My soul is soaring.

This is it, the moment that I have been waiting for and scheming, as soon as I was forced to my knees in Rune Forest.

The screams are music to my soul.

I begin to sing, tapping my fingers on the bars.

I grin, as my shadows whip around me in my joy.

I straighten when I hear the flap of wings, followed by a cry of pain, then stumbling steps down the stairs.

“Taran,” Lanlin whispers behind me. “It looks like he has been beaten black and blue with his own whip. He is being dragged by his broken arm toward the cell by a fae with eagle wings…”

“Ela!” I cry. “Perfect timing.”

“I have a delivery.” I can hear in her voice that she is grinning. “This dragon bastard has Lanlin stamped on his arse.”

“Thanks, Ela. You’re the best. How is the uprising going?”

“The featherglass and cadets have joined together as expected, and the army is…to Maximinus and his private guards’ shock…staying out of the whole thing. Imperial Legate War Varus is trying to rally them, but they don’t want to hurt the cadets. The uprising has taken them by surprise, and the confusion is working to our advantage. But we need you, Thorn. We need our Raven King.”

I ruffle my feathers, lifting up my chin. “I’m here and ready to lead the Fallen Rebellion. Just give my King a chance at his revenge first. This arsehole murdered his family, and we know how that feels.”

“Aye, we do.”

I listen to a struggle, before the door is swung open.

“Please, please…” Taran begs, sobbing.