Page 233 of The Fallen Fae King

“Fly through the portal, my ravens,” I order.

I listen in relief, as the ravens cawing is abruptly cut off, as they fly through the portal.

“Are you fucking joking?” Aurelius marches away from me distracted by Lanlin, which I know was Lanlin’s plan. “Get away from there. You’re not going anywhere, Lan. This ridiculous scheme by my fool fae is over. I trusted you when you swore that you wouldn’t break our oath. Why would you betray me for Daire?”

“I’m protecting you,” Lanlin protests, and I can hear how close the two now are. “I took an oath not to betray you, and I’m not.”

“Fucking looks like it.”

Suddenly, a gentle hand cups my bruised jaw, brushing at my split lip.

“Finally, you saved everyone.” Freya kisses me, and I wrap my wings around her, kissing her more passionately.

I feel more alive than I have in months.

I allow myself to believe that I am the hero here, rather than the villain who has just plotted against my mate.

“We did it.” My eyes sparkle. “The featherglass and cadets are free. Just those of us left in this room to go.”

“You want me to return to my cell, Relius, like a good vampire? Should I kneel and allow myself to be whipped again? Burned by the sun?” Lanlin demands. “That will be hard when I savaged Taran to bloody pieces, before I tore out the throats of the rest of the Guild’s assassins.”

“Why would you do that?” Aurelius growls. “If you killed Wraith⁠—"

“I didn’t touch any of your precious Golden Family. But my dear, did you forget who I am? That I was locked up as your enemy?” Lanlin’s voice is silky and deadly. “Did you forget that you saved me, but allowed my family to burn? My brother’s nestmates?”

“I claimed you,” Aurelius bursts out, anguished. “I sheltered you with my wings.”

“Then allow me to return the gesture and claim you, Relius. I’m not betraying you. I’m bonding you.”

I blink at the sound of a struggle.

Then silence.

“What happened?” I demand in fear.

“Lanlin provoked Aurelius to move dangerously close to him.” Freya nuzzles against my neck. “Then he bit him.”

My eyes widen. “Good on our King.”

He did it.

He bit, bonded, and kidnapped Aurelius’ arse just like we planned.

I stroke Five’s head, and she settles more firmly around my shoulders.

“The vampire used the dragon’s shock to drag him along with his moths through the portal,” Wren adds, his voice dripping with contempt. “You have now successfully kidnapped your enemy. Please, my King, you must go through the portal now. It will collapse at any moment. I have held it longer already than I thought I could.”

Wren will never admit weakness. Yet the concern in his voice panics me.

I snatch Freya’s hand. “You’ve done brilliantly, Wren. Don’t worry, it’s time for the Raven King to return to his throne.”

I run toward the portal with Freya at my side.

I catch a glimpse of Wren’s raised, scarred hands, as he kneels, directing his magic toward the portal. His face is covered with a sheen of sweat. His hazel eyes are almost closed.

He’s close to collapsing.

I’ll pull him through with me at the same time as I dive through.