Page 202 of The Fallen Fae King

I glow.

Aurelius smartly holds his hands behind his back. “How do you know that I wasn’t intending to save it anyway?”

I arch my brow. “Were you?”

Aurelius had clearly been taken by surprise by Maximinus’ announcement. It had been a cruel trick, a way for his uncle to take his revenge.

I should have known that Maximinus would have worked out how close we all were with Lanlin, Aurelius included.

Sometimes, I don’t think that Aurelius dares admit the strength of his emotions even to himself. If he does, he’s frightened that he will lose not only the other person, but even himself.

I don’t miss the ghost of a smile on his lips. “Now you’ll never know. So, you want one Vampire King as a wedding gift. If I save him like this, then you’ll own his life.”

Daire snorts. “She already does.”

Aurelius’ heavy gaze rests on him. “And for your gift? Let me guess. Cake? A new dagger? Maximinus’ hacked off knot?”

Daire’s shoulders finally relax again. “So, you have been paying attention. Hmm, tempting as all those are, what I want is to train as an assassin for you.”

Aurelius stares at him in shock, before he shakes his head. “No fucking chance.”

Daire gestures at his discarded crown, which is wrapped with his flame veil on the floor; hurt flashes across Aurelius’ face. “I’m no Emperor. I’m a rogue, aye? I know where I will serve best, and that’s standing at your shoulder as your adviser. I should do that as an assassin like Vicious did.”

I wince.

At the mention of Vicious’ name, Aurelius’ expression darkens. He grabs Daire by the front of his robe and shoves him onto his back. Then he kneels on his chest and towers over him.

“Don’t.” I scramble toward them, alarmed.

“You can never replace Vic,” Aurelius snarls.

This time, Daire doesn’t fight back.

“I know,” Daire says, softly. “Just like you can’t replace Ciara or any of my lost featherglass. But the dead are gone. They’re with the Shadow Gods or Devils, and we’re the poor bastards still here, fighting on. Use me for my strengths.”

Aurelius lets go of Daire’s collar, wrapping his hand gently around his neck, as if he can feel the golden threads that bind us. “By the Shadow Gods, you don’t know what you’re asking. I wouldn’t be able to protect you. The Guild of Assassins hate fae as much as they hate vampires. It won’t matter that you’re an apprentice, they won’t make it any easier for you than they are for Lanlin.”

“When did I ever like things to be easy?”

In frustration, Aurelius tugs with his shadows at the knot on Daire’s sash.

Daire’s robe falls open, exposing him.

“I made you an emperor,” Aurelius growls. “You are rejecting that to become an apprentice.”

Daire’s breathing speeds up. “Who is rejecting you? Am I an emperor, or still your pet without free will to make my own bloody choices?”

“I won’t stop you if you want to be demoted.”

“I am a god.” Daire’s eyes glimmer with ancient rage. “Any position that you grant me is a demotion.”

“This is your choice. Don’t come crying to me to save you too.”

“Keep talking tough. It’s making me hard.”

I chuckle.

Aurelius lifts his hand away from Daire’s throat, turning his blazing gaze on me.