Page 133 of The Fallen Fae King

I swagger toward the desk. “Hear him? Now, why the fuck are you in my study?”

“Oh, I hear both of you.” Maximinus narrows his eyes. “And it seems that you’re bad influences on each other who both deserve the lash.”

Ignatius winces.

He has felt the academy’s lash across his back just as I have. He was targeted because he was my family, and I won’t allow that to happen again.

I protect those who are mine.

I square my shoulders. “No one punishes my mates or my staff. Soon, I’ll be untouchable because I’ll be the Emperor. How would it look to the kingdoms if they discovered how you treated me…their Emperor?”

“You haven’t been crowned yet.”

I clasp my hands behind my back. “Good point. I will hold my coronation in two weeks on the Festival of Primo, when we celebrate the origin of the first dragon emerging from the shadows. Then I will emerge from your shadow, Uncle.”

Maximinus’ face reddens from rage.

He stands, sweeping the parchments off the desk.

Cato cringes back from him in fear.

“Do you believe that anyone will allow you that type of unchecked power, boy?” Maximinus rages.

I saunter closer. “For years, you have built power in this court, while I have bled for this kingdom on the battlefield. But I am home now. You will no longer rule from the shadows, controlling me like you did your twin, my father.”

Maximinus stands and raises his hand. His magic shimmers around him.

I have made sure not to have any metal in my rooms that he can use against me. I am wearing it, however, and he can melt my core from the inside like he has always threatened.

I am calling his bluff.

He won’t want to carry through his threat in front of witnesses. At least, not yet.

Cato grabs onto Maximinus’ arms. “You can’t. The Council haven’t agreed…”

Maximinus elbows Cato in the nose, and he yelps, stumbling backward. He clutches at his bleeding nose.

I lean on the desk.

Rage and adrenaline are racing through me. “How much did my father fear you? Did you blackmail him? Make his life hell like you have mine?”

“He was weak,” Maximinus bursts out, lowering his hand. “He deserved it.”

Silence stretches between us.

Maximinus shifts, aware of the sudden shocked stares of everyone in the room.

My jaw clenches. “He was your brother.”

Maximinus’ eyes blaze. “Just because he was born minutes before me didn’t mean that the soft-hearted fool deserved the Crown.”

“Indeed,” I reply, quietly. “After all, you have worn it ever since. A king isn’t a piece of metal. A certain bandit has shown me that. But at my coronation, you will bow down before me.”

For a moment, I believe that I have pushed too far.

I only just hold back the grunt of startled pain, as my guts cramp like my golden core is being tugged at, as Maximinus balls his hand into a fist.

The inside of my mouth is coated with a metallic tang.