Page 198 of The Fallen Fae King

Through my veil, it looks like the room has been set alight.

“Oi, watch her head,” Daire calls from behind Aurelius. “And don’t drop our Omega.”

“Watch your mouth, my Emperor, or I shall carry you over the threshold next.” Yet Aurelius tightens his hold on me.

“Promises, promises.”

“The nest looks beautiful,” I murmur. “Did you decorate this yourself for our wedding night?”

“Of course,” Aurelius replies.

The bedposts have been wound with Dragon Blood Roses. Garlands of fresh myrtle and fragrant bay leaves hang from the walls. The floor and bed are covered in a sea of rose petals; their scent is intoxicating.

I purr.

My arms are draped around Aurelius’ neck, as I rest my head on his chest.

Our marriage ceremony was perfect.

Well, almost. Because Lanlin was missing from it.

I pressed my thumb over the Ankh mark, while I made my vows to Aurelius and Daire, making one to Lanlin in my heart.

I know that Daire did the same.

Was our vampire able to feel it?

Daire spins past Aurelius, sending the rose petals from the floor twirling around him in a flower vortex. “It’s like being inside a murdered rose garden.”

“Exactly the romantic look that I was going for,” Aurelius dryly replies.

“No complaints.” Daire drops onto his side on the bed in a cloud of petals. “It suits you, the Golden Dragon who no one in this kingdom should challenge. You put your bastard uncle in his place during your coronation. You were brilliant. The way that you trapped those councilors in their own games, then chopped off their heads, was bloody poetry.”

I should have known that Daire would like that part of it.

When Aurelius swung the sword, Daire’s eyes glittered like the heads of his enemies truly were the best gift that he could have been offered.

Yet I also hadn’t been disgusted to see Aurelius execute two traitors who had been plotting to kill him and force him into a bonding.

By the moon, it had felt like he was taking back the power in his court.

I am fucking here for that.

Except, had it been Aurelius…or Hadrian?

Does it matter?

I glance at the Dragon Emperor who is carrying me toward the bed.

Who is holding me now?

Who do I want to spend my wedding night with?

Gently, my dragon lays me down on the cushion strewn bed. His outline shimmers through the flame-colored veil, disguised.

My breath hitches, when his fingers play with the veil’s edges.

“I embroidered this for you.” His voice is low. I bet that he is adorably blushing. “In our tradition an Omega keeps the veil and passes it on to their child. I wanted to sew a new one, however, because what we have together is new.”