Page 207 of The Fallen Fae King

I smiled, facing the wall to find the only privacy that I could. I worked my cock underneath my gladiator’s uniform, touching myself to the rhythm of Freya’s pleasure.

Then she bit herself hard enough to break my skin, and I came.

I stifled my cry by biting the Ankh mark back.

Yet the night after Freya married the Shadow Dragon Emperor, will she watch me die as her wedding gift?

I glance at Taran, who is standing next to a large drum to one side of the arena. He is dressed in his immaculate black robes. His sandy hair has been brushed neatly back from his face.

Wraith stands at his shoulder.

I expect Taran to appear triumphant.

Instead, he looks harried, as if he is under pressure. It makes me more nervous.

“These Imperial Games are a spectacle.” I scan the happy crowds with disgust. “Maximinus is demonstrating how powerful the royal family is, while amusing the nobles. The Crocodile House in my own court put on similar displays, including blood sacrifices.”

“You say Maximinus.” Yara glances over her shoulder at me. “But Taran blamed⁠—”

“Would you believe that Laz wanted you dead?”

“Never!” Ahm turns to me with shocked eyes.

“Then neither would my nestmates.”

Yara twirls to face me as well, and we stand in a close circle.

Ahm takes a deep breath. “If I don’t survive tonight…”

“Fool.” Yara drags the other Beta against her chest. “What would our Alpha think if he heard you talking like that?”

“He’d kiss me.” Ahm’s eyelashes tremble with tears. “You know that I’m the weakest fighter, and now, wearing these shackles…”

He holds up his seared wrists.

“I’ll protect you,” Yara and I say at the same time.

Yara smiles at me approvingly.

I’m not sure how to feel about that. I’m not used to anyone approving of me.

“You’re my twin’s nestmates. I swore to protect you. I won’t let you die tonight.” When I glare challengingly up into the lowest seats of the arena, the noble dragons cringe back.

“I believe that you’ll try to save me. But if you can’t,” Ahm insists, “please tell Laz that I love him and never stopped missing him. Yara and I have thought of him every day. Whatever happened, I don’t want him to think that we stopped being devoted.”

“I have known you for a short while, and already I know that it’s impossible my brother could think that. But I promise I will tell him. By my fangs, however, you will tell him yourself.” I sternly fix him with my stare. “You’re my family, and they don’t give up. We’re about to go into battle. Think only of the warm blood you’ll feast on.”

Yara chuckles. “You’re truly not Laz. But we like you just the way you are.”

I blink. “I am not likable.”

“You’re loyal,” Ahm replies. “A good friend.”

“An excellent leader,” Yara adds. “Fierce. And right now, you’re the only person who could save us. So, go and say something to our friends to stop them trembling with fear. Make them believe that they will survive this.”

I glance at my ragtag band of broken vampires who I have taken under my protection and relentlessly trained. When they had weapons and shields, I believed that they would have a chance.

Chained in silver and weaponless, however, what hope do they have?