Page 220 of The Fallen Fae King

I shudder at the memory of the screams in the arena as the vampires burned under the sunlight.

Lanlin had told me about what happened to vampires caught in the sun, but hearing and smelling it at the Imperial Games had been something else.

Something I never want to witness again.

“I hardly knew them,” Lanlin replies, flatly.

“That right? Aurelius said that it looked like you were protecting two of them.”

“Then he should have saved them for me,” Lanlin snarls.

Shocked, I twist to face him. “Who were they?”

“My twin was once locked in this dungeon like I am. They were his nestmates. They loved him, and because of that, they became my family. And Relius allowed them to burn.”

Damn, there goes my joy that I’d finally helped mend this pack for Freya.

I clench my jaw.

I can’t die yet then. Not until I bring these idiots together.

I understand the grief that Lanlin must be feeling because I experienced it with Barnabas.

On the Hunt, it was Lanlin who came to save me and bring me home.

“Do you remember how I wept for Barnabas?” I say, softly.

Lanlin nods.

“We were trapped together. We were hunted for sport, and he died, fighting at my side. You saved me but you didn’t save Barnabas because he was just a Human Shifter, aye? He wasn’t anyone to you. A stranger. You saved me because Freya told you to.”

Lanlin looks guilty. “Dearheart, I didn’t understand anything about my feelings then, but I do now.”

“I’m not blaming you. We should make shrines or find a way to honor the vampires who died in the Sun Arena. I will do whatever you want like you did for me. Your family shouldn’t be forgotten. I’m just saying that Aurelius was like you. When he saved you, he was already taking a big risk and⁠—”

“Why should he do anything for nobody vampires, right? I have known Relius since he was a child. I understand him well. One of his favorite parroted sayings from his brother was: The cost is too high to save everyone. There is always a choice about who to save and who to sacrifice. I always thought it was foolish because I had no choice. I never did. But now…”

My heart aches. “Whatever you need, I’m here now. Sorry that I took so long to visit.”

“My dear, it looks less like you are visiting, and more like you were locked in with me to be feasted upon. What in the name of the Shadow Devils are you wearing?”

“Oh, this little number?” I glance at my Guild robes with a grimace. I do, however, affectionately pat the bronze daggers that I have sheathed at my waist. “I don’t normally wear black, but maybe I should, because my eyes and silver hair look bloody dramatic.”

“You look like the God of Death.”

“No need for insults. Although, as always, I am god-like.” I sigh. “I’m training as an apprentice in the Guild of Assassins.”

Lanlin draws back from me, suddenly wary. “I see.”

“Nay, you don’t.” I push away from Lanlin to kneel up in front of him. I face away from the cell just in case anyone is spying. I don’t trust Wraith. Then I lean up to whisper into his ear. “This was the wedding gift that I requested from Aurelius. It’s part of my scheme to rescue you.”

Lanlin stares back at me in shock. “Fool.”

“To be honest, I expected you to be more grateful than that. Maybe even to promise me as many honey and date bat cakes as I can eat in reward.”

Lanlin’s clawed hand shoots out at an uncanny speed, hooking me by the scruff of my neck.

I yelp.