Page 228 of The Fallen Fae King

He glances at Lanlin nervously, before smiling at me. “Sorry I’m late. War has taken to the air with her dragon rider. She’s patrolling the city. We had to keep to the shadows to avoid her.”

I pat his shoulder. “You’re here now.” I sniff, scenting the Omega who is hanging back behind him. I jerk my thumb at Aquila. “You’ve forgiven him then?”

“I’m bringing him with me. He would be executed if I left him behind. I can’t be a hypocrite. He’s my Omega, after all.”

I understand that.

“Thorn!” Bai launches himself at me, hugging my thigh. Then he glances at Ignatius and puffs out his chest. “Did you see me fight? I used that move you showed me last week.”

Ignatius’ lips twitch. “I saw. Excellent work.”

I frown.

Shouldn’t my Little Bug want my approval?

“I also sang a song about the battle,” Bai proudly announces. “I’ll write one that includes the way that you swept in heroically and won the battle, saving us⁠—”

“Not sure that it went that way,” I break in, my frown deepening. “You’ll only sing anything if you make it through the portal home. Ela?”

“Here, Your Majesty.” Elatha is breathing hard like she’s injured.

Fear races through me. My heart hammers in my chest.

I squint to try and see her more clearly, but she’s not close enough for me to work out whether she’s seriously injured.

Frustrated, I nudge Lanlin.

“She has been wounded in her shoulder,” Lanlin whispers. “But she is in no danger, my sunshine.”

I relax. “Take Bai and don’t wait for me. That’s an order, Ela. Go through the portal with the cadets.”

“Why aren’t you coming with us? I swore to protect you, remember?” Elatha demands.

“I will follow you, right? But I am waiting for my Omega. Freya must be struggling to bring Aurelius back here, and I’m not going anywhere without her.”

“Neither am I,” Lanlin announces. “I would rather be burned up by the sun.”

I wince, knowing how real that threat is after what happened in the arena.

“Go now, all of you. That’s a command from your King.” I tilt up my chin.

“Don’t be long,” Ignatius says, quietly. “We timed this Fallen Rebellion to take place during one of Maximinus’ private meetings with the merchants, from whom he extorts money. Yet there is a good chance that he is on his way back. He’ll know what’s happening. If he catches you…”

“So, stop talking and go.” I shove Bai into Ignatius’ arms.

My heart aches.

Why are my eyes stinging, as Ignatius’ arms automatically lift to clasp around Bai’s shoulders?

I will escape this kingdom too, right? This isn’t goodbye…?

It has to be enough that the featherglass have escaped, even if it destroyed me how few have survived.

My people are slaughtered and scattered.

But I have saved as many as I can.

I lean forward to clasp Ignatius by the back of the neck, and his gaze snaps to mine in surprise. “I won’t forget what you’ve done today. You’re part of the featherglass now, Iggy. You’re Frost Clan — family.”