Page 9 of The Fallen Fae King

“I’m not brave enough.”

“You are. Life is a cycle, remember? This isn’t the end. I’m so proud, my son. I’ve always been proud…”

To my horror, Da’s eyes slip closed. His hand falls away from my face.

“Nay…” I leap up, clasping his lax hand in mine.

My wings extend like black blades.

The Shadow Dragons did this.

Morrigan lets out a mournful cry, before flapping her wings and flying away toward the Sacred Blossom Tree.

When I glance up through my eyes that are blinded by tears, the emerald dome above the Winter Court wavers and then dies.

I howl in primal grief.

As if in answer, roars rumble from the sky.

I stumble back a step in shock.

Adrenaline spikes through me.

It can’t be.

The bloody bastards were waiting for this…poisoning us wasn’t enough. The dragons aren’t going to face us in a fair fight.

They intend to commit genocide on our Winter Court itself.

Suddenly, huge ruby war dragons, as if they’re birthed from the sun itself, stream like flares across the sky.

I snarl, baring my teeth.

My elemental magic surges through me. Storm clouds gather, summoned by my grief.

I ready to fly up into the sky in my rage, but unexpectedly, strong arms pull me down.

“Don’t be more of an idiot than usual.” Wren holds me in place as I struggle. “They’ll kill you.”

“They killed…” I can’t look away from Da on his throne. “They’ll kill us all.”

“Probably,” Wren replies, coolly. “But we’ll die together. You’ll be with your people and not dying like some fool.”

Suddenly, a silver dragon flies overhead like sleek death.

Horns curve from his head, and the scales down his long tail glint. Shadows armor his sinuous back and around his head; they disintegrate from the tips of his wings like ash.

It’s King Tarquin.

What does it mean that he’s leading this assault himself?

Once, I thought that there would be the possibility of peace between the kingdoms. Yet Tarquin has chosen the day of my Crowning to attack.

He is hitting at the heart of our kingdom — the sacred Mound in the Winter Court itself.

He waited until the King died, knowing that his magic would dissolve the protective spell.

He has no honor.