Chapter 18 #3
Aquila’s father, Cato Aemilius, is standing at my uncle’s shoulder.
Cato is tall and broad shouldered like his son. Despite being an Alpha, he has snow-white hair tumbling to his shoulders and lively gray eyes.
Cato would be pretty if he wasn’t such an ambitious fucker that he’d sell his own child for a better position at court. As a sycophantic supporter of my uncle, I should have known that his son would be heartless to my cousin.
“I’d have thought,” Maximinus pats the piles of papers on my desk, “that you were too busy with work to take breaks to get your knot wet.”
Cato chuckles. “Or did you think that your secretary here could do your work for you? My son’s Alpha is a disappointment.
He couldn’t even greet Maximinus appropriately and had to be chastised.
I have told Aquila over and over that trash from the provinces need extra discipline. My son deserves better.”
Ignatius straightens his back, jutting out his chin. “Maybe he does. I’m the dragon he’s bonded with, however, and as the King’s secretary and cousin, he should be honored.”
I am proud of him.
Cato blinks like he has no idea how to reply.
I swagger toward the desk. “Hear him? Now, why the fuck are you in my study?”
“Oh, I hear both of you.” Maximinus narrows his eyes. “And it seems that you’re bad influences on each other who both deserve the lash.”
Ignatius winces.
He has felt the academy’s lash across his back just as I have. He was targeted because he was my family, and I won’t allow that to happen again.
I protect those who are mine.
I square my shoulders. “No one punishes my mates or my staff. Soon, I’ll be untouchable because I’ll be the Emperor. How would it look to the kingdoms if they discovered how you treated me…their Emperor?”
“You haven’t been crowned yet.”
I clasp my hands behind my back. “Good point. I will hold my coronation in two weeks on the Festival of Primo, when we celebrate the origin of the first dragon emerging from the shadows. Then I will emerge from your shadow, Uncle.”
Maximinus’ face reddens from rage.
He stands, sweeping the parchments off the desk.
Cato cringes back from him in fear.
“Do you believe that anyone will allow you that type of unchecked power, boy?” Maximinus rages.
I saunter closer. “For years, you have built power in this court, while I have bled for this kingdom on the battlefield. But I am home now. You will no longer rule from the shadows, controlling me like you did your twin, my father.”
Maximinus stands and raises his hand. His magic shimmers around him.
I have made sure not to have any metal in my rooms that he can use against me. I am wearing it, however, and he can melt my core from the inside like he has always threatened.
I am calling his bluff.
He won’t want to carry through his threat in front of witnesses. At least, not yet.
Cato grabs onto Maximinus’ arms. “You can’t. The Council haven’t agreed…”
Maximinus elbows Cato in the nose, and he yelps, stumbling backward. He clutches at his bleeding nose.
I lean on the desk.
Rage and adrenaline are racing through me. “How much did my father fear you? Did you blackmail him? Make his life hell like you have mine?”
“He was weak,” Maximinus bursts out, lowering his hand. “He deserved it.”
Silence stretches between us.
Maximinus shifts, aware of the sudden shocked stares of everyone in the room.
My jaw clenches. “He was your brother.”
Maximinus’ eyes blaze. “Just because he was born minutes before me didn’t mean that the soft-hearted fool deserved the Crown.”
“Indeed,” I reply, quietly. “After all, you have worn it ever since. A king isn’t a piece of metal. A certain bandit has shown me that. But at my coronation, you will bow down before me.”
For a moment, I believe that I have pushed too far.
I only just hold back the grunt of startled pain, as my guts cramp like my golden core is being tugged at, as Maximinus balls his hand into a fist.
The inside of my mouth is coated with a metallic tang.
I refuse to back down.
If I am about to be turned into one of his sick statues…like the gold statue of Hadrian…then I shall be one standing defiantly with my head held high.
With a growl of frustration, Maximinus finally drops his hand. “It will be good for the kingdoms to have an emperor crowned. I’m happy that finally you’re taking your responsibilities seriously and understanding the importance of your reputation and public perception.”
There is a trap hidden in the fucker’s words. I’m certain of it.
But where?
“Hurry up, Liviana, we wouldn’t be late if you hadn’t tried on three outfits, as if it matters what the King thinks about you in them,” a harsh, female voice calls behind me.
I turn around, cautious about having my uncle at my back, as a female Alpha strides into my office without knocking.
I narrow my eyes at the Head of the Council, Decima. She is a stern middle-aged Alpha in a silver robe with her blond hair in a tight bun.
My gaze drops to her silver signet ring, which marks her out as Head of the Council. She has clawed her way with plots and treason through the snake pit of this court to earn that fucking ring.
She owes it to my uncle’s corruption, and he owns her as much as he does Cato.
This is an ambush. They must know that Wraith is busy in the Guild of Assassins, while War and Lucius are at the barracks.
These three planned whatever this is together…these four.
My expression sours, as I watch Liviana stumble to keep up with her mother, catching her shoes on her long robe.
Liviana is shorter and thinner than her mother. Her hair is parted into six heavy braids, which are wrapped in glimmering silver wool.
She is dressed in a robe, which is silver threaded with dragons in flight. Yet she’s never ridden a dragon because she’s not a cadet. Instead, she is a pampered elite who would never last a day in the academy.
She looks close to tears simply at her mother’s scolding, despite being older than I am.
She is considered the prettiest female Omega in Bael. I had to watch my brother court her for months. But I never understood why so many Alphas wanted to bond her.
I catch Ignatius’ eye, and he nods his understanding.
My shoulders tense. “What are you doing here?”
“I am Head of the Council. Can’t I visit the King?” Decima stalks toward me.
“Not without an appointment.” Ignatius smoothly slips between the council member and me. I am impressed with how well he has taken to the role as my secretary. “Step outside, and I’ll arrange a time when he is free to see you…”
Decima punches Ignatius in the gut.
Ignatius lets out an oomph, dropping to his knees.