Niyx by Samantha Kroese (websites to read books for free TXT) 📕

believe our sire has not told him about us. So we will not be joining him for a feast at his table. Sorry to disappoint you.”

Onyx stared at him a moment longer, then turned away. “Do you know much about our mother? I’ve heard only bad things.”

“I asked our sire about her once.” Niyx furrowed his brow at the recollection. His inability to understand some emotions led to some strange memories. “Her name was Esparite. She was one of the elven priestesses of the Night Creatures, wielding their magic within one of the gypsy camps in the sacred forest. Our sire loved her. He would not admit to such but the rage in his eyes betrayed him. She was the first woman he tortured and killed. All he would say is she betrayed him. I did not see the point in pressing further. It is the past, she is dead. Does it matter?”

“Does he hate us?” Onyx asked.

Niyx considered it then shook his head. “I do not believe so. Why would he?”

Onyx sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair. “Sometimes parents blame their kids for things they didn’t have anything to do with. Like Rubei’s father blaming Rubei for his mother’s death.”

“I do not think our sire would have helped us kill the Lord of the Divide if he hated us,” Niyx said, brushing off Onyx’s remark. Then he jumped down to the main hall as Kiril returned with Nial in her arms. He had sent her and Ice to retrieve their son from the manor and they had not arrived alone.

“We brought some provisions!” Rebekah piped up, holding a bundle of what looked to be soft bedding. Ruel stepped in behind her, carrying baskets of food, though the Lord’s gaze darted back and forth and Niyx could sense Ruel’s fear. While Onyx might have felt himself a part of these assassins, it was clear Ruel was not comfortable back in the Den. Ruel’s gaze kept darting to every shadow he passed and his posture indicated he expected an attack.

“Don’t worry, Ruel. They’re dead. All of them. Jadeia and the Lord included,” Onyx said, as he jumped down to join them. He walked over to take the baskets from Ruel and set them on a nearby table.

Ruel met Niyx’s gaze and, in that moment, an understanding passed between them. Ruel was clearly grateful that Niyx had freed them from the Divide forever. Niyx inclined his head slightly to acknowledge that he understood. “My thanks, Lord Ruel. You will pass the information on to your father?”

Ruel nodded, relaxing a bit. “Yes. He and the pirates both will be grateful. The Divide was a thorn in the side of Port-Town as well. Shall I ask the pirates if they want to parley with you for a treaty between the pirates and the Night Creatures? I’m sure Pirate King Inxli would be grateful you destroyed his enemies so thoroughly.”

Niyx cocked his head, as he did when a thought surprised him. He had not considered that he might make allies of the pirates. “Yes,” he decided. “I would like that. We will need help against the Templars. I will have Riven write up a formal list of things we might offer to an alliance.” Niyx gestured toward the first wave of undead that entered the room, led by Riven.

Riven hovered there, appearing startled for a moment by what he had overheard. Niyx cut off any protest with a harsh glare and all Riven said was, “Yes, Night Lord. Your will is my desire.”

Niyx reached to take Nial from Kiril as his bride came to stand beside him. He hefted the squealing baby to his shoulder as Nek ran barking excitedly around his feet, then Niyx slipped an arm protectively around Kiril as she leaned against his chest. They stood there and watched together as their people flooded into their new home and began settling in. Ice, whelpling form once more, let out a draconic roar, then sat on Niyx’s other shoulder.

Onyx came over to them after speaking briefly with Ruel then lowered his voice so only Niyx could hear him. “With the death of the Divide, you have made me the King of assassins. You are King of the Night Creatures. Rubei is married to a pirate King. Our grandsire is King of the humans.” Onyx’s gaze fell on Ruel.

Niyx followed Onyx’s gaze to the young elf that he now considered to be his brother. Ruel had grown well into his position as Lord. Niyx bared his fangs in a smile. “Perhaps we shall make Ruel King of the elves?”

“That was my thought,” Onyx agreed. “We will be fighting the Templars. Aderaan may need a strong leader once we are done cleansing their ranks.”

“I agree,” Niyx declared, as he looked down at Kiril for her opinion. Her green eyes clouded for an instant before she looked back up at him with a nod.

“If we control Aderaan, our family will control all of this side of the world,” Niyx said, considering the thought. “Perhaps once the dust settles over Aderaan, we can convince our sire to talk with our grandsire.”

“We’ve got a long way to get there. You won’t be able to stalk into Aderaan and kill everyone like you did here. Not if the Templars are wielding Sandsilver,” Onyx said thoughtfully, as he crossed his arms.

“Come. Bring Ruel. I must know all you know about the Templars. It is time our true war began,” Niyx said as he handed Nial back to Kiril and turned to his new throne room. “Kiril, see that our people settle in.”

Kiril nodded to him, but he felt her emerald gaze on his back until he was out of her sight.

CHAPTER SIX

Onyx rubbed his forehead. He sat with Niyx and Ruel at a table they’d brought into the throne room. He felt tired, worn out. Physically his body was not tired after all the blood he had drank, but his mind was exhausted from the