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

“I seem to remember that my people were no more than monsters to you until I proved the power of your ancient city to be no match for my own. Should the Night Creatures have had any other king at this time, they would no doubt be in shackles or worse as we speak,” Niyx hissed, baring his fangs, all pretense of civility gone.

Skydris narrowed his eyes. “You should realize what a gracious offer this is, King Niyx. I have made no such offer to any other King, although many would have gladly accepted these terms. The elves of Aderaan have not signed a treaty with anyone since the end of the world war.”

“I will accept your offer,” Niyx started slowly, deliberately waiting for Skydris to smile as though he had won before he continued, “If you free the dragons into my custody as a gesture of your sincerity.”

Skydris visibly shook with rage, gripping the arms of his throne as he sank into it. It took a bit of time for him to regain sufficient composure to respond. “I am afraid the dragons are vital to life in Aderaan. I am not willing to release them. Please be reasonable, King Niyx. I have been more than fair. I could have simply sent my Templars to hunt you.”

Niyx walked closer to the throne his heavy plate armor boots clanking against the fancy marble tiles of the floor. He bared his long fangs when he stood before the throne and snarled, “I thought I was being more than fair to allow you to live. Now I see that your time to rule has ended.” Before anyone else in the room could react, Niyx drew his heavy blade from his back and skewered Skydris on the massive sword. Skydris let out one shocked croak before he died, his royal blood seeping over the throne and floor.

Raijin and the Templars no longer kept their heads lowered obediently, but stared openly as Niyx slid the corpse off his sword and threw the body out of the way as though it were a ragdoll. He sheathed the sword, then waved a hand lazily at the scribe. His words, however, brooked no argument. “We have a new decree. Lord Ruel Hrral’tyn will be named Skydris’s successor and will be crowned as King of Aderaan within two days. Anyone who opposes this decree will be put to death. All dragons in the city will be freed within a week. Under these terms, the Night Creatures will accept an alliance with Aderaan. If the conditions are not obeyed, I will bury this city in hoarfrost and all that will remain are the bones of the damned.”

The shocked scribe scribbled furiously, quill scraping against paper in an entirely unpleasant sound. Meanwhile, Niyx walked over to Raijin and scowled. “I will be taking Raijin as my prisoner. The rest are to be freed and reinstated to their positions, but the days of hunting Night Creatures are over. Understood?”

“It will be done, King Niyx,” all the other Templar prisoners answered in unison. The only reaction from Raijin was a death glare. Niyx snorted then bent down and grabbed Raijin by his bound arm and dragged him forcefully from the castle. Raijin struggled, trying to free his hands. Niyx used his hoarfrost to seal the bonds, knowing that the Templar’s light magic relied on hand gestures and movements.

Ice awaited him on the lawn of the castle, the dragon’s blue scales gleaming in the moonlight like hundreds of tiny gems. Niyx threw Raijin onto the dragon’s back and climbed up behind him. “Home, Ice.”

Ice let out a fierce roar and rose into the sky, for a moment blocking the pale moonlight and casting a dark shadow across the city.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Onyx made his way to Ruel’s manor after being rudely awakened by his twin. Now it was his job to go inform Ruel of what had happened the previous night or at least Niyx’s version of what had happened. When he found Ruel he calmly explained as much as he could.

“Niyx did what?” Ruel exclaimed. He sank into the chair behind the desk and ran a hand through his flaming red hair. “I don’t know how to be a king! That’s not exactly listed in my magical library of knowledge.” A loud meow sounded at Ruel’s distress. Floof, Ruel’s magical cat, strode out of the shadows and leapt onto Ruel’s lap. The cat curled up and purred as though to say everything would be fine. Ruel dropped a hand to pet the cat out of habit.

Onyx shrugged his shoulders. “You’ll figure it out. How much different could it be than being a Lord? It’s just being a Lord over more people.”

Rebekah interrupted their conversation by bolting into the room, breathless. “Ruel! The entire army of Templars is outside on the lawn!”

Floof yowled in displeasure at her sudden entrance and leapt to Ruel’s shoulder, claws digging in and his long hair standing on end. He looked like a giant puff of black fur with yellow eyes and deadly claws. Ruel winced and reached up to gently detach the cat’s claws from his skin. “It’s okay, Floof. Let go.” When the cat was sufficiently calmed to retract his claws, Ruel picked him up and set Floof on the ground before standing up and adjusting his clothes to make sure he looked professional. Nevertheless, the look Ruel gave Onyx clearly conveyed that he was worried. Ruel offered Rebekah his arm and they started out of the room together.

Onyx fell into step behind them, his hands twitching over the daggers at his belt. Thoughts of Callistra warm in his bed next to him distracted him. He had not had time to anything besides sleep before Niyx sent him to Aderaan. Onyx sighed and tried to focus on the current situation. He was still Ruel’s bodyguard as well as an assassin. He couldn’t take on the entire army of