The Traitor by A. Lombardo (i can read with my eyes shut TXT) 📕

“Thank you, Liam,” Kai said. “I will fly Iver, Dresnor, and Drew to the palace as Roark and his men take back the city.”

“No, you are not leaving me behind,” Roark insisted. “I have little wish to fly, but I go with my King. Dante can lead my army into the city.”

Dante nodded and ran along the wall as the two Elders and Liam touched the stone. Thunder rumbled from the ground, followed by a plume of dust as the wall slowly wobbled into the ground. Followed by the shouts of men, the Grand Duke led the men through the gap into the city.

From the sky, Kai surveyed the city and the spreading chaos below. Hundreds of Fort Pohaku soldiers flooded the town, overrunning the Regents' men. Random fires burned, and, in the distance, three dragons faded into the horizon, bound for the other side.

A fierce draw on his magic drew his attention moments before a flash of light bloomed on the city's far side. Sabastian. Kai worried about his friend, who would only use his special Lumen gift in dire situations. Although he wanted to help, he knew the other dragons would be there well before him and could undoubtedly contain the problem.

At the center of the palace grounds, Kai landed in the courtyard. Milnos men attacked with swords drawn—their metal blades sparked across his scales. They did not have the force to pierce his thick hide. Using his spiked tail, he swatted the men away or crushed them where they stood.

Iver, Roark, Dresnor, and Drew jumped into the fray, swords at the ready. Men on the inner walls fought amongst themselves—Milnos versus Diu. Blade against blade they battled until a row of archers fired, Milnos men willing to kill both sides to ensure victory. Kai spat fire at the projectiles, burning them in mid-flight.

The sound of metal striking metal drew Kai back to his father. Engaged in battle against Milnos warriors, Iver’s fluid movements were swift and precise, and he fought like a much younger man. He deflected attacks from one man then delivered strikes against another. It made Kai wonder if his father’s time in Katori and the water-infused healing had sparked his dormant Katori bloodline.

At first, they made quick work and dispatched most of the men surrounding the palace. There was no sign of the Regent or the Queen, but soon more and more men flooded into the courtyard. From where Kai stood, he saw them fleeing to the inner gatehouse. Something or someone was forcing them back.

Their escape cut off, the Milnos men swarmed back to the palace, presumably forced back by Sabastian and the arrival of Benmar and the other dragons on the far side of the city. Milnos men poured through the gatehouse like rats.

A barrage of arrows plinked off Kai’s back, and he turned his head to a cluster of fearless Milnos archers on the palace wall, who were taking aim and firing another volley. Three men heaved a dragon killer into position, while a fourth cranked the bolt into place and fired. The bolt flew straight and true but only scraped Kai’s neck, taking shards of dragon scale with it but drawing no blood.

The second round of arrows bounced off his wing and neck, a mere distraction for the next oncoming bolt they intended to launch. In response, Kai screeched in anger at the unwanted invaders, but the archers did not yield or run away. Instead, they nocked another arrow as if unaware their tiny sticks were useless against his armor-like scales.

As the giant crossbow turned for better aim, it cranked into position with a new bolt positioned to fire. An immense heat rolled up Kai’s throat, and he blasted fire, consuming every man around the lethal weapon. Set ablaze, the Milnos warriors still managed to launch the bolt, aimed at his head. Shrinking his dragon form, Kai managed to dodge the bolt; but it struck the crowd behind him, running through four men before striking the ground. With the threat dispatched, Kai turned back to the courtyard.

The next round of Milnos soldiers pouring back through the palace gatehouse contained the Queen. Surrounded by loyal Milnosian men, Nola looked like a damsel in distress backed against the wall. Her once elegant gown, now trimmed in mud, sagged under its burdens, and her stylish blonde curls contained bits of dirt and ash and blew in the angry breeze. Kai almost felt bad for her.

Surrounded by a new swarm of men, Roark moved closer to Iver. In response, Kai took hold of his inner dragon, and like a cleaver, he hammered his tail down across the palace courtyard. In seconds, he crushed dozens of Milnos men and sent the rest scurrying against the walls, dropping their weapons and exposing their queen.

Nola stood in proud defiance, her chin held high. Strolling toward Iver, her expression appeared happy to see him after a long voyage. Without hesitation, Kai transformed and landed a foot in front of his father, blocking her path. Joining him, Dresnor handed him a sword, which he quickly pointed at the Queen.

“You have gone far enough, Nola.” He stepped forward and raised his blade, stopping her advancement. He scanned the Milnos men but did not see Maxwell. “Where is the Regent?”

Everything in the courtyard fell silent, and all eyes landed on the Queen. Despite her coy demeanor, Kai did not trust her getting close to his father.

“What a difference a day makes, my dearest Kai.” Nola removed her gloves and cloak, letting them fall to the ground. “Are we no longer friends? Look at you, redeemed in the eyes of everyone because your father stands here, but you held the blade the same as I, willing to do as I asked and kill your father. Any clarity you might have found in those final moments did not change