As soon as Eryk crossed the thin line that Sephyrn had set on the floor, it triggered a trap. The rest of the army let out startled noises as they were slingshot backwards into the forest. Eryk whirled just in time to watch a heavy web block the path behind him. His blue eyes narrowed as he saw Sephyrn standing in the shadows near the doorway. “What is the meaning of this, Sephyrn?”
Sephyrn pushed off the wall and circled his father like a hunting wolf would circle its prey. “It is rude of you to try to kill your grandsons without even meeting them, is it not?”
Eryk’s daze darted from Sephyrn to Niyx and Onyx in confusion. He lowered his weapon slightly, though his eyes remained cold and unamused. “The Night Creatures are your offspring? You would defile our line that way?”
Niyx hissed at that, interrupting the banter before Sephyrn could taunt Eryk further. “We are not monsters. You are a blinded zealot. Sephyrn says you possess honor and wisdom. We seek to reach an agreement. I am Niyx, King of the Night Creatures.”
Eryk scowled at Demi standing behind Niyx. “You choose companions poorly, King Niyx. Is that not Deimios cowering behind you? It is difficult to recognize him in this form.”
“I don’t know about your fight is with the dragons. I do know that the dragons are responsible for the health and welfare of our planet in ways you cannot understand unless you are bound to one. The elves are destroying our world and taking this power for themselves for selfish gains. I seek only to free the dragons and save my people from the zealots hunting them. I have no quarrel with you, King Eryk,” Niyx said, stepping closer to Eryk to draw his attention. “Your armies have slaughtered my people under the misconception propagated by the elves that we are evil. We are people, just as any other race. Our magic is no different than any other that can be used for good or evil.”
Sephyrn smirked at Eryk, still circling. “You should be proud, Father. Look at Niyx. He is a brilliant and noble king. Everything you wanted from your line.”
Eryk scowled at Sephyrn, then glanced at Onyx. “And you are the assassin that has seized control of Aderaan.”
Onyx shrugged. “The Shadowed Divide was corrupt. Niyx helped me destroy them. I don’t control Aderaan, though. Ruel, my adopted brother, has been crowned as king. Ruel is also honorable and noble. He will make a good king and root out the corruption in the city. That’s all either of them want. They’re not the bad guys. So, who chooses companions poorly, my Lord? Is it Niyx? Or is it you?”
Eryk lowered his weapon at that, but his eyes narrowed. “Mind who you are speaking to, child. Your father is not a good role model for how one speaks to elders and royalty.” Eryk straightened and lowered his shield, ignoring the glare he earned from Sephyrn. “If you seek to root out the corruption in Aderaan and restore the dragon’s powers to the world, why do you have Deimios as your companion? It is well known he succumbed to power-hungry madness before he was captured.”
All gazes turned to Demi, who seemed to bristle at the words. He crossed his arms and glared at Eryk. “You and I have a rivalry that should not be drawn into this current battle. Let us settle our differences later. I assure you that, for the moment, I am merely helping Niyx restore order to this land. And as you can see, I lack the power to cause much mischief right now. The curse of the elves has bound me forever in this weakened form. I can no longer rule the dragons. You are welcome to name a successor for their king, as long as you agree to relent and leave Niyx to his business. The elves have deceived you also, great King. I assure you that my long imprisonment and the torture inflicted upon me by the elves has made me reevaluate my loyalties and strategies.”
Eryk gave them all a displeased look, then he melted the web behind him with a blast of light magic. He glared at Sephyrn. “You will come with me. There is much to discuss.” He bowed his head slightly to Niyx. “For now, I will retreat. If I find out I have been deceived, you will not survive my fury a second time.”
“Niyx couldn’t deceive anyone if he tried.” Sephyrn snorted. He waved a hand to them and fell into step behind Eryk.
“That’s it?” Onyx asked in disbelief, as he watched Eryk mount and the army retreat from the forest.
“Why does that confuse you?” asked Niyx. “An agreement was made. We are all on the same side. It is as simple as that. Return to Aderaan and protect Ruel. I must see that my people made it safely to the forest.” Niyx and Demi then stalked outside. Once there, Ice regained his full size and Niyx and Demi climbed on the giant dragon’s back.
Onyx watched them disappear into the sky and stood there for quite some time staring at the coming dusk and trying to figure out how he had ended up in this strange world.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Niyx rode in silence for a short time before he glanced over his shoulder at Demi. “There is much you need to tell me, Demi.”
“How much do you really wish to know? Is it not enough that I am helping you now? That I am quite taken with you and will follow you and your cause, no matter the cost?” Demi purred as he leaned against Niyx’s back and slid his arms around Niyx’s waist.
Niyx closed his eyes. He felt overwhelmed yet again with lust for this strange creature. Not just physical lust; he craved Demi’s blood and its power as well. That concerned him. He loved Kiril more than anything. This felt like something was influencing him. Some aspect of the dragon’s magic. “No,” he said. “It is not enough. Tell me before I fling you from Ice’s back and see if you still have the power to fly without wings.”
Demi hissed at him and sat back. “So violent you are. So cold. You are not like anyone I have ever met, Niyx. Your logic is refreshing and terrifying.”
Niyx reached to pet Ice’s blue scales as the dragon flew through the darkening sky. “Why do you want me? Simply because I am a means to an end for you?”
Demi fell silent for a time before he answered. “No. It is because you saved me. You didn’t question who I was, or why I was there. You only saw that I was a prisoner against my will and being tormented, and you acted.” Demi laid his head against the middle of Niyx’s back. “It moved me. You do not know how rare such a beautiful pure being like you is in this world. Even your twin does not possess this quality.”
Niyx could not help but scoff. “Beautiful and pure? I am King of the Night Creatures. A blood drinking abomination. An affront to the living.”
“You are beautiful. Pure-hearted. Anyone who cannot see it is a fool who cannot look past the obvious to see the heart of a matter.” Demi whispered in his ear. “I want nothing more than to be at your side, Niyx. Will your woman be jealous of me? Will she send me away?”
“My woman no doubt knew before I even met you that I would have you. She would not have let me go if it bothered her. You will find Kiril is more perceptive and understanding than most.” Niyx shook his head. “Why am I so drawn to you?”
“It is a side effect of my attraction to you. It draws you to me as well. Do you not wish to be?” Demi asked, his voice wavering. “Do I not please you?”
Niyx tilted his head, considering. “No, you please me quite well. Kiril is not fond of frequent physical contact. I think it will work out just fine for you to stay with me. But if you betray me, I will drain your blood, gut you, and feed your insides to my ghouls.”
Demi shivered against Niyx’s back, his voice a purr again. “I do believe you could. It’s quite thrilling. Not to worry, my young friend. I intend to see you as one of the Kings of this world. With you as King of the Night Creatures and Ruel as King of the elves. Your grandsire, I am loathe to admit, has always been a good King for the humans. Perhaps we can start to return this world to what it should be instead of the destructive mess left behind by the war.”
Niyx watched the forest race underneath them and Ice’s giant shadow cross the canopy. “I was not setting out to rule this world. I just wished to save my people. I have not done so yet. Every time we are attacked, I lose more of them.”
“There are many spread throughout this world
, Niyx. Those you don’t know yet. I will show you how to call to them when we have a place secured. Then you will have a kingdom, not a handful of servants,” Demi promised.
“There are more Night Creatures? How do you know?” Niyx looked over his shoulder in disbelief.
“I was King of the Dragons. I am still bound to the core of this world. My magic shows me all who walk upon this planet. Yes, there are many more of your kind. They are lost and without direction, but you will lead them to greatness.” Demi rested again against Niyx’s back. “Do you think we might steal some time alone once we land? I seem to have need of you.”
Niyx laughed. “After I see that my people are well taken care of and that Kiril and Nial are safe. My duty is to them first, always. Understand that.”
“Of course,” Demi agreed, then contented himself with pressing close to Niyx’s back for the remainder of the ride.
When they landed in the forest Niyx pulled free and slid off Ice even before the dragon had come to a complete stop. He immediately walked to Kiril and she squished Nial between them to embrace Niyx. Nial squealed in his excited toddler way and babbled to Niyx. Niyx bent to kiss the top of Kiril’s head then picked Nial out of her arms and put the little boy up on his shoulders. “All is well. Did our people make it out safely?”
Kiril nodded, but a frown marred her pretty face. “Yes, but we are close to Aderaan again. Even if you have convinced your grandfather to delay his pursuit, there are those in Aderaan that still work against you and Ruel.”
“Hopefully, Onyx can root them out and dispose of them,” Niyx said, glancing through the forest. It was good to be back in his home and the chill of the outdoors, but he could see the city looming far in the distant mist. “Come, let us settle everyone and make sure they are comfortable.”
Kiril followed him and they set up the village once more. When fires were burning brightly and tents were once again established, Niyx retreated into the tent with Kiril, Nial, and Demi. Kiril took the sleepy child to lay him down with Nek for the night and returned to sit with them. She looked straight at Demi with her piercing gaze. “You wish to share Niyx.” It was a statement, not a question.
Demi bowed his head in respect. “I wish to please him and help guide him on this path, yes. Though I would not cross you, Queen of Winter.”
Kiril leaned against Niyx and traced her hand possessively over his upper thigh. “Niyx loves me. We are fated to be as one. But it is true I do not have the desire for the physical contact that he needs. It would be well for him to have another to satisfy him. As long as he is agreeable to it.”
“He pleases me as long as it does not upset you.” Niyx nodded to Kiril.
Kiril gave Niyx an amused look then rose and stretched. “Then he should please you now, and you both should come and rest after. It has been a trying few days for all. I am going to rest while you two are occupied.” With that she walked out of the room and left them alone.
Demi watched her go with a look of admiration. “She is quite something.”
Niyx stood and grabbed Demi’s arm, hauling Demi to his feet then shoved the man-dragon into the other room of the tent. “Yes. But while she will share, I will not. You will not touch her that way or I will make it so you cannot. Understand?”
“I do understand perfectly, Niyx,” Demi agreed, then dragged Niyx back down into the depths of pleasure, lust, and power once more.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Onyx should have returned to Aderaan right away. Instead, he found himself backtracking through the halls of the Den to where he’d last seen Callistra. Callistra smelled like fresh flowers and he could still follow it among the odors of rot and undeath that plagued the Den. It drove him crazy. He summoned more of his blood magic to make the scents stronger and followed their path that wound out of the Den. Night had fallen on the forest now, and he slipped through the darkness like a ghost, tracking the Templars. They had quite a lead on him, but he was supernaturally fast, and the weakened Raijin had not been moving quickly.
Their scent led him to a small cave. He could hear their heartbeats now, the blood racing through their veins. Strong, fast heartbeats that indicated unease. Onyx crept to the door of the cave. He could tell they were farther inside, so he used his magic to slip into the shadows, becoming invisible to their elven eyes in the darkness. He moved slowly so he would not disturb any loose rock or twig beneath his feet. As he entered the main room he could see Raijin lying prone, asleep, his rapid breaths shallow. Callistra sat next to him with her head bowed over her knees, but she was not asleep.
Onyx crept closer to her, close enough to lean over and yank her to him in the shadows. He covered her mouth with his gloved hand before she could make a sound. “Don’t say a word,” Onyx hissed into Callistra’s ear. She struggled at first, but realizing it was him, relaxed and nodded her head in agreement. Onyx slowly let her go and turned her around to face him. “I came to see you and Raijin to the safety of Ruel’s manor. It’ll be a challenge sneaking you into the city, but I think I can do it.”
“We’re outcasts there now,” Callistra whispered, close to his ear. Her breath was warm and welcoming, and it brought a shiver to Onyx’s spine.
“So? I’m an assassin and a Night Creature. You know the right people for the job,” Onyx grinned at her with a wink.
“If you get us safely into the city, I will have to thank you,” Callistra murmured, her hand tugging at Onyx’s belt suggestively. “I don’t think you can do it, fang boy.”
Onyx bared his fangs at that. “Watch me. Wake him up. We have to be there before daybreak. I don’t like the sunlight much.”
Callistra pulled away from Onyx and hurried to her father’s side, kneeling to shake him awake. “Father, wake up.”
Raijin stirred and sat up, but he frowned when Onyx stepped from the shadows. “What is he doing here?”
“He’s going to help us again,” Callistra grumbled as she helped her father to his feet. “Don’t argue, just follow him.”
“You know who he is…” Raijin started to say, but grunted and went silent when Callistra elbowed him.
Onyx rolled his eyes. “It’s okay, sir. I’m the Night Creature you didn’t try to murder as a child. I don’t have a grudge. I just want to see you and Callistra safe in King Ruel’s manor until we can figure this out.”
Raijin glared daggers at Onyx, but kept his mouth shut as he and Callistra followed Onyx out into the forest. They moved slower than he did, so Onyx had to keep pausing for them to catch up. Once at the gates of Aderaan, Onyx had them pause in the underbrush of the forest while he considered the guards at the gate. He took a pouch of midnight blue from his belt and pulled several golden coins from it as he approached the gates of the city. The guards drew their swords immediately but relaxed when they saw who it was. Luckily, he knew them and they were easily bribed.
“Lord Onyx, out for a nightly stroll yet again?” One of the guards asked with a cocked eyebrow, eyeing the gold coins.
“Of course not, Byron. You never saw me. I was safely home with my brother Ruel, sleeping.” Onyx handed the coins to the guard then waved for Callistra and Raijin to move past him. He grinned at the startled guards and gave them a few more coins as the Templars ran past them and into the city. “You certainly didn’t see them either.”
Byron scowled at him but quickly pocketed the extra coins. “Get going, Lord Onyx. I want no trouble with the Templars. I’d suggest you find less dangerous friends in the future.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Onyx winked at him. “Thanks, Byron. I’ll remember this when I purge the guards.”
The other young guard shivered and looked back out at the forest as if Onyx didn’t exist. Byron snorted then waved Onyx away. Onyx hurried to catch up with Callistra and Raijin where they waited in a nearby alley. Shadows spilled into the brightly lit streets, so it was easier than he expected to lead them through.
The guards at Ruel’s manor let them through with no contest. They were
so used to Onyx coming and going with a variety of people in the night, the trio didn’t even get a second glance. The guardians that prowled Ruel’s yard, on the other hand, snarled and circled restlessly as Callistra and Raijin followed Onyx to the manor. Onyx hissed back at them in warning, and the giant shadow cats reluctantly laid back down, though their glowing eyes stayed locked on the odd group.
Onyx slipped them in the back door through the kitchen and darted ahead of them to look into the main house. “Ruel? Are you here?”
A displeased snarl sounded at Onyx’s feet. The shadows coalesced into a fluffy black cat. Floof, of course. Onyx rolled his eyes at the cat. “Hello, Floof. Will you bring Ruel here, please?”
Floof sat and waved his tail back and forth in his obstinate cat way. Anyone who did not know Floof was a shadow monster and not truly a cat would surely be fooled by the creature’s perfect portrayal. Perhaps before he was a shadow monster Floof truly had been a cat. Onyx could believe that.
“You’re going to stand there and have a negotiation with a cat?” Raijin asked, incredulous.
Onyx and Floof both shot Raijin a glare. Then without warning, Floof let out a loud roar and the cat immediately grew into a massive lion. Callistra shrieked and yanked Raijin back. Floof roared directly into Raijin’s face and Onyx crossed his arms as he watched the saliva dripping from Floof’s rows of sharp fangs.
“Great, now you’ve offended him,” Onyx grumbled.
“What in the name of the light is that thing?” Raijin sputtered, horrified.
“That’s Floof!” Ruel chirped as he entered the room. He bent down to pet the tiny cat even though it appeared to everyone else that he bent to pet the lion’s paw.
Floof continued to snarl into Raijin’s face, making the Templar wince and cringe away. Onyx thought to himself that Niyx would probably enjoy this, but he saw Callistra’s meaningful look and sighed. “Ruel, could you ask Floof to stop scaring my guests? Raijin is an idiot, but he didn’t mean offense.”
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