Page 124 of Draekora

Alex didn’t understand. “But—You—”

“Just watch, kitten.”

An image entered Alex’s mind and she witnessed Niyx’s memory play out with vivid detail as he used theValispathto travel fromTaevargto the palace throne room. He burst through the doors, startling the council members as he raced towards the king standing at the head of the room.

What happened next was nearly impossible to comprehend, since a fraction of a second before Niyx crashed into Astophe, the king opened his mouth in a surprised gasp. The king sank to the ground, Niyx lowering with him and pulling back enough for Alex—and the council members—to see the blood soaking Astophe’s chest.

So caught up in how quickly the attack had been carried out, no one else saw what Alex did: Niyx held no weapon, nor was there any visible blade protruding from what she knew was the king’s fatal stab wound.

LasaRiza let out a bloodcurdling scream, prompting the others from their disbelieving stupors to surge forward and apprehend Niyx, but it was too late, for he’d already vanished into thin air.

Horrific comprehension washed over Alex as the memory faded from her mind. Even if she hadn’t seen Niyx’s lack of weapon or the king’s too early gasp, theValispathcouldn’t be accessed inside the throne room—and yet Niyx had disappeared instantly.

Her dread-filled eyes came to rest on her best friend lying unconscious on the snow—her best friend whose gift meant he could disappear with a single thought and share his ability with others.

“It wasn’t you—it was Jordan,” she whispered to Niyx. “You were trying to save Astophe, weren’t you? The message you received was about the attack—it told you Jordan was on his way to murder the king.”

“No one can know but us,” Niyx returned firmly. “I managed to knock Jordan out before he could inform Aven his task was done, and I’ve since explained to Aven that your friend sustained a head injury leading to capture prior to the assassination.”

“But—that means—”

“I told Aven it was me who killed the king,” Niyx said, following her train of thought. “And there are six council members—three of whom remain in the city—who can attest to seeing exactly that.”

“Why, Niyx?” Alex cried. “Haven’t you already been blamed long enough for the crimes of others? Everyone hates you! Why would you make it worse?”

“Because you need someone on the inside, Aeylia,” he returned without hesitation. “Someone who Aven trusts implicitly. Someone he thinks has been rotting away in prison for millennia because of their loyalty to him.” He paused. “Someone who was willing to kill the king of Meya for him, without first being Claimed and ordered to do so.”

At his words, Alex inhaled quickly, remembering that with Aven’s ruling over the city, everyone in it was now Claimed, including—

“Niyx, did he bond with you?”

Niyx made a face. “Do me a favour and never say something like that again.”

Alex remained silent, waiting in trepidation for his answer.

Seeing the fear on her face, he moved closer, and this time she didn’t retreat, not even when he held his hand out, palm facing forward, to show her the second scar across his flesh. The first she’d caused when she’d attempted to Release him. The second was new. But before she could do anything—like knock him out, grab him and Jordan, and run far, far away—he spoke.

“Don’t look so scared, kitten.” He offered her a half smile. “Turns out that even though I’m not under your thumb anymore, the Claim of our connection—ofyourwillpower—is still flowing strongly in me. Too strong for Aven to override, since your will is stronger.”

He glanced pointedly from her to Jordan, and Alex’s body jolted as the potential implication of his words sunk in. Thoughts whirling, she hardly dared to hope in the theoretical plan coming to her mind. Would she—Couldshe—Was it even possible…?

“As far as Aven’s concerned, he thinks I’m Claimed,” Niyx continued, interrupting her reeling thoughts and calling her attention back to him. “If he tells me to jump, I make sure I jump. The only hiccup is that we obviously have no mental connection since his Claim failed, but I managed to follow enough of his spoken commands for him to believe there must be a glitch in my mind that prevents me from hearing his non-verbal orders.”

The shadow that crossed Niyx’s face told Alex that those spoken commands he’d followed to prove his loyalty were the likes of which she didn’t want to know—nor would he tell her.

“Niyx,” she whispered, placing a hand on his chest to comfort him.

He shrugged, trying to act like it didn’t bother him when she could see that it did. “For the greater good, right, kitten? And when I help you kick his ass, it’ll just make the victory all that much sweeter.”

When he saw that she remained unconvinced, he lowered his voice and said, “I’ve had thousands of years to come to this decision, Aeylia. I know what I’m doing. Just as I know that, for a time, life isn’t going to be much fun for me as I cater to my ex-best friend and new king’s beck and call. But newsflash, sweetheart, life hasn’t been much fun for a while. A little longer won’t do me much more harm.”

She hated, absolutelyhatedthe position he was in; the position he was deliberately placing himself in. And that must have read all over her face because he quietly said, “I once asked you to let me do the noble thing—I’m now asking it again.” His lips twitched as he finished, “Though, no matter what you say, it’s not like your wussy mortal self can stop me.”

She huffed out a laugh, knowing his words were said in a deliberate attempt to cheer her up.

“I have to get back to the palace,” Niyx said. He pointed at Jordan. “I’m guessing you know why I brought him here?”

Alex hesitantly nodded, struggling to believe that she might be able to do the impossible and actually free Jordan. “I think so. But—”

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