Page 67 of The Dragon King's Curse
NOXX
Next to me Feryn tugged her skirt back into place before running a hand over her hair. Her eyes widened. “An attack?”
Together we rushed toward Flynn and the three of us made our way back into the castle. Once we were inside, I heard the commotion coming from the ballroom. Voices raised, shouts and screams, the clash of sword on sword.
Turning to Feryn, I said, “Go up to my bedroom and stay there until I come to you.”
She blinked a few times, her jaw dropping in disbelief. “No way in hell. I’m not your damsel, Noxx. Have you already forgotten who I am? If there’s a fight, then I will be in it right next to you. Give me a sword.”
I opened my mouth to argue, not wanting her involved in my problems. A little voice inside me reminded me that it was too late for that. She and I had been entwined since the fae prison. Nothing would change that now. This woman would never back down from a fight. She was the very same warrior who’d confronted the fae when they held me captive, watching as they tormented me.
“Take this one. I’ll fetch another.” Flynn removed the sword from the scabbard on his hip, passing it to Feryn. He took off running for the armory, leaving Feryn and me behind.
Together we returned to the ballroom to find it a mess of absolute destruction and violence. A battle had clearly broken out in my short absence. Had they waited for me to be occupied to wage an attack on my castle from the inside?
It didn’t take long to figure out who the aggressors were. Several men and women I’d trusted as my own people, including Cleo’s sister, Elora. I was impressed to see that those loyal to me were fighting back. Unfortunately, there were already several bodies on the floor.
“This is horrific,” Feryn shouted, clutching Flynn’s sword tight in her grasp.
“Stay close to me,” I commanded. “Don’t leave my side.”
Cleo rushed over to join us. Blood stained her dress. Splatters of it marked her face. In one hand, she held a dagger, the blade glowing with magick.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I didn’t know. I would never have allowed the party to go on if I’d known this would happen.”
I waved away her apologies. “I hold nothing against you, Cleo. Watch your back.”
No sooner had I spoken than a blade sliced through the air toward her. Feryn stepped forward, sword held ready. She blocked the blow before it could land, saving Cleo from an ugly attack. Unafraid, Feryn forced the attacker back before driving her blade through his stomach.
I’d known my sister would quickly make a move, although I hadn’t anticipated it to be quite so soon. I kicked myself for not knowing, for not suspecting that she would have people hidden within my kingdom.
Feryn and I stuck close together while taking on the traitors. Bodies were cut down all around us. While blocking one blow, I was slashed with a dagger. A deep cut across my upper arm. The culprit was quickly met with a face full of fire that burnt his skull to cinders.
Flynn returned with a new weapon. He, Pyke, and Cain were quickly caught up in the melee. I was grateful to find that they were not among those who’d betrayed me. They were brothers to me.
The three of them had our backs as we fought. I was happy to cut down those who betrayed me, but not before I had words with one of them. When I caught sight of Feryn backing Elora into a corner, I shouted, “Don’t kill her, princess. Not yet.”
Feryn knocked the weapon from Elora’s hand. The bitter woman glowered hard at my mate. Her hands were alight with fire. Should she dare use it against Feryn, I would make her die slowly.
“You have only one chance to tell me the truth,” I said, grabbing Elora by the throat. “How long have you been working for Nika?”
Elora remained defiant. She held my gaze, unflinching. “Since you rejected my advances. Once you made it clear that you would never have me, I saw no reason to remain loyal.”
“How many of you are there? Here within the castle. Within the kingdom. Do not think of lying to me or I will make your death drag out for days.” My voice was thick with dragon as I shook with the strength it took to hold my beast inside. It never used to be like this. Having it taken from me for so long was testing my control.
“At least thirty,” she admitted. “We’ve been feeding information back to Nika. Tonight was her welcome home gift to you. Soon she will come, and she won’t be alone.”
“What the hell does that mean?” When she refused to answer, I gave her a shake, slamming her head against the wall.
Feryn press the tip of her blade to Elora’s cheek. “Nika is aligned with the fae, isn’t she? That’s why they really captured Noxx.”
Eyes flashing with anger and hatred, Elora snarled, “Yes. She was poised to take over the kingdom in his absence. Once Atlas sent word of Noxx’s escape, she sent her own people in search of him.”
“Why?” I asked, trying to figure out my sister’s thought process.
“She hoped to catch you first. To kill you herself. When she learned that you were on the run with the elf princess, she worried that your curse would be broken. She’d hoped to kill you while you were still vulnerable. Then claiming your kingdom would be easy with little fight.” Elora’s gaze went to the scar on Feryn’s neck. “I’ve already sent word to her that you claimed the elf bitch as your mate. Nika and Atlas will work together to take you both down. They will claim this realm first, and then they will conquer the elves.”
My next question was cut off as Feryn drove her blade through Elora’s head. Blood sprayed, covering us both.
