Assassin's Reign (The Assassin and her Dragon Princes Book 4)

by Ivy Clyde

  Taking the book with me, I headed to Ren’s quarters. He would be the only one who could tell me whether the handwritten notes belonged to Ivan.

  A shaft of candlelight shone from the gap underneath his door. Glad to know he was still awake, I knocked on the door before pushing it open.

  “You look tired,” he said as soon as his gaze fell on me.

  “I was reading the whole day,” I said, striding inside the room and closing the door firmly behind me. “I came across something interesting.”

  He beckoned me towards his desk where he sat writing something on a long length of parchment. Placing the book on his table, I opened it to the marked spot.

  “Do you see these scribbles?” I asked, pointing to the handwritten notes.

  “Yes?”

  “Do they look familiar to you?”

  Ren bent down to take a closer look. “It looks like the emperor’s hand.” He turned his head to look up at me with wide eyes. “Ivan used this ritual?”

  I nodded.

  “It is horrendous,” he said in a disgusted voice. Glancing back at the text, he said, “He slaughtered a hundred live pigeons and two men, and then drank their blood. It’s grotesque!”

  “It’s a small price for what he got in return.”

  “Mysterious gardens of poisonous weeds, sacrificing birds and men…how come no one knew what he was up to?”

  “My mother suspected him but she was too worried about the reputation of the royal family to bring his deeds to light,” I said, remembering the memories where I’d seen her confront Ivan. “If she took the courage to speak to Father, she could have saved her own life and the lives of the other dragons.”

  “Being a queen is a difficult matter,” said Ren in a grim voice. “It couldn’t have been an easy decision to make.” He released a heavy sigh. “So, have these tomes been helpful to you?”

  I nodded. “They give a glimpse into the dangerous knowledge Ivan came across in the library. No wonder, he’s been scared of books and had most of the older texts burned. He didn’t even spare the scholars versed in the Ancient Tongue, fearing they could bring his downfall.”

  “He did so much to suppress wisdom and knowledge,” said Ren. “He had the whole Fire Clan massacred so there would be no more dragons but somehow, four true dragons have appeared in the realm.”

  “His time is over.” A defeated sigh escaped me. “I just wish the princes would return by tomorrow so I can tell them about everything I’ve found out.”

  Ren chuckled. “You sound annoyed with them.”

  “I am! They made up their minds about not needing my help without even speaking to me.”

  “They want to keep you safe,” he said in a soft whisper. His grim gaze met mine. “In this matter, I agree with them. Let them handle Ivan. I’d rather have my future queen safe in the battle to come.”

  “They need me, Ren!”

  “That’s what you think.”

  My nostrils flared with anger. Picking up the book, I closed it shut. “I’m going to bed,” I declared.

  Ren’s amused laughter followed me as I stomped out of the room.

  7

  Ren

  It was another chilly day despite a weak morning sun shining overhead. Nestling deeper into the sheets, I wondered if Daria would march into my chambers today as well. The hopeless romantic in me kept dreaming up impossible scenarios with her, but after the favor I forced out of her, I doubted whether she’ll ever see me the same way again.

  I was grateful to her for curing Helena but guilt settled in my gut. Instead of feeling relieved about Helena’s recovery, I felt guilt weighing down my chest. She’d gone against her will to repay my kindness. It irked me to think she considered my help as a debt she owed me. Everything I did for her and the three princes, I did willingly.

  I worried our relationship would get more complicated in the days to come.

  If Helena refused to accept Daria as her queen, things would become even more strained between us. I just hoped Helena would be sensible enough to drop her hatred towards her future queen.

  Even though it was early morning, I could hear a commotion outside in the corridors. As the effects of sleep slowly disappeared, I became aware of the noise coming from the streets. What was happening?

  Before I could proceed to climb out of bed, someone knocked on the door.

  “Who is it?” I demanded in a tight voice.

  “Me, Your Highness.”

  It was the voice of my personal valet.

  “Come in, Paery.”

  The middle-aged man entered the door, looking pale and shaking.

  “What is going on? Why are people shouting?” I demanded immediately.

  “Three dragons were circling overhead us,” said Paery in a wavering voice. “I saw them myself, Your Highness.”

  “What did these dragons look like?”

  “One was a gold-scaled one and the other a silver. The third was a water dragon, I believe. Blue scales like shining sapphires, Your Highness.”

  I could feel my own blood draining from my face. The silver dragon and the water snake dragon belonged to Cain and Norvin respectively. I’d seen them transform only a few days ago near the temple site.

  “What were these dragons doing?” I asked. “Did they harm anyone?”

  “No. They were flying around the market square, egging the soldiers. So far, they haven’t harmed anyone or set fire to anything.”

  “Get my clothes ready immediately,” I said, jumping out of bed. “Hurry, Paery.”

  My valet rushed to get my things ready while I washed my face in a basin of water. Donning whatever he got for me, I bound the long length of my ginger hair with a leather tie and headed out.

  Daria would want to know what was going on.

  The princes went ahead in attacking Ivan without telling her anything. They probably wanted to get things done before Daria would even know about it. Even though they were full-fledged dragons, I had to wonder whether it was really wise to go up against the emperor without any sort of plan. For their sakes, I hoped they’d thought things through.

  Reaching Daria’s quarters, I pushed open the door without bothering to knock.

  She was still in bed, sleeping soundly but stirred as my footsteps echoed loudly against the wooden floor. Opening her emerald-green eyes slowly, she blinked at me.

  “Why are you here?” she asked, sitting up in bed. The sheet covering her body slipped off her and revealed the thin nightgown she was wearing. The treacherous man within me ogled at the display of her ample cleavage before meeting her curious gaze.

  “You need to get dressed quickly,” I said, averting my eyes from the beautiful sight before me.

  “What’s wrong?” She halted for a moment. “Why is it so noisy this morning?”

  “It’s the dragon princes,” I said. “They revealed themselves to the entire town before heading to the palace. Ivan might already be engaged in chasing them away.”

  Daria froze, her wide green eyes set on me.

  “Tell me it’s not true.”

  I shook my head. “Forgive me, Daria. We should have expected this to happen. Neither Prince Adal nor Prince Norvin would sit back when their families and lands were attacked. Iorna would be next. I am sure Cain wanted to take action before Ivan turned his attention to his kingdom.”

  “Why couldn’t they tell me?” she demanded, rounding on me. “Did you know what they were going to do?”

  I put up my hands in the face of her fury. “Of course, not! It’s my conjecture but it explains their hastiness.”

  Daria crossed the room, reaching the cabinet on the other side. Throwing it wide open, she rummaged among the clothes, taking out of a pair of leather breeches and a simple woolen tunic.

  “I am going after them,” she said, moving away from me. “You can leave.”

  “Daria, wait.” I held onto her upper arm, matching her angry stare. “Promise me you’ll be careful. No matter what happens you hav
e to be safe. You’re the only hope for Drakhaven’s future.”

  “Nothing will make me forget me that. I’ve suffered for fifteen years with no memories of my past,” she said in a low, biting tone. “It ends today.”

  I loosened my hold on her. The fierceness in her gaze told me she was ready to tackle an impossible foe like Emperor Ivan himself. Stepping back, I bowed my head before proceeding to leave the room.

  Once outside, I waited in the corridor.

  The door opened fairly quickly. Daria stood at the threshold, dressed in a pair of breeches and a long, woolen tunic. A belt of tanned leather was tied at her waist securely. The length of her long, dark hair was twisted in a simple braid. She looked like a local huntress in her attire.

  I met her resolute gaze.

  “I’ll be waiting for you,” I said, moving forward to hug her once. “Be safe.”

  She gave a nod and strode past me.

  My chest swelled with a hundred emotions as I watched her go. If she and her princes could really bring an end to the emperor’s rule, they would create history today.

  “Your Highness,” called a voice from up ahead.

  “What is it, Paery?”

  “Will you be riding to the palace, Your Highness?”

  “Are you mad? Tell all the servants and maids to stay indoors today. Ordinary mortals like ourselves must preserve our lives while the dragons engage in their battles.”

  “Are those three dragons really going up against the emperor?” asked Paery with wide eyes.

  Actually, four, I thought in my head. Aloud, I said, “Bring me some hot wine. I’d rather not be this wide awake and anxious waiting for news.”

  As my valet hurried away to carry out my order, I silently prayed for Daria and her mates.

  8

  Daria

  Heart pounding with fear and adrenaline, I strode through the corridors of Ren’s house until I came out on the streets.

  People spoke in loud voices, gesturing to the sky every so often. The air was heavy with terror and panic. The citizens of Fuvaros had seen the rumors of dragons coming to life that morning. My gaze swept around the street and for a moment, I breathed a sigh of relief. Cain and the others took the fight away from the city, ensuring the safety of my people.

  I approached a group of adolescent boys in the corner who were animatedly talking about the dragons they saw. They spoke of a blue-scaled water dragon and a gold-armored dragon, flying westward towards the mountains.

  Stepping in front of them, I asked, “Are you sure they went that way?”

  The five of them nodded. Their wide eyes stared at me unabashedly. “Where did you come from?” one of them asked, moving uncomfortably close to me.

  “Did you see the emperor’s dragon following them?” I asked, stepping backward.

  “No. The Great Dragon was chasing after the silver one,” said a second boy, placing a hand on my shoulder.

  I struggled to suppress the urge to break his wrist. They were basically telling me that Cain was being chased by Ivan. Brushing off his hand, I asked, “Did they all go westward?”

  “Aye.”

  “You are welcome to stay with us until we know what’s going on for sure,” said the first boy. He gave me a salacious grin and winked at me.

  I rolled my eyes.

  Turning around, I walked down the street in search of a quiet and abandoned nook to shift into my true form. To my annoyance, two of the boys I’d spoken with earlier followed me. Ignoring them, I kept up my search.

  Soon, I came upon a narrow alley between two shops that was completely deserted.

  “I told you she’d be willing to have us.” I heard one of the boys say to another.

  Turning around to face them, I grinned at them.

  Smiling back with relief, they walked towards me but before they could get closer, I let the shifting magic run through my veins. In the blink of an eye, my body changed its form, pumping pure power through every muscle. My vision sharpened and I tasted the heady scent of sulfurous smoke in my lungs.

  Two frightened teens stood frozen before me. From my vantage point, they looked amusingly small. A snort escaped me. Thick gray fumes rose from my nostrils, making the boys scream in terror.

  Now you’ll remember never to follow a strange woman into a deserted alley, I thought, unfurling my wings to their widest span.

  Stretching the long length of my neck, I prepared for flight. It was surreal how my body knew exactly how to poise before lifting off with my feet. The flap of my massive wings gave me a pleasant lift, raising my entire body off the ground.

  The sound of people’s screams and shouts reached my ears as I flew over the town. Looking down, I saw the children cheering and clapping and then older men and women watching me with awe and confusion.

  They were probably wondering where we’d come from. Our sudden appearance must be puzzling and terrifying at the same time. Hopefully, they would realize we didn’t mean to hurt them. We were there to protect them from Ivan.

  Soon, I’d left the city of Fuvaros behind me. With the sight of people gone and nothing but the snowy mountains on the horizon, my thoughts went back to Cain, Adal, and Norvin.

  Ivan would surely use the poison from the dragonsbane weed to injure my princes. While he was immune to it, Cain, Adal, and Norvin would be fatally wounded even if a little went into their bloodstreams.

  I struggled not to let the rising panic overpower me.

  From what I’d gathered through the tomes we’d collected in the dragon temple, I would be able to defeat Ivan by breaking the magical bond he’d formed with the dark spirit. It won’t be a difficult feat because the spirit would need only a little nudging to start resisting Ivan’s commands. However, it would be useless if Ivan managed to injure the princes before I even got there.

  Elga’s cold voice flitted through my mind.

  Even if the princes withdrew their orders to kill the emperor, Elga still held me to the promise that I’d protect Cain, Adal, and Norvin with my life. You have to stay strong, I prayed desperately in my mind, steadily crossing the distance to reach the mountains in the west.

  Smoke from a distant peak caught my attention. Thick, dark clouds rose from the snow-capped hill. Urging my wings to beat faster, I rushed towards the spot.

  I’d barely gotten closer when I saw two dragons battling over the mountains. One was a large black-scaled dragon, similar to me while the other was a blue-scaled water dragon. I glanced everywhere but Cain and Adal were absent.

  I hovered over my spot, watching the battle taking place.

  Ivan’s dragon was trying to get closer to Norvin. He flew better and more agilely than Norvin, managing to get his maw dangerously close to him.

  Norvin shot streaks of lightning at Ivan’s dragon, thwarting his every attempt to get close to him.

  The lightning strikes were useful, momentarily stunning Ivan but it wasn’t enough to stop him completely. I could see Norvin’s dragon panting and gasping for air after each attack. He wouldn’t be able to keep it up for long.

  Ivan was waiting for the exact opportunity when Norvin would get tired and then find the opening to attack him.

  As I watched them battle, I wondered where Cain and Adal were. They should have been there to watch Norvin’s back while he fought with Ivan.

  Giving the two battling dragons a wide berth, I flew at a lower altitude, keeping my eyes on the ground down below. Just as I passed a low jagged peak, my gaze fell on two slumped figures down below. Even from this height, my keen eyes caught the sight of stark crimson patches among the glittering snow.

  My heart skittered to stop.

  Heart thundering in my ears, I swooped towards the figures on the ground.

  As soon as my massive hind legs touched the ground, I shifted back to my human form. Cold winds hit me hard as I ran against the draft to reach the figures lying several feet away. Even from the distance, I could recognize the particular shade of Adal’s henna-dyed blond loc
ks.

  A cry rose up inside me.

  Reaching Adal and Cain, I saw the blood pooling from wide gashes on the side of their torsos.

  “No,” I whispered, unable to withstand the sight before me. They couldn’t be dead. Not this soon.

  Tears ran down my face in steady streams as I stared at Cain and Adal’s unmoving body. Slowly, I let my knees fold. Coming to sit beside Cain, I gazed into his pale face.

  “Cain.” A ragged whisper of intense pain escaped my lips. My hand reached out to stroke the dark curls of his hair.

  “Daria.”

  Had it been my imagination or did Cain really call out for me?

  “Cain,” I spoke louder. “Cain! Can you hear me?”

  A steely-gray eye opened up to stare at me.

  “It’s really you, my heart,” he whispered. A hacking cough overcame him then. Blood spurted out of his mouth, drenching the snow in dark crimson.

  He’s alive! I thought with sudden giddiness.

  Crouching down beside him more comfortably, I placed a hand on his frigid forehead. It never boded well for a dragonborn’s body to go cold. Closing my eyes, I focused on the energy streaming inside him. Thick dark miasma flowed along the veins of his life energies, choking them out.

  “You’ve been poisoned,” I whispered, knowing exactly how it happened.

  “Daria…”

  “Sshh. I am going to save you but you’ve got to preserve your energy. I am going to be back.”

  Next, I turned my attention to Adal. Heart pounding with dread, I desperately hoped he was still alive despite the gaping wound at his side and the fatal poison running through his veins.

  “Adal,” I spoke out in a hushed whisper, shaking him by his shoulders.

  He moaned, barely having the energy to speak out or fully open his eyes. He was in worse condition than Cain, barely holding onto life.

  “Hold on,” I said, clutching at his wrist. Closing my eyes, I channeled a stream of healing energy into his body.