Draconess
Vol.2 Chapter 24

It wasn’t hard to enrage a male with an ego and pride already bolstered to maximum levels. I tell Andoll to slaughter Rey’s Guard with her Split Soul – leaving no one alive.

As she gets busy, I begin my next phase of a coup for power in Swendula.

Enough was enough. Tonight the Moon shines bright – bathing my hands with extra sustenance before I enter back into the feast once more.

“…ira sentiunt…” feel rage, I whisper the spell into my hands.

And then I enter the Red Castle.

I observe by the doors, watching Torrent eat with Lixar and the citizens below – away from Rey and Asmodeus as they catch up at the head table, overlooking everyone else in the large dining hall.

I slip up behind Lixar and Torrent first. I place my hands over one of Tor’s, catching his full attention. He spins from the females he was questioning with Lixar, and he focuses directly on my advance.

How ironic that I was about to interrupt Torrent inquiring the females about how they felt under Rey’s guidance. Since the ruling regime was about to change entirely.

“…are you in trouble, Viperae?” Torrent asks the question with a hard gaze, a hard mouth and a judging flare of his nostrils. My palms rub the curse into him.

This will silently enchant that one feeling into overdrive.

Now I just had to kick start his rage.

“Trouble? Me? No. You are the one in trouble,” I answer, sweetly, holding his hand tightly between my own, “My Immortal King Rey considers you unworthy of his presence – do you delight in being his invasive guest?”

“Rey is in my territory!” Torrent unleashes his first tie to rage, and I bolster that with words.

“You are losing ground, and Rey is showing you up as a weak and old tyrant; destined to retire. Everyone considers you a coward, Torrent, because you have not attempted to challenge him yet. Sure, you are careful. Slow. Clearly weaker now in political standing,” I make sure everyone can hear me that is close by, to further his embarrassment, “Everyone knows how the shift in power has been sliding to Rey gradually more and more, year in, year out. And I am simply telling you the truth.”

Lixar is listening to me with a vacant look on his face. If he can read my thoughts right now – which of course he can – he is very smart to stay so silent.

Torrent, however, can barely speak, as his skin starts to turn pink… and then red.

His hand, completely stiff between mine now as I step back and watch the rest happen in earnest.

“REY!” Torrent spins from me, and snarls the Immortal King’s informal name across the hall.

The entire dining party quietens down, while I turn from Torrent’s confrontation with the King, a hand over my mouth to hide my smirk as I pick up a pan of stew, emptying the contents across the buffet. I grab the handle tight and I warn Lixar with my glare not to react yet.

The fact Lixar would now know, that I knew their plans for Aisha – involving my death – was enough to shock Lix into a silence for now. He simply wanted to see my strength in dealing with what was basically a plan for my murder.

After all, I hadn’t run away.

I was facing all of them with a smile.

Torrent was simply useful.

I look over my shoulder with a sly smirk to my Immortal King at the head table.

Rey glares down at me, while Torrent takes out his sword from his sheath, “I’ll show you what real wisdom has taught me, ’Immortal’ King; you think I cower from you? That I am weak? You are temporary, I shall prove it! I’ve allowed you freedom to reign within my Kingdom and you dare insult me so pitifully behind my back? Say it to my face!”

“Calm down, Torrent,” Rey starts nice and steady, but Torrent takes it as direct and further provocation because of my little curse on his rage.

The guest from Uldaya officially snaps.

“Burn in Hellfire, bastard Vampyre,” Torrent snarls and scorches a large burst of Hellfire through the air, and it slams like a lightning strike into Rey’s form – setting him on fire.

Asmodeus is frozen to Rey’s left, eyes flicking between Torrent, Rey and I.

While Torrent is watching Rey get consumed by his successful flare of Hellfire, I get ready to swing the pan over his head – all while hell breaks loose now that Rey is burning while still standing; a strange smile appearing on his face as he is smoked alive, his eyes are strangely focused on me. I just glare back, knowing he’ll fall and die promptly soon after the fact.

The dinner goers start to scream from the death of a King and I roll my eyes.

As for I?

I swing.

Clang!

The pan smacks into the back of Tor’s head and he falls before Lixar.

I drop the pan and I steal Tor’s fancy sword, “Leave or kneel,” I hiss at Lixar, pointing the sword in his direction.

He shocks the crowd by holding up his hands and slowly dropping to his knees.

“Leave or kneel to your Empress,” I point the sword at Asmodeus as I stalk forward, “Leave now or kneel, I said! I am the Draconess of Swendula and you will obey me as a part of my Venatores. Submit to me,” Asmodeus backs up into shadow – and his form wisps away with magic, “Coward!” I call out.

“Chyronex,” Lixar calls to me as I jump onto the nearest table, grabbing everyone’s attention as I check on Rey’s burning body, which has fallen as predicted.

Smoke rises behind me as he burns down to ash.

“Shut up, Lixar,” I turn back to one of my Mystifyers, “The Immortal King is dead!”

The crowd quiver, some cry, but most listen to me; especially when I start to strip my dress from my body.

I had to retain their attention, and the answers come straight to me.

I throw aside the red silk dress and I untangle the Torquem Steel from my ankles. I hold it up and I show the stunned crowd, “I give myself as a Slave Draconess from Rey; to the people,” I start to wrap it around my arm, from wrist to shoulder, “I declare myself an Empress of Swendula, and further lands beyond. Torrent, King of Uldaya is my pet. Lixar; supplicate yourself or burn, show them your loyalty,” I hold out my arm, wrapped in the chain, and I open my palm to Lixar, “Two options,” I whisper at him, as he considers everything.

Yes, I now speak to Lix briefly, clearly and directly into his head, I know I was bound to die. I’m hear to tell you I am not leaving without a fight. Submit or you are next to burn, I am at war now and I will command you as your Draconess. So. Obey me!

It’s not hard to harness that strength inside, that flourishes now with my own seething rage. My own confidence. My own natural ability to be this person right here, standing naked before a crowd atop the head table, barely trembling.

Lixar stands and walks towards me, he faces the crowd and he simply nods at them.

When he stops below me, I lay my hand on his head and he stiffens as I pet him, kneeling down on the wood, to be more level with his gaze.

“Where is our Warlord?” one citizen calls out, and I feel my entire gut flip in that moment.

I focus on that one man, possibly and most definitely a father, of a solider who ranks in one of Zarcar’s battalions. I set the outspoken man on fire with a blink of my eyes, because if there is a time to make a statement, it is now or never.

Careful, Lixar’s tone whispers through my head, a warning. I curl my fingers into his scalp, my nails scrapping.

Shut up, whore, I respond.

Lixar scoffs quietly but says nothing. At least he hears my humour.

“Do not interrupt me while I –” I speak to the crowd, and one more steps forward, encouraged by the first man. An older woman, fronting with outrage.

“You’re just a slave queen! We all know you are nothing but a slut! We will follow a man, who holds the knowledge of running this city – why should we listen to you, dear?”

“A great question,” I smile as I set my Draconess fire to light on she who has spoken next so out of line; the crowd fall silent as two citizens fall in fast flame, “I know how to run a city, the land, an Empire. I am a Draconess! I own the largest Venatores ever known to mankind. Your Warlord Zarcar is going to rule beside me as my Second. A trusted advisor,” I could not tell them that my own Venatores had been plotting against me, but I would use them now to further my end.

One more speaks, but they raise their hand first, a young man. I nod at him and he adds, “You do not seem to grieve our fallen King, weren’t you betrothed to him? I am confused.”

I shake my head, “Betrothed? Never. I am a slave to mankind, I kill demons, to protect you all from death. To protect good people. I am a good woman. I am a priestess, a Draconess and I am not a mother but I don’t need children when I have so many Mystifyers to please. I am always rather busy. Everyone go now and trade. Follow Rey’s last well meaning advice. I will organise my coronation to be set for tomorrow night. Rey’s funeral will be set during it out of respect. Any other objections?”

No one in the dinner party raises their voice.

“I did it!” Andoll does, however. I smile as she runs in from the outside, covered in blood from killing the King’s Guard, who would have been only loyal to Rey. Her hands are clasped tightly, “Gasp! You’re naked!” she screeches the obvious with joy.

“Of course, Andoll. I have no shame, my people own me,” I laugh and the crowd manage a slight laugh along with me, testing a new kind of loyalty, “Did you do your job well?”

“Yes, Empress,” Andoll bows to me, snarling suddenly at the crowd, quite aggressively, “She is a beautiful Empress! Do you not agree? Look at her perfect feet!”

The crowd nod quickly, nervous at Andoll, as she now stands below me with a proud smile.

“Thank you for your love and well meaning, Andoll,” I laugh when she curtseys quite perfectly, while next to Lixar, who remains stoic and motionless. Poor bastard.

“Empress, I also made sure everyone of importance was here to witness your ascension,” Andoll rises with a confident nod in my direction.

She is calm, as if she thought she knew exactly what she was doing.

Perhaps she did, however…

…all I feel is my heart drop a second time when I look up and see the latest newcomer.

I do not choose to scold Andoll for releasing him, she has been nothing but faithful and a perfect ally… and this was a reality I must face anyway. There was no better time than the present.

Zarcar stands barefoot in nothing but his breeches, at the dining hall entry, watching the crowd who zone in on his black eyes, scanning the hall; taking in every detail.

Rey’s scorched body.

Lixar’s submission to my left.

My naked stance on a table with Torrent’s sword, and a bloody little warrior by my right.

I stand tall once more, and I gulp down my heart.

With the voice of a Draconess, I command him with one word, “KNEEL.”

Zarcar halts as the war command hits his ears.

He must obey.

I watch Zarcar lower his head instinctively, and then he drops to one knee, although he is confused, he simply follows the magic in my voice. He had no choice anymore.

I do not smile at him, I simply tell the crowd, “You see my Second is loyal, now leave – we have a big day tomorrow. And can a nurse, please tend to Torrent? He may have a sore head,” A couple of people rush to Torrent, while the others begin to depart quickly, “And spread the good news! Long live your new Empress, slave to the people, a Moon Priestess and Draconess!” I call out.

“Remember! She has beautiful feet! Tell everyone!” Andoll repeats herself, yelling it on the back end of what I said, and while I do not mind, I am not feeling a need to giggle right now.

I start to abruptly pace the table, kicking things off, once everyone leaves, and Torrent is taken to a ward in the Red Castle to heal.

I know Zarcar has stood, but I refuse to let go of my need for war while I am still fuelled by fury, betrayal and rage.

“I love my Venatores,” I snarl it out so they all hear, as I kick off a few more goblets and copper plates and porcelain bowls, “How sweet you all are; protecting me always,” I scoff as I hold my stolen sword a bit tighter.

I spin at the end of the table and I see Zarcar standing a few feet away after approaching slowly, while Andoll sits on a chair and eats into some left overs. Lixar turns to me and he looks awfully embarrassed. Zarcar is numb and speechless. He knows it was me who visited him, after he sees the red dress tossed aside by my feet.

“…Empress…?” Zarcar dares to murmur anything.

“Yes,” I hiss, quite like a Viperae, not that I should care. I hold the chain across my right arm and I rattle it, “Slave to the good people of Swendula and beyond. Not slave to you,” I snarl it at Zarcar, “Or you,” I shake my head at Lixar, then I focus on Zar once more, “And Andoll is free of you! I have been educated.”

“…hmmm?” Zarcar looks at Andoll, giving her a warning look, as if to ask, was it you who spoke the truth, while she happily sneers back. I swiftly jump from the table, holding up the sword and pointing it to Zarcar’s chin as I stalk up to him. My gait is not uncertain. Every step is full of power. My power, which I didn’t even know sat right inside my chest, to be harnessed at any time.

I could command. Like Rey. I could stay steady and level headed. Just like the Immortal King.

And they tried to enslave me.

To bring back another.

“She will be loved as a woman,” I whisper the words back at Zarcar, “It’d be too cruel not to use me fully before you retrieved your precious old lover, back to the realm of the living, you must miss Aisha dearly,” every word is precise, and the only thing I appreciate about Zarcar in this moment is his look of acceptance and submission to the fact I know. That I would never forget. That the dynamic has changed.

“May I explain?” Lixar speaks quietly and I drop the sword from Zar’s face, turning to Lix instead.

“Please,” I smile warmly, if a little sarcastically.

“We’re wrong, we are in the wrong,” Lixar holds up his hands, dropping to his handsome knees dramatically once again, “You caught us out. Clearly. Very impressive, Chyronex. Quite so.”

“Accidental,” Zarcar growls out, “One moment, a slip of the tongue -”

“You must have been so excited to sacrifice me,” I hiss back, “What do you feel now?”

“Nothing for that plan, it’s done,” Zarcar grinds it out.

“Idiot. You hurt Andoll,” I speak, “Do you regret that? Or are you just truly evil deep down in your black heart?”

I am surprised he answers so quickly, “There is no regret in me for trying what we did, but I did not wish Andoll any lasting pain from it,” Zarcar speaks open, honest, like Lixar.

“Andoll is a Queen of Chyronex,” I stand back with her, “I am about to give you your designations.”

“Oh, shit,” Lixar gulps and places his hands on his head.

“You cannot completely de rank Swendula’s most respected authorities,” Zarcar starts to advise me and I smirk.

“Thank you, that is why you are my Second.”

“Really?” Zarcar does not believe it.

“Would you rather I killed you?” I ask.

“I am surprised you haven’t,” Zarcar admits with a raised brow, rather solemn about it all.

“…why, Zarcar, would I kill my favourite fuck toy?” I ask, “Are you stupid?”

Lixar scoffs but I wait patiently for Zarcar’s reaction.

“…but will you ever forgive me for it?” Zar asks the question quietly, testing the waters.

“I already have, you idiot demon, you’re naughty, you’re very selfish and wayward. You’re very handsome, Zarcar, with a nice,” I make a circle in the air, “Girth. Fun. Now with Aisha; I must interject a plan for your old lover. Who is dead. Presumably in hell?”

Now, Zarcar goes cold. So does Lixar.

As they await my judgement.

“I am no coward,” I whisper, “And I will replace a way myself to resurrect the bitch that holds your hearts, so I may challenge her for her old Venatores, whose loyalty lays so strangely with the dead. I will battle Aisha. I will win.”

“If no one wins?” Lixar asks.

“You’re telling me she was an Empress too?” I ask, growling it out.

“Aisha is the greatest Draconess to have ever lived, just a truth, Chyronex,” Zarcar quickly adds that on, so generously.

“I want to be risky and ask you what that makes me?” I ask. Zarcar does not answer, neither does Lixar. So, I ask one more question, “Would you have grieved me if you succeeded?” I just ask it, no point holding it in.

After those words dare leave my mouth, however, I have to close my eyes and breathe deeply.

I am distraught by it.

I try to hold back my tears as my energy for war deflates.

The feelings inside my chest soon crackle like warm embers of a dying, disappointed heart that was once on fierce fire.

I inhale deeply and I imagine my planned death, as Aisha may have walked in my shoes. I had been so close to it.

I cannot exhale with the thought, but I also feel my grip on my command, slip swiftly from my tongue.

When I open my eyes, I see Lixar immediately standing – and Zarcar is immediately yet slowly approaching my front.

I take one nervous step backward as I drop the heavy sword, which suddenly feels enormous, as the rush leaves me.

The war I felt I was fighting, dies a small death in my heart, because the main fight and confrontation is now over.

So.

What now?

I watch Zarcar’s hand, which is raised in the air, toward my face, the palm outreaching as he walks into my front.

I freeze as his hand softly cups my cheek, and he stands in my space, over me, his black pitless eyes, searching mine.

“You fought for it, the Venatores,” Zarcar blurts, and I hear how rather impressed he sounds.

I gulp now, as Andoll beside me drops to the floor and licks my foot randomly. I try not to kick her in the face as Zarcar’s hand slides from my cheek to my chin, pinching it between a thumb and finger. He lifts my head as my eyes run over his physical form.

I wonder if a Venatores in a lowered state of energy, can overthrow their own Draconess.

Right now, I am abruptly deflated.

Was I vulnerable?

But there was no point in avoiding it.

I had to see how I would be treated now. Would they smack me down quickly?

“You didn’t run,” Zarcar adds.

“My natural instincts took over,” I whisper, feeling a little numb, a little in shock, a little of everything.

“…what do your Draconess instincts say now?” Zarcar asks.

“That I am the greatest Empress. But my heart is irreparably… b-broken,” I choke on the words, and I want to pull away. I try to, I try to slip past, but Zarcar blocks me into the table.

He grabs my waist and he lifts me up, setting me on the table’s edge as he speaks, “Alive and brave. Most of all; generous. I should be dead right now for what I said… what I…” he can’t even say it, and I shiver as Zar’s hand trails down the Torquem steel over my right arm.

“You cruel bastard, I would have nothing without you, I need you to live,” I try to play it off by sounding smitten.

“Because you love me,” Zarcar answers it for me, “A demon through and through. You still want me.”

“Likewise, on your part,” I grind out, “Perhaps that makes me a little bit nuts. Just a little. What are you doing, Warlord?” I have to ask, while Zarcar is trailing his hands over my body, and Lixar is standing just behind him, watching me be sat before them so randomly.

“Just memorising what it was like to Master you completely,” Zarcar whispers to himself, selfishly, as his hands slide down my shoulders, across my breasts, my stomach, my thighs, my knees… and then he kneels on one knee, his hands trailing to my ankles.

Zarcar clasps my small ankles a little too boldly, but I don’t feel bad intent.

Lixar drops with him, and they both look up at me from one knee, or maybe they just want to look between my legs.

Regardless.

I stay still and silent.

“From now I serve you,” Zarcar grinds it out, scowling as he says it, “Because you learnt your power and I have no say. I must respect you.”

“I must respect you,” Lixar murmurs too, and I watch as both of them do stare now – at my pussy.

Demonic shits.

Instead of snapping my legs shut, however, I spread them a little wider, while Andoll sits somewhere below, bloodied and enjoying the sight of obeying Mystifyers.

“Then you both have a job to do,” I sigh and lean back on my elbows as I purse my lips, “We shall ascend to Rey’s chamber and –” my Mystifyers are already standing, I look up, smirking at their lust, “ –and you shall both fuck your Empress until the sun rises. I simply refuse to do any work. I am owed some service. Andoll, you are dismissed – perhaps you can check on Torrent?”

“Aye, Que – I mean Empress!” Andoll scurries off on all fours, beyond excited.

Lixar and Zarcar step forward and they both grasp an elbow each, hauling me off the table, to stand between them.

I am truly a little nervous, but I had to show confidence in order to deal properly with such devastingly handsome, annoyingly demonic-to-the-bone Mystifyers who held my heart; despite their damned egos.

“So, you are a generous Empress with your misbehaving Venatores?” Lixar asks, smiling sweetly, a little cheeky, but calm never the less. I shrug one shoulder.

I was generous.

“Chyronex… am I still your Keeper?” Zarcar is bold.

I spin to him and I nod, just for the heck of it. But I don’t say anything out loud, even as Lixar stands flush into my back and grabs my tits, his arms wrapping around me tightly, squeezing my breasts both generously. I furrow my brows.

Zarcar’s eyes light with an unexpected fire.

“You understand my job as Keeper if you assign me as such?” Zarcar murmurs.

“Keep me in line; otherwise I might just fuck all the people. My lust knows no bounds with men. Once a Viperae, always a dirty little sl –”

“You will be kept entertained thoroughly then,” Zarcar catches my mouth with a finger across my lips, and he forces out, “…Empress Chyronex.”

When Zarcar whispers that, my insides start to boil… with lust… rather than rage.

They truly submit.

They were still naughty big shits but they – were obeying me.

So it was this easy all along.

Sigh.

We needed to fuck immediately, and then maybe the bonds of the Venatores would start to heal anew. With a different and very stark leader.

“One last word. Zarcar. If you try to betray me,” I add one last warning, “You can kill me or attempt to sacrifice me… but I will not disappear quite so easily… do you hear m -?”

“You’ve made that quite clear,” Zarcar is speaking softly over my face, while his hands battle to get Lixar’s palms off my tits. As they fight over my breasts, I grab Zarcar’s lip with my teeth and I bite, while speaking into him, my hands on his cheeks, my nails clawing in.

“Fuck me, as I command you,” I growl out – and then a new battle begins.

Zarcar attempts to kiss me, but Lixar grabs my forehead and pulls me out of reach of his cousin’s mouth. As they butt heads over me, I slip from them and head to the gothic chamber and the gothic bed of the former King, hoping they follow rather than brawl.

“I don’t have much patience,” I hiss back at my Mystifyers, “I have a city to run!”

“Listen to new law. I am still her Keeper, cousin,” my ears prick to hear Zarcar warning Lixar, “That means I am solely still in charge of her pleasure, do not dare to mock me with your hands on her in front of me, I will begin my advances before you add yourself.”

“You shall ask her every day which cock she prefers, her choices will change, I assure you,” Lixar hisses back, “I fuck fun, you fuck the same every time. It gets old.”

Oh, geez.

I try something.

I pull at the power inside me.

The Draconess springs back to the front, and I feel the command return.

“…don’t keep your Empress waiting!” I sing song out – and the Mystifers turn to follow. Obedient in their movements.

Huh.

I’ve tapped into something that was in my blood this entire time.

They distracted me through sexual games.

Little did I know; all I had to do was ask.

Even outside of a war.

They could and would and must obey.

In their own words; they must respect me.

Which was very, very interesting.