“Who?”
“Patience, pretty girl. You’ll see soon enough, we’re almost there.”
Sure enough, the red stone towers of the royal palace came into view, their nine spires soaring towards the sky as Raiden skillfully avoided them.
Screams rang out from the humans, their cries of terror filling the air as Raiden landed on the palace’svast terrace, prowling towards the open double doors with a very tense Nyra on his back. His tail whipping back and forth, scattering any potential idiots that would dare to attack them.
“What is the meaning of this?!” a gruff voice met them as Raiden filled the massive Royal Reception Room, his body so large that his heavy tail remained on the terrace.
Shifting, his gaze landed on the source of his irritation. A middle aged warrior stood in front of the throne where the king sat, with rich brown curls and a ragged scar across his nose, his cobalt blue military garments adorning a strong masculine body. His face stern as he glared at Nyra, whose heart pounded so erratically that Raiden could feel the thundering beats against his scales.
“Do you know this man?”
“That–” she answered. “That’s the Captain of the King’s Guard. The one that I told you about.”
He snarled.“The very same one that threatened you?”
“Yes.”
“Excellent.”He inched closer.
“Raiden,”Nyra’s nerves bled through his thoughts as he prowled forward.“What–what are you doing?”
“Teaching him a lesson.”
“You can’t hurt him.”
“Why ever the fuck not?”
“He was only doing his job. Please.”
Groaning in disappointment, Raiden said,“We’ll see how he behaves first.”
“Dragon slayer!” the Captain’s voice echoed around them. “I see you have failed to fulfill your mission, yet again. You know what the punishment is in this case.” His lips curled wickedly. “I hope you’ve said your goodbyes to Margot. It’s a pity she’ll also die because of you.”
“Do not speak to her, filthy maggot!” Raiden roared, baring his fangs as his tail slithered into the room. “Do not even look in her direction if you value your life. Get on your fucking knees and beg for mercy, for she is the only reason why you are still breathing, mortal!” His tail struck out, snapping in the air.
A wave of panic washed over the male, his eyes wide with fear as he looked back and forth between Nyra and the silver beast in front of him.
Snarling, Raiden’s tail snapped again, hitting the robust Captain, sending him flying across the air. “Either you’re deaf or very fucking stupid.” His tail smacked him, “I believe it’s the latter,” over and overagain, playing with the measly human like a cat would play with a mouse. “Beg.”
“Please,” the Captain whimpered, blood staining his neck where an ugly gash could be seen.
“I can’t fucking hear you.”
“Please!” He cried out, trying to crawl away, only to be pressed into the ground by Raiden’s massive paw, the Captain’s head thrown back in agony as he screamed for mercy.
“I will color these walls with your blood, rat, before I turn everyone in this precious palace to dust.” His jaw snapped, saliva dripping from his lethal fangs as he stalked towards the wounded male.
“Raiden!” the king suddenly bellowed, throwing himself forward, kneeling with his face planted on the ground, his body shaking as all color drained from his face. “Have mercy on us! We are your humble servants. Whatever it is that you desire, it is yours! Riches, maidens, land –”
“Do not insult me, old man,” Raiden rumbled. “I do not need your petty bribes. You will wipe Nyra Haldane’s records clean, granting her a royal pardon, never to be evoked by any of your successors. That is the price for the lives of you and your worthless servants.”
“Done!” the king shouted, shaking uncontrollably as he crawled towards Raiden, kissing his scales in holy devotion. “Thank you! Thank you, oh great one, we are eternally obliged to you! We honor you and your wisdom–”
Flicking his paw, the king scurried backwards.
“Satisfied, little prey?”
