“That would be great. Come anytime. We’d love to have you,” I respond warmly, appreciating her company today.
Flora gives Chepi and me one more hug before disappearing in a cloud of red mist as she channels away. I decide to take a leisurely walk with Chepi through the village, enjoying the simple pleasure of being among people and feeling somewhat normal. As we stroll, I soak in the sights, allowing the vibrant life of the village to wash over me.
Chapter 14
Nyx
I findsolace only in drowning myself in work, letting the steady flow of whiskey numb the sharper edges of my thoughts. Ripping open another piece of mail, the complaints pile up—attacks across the kingdom have surged, relentless and chaotic. Despite Lyra’s efforts in channeling her magic into the heart of Eguina, the demonic presence persists, unyielding. Soren mentioned the demons didn’t emerge from the bridge during their last onslaught and had been already lurking within Eguina. How many more hide in the shadows?
As I down another shot, Bim’s updates clutter my desk. He’s been deploying troops across Nighthold, bracing for the storm to come.
The door opens, and without looking I know it’s Colton—the familiar stench is unmistakable. “What are you doing here?” I ask, my voice flat, not bothering to hide my annoyance as he strides into my office with Twig. “I see you had the decency to knock and be escorted like a civilized person this time.”
I finally look up as Twig closes the door,leaving us alone. “We need to talk, brother,” Colton says, his tone dripping with disdain. His use of “brother” grates on me, and I’m not in the mood for his games.
I lean back in my chair, feigning indifference as I swirl the whiskey in my glass. “Oh, we have nothing to talk about… Unless you’re here to give back my mate.”
Colton’s jaw tightens. “We need to talk about the attacks, Nyx. This isn’t about Lyra or our personal issues. It’s about Nighthold’s safety.”
I smirk, setting my glass down with a deliberate thud. “Suddenly concerned about Nighthold? What changed, brother? Or is it that now you have something to lose, you’re taking it seriously?”
His eyes narrow, and I know I’ve hit a nerve. “This is about protecting our people, Nyx. It’s bigger than our quarrels.”
Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on my desk, meeting his gaze with a cool challenge. “Is it? Or are you here because you’re afraid I might actually find a way to prove I’m the one she should be with?”
His response is curt, a growl almost. “Lyra made her choice, Nyx.”
I chuckle, “A choice made without all the facts is a guess, Colton. But go on, keep pretending it’s all settled. We both know the truth isn’t that simple. If I were you, I’d go enjoy the time with Lyra while you have it.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean? You realize she chose me and is completing the bonding ceremony with me,” he says, drawing the words out slowly. I clench my glass but try to keep my cool, not wanting him to see the effect he has on me. The thought of them together churns my stomach.
“Lyra doesn’t know what she wants, but I plan on finding proof that I am the one she is fated to be with. Proof that will rid you from our lives once and for all. So run along now. Wehave nothing more to discuss,” I wave him off, but he doesn’t move, instead taking a step closer to my desk.
“She’s not going to replace Zaelinn. You do realize that, right?” he says, and I get to my feet, fury threatening to boil over.
“I’m not trying to replace Z. Now get the fuck out of my office before I make you.” I feel my magic pulsing, but instead of giving into his taunt, I let my lips quirk up on one side instead.
Colton retreats into himself. “I knew this would be a waste of time,” he mutters, raking his fingers through his hair with a look of resignation.
“Indeed,” I retort, reclining in my chair. I fully expect him to storm out or channel away in a huff, but instead he leans forward, placing his hands firmly on my desk, narrowing the distance between us.
His voice lowers, edged with a cold firmness. “I only came because she asked me to. I knew you were a lost cause, but after everything she still believes there’s something decent in you. Consider this the only warning you’ll get, Nyx,” he says, his eyes igniting with a threatening glow as his magic simmers. “If you do anything to ruin our wedding, if you cause her any more pain, I’ll fucking end you.”
In a whirl of smoke, he’s gone before I can utter another word.
The room falls silent, but I can’t help the laugh that escapes me. The seriousness of his threat, the intensity in his eyes—I hadn’t expected him to unravel so completely. He’s truly ensnared by her, more than I thought. And he thinks his little display of bravado might actually intimidate me? Pathetic.
He’s wrong on so many levels, especially about her being his mate. The prophecy, the one my father uttered so long ago, doesn’t speak of Colton. It speaks of me. I’m theone destined to save Lyra, to be her true light. Now, I need to prove it. And when I do, this farce of a romance with Colton will crumble, and she’ll see where her fate truly lies. With me.
I take one more long draw from my whiskey before setting the glass down with a decisive clink. It’s time to check on my plans, the ones that not even Colton suspects. With a thought, I channel myself to the remote coast of Vision Valley. In the dimming light, the relentless waves crash against the jagged cliffs, a natural defense for the maneuvers I’ve been orchestrating.
While Colton has been preoccupied, reveling in his newfound happiness with Lyra, I’ve been making moves that will secure our futures. Drew, always a valuable ally despite her cryptic ways, has agreed to my request to keep ships anchored discreetly past the Center Isles. I’ve calculated the distances meticulously, from Vision Valley to these ships and then straight to the Sorcerer Realm, a strategic path designed for rapid movement of forces if needed. Channeling straight from Nighthold to Cloudrum has always been too far a distance.
Bim has been busy too, arranging army encampments atop these cliffs. Vision Valley is desolate, far from prying eyes, an ideal staging ground for what may come. I’ve sensed the darkness swelling across the lands, felt the increasing frequency of attacks—each a forewarning of the storm brewing within and beyond our realms.
And then there’s the matter of Kaine’s insidious flyers stirring unrest in Cloudrum, timed disgustingly close to Lyra’s upcoming birthday. She could claim her right to rule as queen on that day, a move that would undoubtedly spark conflict given the current tensions.
As I stand here, overlooking the preparations, I’m more convinced than ever that we’re edging toward a war that hasbeen simmering beneath the surface for too long. And with the rumors of Samael’s return—rumors that chill even the salted air around me—I know that my unresolved past with him must finally find resolution. Samael and I have a score to settle, and when we next meet, only one of us will walk away from that encounter.
