The Heir of Night

38

"Leaving this world will not find you peace," he whispered. Theia squeezed her eyes shut as he placed a ghost of a kiss to her hair. She wished that wasn't true. She could hardly stand the ache that her life bared to her. She craved silence and solitude, yet couldn't stand to be alone without wanting to flow with the river.

Her stomach tugged and then a sudden warmth clung to her. Theia pulled her head back slowly, peeking one eye open to see that he had brought them to her guest room. Nyx tugged her forward as he backed up. She stepped back, letting him sit on her bed. She watched as he pulled himself to sit against the headboard, letting his head fall back.

Against her every fibre, she crawled onto him. Her wings tucked, she laid herself on his massive body and curled into a ball. She craved his heartbeat beneath her cheek, his strong arms wrapped around her body. Theia didn't understand how she could hate someone so fiercely yet depend on them to feel safe.

"I'll stay until you fall asleep," he murmured, deep voice rumbling his chest beneath her. Theia nodded against him. Wrapped in his warmth and scent, she closed her eyes and waited for the crushing weight to leave her chest.

Darkness was a faint moment. Too soon, her eyelids held the image of Maia's too still body, flashing to her sitting in that chair while fingers rapidly knitted that never ending blanket.

"You've done nothing for me, child."

Her creaky voice echoed within Theia's mind, slowly falling into the laugh of the male that cut her leggings. Her eyes flicked to the darkness surrounding Maia's body as it formed those nameless males. She felt their boots against her stomach, their knuckles against her jaw.

Nyx, Nyx, Nyx. Her inner self chanted his name, begging for him to appear in place of the creatures that tried to take her dignity. She tried to picture the part of him that held her on that bridge, laid with her in the night. Instead, she saw the part of him that laughed at her, crushed her bones, bruised her skin. The one that claimed to look into her mind, snarling and teasing about her plea for death. The one that stripped her bare and scrubbed her skin raw in the tub when he couldn't trust her to do so herself.

"I'm here," a voice cooed, a warm hand on her spine. She flinched, tucking her face beneath her arm. Reality or dream, she didn't know as the bed dipped and a body seemed to envelope hers. She smelled whiskey and wine, lazy fingers grasping her waist and dragging her across the blanket. Theia yelped, shooting up from the bed. Her eyes didn't adjust fast enough to see his features, though she couldn't mistake that touch or scent. Peaking through the strong alcohol scent was pine and spice. It tugged at her, encouraged her to indulge.

"Theia," Nyx rasped. Her breath was heavy as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. She was on her knees now, chest practically heaving. Nyx was laying on his side, watching her through hooded eyes. Drunk, he was drunk. Her eyes lifted to the window. The night still hung above the mountains, though the sun showed its promise on the eastern ridge.

"You're drunk," she panted, lifting her hand to brush her hair from her wet cheeks. Nyx hummed, lifting an arm.

"Had a drink with Az, decided to listen to you and heard you calling my name," he mumbled. She let out a breath, dropping down to the mattress. His arm immediately fell over her waist and pulled her against him, his other arm hooking around her head to press her into his chest. "I've got you."

Her breathing slowed. Why did she find so much comfort in that? She curled into him, soaking in his warmth. Theia wondered if he would've came for her if he had been sober, but as his heartbeat filled her head, she decided that didn't matter. All she cared about was that Nyx clung to her as she did to him. Even as his breaths grew even and his arm went limp over her waist, Theia stayed awake. She savored the touch, laying in silence as he held her.

Nyx didn't wake when the sun rose. Theia grew restless beneath his touch, deciding she needed a bath as soon as possible. She slid from beneath his heavy arm and pushed herself out of bed, glancing back at the sleeping male. He looked so different in that moment: Face calm and clear of irritation, lips parted and hair messy. He still wore his clothes from the day before; so did she. The only thing missing was her boots, sat neatly beside the bed.

Theia gave him one last long look before searching for her bag. It was no longer on the floor with clothes strewn throughout, so she aimed for the wardrobe. Her clothes were hung and folded inside, in addition to few Night Court pieces. Deciding to fit in during her stay, Theia gathered a black satin pair and slipped from the room.

She took a long bath, only being plagued by dark thoughts when she dipped her head back to rinse her hair. She ignored it, as well as the uncomfortable twist in her stomach, and finished her bath before the abyss consumed her. Theia pulled on the fresh clothes, braided back her wet hair, and left the bathing chamber. Nyx was still asleep when she dropped her dress in the bedroom. She wanted to explore the estate, not wait for the heir to wake. Wanting to savor the calm night, and knowing she'd want to tear his eyes out the second he spoke to her, Theia decided it was best to begin her day on her own.

She trudged down the stairs, listening for anyone speaking. The sun had been up for at least two hours, so she expected someone to be awake. Theia walked the long corridor of the front of the home. It was entirely silent. She peered out the window, seeing that it was snowing again. Nearing the dining room, she scented lingering food, as though someone had eaten breakfast already.

Sighing, she decided to wander the house. She'd only ever really seen the front of the estate, despite when she had slipped into Rhysand's office during the Solstice. She turned down that corridor, recognizing the now closed door and slipping past it. There was another closed door beside it, but Theia didn't open it. Light shone into the long corridor from a distant window, urging her near.

She padded down the hardwood hall, peering out the long window. It overlook a patio space with metal tables and chairs, lined with shrubs. Theia wondered what it looked like during the summer months. She continued down the corridor to the sharp corner, where another window brought in light. Shrubs lined the sill, but she stood on her toes to see beyond them.

In the distance, she could see wings over another line of shrubs. A glint of a sword flashed in the light, and Theia could only assume it was a training space. She turned, spying painted double doors that led to an opening outside. Theia frowned and looked down at her bare toes, realizing she'd have to find her way back after locating her shoes. With one last glimpse to the wings over the hedges, she turned and made her way back to her guest room.