The Dark Heir - Nyx

6. Theia.

"I owe you nothing," he seethed. "You took money from my father and you ran away as soon as you got what you wanted. How much did you take? I expect it to be returned by the end of the week."

Theia's eyes shot open as she already forgot her desire to never see his face. His light eyes were hardly visible beneath the cloak, but she glared right at them.

"Your father gave me that money. He handed it to me and told me I was supposed to leave," she argued, tearing at his grip again. Nyx scoffed, an indecent sound. Theia gritted her teeth.

"My father said you took that money from him and threatened him to bring you to Windhaven."

"And your father is a fucking liar," Theia snarled. She didn't expect this level of anger to seep from her, but she was glad it did. Nyx's grip on her arm was punishing, and she fought against every urge to wince.

"Don't fucking speak about my family. Have that money in my hand by the end of the week, Theia. If I don't have it by then, I'll make you regret ever knowing me."

"I already do," she spat, finally tearing her arm free. She shot him one last look before turning away and marching to the cafe where Silas waited. Her entire body shook with the force of her rage. She wanted to tear him apart. Theia glanced over her shoulder, but the street was empty of Nyx. Her teeth ground together as she tore the cafe door open and aimed for Silas. She needed a distraction.

He was at a table along the window, his fingers drumming against the table as he studied the page of meals. His eyes lifted along with a smile, though it fell when he looked her over.

"What's wrong?"

"I need you," she said in a low tone, not bothering to sit down. Silas's brows pulled together as he glanced around the room.

"But we are meant to eat dinner. I haven't ordered yet," he motioned to the menu in his hand. Theia clenched her jaw as she dropped onto the seat and bounced her leg, watching the street outside of the window. Silas's hand slid over hers, the slightest bit of calm hardly touching the overworked nerves. Her head snapped to face him, and she could see the worry in his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but I don't know if I can do this," Theia ground out, glancing around the half-full cafe. Silas's hand stilled on top of hers, his face twisting into confusion.

"Do what? Dinner?"

Her chest ached at the suspicion in his voice. She knew he had always been waiting for her to end their relationship, whatever it was. She didn't want to, but her mind was torn between tearing Nyx's head off or fucking Silas until her body felt raw.

"No- Yes, I don't know. I can't think straight, I just need a distraction," she bit out, squeezing his fingers. Those were her famous words. She said them each time Theia wanted sex. Silas knew it, and his face fell. He glanced around the cafe, a frown shadowing his face.

"Fine, uh, let's just go then."

Her chest ached even more. She wasn't one to force someone into sleeping with her, and she could see that Silas had no interest in anything but spending time with her. The cafe served whiskey, which could be her only other choice. With a sigh, she let her head drop.

"No, it's fine. I'm sorry. Let's just order," she breathed, pulling her hand from his and lifting the second menu. She felt Silas's eyes on her, but she couldn't handle seeing his face. Theia knew she hurt him.

"What can I get you?" A cheerful voice interrupted Theia's emotional turmoil. Theia sighed and dropped the parchment onto the table.

"The roasted chicken and vegetables, two glasses of whiskey," she ordered, leaning back in her seat. Through her peripheral, Theia saw how Silas stared at her before making his own order. The waitress chirped her reply and took the menus as she left. Silas leaned forward in his seat, reaching for Theia's face. She frowned as he forced her chin up to meet his eyes.

"What's wrong with you? Two glasses of whiskey? Come on, Theia. Tell me what's going on," he urged, his thumb stroking the skin of her jaw.

"Nothing. I mean- I've just had a long day. A day I want to forget, I'm fine."

He didn't seem convinced, but Silas pulled his hand away and leaned back. His arms crossed as he studied her. Theia sighed and turned her eyes back to the window. Her breath hitched when she saw a figure in the dying light. A cloak billowed in the evening wind. Nyx's face was still hidden away, yet he watched her with his arms crossed. Theia tore her eyes away and dropped her gaze to the table, nails digging into the flesh of her palms.

"Who is that?"

Apparently Nyx wasn't as sly as he thought. Theia lifted her gaze to see Silas leaning forward in his seat, eyes narrowed on Nyx's figure.

"No one, Silas. Just ignore them," Theia snapped. Silas shot her a glare, such a rare sight on his gentle face.

"You don't get to act like this and tell me to ignore someone who is watching you through the damned window. Who is it?" His voice was harsh. Theia knew he was getting fed up, but she was already so close to the edge of her sanity. She opened her mouth to reply, but the waitress interrupted by setting their drinks down.

Theia grabbed the first glass of whiskey and downed it in one breath. The burning in her throat didn't soothe the fire in her veins. Her eyes shot back out the window to see Nyx's head turning towards the falling sun, and then his body turning entirely. She watched as he retreated down the street, eventually turning behind a building.

"Theia."

Her eyes turned to Silas yet again. His glare was focused entirely on his unanswered question, and Theia couldn't breathe until she swallowed the second glass of whiskey.

"It was just someone from earlier in my life. I haven't seen them since I was young and I didn't expect to see them again, that's all," she tried to calm his frustration, but Silas didn't seem convinced. He watched her throughout the dinner. She felt his eyes as she downed glass after glass, inhaling her food in a rush to get home. Silas still seemed angry as they paid and left the cafe, and as they made the trek home in the dark.

She felt haunted by the memory of Nyx. He misunderstood the situation from so long ago, and gave her no chance to explain. Even when his threatening figure wasn't in sight, Theia couldn't stop seeing him. The alcohol didn't seem to damper her anger. She was still on edge as she and Silas walked into the house. Her anger grew when Silas ignored her and went to the bathing chamber, and again when he marched to the bedroom.

He gave her no chance to explain, nor to try and seduce him in her drunken manner. The ghost of Nyx crowded her as she sat along the hearth. She was terrified to look at the windows, expecting to see his silhouette in the moonlight. The monster that destroyed her was back, and he was hungry for revenge.