The Dark Heir - Nyx

30. Nyx

"Theia," Nyx murmured, his hand reaching to catch her wrist. He didn't understand how she manipulated his emotions. He hated her, wanted to use and ruin her, yet in this moment, he wanted to feel the soft caress of her lips against his skin. He wanted to feel the way her pulse jumped at his touch. He wanted to hear his name as a breath across the wind. Maybe Nyx was wrong- maybe Theia was a monster. Not one who wanted to crush his court, but him.

Theia gasped when his fingers closed around her wrist, jerking away. He let her go, watched as she stumbled back in the water and dropped her shells. Nyx let his hand fall, watched as she gave him a tight smile and leapt back into the water. He didn't deserve her softness, but Cauldron, he wanted it. She didn't come up for air for a long while.

Nyx sighed and dropped beneath the waves, choosing to lose himself in the sea. He watched the fish scatter as he swam down, crawling along the sea floor as he felt the kelp and coral beneath his palm. He found several seashells, though most held creatures within. He left them in the scattered sand as he swam up, breaking surface and sucking in air.

Eyes burning, Nyx scanned the expanse. Theia was further out than he was, though they both were too far from the beach. He watched as she kicked her feet, leaning back until her wings were spread and she floated atop the rocking water. They were too far out for waves. He watched her, blowing air out as water hit his mouth.

Excitement filled him at a thought; a possible way he could be close to her. Nyx sucked in a breath and dropped beneath the surface. He swam to the sea floor, gathering empty or broken sea shells in his arm. His pulse thudded heavily in his ears at the pressure, his eyes burning from the salt. Finally, Nyx swam to the floating body he saw above himself.

He broke surface, heaving in a breath. Theia yelped and started to flail, but he pressed a hand to her lower back.

"Sorry, just me," he chuckled. Theia shot him a glare before laying her head back again, the sun glimmering against the water droplets on her skin. Nyx grinned as he began plucking the shells from his arm and laying them on her stomach. The muscles flexed as she lifted her head, trying to peer down at what he was doing.

"Why?" She asked, lifting one of the shells before laying it back down.

"Don't know, just thought they were pretty," he murmured, trailing few small shells between her breasts. Theia laid her head back in the water, her hair fanning out like a halo in the ripples. Nyx laid the final shell in the hollow of her throat, a small hum of approval.

"What do I do now?" She asked softly. Nyx gazed at her serene face, her cheeks pink beneath the sun. He grinned, brushing a strand of wet hair from her temple.

"Each one that falls from you is a kiss for me. Stay still and let the sea take you, or kiss me..." He trailed off, counting the shells across her body. "Thirty-four times."

Theia slid one eye open, looking at him from the side. He smiled at her, though he didn't think it was as cocky as he meant. It wasn't, because a wide smile spread across her face as she closed her eyes once more. A laugh took over, making several shells fall from her belly.

"That's four," Nyx whispered, watching the water glide across her skin. Her laugh ceased, her throat bobbing. He prayed she'd let them fall, roll in the water and cling to his body. She didn't, though.

"I guess the sea will take me. If you ever find me again, I owe you four kisses," Theia murmured, her body already drifting.

"You'll be a nice snack for whatever monsters lurk in the depths. I think I'll take my kisses now," Nyx responded, trying- and failing- to stop the smile from spreading across his face. Theia laughed again, two more dropping. "Six."

Nyx swam backwards, wishing to see her fully. Her beauty belonged in a place like this. Everything, as pretty as it was, was no match for her. Theia drifted across the blue water, the sun shimmering on her wet skin. Her arms were outstretched, gently moving beneath the water to keep herself afloat.

"You're beautiful," he called. Theia turned her head in the water, a smile widening as the water lapped at her face.

"I know that," she called back. Nyx smiled as he watched her drift away. He wondered how long it would take for her to let the shells fall and pay him with her lips. Theia drifted for a long while, so he decided to turn back to shore. She'd notice her solitude soon enough, and if she didn't, he'd come for her.

Despite the coolness of the water, he wanted to feel the sun on his skin. He loved the sun nearly as much as the moon. The moon was home, the sun was a gift. Nyx climbed onto the beach, trudging through the sand to his discarded towel. He laid it out, then dropped onto it.

His arms beneath his head, Nyx closed his eyes and soaked the warmth in. He had always loved the Summer Court and the Day Court. He always felt like his entire life was lived beneath the night sky, even if the sun came around. It wasn't as direct as this, not as soothing. There were clouds, snow, rain, but never here.

The red glow behind his eyelids went dark, water droplets hitting his skin. Nyx grinned, peeking one eye open. There she was, climbing over his body. Theia hovered over him on her hands and knees, wet hair slung over one shoulder as she smiled down at him. His breath caught as she dropped her face down, lips brushing his.

He wanted to sit up and take her mouth with his, but he treated her like a shy animal. Any movements too quick would scare her away. Theia didn't press her lips to his, but to his cheek. He felt her smile against his skin, tongue darting out to taste him.

"One," she whispered. Nyx grinned wider. She kissed closer to his eye. "Two."

"You're a cruel cheat," he murmured, closing his eyes again as she kissed his eyelid.

"Three. I'm no cheat. You're a fool for leaving the challenge so open."

He didn't mind. Fuck, he didn't care where her mouth was. He wanted Theia beside him, touching him, anything. Her lips scattered kisses across his cheeks, nose, eyes, forehead. She left a few on his temple, his ear, his jaw. Nyx resisted the urge to reach for her. Theia pressed a kiss to the tip of his nose.

"Thirty-three."

He peeked at her through one eye, a smile teasing his lips. She was smiling down at him, her eyes trailing the ghosts of her lips before. They landed on his lips, his heart skipped.

"Thirty-four," Theia murmured, before dropping her mouth to his.