The Dark Heir - Nyx

44. Nyx.

"Let me into your mind, Theia. Let me see it for myself," Nyx murmured. Her eyes met his, red making the golden brown glow. Her throat bobbed, her hand reaching for him. She curled her hand around his neck, pulling herself into him. Nyx pressed his face into her hair, prodding at her mind. She let him in, and he felt it all.

He could sense her excitement, her arousal, her guilt. When Az was so close to her, Theia had wanted him. Nyx wasn't surprised. She had confessed it before, but Azriel had never been so close to her. She'd been alone while Nyx was sorting shit out with his father. He understood her guilt, but he also didn't. Couples shared each other often. He had claimed her as his own, but if she wanted more, he'd let her have it. He had no desire for another, but he'd expect her to allow it as well.

"There's no need to feel like this," Nyx murmured after a long moment. Theia pressed her face into his neck, her heavy breaths warming his skin. "Desire is natural. Azriel has a way with females, especially getting them aroused. It isn't your fault, and I don't blame you. If you want to try him, you can. Don't cry about it, pretty girl."

Her breaths slowed, her body shifting to face him fully. Nyx leaned back, searching her face for a response. Her eyes were closed, her nose scrunched as if in disgust. Nyx felt so childish as he ran his finger over the bridge of her nose, tapping the point of it. She blinked her eyes open, her bottom lip pouting slightly. He wanted to laugh.

"It feels wrong. In my head, I've given myself to you. All of me. It felt like betrayal, even though I told him not to, it still felt wrong," she murmured, watching his eyes. Nyx wanted to tease her, to laugh and poke at her for feeling so dirty. It's primal, not unusual. Azriel was a stronger male, a dominating male, and the depths of Theia's soul and desire knew she'd like it with him. As long as she loved him, didn't lie to him, Nyx didn't care. He expected the same from her, but Nyx was still enthralled by Theia. The thought of another female beneath him made bile rise in his throat.

"It's betrayal if you aren't honest with me. If you tell me you'd like to try something, then I'll allow it. It's your desire, Theia. You act on it, I just ask that you don't lie to me. Your body is yours, but your pleasure is mine. You can try him, but remember I'm the only one who fucks you right."

Her cheeks flared, her head dropping to hide her face in his chest. Nyx grinned and took her hair in his hand. He tugged her head back for her to look at him.

"Get into bed. I'll go to the kitchens and get something for supper and bring it up. You're probably exhausted," he ordered. Theia nodded, letting out a breath as he released her hair and helped her stand. She wet her lips as he kissed the top of her head and nudged her towards the bed. Nyx shot a glance at her before leaving the room and closing the door behind himself.

He stood there for a moment, staring down the corridor. The anger simmered, though didn't cease. Nyx wasn't angry with Theia, but he wanted to take Azriel's throat in his hands. The bastard knew what he was doing to her. Nyx had just gotten her back after centuries of her finding relief beneath random males. Sure, she loved Nyx, but her body would respond to anyone she felt attracted to.

Running a hand over his mouth, Nyx stalked towards the stairs. His mind ran with a whirlwind of thoughts as he made his way down into the main entrance of the house. He wanted to kill Azriel for putting Theia in that situation. He knew how she felt, he'd felt that way the first time a female touched him after Theia left. It felt dirty, like his skin had been marred by a thoughtless touch after being cleaned by so many loving ones.

Voices sounded from the corridor to his father's office. Nyx slowed, clenched his teeth as he glared into the shadows. He fucking hated shadows. Cassian appeared, a wide smile on his face as he turned from looking over his shoulder. Their eyes met and his smile fell slightly. He didn't speak during Nyx's conversation with his father, so Nyx didn't know where they stood.

Cassian cleared his throat and walked around Nyx, calling out a 'goodnight' over his shoulder and going to the front door. Next, Nyx's father and Azriel walked out. Nyx's glare leveled on his uncle, ignoring his father's presence.

"I need to speak with you."

Azriel looked him up and down before turning to Rhysand and patting his shoulder, muttering something Nyx didn't care to hear. His father glanced between them before walking up to Nyx and slamming his hand on his back. It was laughable. Such a masculine show of affection after they cried in each other's arms. Nyc ignored him, waiting until Rhysand climbed the stairs to join Feyre.

Azriel crossed his arms, lifting a brow. The act had Nyx's fists clenching. "You touched her."

"Not in the way that you think," Az responded, leaning against the wall as though this was a typical conversation. Nyx's eyelids fluttered as he let out a slow breath.

"She cried to me. When you left her on the second floor, she cried. You touched her and she felt like she had betrayed me," Nyx spat. Azriel's eyes shot to the staircase before returning to Nyx.

"We fought. I threatened her, she tried to attack me. I told her what I thought about her and she told me what her plans are with you. I already had her pinned and there was just a moment where I almost touched her. It didn't happen, whether she wanted to or not. Get the stick out of your ass and go get your lover some food," Azriel retorted.

Nyx watched him as he shoved from the wall and moved to go to the door. Nyx caught his arm, digging his fingers into his jacket as he leaned into Azriel's ear.

"She wanted it. She cried because she wanted you to touch her and she felt like she'd betrayed me. If you want to pursue the one female I love, then fucking tell me first. Otherwise, she is mine. Don't forget all the females at the pleasure houses, though. No feelings attached, and I'm sure you're due to a free ride by now."

Nyx shoved his arm away, turning to move towards the kitchens. A smug grin rose to his lips when Azriel caught his arm, just as he had done to him.

"I don't want your lover, Nyx. You want to know why I was pressed against her like that? Because the Cauldron chose for everyone to fall in love except for me. You are five centuries younger than me, yet you've found someone who wants to be with you. She told me she just wants stability and to feel wanted, and I feel the same way. It was heat of the moment, not unrequited need. It was nice to have someone want the same things that I do."

It was strange to hear this from his uncle. Azriel had always been quiet, always laughing when everyone else did, but he never shared his emotions. Nyx shivered, discomfort filling him. Azriel's words weren't entirely true, either. He's had his chance for love before, but he chose his job instead. That female was still alone, as far as Nyx knew. Before he could respond, Azriel was gone and he was alone in the dim corridor.