The Dark Heir - Nyx

58. Nyx

"It seems like you're happily talking about it now. So explain to me why you used Azriel to get to her? Why you used her own body against her? I wouldn't have given a shit if she truly wanted him, but you tore it away and had her in an attack of her own emotions. It was fucking wrong."

They stared at him, Cassian shifting uncomfortably as he glanced to Azriel. Cassian didn't deserve to be part of this conversation, but then again, he also disliked Theia when she didn't deserve it.

"Nyx, she had given me reason after reason to assume that she was gaining your trust to hold power in this court. You cannot blame me for wanting to make sure that was not the case before allowing her to be your wife. Now, I'm sure you heard, I have my trust in her now. I did not order Azriel to touch her or bait her in the Hewn City."

Nyx's eye twitched as he turned on Azriel. The male sat on the couch, legs spread and whiskey to his lips. He looked entirely calm.

"Then why did you have her against the wall with your fucking hands on her? If you weren't going to fuck her, why do that? Why use a female's body against them, you fucking bastard?"

Nyx didn't care to keep his voice down. If his mother didn't know what occurred, he'd make sure she did. Azriel cleared his throat and sat up, setting the whiskey down.

"I'm not fond of speaking about my sexual interests in front of you all, but I will. I'm sure you know of my history with your late aunt. We had something between us, and I've searched for that again throughout my years. Your spitfire female up there reminds me of her, and having her look at me like that nearly had me blinded with memories. I was going to ignore her, but I couldn't. I gave her the option of having me or not. When she chose not to, I didn't want her to think I was pining after her, so I used your father's recent orders as an excuse."

Nyx stared at him, jaw clenched hard enough that he heard the rush of his blood. His eyes narrowed, trying to decipher if he wanted to feel pity for the male or tear his throat out.

"That is why you let me hit you? Because you feel guilt over what you did?"

Azriel's chin dipped. "I shouldn't have pursued her. It's your right, and hers, to hurt me for that. It's not that I want her. It's simply a lover from another life that felt like she was coming to haunt me. There's no excuse for that, nor is there an excuse for putting the blame on your father. I lost control and I should be punished."

Nyx turned his eyes to his father. He was watching Azriel, his finger running over his chin. Nyx knew what it was like to be overrun with emotion by a female. If he had lost Theia like Azriel had lost his aunt, he would be tortured by her existence, too. That was no excuse, but it was enough to cool his blood.

"Azriel, you will apologize to her. You will allow her to take her anger out if she wishes. You will never look at her wrong again or I promise you, I will reunite you with my aunt. It won't be kind, and it will not be quick. Make her cry again and you will be mine to deal with."

"Understood."

Nyx's eyes flashed to his father. Rhysand now looked at him with something that reminded him of pride. He brushed it off and straightened.

"And you. If my mother is not aware of what you ordered, she will be told by you in the morning. You will also apologize to Theia. Any suspicions you have of her will be run by me immediately. Until then, you know that she is someone who has been hurt throughout her entire fucking life and she deserves peace. She deserves family and she deserves love. If you hurt her again, you will answer to me."

Rhysand gave a curt nod, his jaw flexing. Nyx was grateful for the lack of response. If there had been anything remotely unkind coming from his mouth, Nyx would've lost control. Next, his eyes fell onto Cassian. He had no part in this, but he had still made his opinions of Theia clear.

"You do understand that she is not out to harm the court or my family, right? I love her, and she loves me. Keep your damn opinions to yourself. I am so fucking tired of hearing you all speak to her in a way that makes her seem lesser. You have all fought battles in life, you have all overcome that hurt and trauma, so let her heal. Stop feeding into the past and let her become who she deserves to be. I don't want to hear anything else from any of you. Make sure everyone else knows. If she wishes to leave Velaris to calm down, I will take her away until she wishes to be wed. Do not be surprised if you wake up and my room is empty. Goodnight."

Nyx finished with a few pointed glances to each of them before he turned and left. He let out a slow breath as he climbed the stairs. There had been so much tension in his body and it chipped away with each word he had spoken. Now, he could lay with the female he loved and let that tension fall away entirely.

As he pushed his bedroom door open, he saw Theia sitting up in the bed. She rubbed her eyes, her wings hung limp as she sat cross legged in the moonlight. Nyx felt a smile rise on his lips as he shut the door and peeled his clothes off.

"Where did you go?" Her raspy voice was sleepy. Nyx smiled wider as he walked up to the bed. Theia reached out to him and he leaned over, kissing the top of her head.

"I had some things to take care of. I'm here now, pretty girl. I'm here with you."

A whimper left her throat as she clung to his shoulders, dragging him down. Nyx chuckled, settling himself into the bed. He laid on his side, pulling her down next to him. Theia curled up, slipping her legs between his. She blinked slowly at him, a small yawn escaping her. Nyx brushed her hair from her eyes and laid it behind her ear, cupping her face and kissing her softly. When he pulled back, a small smile was on her lips.

"You're so beautiful, Theia."

Even in the moonlight, he saw the flush rise to her cheeks. She tucked her hands between their chests and settled into the pillow, eyes falling closed. Nyx ran his thumb over the smooth skin of her cheek.

"So beautiful, so strong, so brave. I love you, until the world falls apart, I will love you."