Nightsong

  “Yes, of course!” Nyx stumbled back, allowing me to enter.

  I looked around the room. Like his clothes, it was a bit of a mess. Empty bottles decorated the bulk of it.

  “Why is it that drinking is your go-to comfort?” I sighed.

  He smirked at me, “Why is it yours?”

  “I’ll blame you for that one, introducing me to that good mead.”

  Nyx smiled at me again, and I fidgeted with the bottom of my shirt. Why did this have to be so hard?

  “Nyx. I’m sorry for running off like that and for leaving you in the dark like this.”

  “You don’t need to apologise. I shouldn’t have forced this on you so quickly. Sometimes I find it hard to keep my emotions in check.”

  “It’s okay, I understand. You know I’m not any better at it. But I want to be honest with you.”

  He nodded for me to continue.

  “I’ve never liked anyone. I’ve never had any friends besides my siblings, and I’ve certainly never had a partner longer than a night. I don’t know how to do this, and I don’t know what it is that I’m feeling.”

  Nyx’s eyebrows raised, and I cringed as I forced the next words out of me.

  “But I think that I like you, and I definitely know I’m attracted to you.”

  In half a second, Nyx bounded over towards me and grasped both my hands. I had never seen him smile like this.

  “So I guess I was right the other night! You like me, and now you just can’t resist me.”

  I rolled my eyes at him and poked him sharply in the chest.

  “That cockiness is one of your least attractive traits,” I scolded. I took back one of his hands and brought it up to my chest. “Jokes aside, there is something I need to ask you.”

  “Anything,” he said.

  “What exactly do you want for me? Is this a one-off? Just temporary or what? I don’t know how to do this,” I confessed.

  Nyx took his other hand and placed it on my cheek, softly stroking it with his thumb. “I’m not looking to use you, but I won’t rush you into something heavy either. I want to get to know you, spend time with you.” His hand drifted down my face onto my neck and collarbone. He gently ran a rough finger across the exposed skin, peeking out from my shirt. I shivered at his touch. “I want to explore what I’m feeling. If it doesn’t last, then it doesn’t. If it does, I’m all in,” he smiled.

  I felt giddy at his words and nodded back at him. I took his hand and placed a kiss on the back of his hand as I looked into his eyes.

  “Careful. A look like that, and it’ll be hard for me to hold back,” Nyx whispered through a course breath.

  I blushed and pulled away. “Well, I should be getting back. But I will certainly be seeing you for chaperoning tomorrow and hopefully tomorrow night as well?”

  “Of course, every night we can,” he beamed, “but you know, you could stay a bit longer. I still have a lot of full bottles left, and we could always start the getting to know each other part.”

  This was a bad idea. Staying was a bad idea. But I didn’t really want to leave yet. Late or not, my stomach was aflutter, and I wanted to spend a few more hours with that gorgeous smile. Leaving now would be so lonely.

  “Another hour couldn’t hurt,” I sighed as I walked to take a seat at the small table before the bed.

  With that cocky swagger, he swayed to join me, popping the cork of a fresh bottle. “Sorry no cups,” he gestured the bottle to me.

  “Oh well,” I mumbled as I took a swig from the bottle under Nyx’s devilish gaze.

  “You ask a question first,” Nyx said, and we began to talk and drink away the night.

  Nyx and I spoke about everything and anything. Favourite colour, animal, food, weather, place, the stupid things we had done as a child and everything in-between. Nyx was fond of cats, loved sweets, the colour red, and found joy from a rainy day in the forest. As a child, he had once stolen a cake from a stall only to find it was the sourest and most unpleasant lemon cake he had ever eaten.

  I had always liked birds, the colour purple, salted meat, and also the delight of standing in the rain amongst a beautiful forest. As a child, I had fallen asleep in a cupboard while playing hide and seek. The whole castle was out looking for me until I had finally awoken and asked a servant what all the fuss was about. I had never spoken to anyone like this. It was wonderful, almost invigorating. I wanted to hear and share every silly little detail.

  “Ophelia made you dress up as a woman?!”

  Nyx grimaced while taking a deep drink from his bottle. He had started telling me about some recent mission that had taken an odd turn.

  “Yes, unfortunately. Some noble was giving us trouble in our home capital Xerai. He was babbling about being some long lost Nightsong heir but refused to show proof. It was enough that it was beginning to stir some people up.”

  “I’m still not quite getting how this made you wear a dress,” I said.

  He pulled a face and continued, “Well, we needed to get proof that he wasn’t, either a birth certificate or a strand of hair for our alchemists to test. But none of us could get near him until one night he had some fancy party. Of course, we couldn’t get in, mostly invite-only, but the guards were letting in any woman pretty enough. Ophelia couldn’t go in, not a lot of Maeyr around, he would have known. Verona was far too busy, and she’s harder to get in a dress than you are.” He wiggled his eyebrows at that, and I flicked my hand for him to continue.

  “So that pretty much left me. Time was of the essence, and no one else around to trust. I’m lucky that I kept my hair long because it helped the disguise. Ophelia dragged me back to where we were staying and dressed me up in layers of silks and makeup. She was having the time of her life while I was the most uncomfortable I had ever been. I made my way to the party, I looked absolutely ridiculous, but somehow the guards let me in. After batting my eyes a little, I snuck off into the rest of the house to try and find any documentation.” Nyx made another funny look and paused his story.

  “And did you find any?” I asked as I raised one of my eyebrows.

  “No, and look, this next bit is a little traumatising for me,” he sighed.

  “Go on, spit it out!”

  He took a deep breath. “I came across his study and searched the whole place. Nothing. Not a scrap of evidence to help me. I got so engrossed in my search, I didn’t even notice the noble walk in! At first, he was a little mad, but I managed to convince him that I had gotten lost looking for the bathroom.”

  Nyx stopped talking and shuddered. “That’s when it happened! I went to leave, and he grabbed my ass. My ass! I turned to slap him, but then I realised this was my chance. I could try to get a little cosy and swipe a hair. So I smiled at him instead, leaned into him, fanning myself like the proper lady I was. He was such a short, fat, and sweaty man, reeked of alcohol. He’s telling me how pretty I am, pawing at my dress, and I’m laughing at everything he says. Then just as he goes for my rear again, I reach over and grab the paperweight from his desk. Smack. One blow to the head, and he is out.”

  “And there is a but here?” I smirked.

  Nyx sighed and nodded. “But he toppled over onto me, squashing me underneath. He was so heavy I couldn’t push him! I spent about half an hour under that heaving mass of sweat and fat before I managed to roll him off. I did get the hair though, and yes, he was lying.”

  I couldn’t hold in my laughter anymore. I burst out into a fit, and Nyx covered his face in shame.

  “Ugh! That’s what Ophelia did when I told her.”

  “I’m sorry, but it is pretty funny. I bet you made a pretty woman though.”

  Nyx gleamed. “Of course I did.”

  I hugged the bottle to my chest. I was starting to feel so mellow and warm. I didn’t know how long we had been talking, and I didn’t care. I wanted to learn more. In particular, I was curious about his family. Out of all the things he had spoken of, that wasn’t one of them.

  “What about
your family? Your parents? I don’t think you’ve said anything about them.”

  Nyx looked a little uncomfortable before giving a weak smile. “They don’t exist, or rather they do, but they didn’t want me.”

  I placed my hand over my mouth, “I’m so sorry I asked.”

  “No, don’t be. I’ve had a long time to get over it, and it’s certainly not uncommon in Naedis. Plenty of children were orphaned in the wars. But now, ever since mute children have started being born, plenty of parents have chosen to rid themselves of a useless child,” he sneered.

  I shook my head, “That’s terrible. It’s nothing like that here. A large portion of our population are mute now or hold weak magic.”

  “Our people value power far too much. It’s disgusting. Things are slowly changing, but for people like me, we have to work so much harder to get anywhere. No one wants to adopt you either. I was stuck in the orphanage until I was eighteen. I went from there to the legion and honed my body as a weapon. I became my own power and eventually ended up here.”

  I placed a hand over my mouth. “All those children… That’s just terrible.” Pausing for a moment, I gripped his firm arm with my hand in comfort. “But you, you’ve done so well for yourself. You should be so proud,” I whispered.

  He gave a soft smile and nodded.

  I gave a soft look in return, but it cracked into a wicked grin as an idea crossed my mind. “You know, Nyx, I’ve been training since I was twelve. Perhaps we should spar sometime?”

  Nyx cocked his head and bared his fangs wide in a smile.

  “Now that would be fun. Though I don’t like your odds against an Illyd general.”

  “I can hold my own,” I huffed.

  “I have no doubt.”

  I took another sip from my bottle and stared back at his lovely face. A question rolled around on my tongue.

  “I hope it’s not rude to ask but are you mute then?”

  He fiddled with his bottle, “No. I’m a little lucky there, but my magic is weak. What about you?”

  I shrugged, “I’m completely mute, not a scrap of magic. Mother had some, and that power has all gone to Dion and Celia.” I had always been a little jealous of that. Not for the lack of power. Dion and Celia had received a piece of our mother that I hadn’t.

  “Can I see your magic?” I asked.

  He grimaced at my question.

  “It’s not very good. I’m a little embarrassed about it.”

  I raised my eyebrows at him, “I can’t do anything, and you're worried what I will think?”

  “Showing off your magic is pretty personal. Couldn’t you at least buy me dinner first?” He grinned.

  “I didn’t think there was a shy bone in your body. I’ll tell you what, I’ll buy you dinner tomorrow if you show me tonight.”

  “Deal!” Nyx said as he jumped up from the table. He started to walk around, blowing out all the candles. “I don’t know how much you know about our people’s magic, but it’s derived from the powers of darkness and the night. The goddess Selae was the aspect of the moon, and her children are blessed with lunar powers. Circae, her twin and our creator, was the aspect of night. He carried the power of the stars and all the darkness in-between. The powers that our people bear are quite varied because of this. For example, Raest is skilled at manipulating and creating darkness. Verona uses darkfire and illusionary magic. But I have seen magic such as frost, shapeshifting, manipulation, vampirism, and many more.”

  The new information swam around in my head. Our powers weren’t nearly as diverse, but then again, we were but one race, not many. Circae was genuinely different from Arndell.

  “But what is it that you can do?” I asked as Nyx moved to the very last candle.

  “Watch,” he whispered as he blew out the last flame.

  I sat in the darkness, barely able to make Nyx out in the room. I was beginning to feel nervous. At last, I heard Nyx mumble, and as the last word slipped out, a white spark burst from his fingertips. The spark grew larger until finally, a small shining orb floated about his hand. A star.

  “You can make stars?! That is absolutely beautiful!” I exclaimed as I walked over to take a closer look.

  “Something like a star. I can create light like this in many forms. It can be handy for blinding an enemy or illuminating spaces, but not a lot else,” he said.

  I reached out to touch it but hesitated.

  “Go on, it won’t hurt you,” he said as he held the star a little closer to me.

  My fingertips grazed the surface; it was soft and warm.

  “This is incredible,” I gaped.

  “I’m glad you are at least impressed,” he laughed.

  Nyx took a step back and held his hand up to the ceiling. At his command, the orb floated from his hand to hover over us. The soft light gently illuminated the room.

  He smiled softly. “I can do more if you’d like.”

  I nodded enthusiastically, and Nyx held up both his hands. Closing his eyes, he mumbled something else, and sparks flew out into the room. In just a few seconds, the sparks flickered and changed into orbs of various sizes and brightness. I raised my head in awe as the room burst with light. The ceiling had become my own personal night sky.

  “This is just, beyond words, Nyx. If you ever sell yourself short again, I will hit you,” I growled.

  He beamed at me as he held out his hand. I took it eagerly. His warm fingers brushed over my palm, and my skin began to burn. Hand in hand, we stood together beneath our sea of stars.

  “My name,” he mumbled before turning to me, “this power is how I got my name. My parents left me in a basket with only the name Nyx. They never gave me a last name. As I grew and my power manifested, one of the carers at the orphanage gave me one. Astrana. A name befitting my gift, she said.”

  Starlight danced on his face, illuminating his sweet but sorrowful smile. I closed the gap between us and reached up, brushing his cheek with my hand. “It’s beautiful. It suits you.”

  “Thank you,” he said as he drew his hand up to my chin, drawing me in closer. “You are beautiful,” he whispered, bringing his face close to mine.

  I leaned up and brushed my lips across his. I could feel him shudder under my touch. Letting go of my hand, he wrapped his arm around my waist. My body pressed against his hard muscle, and I reached to wrap my arms around his neck. Overcome by his scent, I was entranced.

  “Why do you always smell so good?” I muttered.

  Nyx nuzzled his nose gently onto mine. “I only do it for you.”

  “Liar,” I whispered onto his lips before pressing against them hard.

  He returned the kiss wildly, grazing my bottom lip with his fangs before biting softly. I gasped at the bite and nipped him firmly in return. Nyx gave a deep growl, and his hands began to roam my body, caressing and gently squeezing my hips to my buttocks. Trailing his lips across my mouth, he moved towards my neck, kissing and biting gently. I melted into his arms and dug my fingers into his back. His lips trailed to the point of my ear, and his breath tickled my skin.

  “These ears are beautiful too,” he murmured into my ear. A moan passed my lips at the sensation, and he began to gently nibble on my ear. “Let me hear that again,” Nyx whispered.

  I couldn’t help but cry at his command as he began to kiss, suck and bite my neck. My blood was on fire. Nyx growled louder as I dug my nails into his back. His kisses trailing down my neck across my collarbone, threatening to go lower.

  “If you keep doing that, I won’t be able to stop myself,” I breathed.

  His advances didn’t stop, and as his hand went for my top button, I couldn’t take it. Bringing his face to mine, I kissed him deeply, my tongue beckoning his mouth open. Our tongues entwined, and both of his hands moved to cusp my rear, squeezing gently, inviting me. In one smooth motion, he lifted me up, and I wrapped my legs around him. The wild, maddening kiss continuing as he carried me over to the bed.

  Nyx laid me down softly onto the end of
the bed and moved to straddle me. His warmth and smell was intoxicating. Lilac eyes wandered over my body, and I reached up to place kisses on his neck. He groaned under my torment as kisses turned to bites. I could feel him harden against my body. I tilted my head to catch a glimpse of his tightening pants. Reaching down to caress it, he barked and seized my wrist.

  “My turn,” he whispered, and his hands roamed across my shirt to my breasts.

  Lazily he thumbed the peaks of my chest through my shirt. The heat inside me burned. Wrapping my legs around him, drawing him closer, I pressed against his hardness. He looked ravenous as I ground gently against him. In an instant, he seized my mouth again, rubbing his body against mine, a pant began to build. His hands motioned to pull at my buttons, but he hesitated. Pulling back from me, he looked me in the eye. Worry danced in those beautiful lilac eyes.

  “I… I don’t want to stop. I want you more than anything, but I don’t want to hurt you. Tell me to stop, and I will,” Nyx panted.

  Nothing else mattered right now, nothing but him. I wanted, no, needed him more than anything. Everything else be damned. The consequences can be dealt with tomorrow.

  “Nyx, Don’t. Don’t stop. I want you, I want this.”

  Eyes glinting, fangs bared, “Say it again,” he commanded.

  My fingers traced up his body, slowly unbuttoning his shirt, revealing his gorgeous silver, toned chest. He was adorned with scars, each one a medal that he wore with pride. Nyx was magnificent. “I want you, Nyx,” I whispered onto his skin.

  Like a tiger on prey, he pounced for my buttons, ripping them open hungrily. His teeth tore through my bindings, and my breasts peaked in the cold air. Nyx hovered for a moment, observing every inch of me. I didn’t feel vulnerable.

  “Gods above, these are also so beautiful. Everything about you is beautiful. I can’t say it enough,” he rasped.

  It felt so strange hearing him say that. I had been called beautiful only a few times before. The word was so meaningless to me but hearing it come from his lips was electric. I pressed my hands onto his chest, lightly grazing his skin with my nails. I could feel every scar under my fingertips. With a purr, he dove down to my chest, kissing and biting softly. I shivered at the sensation, running my hands through his mane. He began to move lower, dotting kisses across my stomach all the way down to my waistband. I sucked in a breath as his teeth grazed the skin along it, and he pulled at the band. I grabbed his arm before he could do more. I needed him now.