Seven Courts of Love and Magic

Chapter 17

Nyx

I wake, pushing an arm through the empty blankets beside me. Sunlight floods the room and I'm briefly reminded of waking up two mornings ago in Zaria's bedroom. How long ago that feels. This time, however, Zaria isn't here.

I push up from the bed, squinting, looking around for her. I can feel the absence of her warmth beneath my wing and it sends a sharp knot through my chest that I ignore. My stomach grumbles, loudly, and I hope that her disappearance means she's gone to get breakfast.

I rise out of the bed and walk to the window, pulling my arms above me, extending my wings. Everything feels calm in the morning light as a bird chirps outside the window. I close my eyes against the sweet feeling of my muscles stretching. A good night's sleep indeed.

I lean an arm against the wooden casing of the window and squint through the sunlight, peering down into the vibrant garden below.

Four white feathered figures occupy the space in the corner of the garden beneath a canopy of brightly colored trees. Peregryn.

They provide Thesan with a small aerial legion, like the Illyrian do for Rhysand.

They're male and leaning over someone. She moves and I catch sight of her golden hair. My heart jumps to my throat and i'm moving, fast, to put on a shirt. I winnow outside to the corner of the garden, obstructed from view, not wanting to waste time and wondering if I'm overreacting. She looks fine. But no, something is off, I can feel it and I'm not willing to take the chance.

"Zaria", I say through her mind. No answer.

I stay hidden long enough to hear the males taunting her. She raises her chin and sets her jaw, not letting them intimidate her, but I can see the slight quiver in her hands that she keeps as fists at her side.

"Don't embarrass yourselves, I was just exploring the garden."

One of the males moves closer, brushing a strand of hair away from her face, saying something I don't hear over the ringing in my ears. I see her tense and my vision goes dark, forcing myself not to lunge from the spot hidden behind the brick wall.

Another male grabs her arm, roughly pulling her to him. At the sight of her cringing in pain and disgust I lose control, pushing away from the wall.

I stop feet away from the Peregryn, trying to stay calm in order to avoid making a scene, feeling better now that I'm closer to her. "There you are, I've been looking for you."

All five pairs of eyes fall to mine. Zaria uses the distraction to her advantage and pulls out of the male's grasp, rushing to my side and pinning her arm around me. I don't let my surprise show and instead wrap my own arm around her lower back, keeping up with her charade. I feel her tense under my embrace and wonder if it's because of my touch or because of dark haired pack standing before us.

I start rubbing comforting circles against her back with my thumb. Relief floods through me when I finally feel her relax. I angle my head toward hers. "Is there a problem here?"

Zaria's voice is strong and smug when she speaks, and I feel a spark of pride shoot through me, knowing she can take care of herself. "No, but there could have been."

The Peregryn turn to leave with surly expressions and nothing to say in response. Once out of view, Zaria shoves away from my side and sulks back into the cottage. I follow her through the back dining area where a few couples are quietly enjoying their breakfast, my stomach still empty and grumbling.

She takes the stairs two at a time and I stay a pace behind, calling her name but gaining no reply. I reach for her shoulder but she shrugs it off.