Violet Dreams

Chapter 4

Everything had been going great for Nyx that morning. He had gotten up at his usual time, ate breakfast with his parents and Arabella, whose pyjamas were a gorgeous lilac. Everything was great, until his dad suggested Arabella join Nyx for training with Cassian and Azriel. She accepted, whether to be polite or because she genuinely wanted to train, Nyx didn't know. At first he didn't mind, was excited even. But perhaps if she had of refused, he wouldn't be standing here like a fool.

Nyx had left before her, to warm up and let the others know she was coming. When Arabella had flown up and landed majestically on the balcony, Nyx couldn't do anything but stand dumbfounded. She was wearing tight Dawn Court armour, her hair braided behind her, her wings shined in the morning light. But it was her thighs that brought Nyx to his knees, oh how he wanted to sink his teeth into them, to have them suffocating his face-

"You're drooling", Azriel said casually as he walked past Nyx and towards Arabella.

Nyx huffed and straightened his back. Perhaps training with Arabella wouldn't be as easy as he thought. He schooled his face into a picture of indifference, and approached Arabella behind Azriel.

"Welcome", Azriel said to her.

Arabella seemed to analyse the space around her. Each sword leaning against the wall, the numerous shields handing up high and even the box of practice swords.

"This is where you all train?" She asked.

"It's mainly for the Inner Circle's personal use, but the Valkyries once used it before they got their own", Azriel stated.

"What will be doing today?" Arabella asked, passing the authority to Azriel, she still avoided Nyx's gaze.

Technically Nyx outranked Azriel, but Nyx wasn't particularly comfortable bossing people around and the position of power he had often frightened him. Being the son of a High Lord, meant he would inherit all of this one day, and one day, his uncles, aunties, and his mother and father wouldn't be here to guide him. That freaked him out.

"I thought we could start by getting you and Nyx to spar", Azriel said casually despite Arabella tensing, "it would be a good indicator of how much you know".

Nyx smirked, teasing Arabella, "be prepared to lose, Princess".

Arabella scolded, "I don't lose to arrogant assholes".

Both Nyx and Arabella made their way to the ring, Azriel following behind.

"Fists only", Azriel said as he saw Arabella's gaze flash to the swords.

Nyx offered to help Arabella into the ring but she swotted his hand away. He chuckled quietly which caused Arabella to send him another glare.

"You stop whenever the other is pinned to the ground or seriously injured, understood?" Azriel said smoothly.

Arabella nodded and Nyx did too.

"Then fight when you're ready", Azriel said.

The two circled each other. Watching and studying the others movements, Nyx noted that Arabella was very light on her feet which usually meant her punches would be quick and sharp. But Nyx refused to be the first one to strike.

"Come on, Belle", Nyx coaxed, "I know how desperately you want to punch me".

"You have no idea", she replied through gritted teeth.

Nyx's attempt at goading her hadn't worked, she was still as focused as before. It was his favourite tactic, distract and strike. Azriel knew this, but Nyx could only hope Azriel wouldn't speak to Rhysand of what Nyx was about to say next.

"Belle, I have a very important question?" He said.

"What?" Arabella sounded fed up by his talking and it became clear she was waiting for him to strike first.

"I don't know much about Peregryn wings, so you'll have to explain to me how it works".

"How what works?" Arabella's attention had drifted slightly to him, curious by his question.

"How you prefer them being touched during sex".

Nyx had said it so casually, and yet his heart was hammering inside him. Any mention of sex around Arabella had his brain turn to mush.

Arabella growled but didn't reply. Although, Nyx supposed her leaping forward and punching him in the guts was answer enough. Nyx gasped, and took a moment to regain his composure as Arabella began circling him again. A predator stalking its prey. Nyx gave Arabella a feral smile, the fight was on. He came swinging next, but Arabella easily dodged, using her momentum to punch Nyx in the ribs.

"You're throwing your punches, Nyx", Cassian called as he walked in.

Nyx threw up the middle finger to Cassian but stayed focused on the fight as Arabella twisted and kicked Nyx in the thigh.

It was times like this that Nyx would call upon his power. When the opponent had the upper hand and he needed to show them who was boss. But he wouldn't, not only because of Azriel's "fists only" rule but because it was Belle he was fighting.

So Nyx shook off the pain and came charging back. He landed a punch to Arabella's shoulder, which he regretted when Arabella punched him in the jaw. It seemed everything he threw at her, she'd throw back harder. When they were both breathing hard and neither had pinned the other, they seemed to mutually decide on circling each other as a break.

"It seems", Arabella said between her panting, "that the High Lord's son was coddled".

Nyx scoffed, "I'm having an off day".

"I didn't realise they were so common for you".

Nyx laughed. He loved this Arabella, the one who'd fight back.

"Careful, Belle, you're starting to sound like me", Nyx said.

Arabella huffed and lunged forward again, aiming to punch his shoulder. However, Nyx saw it coming and caught her fist, pulling her closer and putting her in a headlock. Arabella wriggled and growled, trying to get out of Nyx's iron grip.

"Let go, bastard", she hissed.

Nyx tutted, "not until you surrender".

Arabella laughed. Nyx had expected she wouldn't give up so easily.

Arabella wriggled her arms free and gave Nyx a sharp elbow to the ribs. Nyx jumped at the force, loosening his grip enough for Arabella to get out. Arabella swiftly spun around, kicking Nyx in the chest.

As Nyx tumbled back he couldn't help but admire how gracefully she fought. It seemed as though she was hearing the song of the fight and dancing to its rhythm. A song that Nyx couldn't hear.

While he was regaining his footing, Arabella twisted so her wing could knock Nyx off his feet. As Nyx fell back, Arabella jumped forward and pinned him to the ground.

Although Nyx knew he had lost, all he could think about was Arabella's waist straddling his. And how sweet she smelled this close to him.

"You lost", she said breathlessly.

"But did I really?" Nyx said smirking and gesturing to their position.

"Pig", Arabella hissed as she got up off of him.

"Only for you, my sweet Belle" he said pulling himself to his feet.

"If you keep talking like that I won't help heal any of your wounds".

Nyx was puzzled at first, but as he caught his breath and the fight was no longer distracting him, he felt everything. He was sure a rib had broken and that he was bleeding somewhere on his forehead.

Arabella sighed and stepped forward, grasping one of Nyx's hands. Nyx tensed at first but soon he was groaning in pain as Arabella used her healing powers to fix his wounds. It was as if she'd turned the clock backwards and everything was exactly as it was before.

"All done", she said stepping back.

Nyx was still clutching his side, the pain slowly evaporating.

"Your welcome", Arabella scoffed before stepping out the ring and heading to where Cassian and Azriel watched from the water table.