Nyx | Carpe Noctem ✓

Chapter 24: Rita's

∙ Madis POV ∙

We soon reached the strangers and Nyx greeted the two girls with a kiss on their cheeks and made a handshake with the boys. Noora only greeted the guys. I furrowed by brows for a split second, but then went back to assessing the strangers.

The males had wings, the females did not. Illyrian and fae, I guessed.

I waited a few inches behind, not wanting to impose myself. Nyx turned towards me, his hand sneaking around my back. His palm came to a rest on my bare skin, just below the pearl straps.

His skin was warm against mine when he slowly stroked his thumb over my back, feeling me tense up. I took a few steps forward, music blaring around us. One of the guys, the taller one, eyed me up and down. He was handsome. Really handsome. Dark skin, hair shaved closely to his head and dressed in all black. I saw him push past his other friend and quickly approach me. Nyx moved me closer to him when the man—male stopped in front of me.

"Good evening, stunning. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. You really are...easy on the eyes," he drawled, leaning forward, grabbing my hand and brushing a kiss against my knuckles.

I was caught in stupor and simply stood there, staring at the tall guy with big eyes. I had never received such a compliment form a man. He smirked, twitching his brows when Nyx let a low growl escape his throat.

"It is pleasure to meet you, too. I am Madis and you are?" I quickly said, sideways glancing at Nyx before drawing my attention back to the guy who hadn't told me his name yet. I smiled, waiting for an answer.

"Oh, I completely forgot to tell you my name. Arkon it is. You swept me off my feet so much, I completely forgot to tell you my name!" He smirked and I bit down on my lip.

"Quite a charmer you are, huh? And you have wings, too."

Arkon flashed me a full toothy grin. "Yes, I'm Illyrian. Want to touch them? Bet Archeron hasn't given you a chance to do it yet?" he teased and I looked at Nyx who tightened the hold on my back.

"No, she does not want to do that!" the heir to the Night Court snapped.

Hey, maybe I wanted to? I thought, slightly disappointed. Nyx's gaze met mine and he glowered at me for a brief moment, but then his features softened and he smiled faintly and ever so slightly shook his head.

Arkon lifted his hands in a defensive manner, laughing loudly. Nyx was quick to avert his eyes from me and glower at his friend. I was still a bit tense when the other three fae moved forward. The guy, with shorter brown hair, who towered over both Nyx and Arkon and was dressed in partly sparkly black clothes, extended his hand, "Loran," he introduced himself. And now it made sense. Loran and Arkon and the Blood Rite.

Then one of the females pushed forward and stared me down like I was a prey and she a predator. "So you are the former mortal? I am Falin." She was a tall female with long black hair and sharp features.

I nodded. "Uhm, yes. I am Madis. Madis Hale." I smiled weakly but she did not return it.
"That is a weird name, were you a peasant?" she asked. And Falin was no weird name?

"Uhm, kind of. I don't know. No, actually I was a...maid," I quickly blabbered and she nodded, an annoyed look on her face. The other tall girl with the blond hair and also sharp features moved her friend to the side and extended her hand to me. "Brilla Desorra, nice to meet you, Madis Hale," she stated, a small smile on her lips. I quickly shook her hand. "Nice to meet you, too."

"Drinks?" Arkon hollered when we set out for the sitting area. All of them nodded, except for me. I was unsure about these fairy brewings and moreover had I never drunk liquor. Well, I mean once, accidentally, but we do not talk about that anymore.