Nyx | Carpe Noctem ✓

Chapter 26: The Cabin

∙ Madis POV ∙

Noora beamed when I met her gaze. "See, there it is." She pointed downwards and my eyes got wide. I had always dreamt, like really dreamt, of a cabin in the mountains. And what I saw now, was what I had always seen in my dreams.

"And the two idiots are also already there, spreading their wings like such peacocks. They are such idiots."

I chuckled, taking in the two Illyrian males waiting in front of the cabin. The sun made all the colours of their wings visible while they flared them widely behind their backs.

"And Nyx?"

The corner of Noora's mouth quirked up, squeezing my waist while slowly lowering us to the ground. "What about him?"

"Whe-?"

"When will he be here? When will you finally see him again? Cute, Madis. Really cute that you care so much about his arrival. I think any time now. He left early this morning, didn't he?" I nodded. Yeah, he had. And then I rolled my eyes, thinking about what Noora had just said. I had just been a question, not that I actually cared. I did not care at all, he could arrive whenever he wanted. Phew. Why would I care?

"Thanks for the nice flight, was very enjoyable." I grinned at Noora when she softly and carefully placed me on the ground. I hugged her. "Any time, cutie." She mirrored my grin when howling and laughing sounded from behind us.

"Mortal lovey, good to see you!" A moment later I was scooped up into Arkon's arms and he embraced me tightly, an earthy, woodsy scent wrapping around me. "How is my favourite ex-mortal doing?"

He carefully placed me down on the ground again, smoothed his hands up my arms and patted my shoulders. Loran winked at me and gave me a half-smile which I returned with a big smile.

"I am very fine thank you. What about you?"

"Absolutely amazing now that you are here. Now tell me—" He paused for a moment, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and pulling me to his chest.

"How does Noora fly? Was it alright or should I bring you back home?"

A loud growl sliced through the otherwise calm mountain top— the trees rattled, making snow fall of them.

"There will be no need for that. Madis will fly home with me. And only me." It was spoken with so much power that I shuddered and—gods, my traitorous toes curled in my boots.

Arkon spun us both around—

Nyx truly looked like the future High Lord. Something low in my stomach dipped when I all of a sudden felt really hot. I just stared. Just stared at him and his gorgeous presence. Gods! His large wings were still widely spread behind his strong shoulders. The fierce and stern look on his face promised nothing but violence if Arkon did not remove the arm from around my shoulders. Nyx's Illyrian leathers were perfectly in place and really left little to imagination. His hair was tightly pulled back in a low bun at the back of his head. He really - even though I hated to admit it - was the most handsome male I had ever seen. I swallowed thickly, my eyes trailing over his body once again. For a split second I wondered if Nyx knew how much power he radiated.

I was utterly startled when a thumb wiped over the skin just below my lower lip.
"There was some drool on your chin," Arkon chuckled, a smug look on his face. I quickly slapped his arm, trying to glower but failing. And then I pulled away from him.

"How was it? What did they say, cousin?" Noora asked with concern lacing her voice and I was incredibly thankful that she had spoken up.
"Perfect. Everything is under control," Nyx snapped, slowly waddling towards us. No, it wasn't. I could feel it. And I could see it in the shadows in his eyes, how sad and grim his features were and how a muscle in his jaw flexed.