Nyx | Carpe Noctem ✓

Chapter 43: Father & Son

∙ Nyx POV ∙

When I returned from the restroom my gaze immediately found Madis who sat next to Noora, Breea and Finja, chatting happily and gesticulating with her hands. She radiated happiness and my heart swelled at that. And it also made me happy that Noora and Breea finally talked and it was no longer so awkward between them.

Even if I could have looked at Madis for the next hours and could get drunk on the sight of her being happy, of her laughing, there was something I needed to do. I walked over to my cousin and Andras and clasped his shoulders tightly. "Can I have a word with you?"

Unease settled into my gut and made my stomach twist and churn. I had tried to avoid talking about it for so long, tried neglect and ignore it for so long, but it had to be addressed now. I could no longer pretend like everything was fine and nothing was happening to me. Especially since I noticed what was going on with my father.

Andras looked at me over his shoulders, his brows furrowed. Silently he stood, kissed Dalia's forehead and surrounded the couch. It must have been the serenity in my voice that did not make him make a funny comment and follow me silently. We left the room, walked until we reached the library of Rose Hall. I had never been in there before, but I had to admit it was beautiful.

I had an inkling that Andras knew what I was about to say and ask—him probably being in a similar situation.

I inhaled deeply and closed the door behind me, my wings tucking in. I wondered if all those centuries ago my father once had been standing in her, finding himself in a similar situation. And then my mind jumped to my mother and I got so angry all of a sudden for what had probably been done to her in here. No! We had agreed that we would not let the past influence the present and the future. It Andras' and my agreement. It was the reason for us being able to be friends.

"What is up?" Andras asked, walking over to a shelf and pouring himself a glass of liquor. And then another one which he handed to me. His face revealed nothing but curiosity and serenity. I gladly accepted the glass and we sat down on the couch.

"I think I am soon overpowering my father. It has never been like that, but it is getting more and more intense. I feel the power grow and I feel stronger. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and I fell like my power is going to crush me. And I also know that my father is getting weaker..." I said, my head hanging low, my eyes trained on the glass of liquor I was holding. Andras sighed loudly, shifting on the couch. He placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed tightly. "I know what that feels like. It is also slowly starting for me," he said calmly. I lifted my gaze, searching his. He bowed his head, "You know what that means, buddy?"

"That sooner or later the two of us will be sitting on the thrones?"

"I fucking hate it. I always thought it would be Iris who is the next High Lady. I thought Dalia and I could just move to the Day Court and be happy there. But then...well, you know."

Even a deaf person could hear the bitterness in Andras' voice and I knew exactly how he felt. Yes, being a High Lord would be amazing, but on the other hand it also came with a ton load of responsibilities and things you had to do. Things I was not keen on doing and things I maybe was not able to do. I simply wasn't ready...

"But I think we will be great High Lords."

I smiled at Andras comment, the serenity in it, before taking a sip from my drink.

I raised a brow at Andras before straightening up, craning my neck and brushing a hand through my hair. "What makes you think that? I mean, yes, you seem responsible all of a sudden, but just a few months ago I got so wasted that I passed out on a boat and woke up somewhere miles from home," I tightly expressed, shame coating my insides. Andras snorted and tilted his head back, his long, blond hair shifting with the movement.