The Touch of Salvation

22: Meadow Tea

ADALIND

"We shouldn't go. You were nearly poisoned a fortnight ago."

"It's going to take a lot more than a moradarthian man to kill me, Lucian."

As we portal in from our realm, I can already hear the sound of an orchestra coming from inside the Lycanthrope palace. In front of us is Nyx who is walking toward the double doors in apparel that is more Lycanthrope than fae. It's all black with a pristine white shirt underneath.

His dark, short hair is styled to perfection. His eyes meet mine as we near him.

"Adalyndra."

The way he says my name reminds me of Goliath's low whisper of darkness. The night whips around him. It's nighttime here; he thrives with it. I welcome the change, but even I must admit, this time suits him far better. He's the strongest at night. It's when his power is at its peak and he becomes the strongest of all the Regents.

When the sun rose, power fluttered to me as it wanned from him.

For the other Regents, they were only at their strongest at various, differing times of the year. Paeon, Regent of Capricoirnus, held domain over summer, and his power was at its apex during the winter solstice. Conversely, his power is at its weakest during the summer solstice when the world called upon him to replenish it.

"Nyx."

The Regent's eyes slither up to the moon and for a second I see serenity pass through him. The moonlight almost makes him appear... princely.

"Happy to see you are alive and well."

"As am I."

His gaze is pointed, and his brows furrow like he was thinking of what to say next. "Goliath - you are sure he is your mate?"

It catches me off guard. He's never taken an interest in my life before, but I nod. I am unashamed of my bond with Goliath and announcing what he is to me fills me with joy I never thought I would be able to experience.

His face almost turns into a grimace. "Yet, he won't mate with you." He steps near me to which Daario and Lux do the same. His eyes meet theirs and he sighs; it almost sounds like the breeze of the night. "If I wanted to harm her, I would have done so by now. We all know you would never be able to stop me."

No one moves. What he says isn't false. He's one of if not the strongest Regent in Arden. Nyx commands the power of the mind. He can read, bend, and any sentient being with the simple desire to do so.

"Back away, semnulae."

Semnulae is what we call those with his abilities. Those that extend passed even our own minds. Those silver eyes drift away for a moment even though he is staring right at me and then I remember. He can't see us. He can't taste. He can't smell. One by one, each of his senses has started to fade and he can only hold our gaze because...I actually don't know. One would never know he was blind because he acted like he saw us. Like he could see us through eyes that no longer worked.

"Nyx," I say reaching for his hand. He allows me to grab it. "Why do you suddenly care about my matebond?"

"Do you think," he starts off chillingly low. "That he would choose you always?"

Silence prevails and I know he's expecting an answer. "No, Nyx. I don't."

"You're his mate," he says. "He should."

"I've done terrible things. Things that he saw."

"And I am sure he has done worse working as the Segundas for Pack Demise. I am sure he has tortured, killed, ravaged, stolen, rap-"