SINS OF THE FATHER

CHAPTER 2 - NYX ARCHERON

The first time he saw her, Nyx was at a gathering in the Autumn Court. The newly appointed High Lord Eris had organized a small get together for all of Prythian's heirs.

She'd entered with the water-wraiths at her back and Nyx knew at once that she was Spring's heir. Her golden hair gleamed in the candlelight, and her green eyes sparkled as she greeted Eris like he was an old friend.

Danae, the High Lord had greeted her with open arms.

She was young, too young to be unchaperoned in the Autumn Court.

Nyx tried to put her out of his mind. He'd downed his whiskey and the night moved on.

But fate had strange plans, for he'd stumbled upon her in the gardens after the gathering had begun getting too crowded for his liking.

Danae smiled at him. Nyx watched her take in his black clothes and the large wings at his back.

Her green gaze never wavered in fear. Nyx liked that about her.

Danae stumbled as she approached him, the Autumn Court whiskey seemed to have gone to her head quickly. He'd caught her before she fell, but that meant that he'd stepped into her warmth. He swallowed as he scented her; not only her scent, but her desire for him as well.

Danae must not have known who he was when she tipped forward and brushed her lips against his. He shivered.

And perhaps the whiskey had gone to his head as well because he kissed her back.

She made a soft noise in the back of her throat.Nyx crushed her against him, her breasts pressing against his muscled chest. His tongue licked her lips, her mouth parted in a gasp.

She was eager, but utterly inexperienced. She was eighteen to his thirty seven years. The straps of her dress fell off her shoulders, exposing the swell of her breasts.

Her eyelids were low, she looked drunk. Nyx bit her chin. She squirmed.

Fuck, she was too young.

He pushed her away. She looked disappointed. She left. Nyx was in over his head.

#

The second time he saw her was at Alaric' birthday party at the Winter Court. It was hard to avoid seeing her when they had the same friends and ran in the same circles, they were after all Prythian's royalty.

The Winter Court ballroom was filled with people dancing and talking. One male was standing atop a stool loudly reciting poetry from a small book in his hands. Servants dashed back and forth, goblets of wine mixed with water passed to waiting hands, and huge wooden platters and silver plates balanced on their strong shoulders. Nyx glimpsed grapes and figs and skewers of lamb meat, soft cheese, tomatoes and olives.

Alaric' parties were notoriously famed. Debauchery was sure to be afoot. And soon, once the mirthroot was introduced to the guests, the swell of music had the faeries in a luscious mood.

Nyx found himself sitting on a leather chair in the far corner, a forgotten chess board on the table beside him.

Danae kept her gaze locked on his as she made her way over. She sparkled like a star in her golden dress, like the sun herself. She sat on the other chair beside the low table.

"Up for a game?" She asked.

If she remembered their stolen kiss years ago, she did not let it show.

Nyx was shocked to find that she was a ruthless player. She enjoyed the way that surprised him.

Danae had him cornered in seven moves. Truth be told he was utterly distracted by her scent. He held out his king in surrender. Her fingers were soft against the skin of his palm as she took the pawn from him.

Unbeknown to them they'd leaned into each other, with their knees gently touching. He watched as she swallowed.

Her green eyes held a question, and whatever she saw in his must have been answer enough. Danae leaned over and captured his lips in a scorching kiss. His hands were eager on her curves as he guided her on his lap.

Their first kiss had been exploring, gentle. Almost innocent in comparison to these open mouthed kisses that had her grinding against his thigh. Nyx encouraged her with his soft touches. The feel of her on his lap, and the friction of his wings against the leather chair had him panting into her mouth-

"Oi," Alaric yelled drunkenly, "is that Nyx snogging Tamlin's daughter?"

The comment had them pulling apart. They breathed heavily as they realized where they were. And who they were.

Danae hastily got off him. She disappeared between one breath and the next. Nyx allegedly started a fight with Alaric over Danae later on. Allegedly.

#

The third time he saw her was at a formal gathering at the Dawn Court. Both of their families were there. She stood next to Tamlin in Spring Court green. He kept glancing at her.

It was so obvious that his cousin felt the need to give him alarmed looks that said, Would you stop looking at Tamlin's daughter like you want to spread her on the nearest surface and bury your tongue in her cunt?

Nyx was unaware how he even made it through the meeting by his parents' side. The moment it was over he slammed into the bathroom in his guest rooms. He put up the strongest shield he could master and flung himself into the bath.

He fisted his cock hard enough to see stars. And it was the image of him burying his tongue in Danae's cunt that pushed him over the edge.

#

Now there was only one thought in Nyx' mind as he watched Tamlin's daughter standing over the Attor's corpse with blood spattered at her feet.

She's my mate.