SINS OF THE FATHER

CHAPTER 4 - THE MIDDLE GROUND

They landed in the Middle. Danae shivered at the realization that they were closer to Under the Mountain than ever before. And after the Attor's proclamation, it felt utterly unsafe.

"Are you hurt?" Nyx demanded from beside her. Danae must have been in shock, for she did not answer until he grasped her chin in his hand and made her look at him. She watched his mouth move, the question repeated.

"Look at me." Nyx said, his voice harsh but his fingers very gentle on her face. "Look at me, Danae."

"What are we going to do?" She asked, and perhaps there was enough despair in her voice for him to lean towards her and hush her until she buried her face in his neck and breathed in his scent.

He knew then, she thought. He'd felt the bond snap at the same time she did. Danae felt his thunderous heartbeat.

She pulled back to say, "It isn't safe here."

Nyx looked at her with concern, but she winnowed them out before he could say anything else.

They landed outside a small cabin deep in the woods along the borders of Spring. Nyx tensed at the wards. "This is my family's hunting lodge," Danae said as she walked up the familiar path, he followed after her, catching her elbow at the scent of her blood, she showed him her pricked finger, "For the wards."

The door opened easily beneath her touch. The candles and fire gasped to life as they entered. Nyx closed the door behind him and leaned on it. His eyes tracked her through the room.

"I could-" Danae's hand fluttered nervously- "make us some tea."

"Got anything stronger?"

Danae unearthed her father's whiskey. She pulled off the cork and took a big gulp. She extended the bottle to him but before his fingers could brush against the glass she pulled it back.

"I do not believe that counts as accepting the mating bond." He said simply.

Danae bit her lip as she extended the bottle to him once more. He took it and drank at once. She watched him swallow, realized how breathless that made her feel, and then she looked towards the fire.

"Are you alright?" Nyx asked.

Danae shrugged. "Are you?"

Nyx sighed.

And then he laughed.

Danae looked at him alarmed.

"I am sorry." He said, still laughing.

"This isn't funny!"

"It is a bit funny."

"There was an attack at a heavily guarded neutral ground, Amarantha might still be alive and we just found out that we're-"

"She is not alive." Nyx sobered up at the mention of her.

Danar shrugged, "One can only hope. But...Jurian came back from the dead. And so did you parents."

Nyx brushed a hand over his face tiredly.

Danae approached the small couch by the fireplace and slumped onto it. This was such a mess. Nyx joined her, sitting next to her.

"How long do you wish to stay here?" He asked, not looking at her.

"Only for a little while," the lie came smoothly off her tongue, "My parents will have heard by now. I don't wish for them to be worried about my whereabouts or safety. My father will be livid."

Nyx shifted until he faced her, and his eyes shone with pity. And anger. Danae's heart gave a jolt as she understood that he'd misinterpreted her words.