Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Nox was still pondering the previous morning’s omen and their encounter with the púca as another long, lost day drew to an end.
Mostly, he was missing Nelson’s steadying presence.
Everyone was gathered around the dining room table, including Smoak, who was seated across from Nox.
Soon, they would all turn in for the night and Nox would have to face the long, quiet hours alone.
In those hours, the fear and godly fury would hold him hostage, making him more desperate with every passing moment.
There were hours when Nox was tested and he would see terrible, terrible things and when his pain was at its zenith, he would want those terrible things.
He craved the pain of others, so he wasn’t alone in his suffering and to punish the world for Nelson’s absence.
Be the good god. Be Nelson’s god.
That had become Nox’s mantra, whenever he was at risk of losing his way.
At his darkest moments, Nox would go back to the morning after his fight with the Fomorians.
He’d return to the comfort of Nelson’s arms and the way he had selflessly healed Nox with his body and the magick of his love.
But it was getting harder to tune out his frustrations and ignore how scared he was as another tense day without Nelson drew to an end.
He could feel himself becoming anxious as he dreaded bed time so Nox let his friends’ voices and their concerns wash over him, nodding along vaguely and prodding at his food.
He was grateful for their company and their love and support but Nox was not there in the room with them.
His head and his heart were stuck in that last moment with Nelson where Nox ached to take it all back and for one more kiss and one last taste of his breath.
Nox’s soul was frantic to find its mate and so utterly lonely, it screamed.
It was an agony that the twins, Everly, and Smoak could most likely sense but they did their best to distract Nox and reassure him without tipping off the others.
He was feeling particularly lonely and was rising to excuse himself for a few minutes when Nox felt a calm, clear rush of courage and cunning.
The sensation was so strong and hit Nox so swiftly, he grabbed the edge of the table to keep from stumbling back.
Then, Nox heard Nelson.
Coudersport.
There was a quick glimpse of a bedroom ceiling, illuminated by a beam of light, then a flashback of the same ceiling during a beautiful, rainy morning in bed.
“Nox!” Merlin leaped up and reached for him. “What is it? What’s wrong?” he asked, putting an arm around Nox’s waist.
Everyone else had dropped what they were holding and several people were coming around the table to assist Nox but he held up a hand. “I’m fine!” He laughed as he pulled Merlin into a hug. “I’m better than fine. I know where Nelson is!”
“Good, good, good!” Merlin hopped and tugged on Nox’s sweater impatiently. “Tell us!” he urged and there were cheers and demands from the others.
“He’s at Coudersport. Dùbhghlas has him in our cabin. One of the guest rooms, to be specific.”
“That—!” Merlin’s delight vanished and he stomped his foot before turning and storming to the foyer and back. “He won’t risk us destroying his lair because he’s betting on a nasty fight. He intends to leave our sacred place a defiled, smoldering wreck.”
Clancy nodded, his gaze distant. “Better to take the fight to us and have someplace to retreat to when it’s over.
There’s no telling what he’s already done to that ground and your cabin.
How bad is this trap for Nox, if Dùbhghlas has twisted that place and poisoned it against him? ” he asked but Merlin shook his head.
“I doubt Dùbhghlas is powerful enough to undo that much good, white magick. It would be quite a trick if Smoak could but even he was in a hurry to get out of there,” he said with a pointed look at Smoak.
He rolled his eyes but sighed in confirmation. “Dùbhghlas would have to be more powerful than me to undo all the old magick and it will always answer to the sun god. It was dedicated to him and he was reborn there.”
Nox wasn’t sure if he agreed with that completely. “He’ll be uncomfortable there, but what do you need to make a poppet?” he asked, looking around and Everly gasped as he raised his hand.
“Pieces of the person you want to bless or curse!”
“That’s right, buddy,” Nox said with a gentle smile, then winced at Merlin. “Where would you find pieces of a god if you wanted to make a poppet to curse him?”
“That festering son of a—!” Merlin started but Nox shushed and gave the older man’s bald head a soothing pat, which had the opposite effect but lightened the mood.
“It won’t work. That is my cathedral he’s standing in.
Splashing his curses and sigils all over that glade won’t change what’s seeped into the soil and shaped those stones.
It’s the same power that shaped me and it is me.
” Nox laughed softly as he pictured it, already feeling nurtured and like his spiritual battery was recharging.
“That land and the creatures of those woods will answer to me if I call for them. Those ancient stones and that gentle lake and precious meadow will always be my home and give me strength.”
“He’s right,” Clancy said as he pushed back his seat and stood to address the table.
Nox’s general was ready to gather the troops.
“Dùbhghlas is about to make his move and thinks he’s set a nasty trap for Nox.
His first mistake was using Nelson as bait and Dùbhghlas is at a disadvantage.
That place will work against him and it will require a great amount of energy and dark magick to suppress it and turn it against Nox. ”
Merlin ducked his head, grinning. “That is true. He will be fighting two battles at once when we meet and who knows how much he’s exhausted to fortify our cabin and defend himself.”
“Exactly,” Clancy said, heading for the door. “Everyone in the study. Dinner’s over. We’ve kept Nelson waiting long enough,” he added and there were claps and enthusiastic cheers as everyone abandoned their meals and followed.
For the first time in days—since he felt Nelson being abducted—Nox could truly breathe and think clearly. He would have known if Nelson had died but now, Nox knew that Nelson was alert and ready, waiting for a fight. His spirit was strong and Nelson was biding his time until Nox arrived.
“Thank you!” Nox whispered as he closed his eyes and prayed Nelson felt how much he loved and missed him.
“I’m sorry I ever doubted us but I won’t let you down.
” He couldn’t feel or hear Nelson anymore.
Nelson had managed to penetrate the shield or fog that Dùbhghlas had created for just a few brief moments to give Nox just what he needed.
Not just valuable intelligence, but confidence. Nelson wasn’t scared. He had hope and faith in their love and sacred connection. His conviction had reached through the miles and the dark magick between them, reigniting Nox’s spirit and summoning him to battle.
“You really shouldn’t have started this, Hugh, but I’m going to finish it.”
Nox was determined as he strode from the dining room and joined his family of brave, good warriors in the study.
A map had been taped to one of Merlin’s boards and everyone had gathered to discuss their options.
Another wave of gratitude washed over Nox as he took in the family that had rallied around him.
They were all a part of him now and they loved and cared for each other in all the ways a family should.
And just as Nox needed and loved Nelson, none of them would rest or feel complete until he was returned to them.
“There will probably be more Fomorians in the woods,” Clancy said, earning a humph from Merlin as he added them to the list of hazards they might encounter.
“A challenge to get around, but still fodder.”
“There will be several demons but they shouldn’t be too much trouble,” Smoak said from the sofa.
He was perched on the arm next to Niall, looking disgruntled and uncomfortable.
The fact that he had endured the townhouse’s warding for so long and was willing to engage and assist was a huge bonus for their side.
“I should be enough to scare them off but having a pair of hellhounds and a mutant changeling for backup will make the job a lot easier.”
The twins snorted and sneered. “We’ll leave you a few so you won’t feel left out,” Bryn said, high-fiving Arawn.
Everly nodded rapidly. “I’m not afraid of sluagh or demons anymore. I can just swallow the little ones right up!” he boasted, making Smoak bite down on a laugh.
“I have heard that you’re good at swallowing.”
Bryn glared at Smoak. “Go ahead. Keep making fun of him. You won’t be laughing when Everly walks you like a dog and stuffs you in Merlin’s bag,” he threatened but Smoak waved him off.
“Settle down, hound. We all know your cock puppet is more dangerous than he looks,” Smoak replied with a somewhat deferential nod at Everly. “And who doesn’t appreciate an accomplished swallower?” he added and Everly beamed as he hugged his arms and smiled adoringly up at Bryn.
“He does!” Bless his heart, he was so proud of himself and didn’t understand why Bryn was turning red and everyone else was about to have a stroke or levitate.
Nox wished that Nelson was there and would be sure to share this with him when they were together again. The others must have noticed the shift in Nox’s mood, there were serious coughs and hard sniffs and Clancy mumbled about staying focused.
“There may be other…undead halflings,” Clancy said with an apologetic grimace at Everly. “We have to keep an eye out and keep you away from them.”
“They won’t get past Everly,” Bryn vowed and there were murmurs of agreement as Clancy went to the map and pointed.
“It will be slow and difficult but we go in on foot and see what we’re up against before we charge. We’ll land right in the middle of Dùbhghlas’s trap if we have Smoak drop us into that meadow or the cabin.”
Shelby stepped up and tapped on an access road just west of the cabin. “They’ll be watching this but we can run alongside it and I can lead us in without drawing any attention.”
“I can do reconnaissance as well,” Smoak said, earning a tight nod from Shelby.
“I’m great at tracking! I’ll help guide the group and make sure no one catches us sneaking in,” Niall offered but Smoak shook his head.
“You would be my first pick as a guide but I don’t want you anywhere near that cabin. Dùbhghlas hasn’t forgotten about you and he knows how valuable you are now.”
“Come on!” Niall objected but Smoak threw up a hand and pinned him with a severe look.
“For once, you will obey me and accept my decision.”
Niall drew back. “Cenn, I—!”
“No!” Smoak’s voice boomed, shaking the shelves and making the chandeliers rattle.
“There is nothing I wouldn’t do to please you.
I am helping the sun god, for fuck’s sake.
All I ask in return is that you stay here where you are safe.
” He had swelled until he towered over everyone and his eyes glowed bright, bright blue while wisps of smoke curled around him.
They heard a loud gulp from Niall as he tipped back his chin. “But—”
“Niall!” Smoak bellowed and Nox was impressed. Niall turned white and a shudder passed through him but he held his ground. He stared Smoak down despite his trembling chin and watery eyes.
Nox made a gentle shushing sound and eased as much of Niall’s distress as he could. “Please listen to Smoak on this, Niall. His first instinct would be to protect you because you’re mortal and vulnerable and because Dùbhghlas wouldn’t hesitate to use you as a pawn or a weapon against us.”
“I see,” Niall said quietly, lowering onto the sofa. “I’d be too much of a liability so I have to wait here, by myself, until it’s all over.”
“Not by yourself,” Nox said. “Shelby and Fletcher will be here and I’ll ask Howard to come and keep an eye on things here, in case there’s a magickal emergency.”
Shelby threw up his hands and Fletcher opened his mouth to object but Arawn grabbed his arm. “You will stay,” he stated firmly. “You’re both brave and strong but this isn’t a fight for men. And I can’t fight if anything happens to you, Fletch.”
“Fine,” Fletcher muttered, sharing a commiserating glare with Shelby as he crossed his arms over his chest. “We’ll stay here with Niall and Howard.”
“I’m glad that’s settled,” Clancy said with appreciative nods at Niall and Fletcher, then turned to address the others. “Everyone else get ready. We leave in an hour,” he announced and headed for the front door but Nox stopped him.
“What about Ingrid and the girls?” he whispered, earning a wry smile from Clancy.
“Where did you think I was going? They’d never forgive me if we left them out of this,” he said and Nox laughed softly but didn’t hide his concern.
“This is going to be a lot worse than last time. Hildr will probably be there. Are you sure the twins are ready for a fight this big?”
Clancy’s brow furrowed as he considered. “I’m not but I’d rather them stand with us now than fight on their own later, if we should fail. There will be no mercy for my daughters if Dùbhghlas wins and Hildr finds them.”
“That’s just another reason why we can’t let that happen,” Nox said and they shared a quick hug before Clancy left to get his family.