17. Lyra
Chapter 17
Lyra
“Thank you for hosting this lovely party for us. It’s truly beautiful,” I say, settling across from Elspeth on a settee that faces a large stone fireplace painted with intricate gold designs. She had guided us away from the festivities to a quaint sitting room.
“I didn’t throw it for you,” she replies crisply, and I jerk my head up, our eyes locking in a moment of tension. “I threw it because I love my son. But let’s make this easier and forego the pleasantries. Can we speak frankly?”
I appreciate the directness.
“Yes, I prefer honesty,” I respond, relieved to drop the facade.
She nods once then stands to prepare drinks at a cart in the corner of the room. Returning with two glasses filled with ice and a clear liquid, she hands one to me. I place mine on the table, undecided about drinking it.
“Let’s clarify something. I don’t like you, and I do not support your bonding ceremony with my son,” she states flatly, delivering the words like a blow.
“Why do you dislike me? What have I done?” I scoff. “I’m sorry for how things went at the Luminary Council meeting, but I was under attack and coming to terms with my new powers. I couldn’t control it then, but I can now.” At least I can most of the time.
“It’s not about the council meeting. I’m glad those who died are gone. My dislike isn’t about that day. I’ve been in your head, Lyra. I know your heart,” she declares, reminding me of her ability to mind walk—an ability she had used on me before to release my Fae magic after Euric buried it when I was a child.
Confusion clouds my thoughts. “When Nyx brought me to you, you were kind and helpful. I thought...”
“You thought wrong. I tolerated you when you were with Nyx. But then you shifted your affections to my son. I know what you’re destined for…” She takes a long drink from her glass.
“What am I destined for? Is this about Callum’s prophecy?” I ask, hoping to grasp the root of her disdain.
Elspeth sets her glass down with a clink, her gaze piercing. “You’re destined for a path that doesn’t suit what I want for Colton. You bring too much uncertainty, too much danger. And it’s not about you—it’s about the balance of power. You might think you control your dark magic, but it will influence more than your life.”
The room feels colder as she speaks, her words hanging heavy between us. I grip my untouched drink for something to hold onto, feeling the weight of her judgment and the enormity of the forces aligning against my future happiness.
“Are you planning to interfere with the ceremony?” I ask, needing to understand her intentions clearly. Elspeth’s lips press into a thin line, betraying her contemplation of the question. “I love your son. I would give my life for him,” I insist, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “All I want is for him to be happy.”
“Then let him go,” she counters coldly. “Marry King Onyx instead. Colton will grieve, but he’ll recover. He’ll move on.”
Her words sting like a physical slap, the suggestion that I abandon Colton to soothe her fears seems cruel and impossible. I feel something stir within me, my dark magic reacting to the emotional onslaught, my shadows yearning to protect me. I take a deep breath, striving to maintain control.
“You really think I should break his heart?” I ask, needing her to hear the absurdity in her proposal.
“I would do anything to protect him from you,” Elspeth states bluntly. “It’s not your magic that concerns me—it’s you. Your very essence is tainted. You will bring nothing but death and destruction to Nighthold and beyond. The prophecy speaks of darkness and devastation, and you, Lyra, are its herald.”
I impulsively squeeze my glass, downing the contents to quell the rising anger and hurt. The alcohol burns my throat, but it’s a minor relief against the harsh judgment from the woman whose approval I once hoped to earn.
“And if I refuse to leave him?” I challenge, my voice steady, unwilling to show any weakness.
Elspeth’s expression hardens, her resolve apparent. “Then I’ll ensure you meet your end before the havoc you’re destined to wreak even begins.” Her smile turns sinister as she continues, “There’s already a price on your head in Cloudrum, isn’t there? And your charming step-brother Samael is quite eager to see you again…touch you again.”
Disgust courses through me, my skin crawling with both revulsion and the creeping tendrils of dark magic seeking release. I rise, stepping closer to her, till we’re nearly nose to nose. The shadows around my hands begin to coil with eager anticipation.
“You think you know me,” I sneer, “but you have no idea. I have dealt with far more dangerous beings than a power-hungry elder. If you do anything to interfere with this wedding, to drive a wedge between Colton and me...” I lean in, my eyes locked on hers, my shadows slowly moving up her body. “I won’t kill you because Colton loves you, and I won’t hurt him through you. But believe me, Elspeth, I will make sure you regret it. I can make your life a living nightmare without ever touching you.”
My shadows reach her throat and wrap around it, tightening ever so slightly. She holds my gaze, her fear momentarily visible despite her bravado.
“You’ve been inside my mind and must know what I’m capable of,” I continue. “If I were you, I’d be very careful about how I sleep from now on. Darkness has a way of creeping in when least expected.” My voice is a soft threat, a promise of retribution as I retract the shadows and step back, leaving the room with my head held high before she has a chance to respond.
I discover a secluded balcony at the edge of the ballroom, positioned high enough to provide a panoramic view of the entire celebration below—from the bustling ballroom to the vibrant pool area. It’s half indoors and half outdoors, which offers a much-needed breath of cool air to soothe my frayed nerves. The space is thankfully deserted, affording me a moment of peace. It’s also shrouded in shadow, allowing me to settle onto a couch against the back wall, hidden from the view of the partygoers below .
I had harbored a faint hope that my relationship with Colton’s mother might improve, that she might come to accept me as her daughter-in-law. But tonight’s events have dashed those hopes completely. The thought of disclosing this to Colton isn’t an option. I can’t bear the thought of breaking his heart. For now, I resolve to keep this burden to myself, hoping she won’t follow through on her threats—but prepared to defend myself if necessary.
As I draw a deep, steadying breath, the sliding doors creak open, and a figure approaches the balcony ledge, peering down at the crowd. “Nyx?” My voice is barely a whisper, and he turns, his expression one of surprise.
“Lyra,” he responds, his tone soft as he joins me on the couch.
“Isn’t this supposed to be your celebration? Why are you lurking up here in the dark alone?” he asks, and I think I hear a hint of concern in his voice.
I manage a strained chuckle. “Let’s say the evening is unfolding exactly as I feared,” I confess, and his brow creases with worry.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Nyx inquires, sensing my distress.
I shake my head, barely managing to mutter, “No.”
“Maybe this will help,” he suggests, snapping his fingers. Instantly, two small glasses of whiskey materialize. I grasp one and take a hesitant sip, feeling the warmth spread through me. The liquor, I realize, is the only thing keeping my roiling shadows at bay tonight. I guess it’s a good thing the Fae all like to drink a lot.
“What brought you here tonight?” I ask him, trying to sound casual. Nyx drains his glass, hesitating before he answers. “I felt a need to see you,” he admits, his voice laden with an emotion he doesn’t display. My heart aches slightly for the pain I’ve caused him. I catch his gaze, but he quickly looks away.
“There’s something I need to talk to you about,” I say.
He doesn’t look at me, but his interest piques. “Oh? What’s that?”
“I’m aware of the camps, Nyx—the ones in Vision Valley,” I state, carefully observing his reaction. His eyes meet mine, flashing a mix of surprise and wariness.
“You’ve been there?” His voice is hushed.
“Yes, I’ve seen them firsthand,” I admit firmly, holding his gaze.
“Why haven’t you mentioned this earlier?” he probes, his eyes searching mine for an answer.
“What, because we were on speaking terms?” I retort with a hint of sarcasm. “What’s the purpose of all this? Why the massive military buildup? Are you preparing for war with Cloudrum, with Samael?”
Nyx sets his glass down, his demeanor shifting as he considers how much to reveal. “It’s complicated, Lyra,” he begins with a mix of frustration and resignation. “Yes, there are preparations in place. We have to be ready for anything. Samael’s return has destabilized the balance, and with Kaine rallying support against you, things are more precarious than ever.”
He pauses, his eyes intense. “I didn’t tell you because...I didn’t want to drag you further into this mess. You’ve already been through so much because of your powers and the prophecy. Yes, it’s about preparing for what might come, but it’s also about protecting you. Whether you believe me or not.”
“Protect me? By keeping secrets?” I challenge, unable to keep the hurt from my voice. “Or protect me as in...you still care?”
Nyx looks away briefly before meeting my eyes again. “Both,” he admits quietly. “I can’t stop caring about you, Lyra, no matter how much I try. But understand, everything I do is to ensure your safety and the realms’ stability.”
“Does Colton know about the camps, about what you’re planning?” I ask.
Nyx shakes his head, his expression hardening. “He doesn’t need to know. The less I deal with him, the better,” he replies coldly.
I reach out tentatively, the urge to mend the rift between us pressing on me. “We should be united in this, the three of us. Together, we make a strong team,” I suggest gently.
He stands abruptly, brushing my hand away. “As long as you’re with him, there’s no us,” he snaps with bitterness.
I close my eyes, exhaling slowly. “Nyx, please. If we face what’s coming together—”
“No, Lyra. I really am sorry. I don’t want to hurt you, but I can’t stand by and watch, let alone work with him, not while you’re together... I can’t bear it,” he chokes out, pain evident in his strained voice.
I rise, feeling his anguish echo within me. “Nyx, I’m sorry,” I whisper, though I know it’s of little to comfort him.
“I’m not giving up on us, on what could be our future. I’m close to proving why we belong together,” he asserts, stepping closer. His hand cups my cheek, a tender gesture that feels like a goodbye.
“Nyx, stop. I’ve made my choice. I love him,” I state firmly.
His expression darkens. “We’ll see how far your love carries you when reality strikes,” he retorts, dropping his hand.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, my frustration mounting as I lean against the railing, looking down at the party below.
“You’ll see soon enough,” he says cryptically, a shadow of a smile flickering across his face. “Looks like your beloved is quite entertained with someone else.”
Before I can respond, he gives a sardonic smile and vanishes, leaving me in a cloud of darkness, and the faint scent of him lingers in the air.
I gaze into the crowd, my eyes quickly finding Colton. He’s surrounded by a group, but one woman in particular catches my attention—a young woman with straight brown hair, clad in a daringly revealing white dress, laughing and frequently touching his arm.
A surge of jealousy tightens my chest, an unfamiliar and unwelcome sensation that urges me to stride over there and claim what’s mine. But I refuse to let Elspeth or Nyx spoil my evening. Instead, I’m going to join the fun.
I teleport myself directly in front of a server carrying a tray of the all-too-familiar Stardust drinks, grab two, and down them swiftly. If the night is going to spiral, I might as well steer it myself.
With newfound resolve, I weave through the crowd to Colton’s side, sensing his immediate recognition. He turns, his eyes sweeping over me with palpable desire, then pulls me close, his arm securely around my shoulder. “This is my gorgeous fiancé, Lyra,” he introduces me proudly, his hand slipping lower on my back to caress the bare skin there. “This is Lucrezia, Cyril, and Crimson,” he continues.
Cyril, the smirk lingering on his lips, lets his gaze drift lower than appropriate. “My face is up here,” I snap more sharply than intended. His eyes flick back to mine, chastened like a child caught misbehaving. Beside me, Colton stifles a chuckle, and Lucrezia, perhaps embarrassed, pulls Cyril away.
That leaves Crimson—the overly friendly woman and daughter of Elspeth’s friend. Our eyes meet, and I steel myself, ready to handle whatever the night throws my way .
I can’t believe that’s even a name—it’s a shade of red. “I think it’s best I get a drink. You two enjoy your evening,” she says, ducking away. She might be smarter than I initially thought, wise enough to leave and stop touching what’s mine.
I turn to face Colton, his hands pulling me close. “You’re scary when you want to be,” he says, laughing.
“I guess you’re not the only possessive one in this relationship,” I tell him, and he laughs even harder.
I press my body against his, and an embarrassing moan escapes my lips due to the closeness. My breasts feel heavy, and I long for his touch. “I think we’ve shown our faces here long enough, don’t you?” he suggests, and I nod, getting on my tiptoes to whisper in his ear.
“I may have had one or two Stardust drinks too,” I confess, nibbling on his earlobe. His grip around my waist tightens.
“In that case,” he replies, waving his hand as his own Stardust drink appears. He downs it quickly, and then his sweet citrus scent envelops us, accompanied by a swirl of wind as we channel away.