19. Colton
Chapter 19
Colton
“How long has she been out there?” I ask Rix and Rune as they prepare dinner in the kitchen. I can see Lyra through the window, seated on the grass, her feet dipped in the water, gazing into the distance. Chepi, as usual, is snoozing beside her.
“She’s been out there for a couple of hours,” Rune comments without looking up from chopping vegetables.
“Hasn’t really moved much either,” Rix adds from the pantry.
It’s been nearly a week since the party at my parents’ estate, and Lyra hasn’t been herself. She seems distant, lost in thought, and it’s been weighing on me. With all the time I’ve spent managing the fallout from Nyx’s schemes, maybe it’s time to try talking to him again, to mend things so we can discuss the looming battle openly.
I’ve been trying to keep Lyra out of the darkest parts of this. I know she doesn’t want any more secrets between us, and I’m not hiding anything, just shielding her from the stress of what’s coming. I want her to be happy, lost in plans for our wedding, not burdened by the imminent threat of war .
Yet she will be queen of Cloudrum someday, and perhaps it’s unfair to keep her from the realities of her kingdom. I wanted her to enjoy the Dream Forest, to have some peace before the storm. And every time Samael’s name comes up, I see how it affects her. That bastard is living on borrowed time, and I intend to end his reign myself—for good this time.
“Are you in trouble?” Rix teases, emerging from the pantry with a bag of flour in hand.
“Guess I’d better find out,” I respond, receiving a scolding look from him. I kick off my boots and head out the back door.
Lyra doesn’t turn as I approach, but I know she senses my presence. Sitting next to her, I dip my feet into the water beside hers. “What’s wrong, Princess? You’ve got Rix and Rune back there thinking I’m in some kind of peril,” I chuckle, noticing the corner of her lips twitch upward, though she still doesn’t face me.
“I like keeping you on your toes,” she teases, her foot playfully brushing against mine under the water.
“And what are you doing out here all by yourself?” I probe further.
“Thinking about life...and our future,” she replies.
“A future with lots of sex, I hope?” I jest, earning a light giggle from her. “Seriously, what’s on your mind?”
“I’m figuring out what I need to do,” she says, and I wrap an arm around her shoulder.
“What we need to do, you mean. We’re a team, remember?” I squeeze her a little tighter. Her recent melancholy weighs on me. I wish I could break through her defenses, understand her thoughts and feelings every second of the day—especially now. “Let me in.”
“I think we should meet with Nyx and have a serious talk, all three of us,” she suggests, and I close my eyes, dreading the thought. Nyx is insufferably stubborn and righteous, but for Lyra, I’d walk through fire.
“How about I invite him to join us for dinner tonight?” I propose instead.
“Here?” she turns to me quickly, a flicker of a smile crossing her face that unexpectedly stirs a hint of jealousy within me.
“Yeah, Rix and Rune are cooking enough to feed a small army, so why not tackle this tonight? It might ease your mind,” I say, noting the slight furrow of her brows.
“But how will we get him to come here?” she asks, her concern palpable.
“Leave that to me. Why don’t you go freshen up for dinner and let Rix or Rune know that Nyx will be joining us?” I suggest. She nods, leans in to kiss my cheek, then hurries inside. Chepi, stretching leisurely as I give him a couple of pats, glances at me before bounding after her.
“Well, isn’t this like old times?” I chuckle as I materialize in Nyx’s study, skipping the pleasantries—I know he adores it when I channel directly into his sanctum But he’s currently preoccupied. A blonde woman is bent over his desk, and Nyx is rather...engaged with her. She looks up at me and smiles. Her face seems familiar, but her name escapes me.
Nyx hastily adjusts his pants, and I can’t help but stroll leisurely toward his fireplace, taking in the room. “Don’t stop on my account. I can wait... I’m sure it won’t take you long.”
Nyx’s tone is sharp as he dismisses the woman. “Leave us,” he commands. She quickly pulls her dress back on and vanishes, and by the time my gaze shifts back to his desk, she’s gone.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Colton?” Nyx snaps, clearly irritated. I revel a bit in catching him like this. Lyra’s always worried he’s sulking over her, yet here he is, clearly not suffering too much.
“I came to invite you to dinner,” I say, my smile smug and wide.
“Well, you’ve wasted a trip. I have no desire to dine with you,” Nyx states flatly, settling into his chair and pouring himself a glass of whiskey.
“That’s a shame. I’d hate for you to have dismissed...whatever her name was...for nothing.” I take a seat across from his desk, near the fireplace, making myself comfortable.
“She can easily be summoned again,” he retorts, downing his glass with an air of defiance.
“Naturally. Well, Lyra sent me in hopes you would attend dinner with us, but you’re preoccupied,” I say, pressing my hands against the chair arms, poised to stand.
“What did she say?” he asks, a trace of eagerness betraying his usual reserve.
“She wants to talk to you. Not sure why though. Maybe she’ll worry less about your poor broken heart when I tell her how I found you,” I chuckle, enjoying the rise I’m getting out of him. He slams his fist down on the table, ruffled.
“Give me a moment to change, and I’ll come with you,” he concedes, snapping his fingers and instantly appearing in a clean black tunic and pants.
I roll my eyes. “Who are you trying to fill the void for this time, Nyx? Still Lyra, or are you ready to admit you miss—”
“Don’t speak her name,” he cuts me off sharply. “Let’s go.”
We both materialize outside the back door simultaneously. Striding into the dining room, I find Rix and Rune absent, though the table is laden with food. Lyra is seated at the head of the table. Her smile blossoms as she sees me, and she rises to greet me. I walk over, leaning in for a kiss that I deliberately prolong, pressing against her a bit longer than necessary—a small jab at Nyx, who I’m aware is behind me.
Lyra allows this moment, but as I finally pull back and move to take my seat, she catches sight of Nyx. Her eyes widen slightly, her cheeks tinting a brighter shade of pink. If only she knew what he was just up to...
“Nyx, you came,” she remarks, stepping toward him then halting as if unsure of how to proceed. He nods stiffly and takes the seat opposite me, Lyra settling between us at the head of the table.
Preferring to let Lyra lead the conversation, since she’s the one eager to speak with him, I start piling my plate with food, hoping the others will follow suit to cut through the tension. The spread includes fish garnished with fresh lemon, pasta, and a vegetable casserole—looks like Rix and Rune went all out.
Thankfully, someone had the foresight to place a decanter of whiskey at the end of the table. Nyx seizes it, quickly filling his glass, then courteously offers it to Lyra. She accepts with a smile, her glass brimming under his attentive pour. The bastard doesn’t bother to offer any to me, simply setting the decanter back on the table.
I clear my throat conspicuously as I grab it and pour myself a generous amount. “So, my shadow, what would you like to talk about?” I ask, the affection in my nickname for her hanging in the air.
Nyx scowls at the term. He’s always despised the pet names I have for her; they rile him up so easily. Lyra takes a sip from her glass then shifts her focus to Nyx.
“I really want us all to get along and work together,” she starts, her voice threading through the silence. “Nyx, I know I’ve hurt you, and I know you two have your differences... your history...but you are brothers. Please,” she pleads, her voice punctuated by several long pauses, her nervousness evident.
Nyx looks down at his plate, as if weighing his words carefully. Before he can respond, I quickly interject, not wanting him to say anything that might hurt Lyra. “Nyx was in the midst of some important work when I found him this evening. Perhaps now isn’t the best time for this discussion. He seems eager to return to it,” I say, giving him no room to maneuver.
He shoots me a sharp look, his gray eyes flickering with a light that suggests his irritation at my insinuation. Knowing that I can now hold this over him brings a twisted sort of satisfaction—after all, Lyra chose me, and yet he clings to a desperate hope of swaying her.
“Maybe we should talk without him,” Nyx suggests directly to Lyra, ignoring my commentary. “You could come back with me for a nightcap.”
I can’t help but laugh at his audacity, which earns me a sharp look from Lyra. I close my mouth, offering her an apologetic glance.
“There’s something I need to do, and this would all be much simpler if we could rely on each other. We don’t have to enjoy each other’s company, but can we at least be civil and discuss the future of Eguina? We all have crucial roles to play,” she insists, her tone firm yet imploring.
My interest is piqued. What does she need to do? What is she up to?
“Lyra, you can always count on me, no matter where we stand. What is it?” Nyx says, his voice smooth, always ready to play the devoted ally.
“You both are well aware of the military camps being established in Vision Valley. Colton has been collaborating with Bim and Dorian, and it seems everyone has been tiptoeing around the two of you, so let’s lay it all out now,” she states, rising to her feet with a resolve that marks her readiness to dive deep into the discussion.
“I know you both try to shield me from the realities of my situation, but I do not need it. I do not want it, so stop,” she declares, pausing dramatically to let her words sink in before she begins to pace the room. Nyx’s eyes follow her every move, and I can’t stand the way he watches her, knowing his history with her.
“I’m fully aware that Kaine is fostering animosity among my people. I know Samael has reclaimed the throne, and I understand that violent attacks are escalating across the realms for reasons yet to be discerned. I am not oblivious to any of this, despite your incessant efforts to shield me from my own life,” she continues, her voice climbing with each revelation.
Her frustration is palpable, and I remain silent, giving her the space to express all that’s been weighing on her.
“My nineteenth birthday is quickly approaching, and I know I need to be ready to fight for my throne. I need to ensure we are aligned, that I can count on both of you when the time comes,” Lyra declares, her gaze shifting rapidly between me and Nyx. Her eyes linger on mine a moment longer. She knows she has my allegiance.
“Lyra, a major reason I am even assembling my army is that we’ve been teetering on the brink of war for far too long. You can trust that, no matter what, I am on your side, and my forces will fight for you,” Nyx says.
“Thank you.” She nods at him and resumes pacing. “I need to return to Cloudrum, to see my people and assess how dire the situation is in the Sorcerer Realm. Not only that, but I will also be returning to Zomea for a short time,” she adds.
“What?” Nyx and I interrupt in unison, our voices sharp with concern.
She pauses, her eyes scanning our faces. “I’ve been plagued by distressing dreams, visions that come to me in the night. My midnight mind is… Understand this is something I need to do, and I will be doing it alone,” she explains.
I immediately want to protest but decide it’s better to discuss this privately after Nyx leaves, so I bite back my words.
Nyx looks from her to me, incredulous. “You’re going to let her go back to Cloudrum, knowing the hatred brewing there for her? And back to Zomea, where only the gods know what dangers await, alone?”
Lyra is beside him in an instant. “Don’t look at him. He doesn’t control me. I am my own person, and it’s high time you both stop treating me like I’m fragile. I will not break,” she asserts fiercely, her stance resolute.
Her declaration reminds me of a time when she was much more vulnerable, at least internally. She has grown significantly since then, though I know deep wounds still linger under her resilient exterior.
“Colton will accompany me to Cloudrum, but I must go alone to Zomea. I can’t explain now. Trust that it’s something I need to do by myself, and I’ll be alright,” she says.
To my surprise, Nyx nods, accepting her decision without further argument.
“I look forward to seeing you when you return. Until then, my people will continue to monitor the situation with Samael, as well as the increasing Sarrol attacks in Nighthold and across all the realms,” Nyx says amicably.
“Have the attacks been mostly Sarrols?” Lyra inquires.
“Mostly, yes. There have been Monstrauths and other creatures involved, but the Sarrols seem to have the most numbers for now,” he replies.
Lyra tucks her hair behind her ear then lets her hand glide down her neck—a clear sign of her concern. Catching Nyx’s expression, which holds a different kind of intensity, I decide it’s time for him to direct that gaze elsewhere.
“Great, so we can do this again soon. I look forward to it,” I interject with a hint of sarcasm, drawing a slight smile from Lyra.
Nyx rises, and rather than channeling directly out of the dining room, he opts to walk to the back door—a show of decorum, as always. I roll my eyes subtly, which Lyra catches with a quick.
She calls out to him, “I’ll walk you out.”
I nod, taking another sip from my glass before gathering our plates and heading to the kitchen, which has a window that offers a clear view into the backyard, and wouldn’t you know, it’s open—allowing their voices to drift in.
“Thank you for coming tonight,” Lyra says as he turns to face her.
“I’ll always be here for you, even when it’s hard to bear,” he replies, taking a step closer. She holds her ground, not stepping back as he raises his hand to touch her cheek. Watching from the kitchen, I clench my jaw, barely restraining myself from storming out there to break his damned hand.
“I know, and I appreciate it. Take care of yourself,” she responds, her voice steady.
Oh, if only she knew just how well he’d be taking care of himself—with a queue of women, no doubt, eager to assist him. He looks up then, his eyes finding mine. There’s a taunting glint in them as he leans down and kisses her on the top of her head. My teeth grind, and he winks at me, a smug gesture, before disappearing in a cloud of night.
Lyra turns and spots me in the kitchen, immediately coming back inside to wrap her arms around my waist and press her face into my chest. I hold her close, my hand gently stroking her hair. “That went better than I thought it would,” she murmurs, looking up at me with a hint of relief in her eyes.
I bend down to kiss her softly. “Come, let’s go to bed, and you can tell me all about this solo trip to Zomea,” I suggest, feeling the weight of the night start to lift.
She laughs, a light, melodious sound that fills the room. “I might need you to remind me you’re mine while you’re at it,” I tease, enjoying the playful spark in her eyes.
“Feeling a little jealous tonight?” she asks, rising on her tiptoes to kiss me again, her lips teasing mine.
“Maybe a little,” I admit, though the lingering image of him touching her stirs a deeper unease within me.
“Then come to bed and show me who I belong to,” she whispers, her teeth gently tugging at my bottom lip.