23. Nyx
Chapter 2 3
Nyx
I must have read through my father’s journals and all the letters several times now, each reading filled with a vain hope that the words might somehow change. I shudder to think about the revelations they contained—the secrets kept from me and the grim path of my future. Everything has fallen apart, and now I see only one way forward. I resolve not to speak of the journals until I can discuss everything with Lyra. She must know what I’ve discovered, but with her still in Zomea, I’m compelled to take action.
I find myself knocking at Colton’s back door, because unlike him I maintain a semblance of courtesy—even in urgency. My patience wears thin as he fails to answer after the initial knocks, prompting me to bang harder on the door. I know he’s here, likely brooding in Lyra’s absence—he’s the fool who let her venture back to that cursed place alone. Had she been with me, I would never have allowed her to return to Zomea without company.
“Not used to anyone knocking on your door the proper way, are you?” I remark as he finally pulls the door open, his expression amused.
“No, I had a feeling it was you,” he replies, and I chuckle.
I follow him into the living room, and when he doesn’t inquire about the reason for my visit, I make my way to sit in front of the fireplace. “Are you going to offer me a drink?” I demand, a reminder of my rank—after all, I am his king.
“Get one yourself. I’m not in the mood, Nikki. So why don’t you tell me why you’re here,” Colton retorts, his tone dismissive.
I rise, pouring myself a glass of whiskey from the drink cart. The alcohol, I decide, will be necessary to swallow my pride. After taking a long sip, I set my glass on the mantle, my gaze fixating on the flickering flames as I contemplate my next words. Perhaps I should handle this without him.
“What is it, Nyx? If you’re here to ask about Lyra, I haven’t heard anything,” he interjects, now reclined on the couch, his casual posture underlining his lack of concern for the gravity of my visit.
“I may not have started this war, but I fully intend to finish it. Tonight, we begin our plan of attack. I’m not waiting any longer for Samael to make his move. I am taking the men to battle,” I declare, pacing in front of the fire, feeling the energy for the impending battle building inside me.
“War hasn’t started. What are you thinking?” Colton rises to his feet, his confusion apparent.
I shake my head at his naiveté. “The first attack may not have taken place yet, but make no mistake—war has been brewing for far too long. Don’t pretend you don’t know. Don’t tell me you can’t feel it,” I insist, locking eyes with him, seeing the recognition of the truth in his gaze.
“I thought you didn’t want to discuss any of this with me. You cut me out when I tried to help,” he counters, his voice tinged with a mix of resentment and challenge.
He’s not wrong. He is one of the best fighters we have, and though I may not want to admit it, I need him on my side. “Things are different now. Lyra would want us to work together, so I’m willing to make an exception,” I say, opting for pragmatism over pride.
He scoffs, skepticism written all over his face. “You want to wage a war against her realm while she’s in fucking Zomea,” he accuses.
“That’s exactly what I want to do. Don’t you see? We need to act first, strike while Samael is not expecting it. And if we manage to get through this before Lyra returns to Eguina, all the better. She will be out of harm’s way the entire time,” I explain, laying out my plan clearly.
I watch as realization dawns on his face, knowing he understands the strategic advantage. I also know how deeply he cares for Lyra, how her safety gnaws at him. He will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. If we can keep her out of this war altogether, it’s a win-win for both of us.
“You know she’s going to be furious with both of us when she gets back and realizes we did this without her,” he says, and I shake my head.
“Yeah, well, at least she’ll be pleased we’re working together. That’s what she’s been asking for,” I tell him, finishing the last of my drink.
“She’ll be happy about that, sure, but she’ll be pissed she missed out on all the action.” He summons a pack and slings it over his shoulder. “Let’s go,” he says with a resolve as if he had been ready for this moment all along.
“Alright then.” I shrug and channel us both to the Vision Valley army camps .
I stride toward the large tent at the center of camp, the one Bim has been using as his command post. Colton walks beside me, his steps betraying a familiarity with this place. The thought irks me. He thinks he’s being discreet, but I’m aware of everything that transpires in my kingdom and choose my battles wisely. If Bim and Dorian saw fit to keep him informed, I was prepared to overlook it, knowing I’d call upon his aid in battle regardless.
As we enter the tent, Bim and Drew are huddled around a large table, poring over a map of Eguina that’s spread wide with marked positions and notes.
“Fancy seeing you here,” Colton quips with a wink at Drew as he takes a seat next to her. His ability to charm everyone he meets grates on me—most find his sarcasm endearing; I find it merely irritating.
“Have you heard from Dorian? What’s the status with the Lycans?” I ask, settling into a chair beside Bim at the head of the table.
“I sent two men to fetch Rhett for this meeting. They should be arriving any minute with him. As for Dorian, he’s around, last I saw him instructing some of the men outside on how to wield the new weapons he designed,” Bim reports.
I nod, then Colton starts to speak, “Lyra met with Rhett, and she hinted that things didn’t go smoothly.”
“It doesn’t matter,” I state firmly, catching Colton’s eye. “We need to understand where the Lycans stand, and I’m prepared for either scenario.”
Colton presses his lips together and mutters something to Drew under his breath. I decide to let it slide. Now is not the time for petty squabbles; it’s time to lead and strategize for victory—to put an end to Samael once and for all.
“Looks like they’ve retrieved the wolf. I can smell him without even seeing him,” Dorian comments as he ducks into the tent, settling into the seat at the far end of the table opposite Colton.
“You can wait right inside there,” one of our men outside says, unaware that we’re all assembled and waiting. Rhett walks in next, and I remember him clearly from when he assisted Lyra and me on our journey to Aidan’s. He still has the same tall frame, dark hair, and blue Lycan eyes, but now there’s a weariness about him, a certain aged look that seems out of place. It hasn’t been nearly long enough for such a change. Perhaps it’s stress.
“King Nyx,” he greets with a nod.
I wave, indicating for him to take the seat at the head of the table opposite me, flanked by Dorian and Colton. Following him closely is another Lycan, a younger one whose expression is both angry and hardened. He says nothing as he boldly takes the seat next to me, between Dorian and myself.
With no seats left at the table and every key player now present, I take a deep breath.
“Thank you, everyone, for coming. As you all know, we have teetered on the brink of war for far too long. Under Samael’s reign, Cloudrum has suffered—his leadership marked by dark spells and deranged ideals has left our lands and people in despair. Now that he has returned to power, it is imperative that we stop him once and for all.
“The darkness that Samael spreads has seeped into every corner of Cloudrum and now threatens even Nighthold. The entire realm of Eguina bears the scars of his relentless assaults. We cannot afford to remain on the defensive, reacting to his every move. It is time for us to take decisive action, to restore our lands to their rightful, thriving state and purge the corruption that seeks to dominate us.
“I will not stand by while Samael or Kaine attempt to dictate the fate of Cloudrum. That is why today, I am calling for unity and action. I need your unwavering support, your keen strategic insights, and the might of your armies. Together, we can end this turmoil and reclaim the peace that has been so cruelly stolen from us.
“Let’s show Samael that his reign of terror is over. Together, let us unite our realms once again and fight side by side, not just to restore Eguina, but to ensure a future where such darkness can never take hold again.”
I clear my throat and lean back, my eyes sweeping across the faces before me, ready to gauge who will speak first, preparing to address any concerns or rally further support.
“You speak of darkness and dark spells as if eliminating Samael will rid Eguina of it, but am I incorrect in saying the last time I saw you, you were quite entangled with Lyra—the so-called queen of darkness herself, according to Kaine?” Rhett challenges, and I swallow hard to maintain my composure, silently hoping Colton doesn’t act rashly against the provocateur beside him.
“You are correct that when we last met, I was in a relationship with Lyra. We remain friends and allies to this day,” I respond calmly, meeting his skeptical gaze. “That gives me all the more reason to assure you that her dark magic is grossly misunderstood, and the rumors being spread about her in Cloudrum are nothing but lies.”
He remains unswayed, but frankly I don’t care. We don’t need him or his packs to win this war. My invitation was merely to gauge where his allegiances lie.
“If I may,” Drew begins, her gaze shifting from me to Rhett as she commands the room’s attention, “I have spent considerable time with Lyra recently, and she has always spoken of you in the highest regard, Rhett. She valued you as a friend and was overjoyed when she learned you had become the leader of the packs. I believe her exact words were, ‘Finally, someone with a good heart is leading the Lycans.’”
She pauses, allowing her words to sink in. For the first time since his arrival, I notice a flicker of softness in Rhett’s stern features.
“After what she endured in the Lycan realm, after how Aidan abused her and the ceremony your people witnessed without intervening, I’d imagine if Lyra truly were the evil, dark enchantress you seem so ready to believe she is, she would have incinerated your entire realm by now,” Drew continues, her tone sharpening. She flashes a wicked grin, her fangs visible as the candlelight gleams off her pristine canines. “Frankly, I know I would have.”
“Are you going to let her talk about our packs like this? This woman,” the young Lycan next to me howls.
I haven’t bothered to learn his name yet, but his rash outburst only makes me smirk.
“I suggest you watch your tone when speaking about a lady, or you might not make it back to your packs,” Colton says, his amusement mirroring mine.
“I’m not afraid of you. You Fae think you’re so tough,” the young man retorts.
I stifle a chuckle, reaching for a glass of water to mask it.
“Oh, it’s not me you should be afraid of,” Colton laughs, glancing at Drew, whose red eyes now glow ominously in the dim light, though her expression remains impassive.
“Ryder, enough,” Rhett says, and I struggle even more to contain my amusement. Rhett and Ryder, these young boys really are in over their heads.
“Quite enough, I think,” I interject, setting my glass down and sitting up straighter. “You may believe whatever you like. I need to know if you will fight with us or not. If you prefer to stay out of this, I can have my men escort you back to the Lycan Realm now, and no harm will come to you. It’s your choice.”
My gaze remains fixed on Rhett as he deliberates for a few moments before responding. “As I told Lyra before, I do not wish to be her enemy, but that doesn’t make me her ally either. The Lycans wish to remain out of this war. Enough death and destruction have come to our packs in trying to protect the realms from the evil creatures once confined to the Shifting Forest.”
He rises, Ryder quickly following. “No longer will my people die protecting Sorcerers, Lamia, or Fae alike. It’s time we look out for ourselves. May Bellor be with you in the coming days,” he says, surprising me by invoking the god of war. The Lycans are so often fixated on the moon’s powers. I hadn’t realized they held such reverence for the other gods.
I nod once to Rhett as Bim walks him out and speaks to the men outside, the ones who will channel them back home. When Bim returns and sits next to me, I let out a sigh.
“Well, fuck,” Bim mutters.
I look around at those who remain—Bim, Colton, Drew, Dorian, and myself will be the ones planning and delegating for the rest of this meeting.
“We didn’t need them. It’s better this way. The Lycans are unpredictable anyway,” I remark, scanning the table.
“Do you think they will choose to fight for Samael?” Dorian asks.
“Not if they know what’s good for them,” Colton replies sharply.
“No offense, King Onyx, but I believe it would be unwise for us to enter this battle assuming victory is guaranteed,” Drew begins, her voice steady and earnest. “While it’s crucial for us to maintain a positive outlook, there’s a fine line between confidence and overconfidence, which could lead us to underestimate our enemy.”
She isn’t wrong. With the forces I’ve gathered, it seems inconceivable that the Sorcerers could defeat us, especially if Samael hasn’t fully regained his strength. However, her caution resonates with a part of me that knows the unpredictability of war.
“Samael will be defeated. I plan to kill him with my own hands for what he’s done to my mate,” Colton declares from beside her, his use of the word “mate” making me inwardly cringe.
“Let’s stay focused,” Bim says, smoothing over the growing tension. “I’ll begin by outlining what we know about his whereabouts and the current positioning of his army, based on the latest intelligence our scouts have provided.”
Bim leans in, his eyes scanning the map spread out on the table before us. “Samael has been keeping all of his troops close to home. It seems he’s more concerned with protecting himself than his people,” he states with a hint of disdain.
Colton, standing beside him, mutters under his breath, “No surprise there.”
Bim points to a location on the map, marked with a circle and pin. “He has established two military encampments within Tempest Moon. The first is situated here, outside the castle’s boundary.” His finger lingers on the spot before sliding across the map to another marked location. “The second is further out, positioned right on the border between the Sorcerer and Lycan Realms, near the river.”
I turn to Drew, hoping for any insight she might provide on Samael’s condition. “Drew, do you have any updates on Samael’s state? Has he regained all of his strength since he emerged from hiding? What about Citlali—have you heard from your daughter? ”
Drew’s expression tightens slightly, a shadow of discomfort passing over her. “I haven’t spoken to her, but it’s safe to assume Samael is back to full strength. It’s been long enough for him to heal.” She pauses, her voice lowering. “Unfortunately, my daughter has persuaded some of her old friends to join her cause.”
The room falls silent for a moment, all eyes on Drew. She straightens her shoulders in her chair, and Colton sits back down next to her, a resolute look crossing her face. “Don’t worry. The Lamia will fight alongside you. I will personally join you with my best warriors. However, a couple dozen of my own have joined Citlali, and I anticipate they will fight for Samael.”
A couple of dozen might not seem like a significant number, but having witnessed the ferocity of Drew and other Lamia in recent battles against the Sarrol attacks, their prowess is undeniable. The Lamia are vicious fighters. Their loyalty to their own could shift the balance of power if we are not careful.
“The weaponry I have supplied will not disappoint, even against the Lamia,” Dorian declares, his gaze shifting from Drew to me with a confident glint. “I’ve committed my entire stockpile of magic-infused blades to our cause—swords, throwing knives, daggers, you name it. Not to mention, I’ve designed and forged a selection of exceptionally powerful swords for your elite fighters.”
I nod, well aware of Dorian’s reputation for having the best armory in all of Eguina. “I also have something special set aside for each of us,” he adds, a secretive smile playing on his lips.
“So along with physical weapons for close combat, we all have our Fae magic, of course. Were you able to acquire all the bows and arrows you mentioned before?” Colton asks, looking toward Dorian with an expectant raise of his eyebrows.
“Of course, I got everything I wanted and then some,” Dorian confirms with a nod.
“The men are ready, we are fully stocked, and everyone is in a good headspace. Honestly, this is the best time for us to act. Samael won’t be expecting it. We’ve given him no reason to suspect we would go on the offensive.”
Bim concurs with a firm nod, his expression resolute.
“We attack tonight,” I declare.
After several more hours of intense deliberation, we finalize our course of action. We decide to launch a three-pronged attack: one group will target each of the military camps in Tempest Moon, and a third will strike directly at the castle itself.
Colton will harness our father’s magic, leveraging his unique ability to create multiple illusions of himself. This will allow us to position a Colton in each group, ensuring seamless communication across the battlefield. The real Colton will be able to see and speak through his illusions, coordinating our movements and strategies in real time.
We will all channel to the Lamia Realm together, where Drew will then distribute her fighters among our three groups. Each group will be accompanied by Fae who will channel the Lamias to their respective locations.
Channeling is one of our greatest assets in this war, though it comes with limitations—the Fae cannot channel to locations they have never visited, necessitating a strategic approach to deployment. We must coordinate meticulously, moving in waves to ensure every fighter is properly positioned.
I will take command of the first group, with Bim and Dorian leading the second, and Colton alongside Drew heading the third. Our plan is to initiate the attack just after midnight. If all proceeds as intended, we anticipate declaring victory by mid-morning.
“It’s all decided then,” I declare with finality. “Bim, notify the men to prepare for battle. Dorian, ensure all ranking officers are briefed on the plan. I’ve already informed Flora of my intentions, and she’s coordinating with Twig to hold things down until we return. I’ve kept this from the elders and everyone else. The element of surprise is crucial.”
I stride over to the shelf, grabbing the decanter and pouring each of us a glass. As I distribute them, the weight of the coming battle settles over us. I raise my glass.
“To Eguina and to restoring the balance,” I proclaim, the irony of what I’ve learned about Lyra from my father’s journals momentarily surfacing in my mind.
“To killing that bastard Samael,” Colton adds.
“To all my life’s work finally paying off in the face of battle,” Dorian chimes in, his anticipation palpable.
“To peace,” Bim interjects, lifting his glass higher.
All eyes then turn to Drew, the last to speak. She smiles—a rare expression that lightens the tense atmosphere. “To none of you fools getting yourselves killed,” she says wryly.
We all down our glasses in unison, the sharp clink of glass echoing our resolve. Without another word, we split to don our armor and gather our weapons, ready to converge outside the tent in thirty minutes, united for the impending assault.