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“Me? What are you doing unleashing your shadows in front of him? Do you want him to figure out who you are?”
My lips curl into a scowl as my shadows pulsate with agitation.
“He knows who I am, Nyx. I told him all about Asher,” I tell him.
His breath quickens as he towers over me.
“You did what? Please tell me you didn’t tell the Captain of Lux the most guarded secret of our kingdom,” he pleads.
I cross my arms on my chest, digging my elbows into him.
“No, I told my Amari the truth about me not being married. What’s he going to do? Tell someone? He’s here. Leopold has made it clear he doesn’t want him back.” Nyx runs his fingers through his hair and steps away from me.
“It’s one thing to put yourself in danger Lily, but you have now put Umbra in danger. What happens when he goes back to Lux and tells Leopold the truth? Then what? We will lose the lore that keeps everyone away, all because you caught feelings for a man,” he shouts, turning back to me.
“It’s not like that at all and you know it. He’s more than just a man. Stop acting like I’m throwing my people into the line of fire for him.”
He launches at me, and my shadows respond to the threat, creating a wall on each side of me. Nyx shows no reaction to them.
“You may claim you love him, but we both know he doesn’t love you back. Right now, you’re a convenient piece of ass for him. A pretty, naïve little queen ready to give him whatever he wants. And then some. He’s using you,” he sneers.
I slap Nyx across the face, stinging pain shooting across my palm.
“You don’t know what you are talking about, and you won’t speak like that about Theo. Before I told him I was Asher, he was trying to figure out a way to get me out of here. To give me freedom. Does that sound like he doesn’t care about me, Nyx?” I say through gritted teeth.
I fight back tears as his words sting more than I’d like to admit.
He stares at me, face reddening from my smack and Theo’s punch. My shadows grow and vibrate in the air around us.
“Put the shadows away, Lily.”
They respond by undulating like a wave and growing bigger, causing him to grit his teeth at their movement.
“I can’t. You pissed them off, too. Ten years, Nyx. I have missed him every day for ten long years. I have suffered so much loss and pain trying to survive so one day the fates would let me be with him again. Anything to stop the constant pain in my chest from our thread being pulled taut. I have the chance now, and I’m not passing it up.” My shadows deflate with my words, becoming a cloak wrapped around me, warm and comforting.
“I don’t trust him,” he retorts.
I pinch my lips at him.
“Really? Because even Midnight trusts Theo. Are you telling me you are more temperamental than Thalos’ horse?” I tease.
“He’s still loyal to Lux. He would pick them over us. Over you. He would sacrifice you for what he sees as the greater good. Until I’m certain he won’t, I can’t trust you alone with him,” he says.
I lean on my large desk, bracing my hands atop it.
“I understand that, but you know I can handle myself. Besides, if I were that easy to kill, I’d be dead already.”
He glowers, and I stick my tongue out at him, hoping to break the tension. My shadows slowly recoil into me but remain near the surface, ready to act if needed.
“Can you please loosen up? You’re teetering the line of overprotective brother, and it’s annoying.”
Nyx walks to me and cups my face in his powerful hands, forcing me to look into his warming gray eyes.
“I’ll cross any line if it means keeping you safe. I’ll always put your safety and well-being above all else. I’m bound to you by duty and soul. You’re my Amari, too. There’s no length I won’t go to protect you, even if the one you need protecting from is the one tied to your heart.” He leans forward to press his forehead to mine.
My chest stings at the memory of the first time our cord showed itself. A deep trill resounding from within. A string being plucked, tethered to my soul, so different from the one I felt with Theo.
Confused, we asked Tobias what it meant since Amari was only for your true love, and Nyx always felt like the older brother I never wanted but was glad I had. Tobias reassured us it was about the fates showing us our destiny, bringing our souls together. Bound to one another through all lifetimes.
