"What about Rhaif's relationship with Nyssa?" Bala said then, changing the subject. "Was he so horrible to her?"
"Ah... No, actually. He was quite fond of her. Always told her she was quietly ambitious, which he liked as she never much spoke out of turn in front of him. But their relationship stayed mostly in that Council room. He grew to depend on her to notice any lies or exaggerations from the Council."
"Eyes of Haerland," Bala muttered.
Dorian's brow flinched in agreement, but he didn't reply to the comment. The anger started to swell in him again as he remembered how heartbroken Nyssa had been when Rhaif kicked her out of all meetings after the Gathering.
"I imagine you'd like Corbin and me to leave as soon as possible?" he asked.
"I would," she agreed. "I know it is the afternoon, but it has already been ten days since everything happened, and it will take you nearly five days to get to Dahrkenhill with the Dead Moons over us. I sent word to Hagen yesterday that you would be coming. You should be prepared for a company to find you at the Knotted Caves entrance."
"You knew we would accept?"
"I wasn't exactly asking, Prince," she informed him.
Dorian gave her a sideways smirk. "Venari King, indeed," he teased. "Is there anything you wish us to take along the way?"
"Just common sense," Bala answered.
Dorian almost laughed. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
"You're welcome."
CHAPTER ELEVEN
NYSSA LAID IN the bed for two days upon arriving at the Umber.
Two days of Lex coming in and checking on her, and Nyssa telling her nothing more than she was fine. Two days of her eagle staying by her side, knowing she could not hear him, but staying nonetheless.
Nadir had offered his home to her and Lex. It was a small shack, never meant for more than two people, but they made it work. Lex slept on the couch, insisting she wanted to be out in the open to keep an eye on things. Nadir had assured her nothing would come to harm them there, for he was the greatest threat, and no one would go against him.
The manner of his cockiness and the wink he'd given her after the statement had nearly brought a smile to Nyssa's face. She knew he was trying to make it all seem normal, and despite the hurt in her chest, she could not have been more grateful.
It was the afternoon of the second day when Nyssa finally tucked herself into a robe and went onto the porch. Salty air greeted her, and she closed her eyes to take it in. Her arms hugged across her chest. She sat down on the step and leaned her head against the railing.
Teal waves crashed onto each other. The sky was streaked purple and orange with the sunset. This was a different sunset than the one she was used to seeing at Magnice. Something about this one… perhaps it was the pale teal water with the slightly visible reef far out past the jetties. How the sunlight seemed to awaken the sea’s very existence. As though the ocean itself were alive.
The Ghosts of the Sun and the Sea seemed to dance together—as perhaps they once had—to create the magnificence of such a sunset.
Whatever magic it was, it called to her.
The sight of Lex and Nadir making their way back to his shack made Nyssa hug her knees tighter. She'd barely spoken to them. Honestly, she wasn't sure what she was supposed to say. How she was supposed to act. She was trying her hardest to keep it together.
Lex caught her eyes first and gave her a small smile. But Nadir... When she found his gaze, his walk slowed, and he peered at her as though he was just seeing her for the first time.
Lex hit the steps before him. "The Princess rises," she teased.
"Trying," Nyssa replied, though her voice was barely audible.
Lex paused beside her and gave her hair a ruffle, much like Aydra used to give Dorian. Nyssa's jaw immediately quivered at the sensation of it, but she forced it away.
"I'll grab you some food," Lex said before going inside.
Nadir took each step deliberately and then sat beside her with a long sigh, gaze washing out to the ocean as the wind circled around them.
"Not exactly how I pictured your first time on my beach," he said softly.
"It's beautiful," she said. "It's no wonder you speak of it with such high esteem."
