They both turned.
A Drakkon approached. He was almost Hektor’s size, but with a different weight to him, less coiled aggression, and more polished power. His scales were darker and his gaze sharper, as though he saw everything and stayed amused by half of it.
“Nyxion,” Hektor greeted, clasping his forearm in a traditional grip.
Nyxion’s attention slid to Zara almost immediately, curiosity sparking across his features. “And who is this?”
She felt the subtle flicker of his energy; it was a quiet, probing, yet not invasive, assessment.
“This is Zara,” Hektor said with a steadiness she felt through his touch. “Nyxion and I grew up together,” he added to her, “and I used to work with his father.”
Nyxion offered her a polite nod that somehow still felt like he was gathering intel. “Welcome, Zara. How are you finding Drakkoria so far?”
“It’s beautiful,” she said honestly. “I love it.”
“Well,” Nyxion said, smile curling at the edges, “I wasn’t aware there was another mating ceremony. How did you two meet?”
Zara blinked, because that felt like…a loaded question.
Hektor’s jaw ticked, just slightly.
And Zara suddenly had the sense that this was more complicated than a casual crossing of paths.
“We work together,” Hektor said evenly. “With Lord Eros.”
Nyxion’s brows lifted, the corner of his mouth tugging. “Ah. So that’s the reason you left the fold.”
The tone was joking, but not really. It was light on the surface, edged underneath.
Zara studied the two of them. There were layers there, shaped by history she didn’t know. Loyalty, rivalry…tangled in a way she’d recognize anywhere. It was givingfake friends, but actually brothersenergy.
“You can never leave,” Hektor shot back, the dry bite in his voice making Nyxion laugh.
And just like that, the tension broke.
Nyxion tipped his chin at them. “I’ll let Father know you’re here. You two should come to the race tomorrow.”
Hektor nodded once.
“Well, I’ve got to get back. I only came out to run an errand for my mate. She’s craving this cake.” He lifted a paper bag from a bakery, a satisfied grin on his face, and strode off.
Zara watched him go, then turned to Hektor and froze.
He was looking after Nyxion with a tight, unreadable expression, something between irritation and nostalgia. Maybe worry. Maybe something she didn’t have a word for yet.
She squeezed his hand gently, pulling him back toward her. “What’s going on there?”
Hektor blinked, then smirked a little too smoothly. “We have a…complicated relationship. Kind of competitive.” His thumb brushed her knuckles. “But I know he’s got my back.”
She nodded. “I picked that up.”
“Come on,” he said, tugging at her hand. “It’s time for our reservation.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Oooh.”
“Yes, I remember,” his gaze softened, the corner of his mouth lifting. “No brooding. With eye contact. And dessert.”
Her heart fluttered at the way he said it, warm and teasing, like he was sayingI see you. I heard you. I want to do this right.She rose onto her toes and kissed him, a light brush that still pulled a shiver through him.
