The shops and the streets fade away as my thoughts spiral on what the hell I’m supposed to do now.
He stops walking but doesn’t turn to look at me. “Maybe they’re bluffing. Trying to get a reaction out of you.”
I don’t buy it. Neither does he, but there isn’t much else to say, so we let it die for now. We saw this coming. It shouldn’t be a surprise to either of us.
“How is she?”
“Better. She was sleeping peacefully by the time I got there. He was there. The mortal man.” He smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes, there’s a sadness within them that he’s trying to hide. “It’s going to be okay. Nyx will not get to her. The Gods are on our side.” He squeezes my shoulder as we make our way back through town, neither of us speaking.
Which Gods are on our side? I fear our gods abandoned us long ago. The moment Nyx’s darkness stained our white wings, they let us fall from the Realm of Light. Even Ourahnus won’t visit our realm since the heavens fractured in two. We are no longer celestial beings of any god, though my realm doesn’t believe that to be true. Maybe the others are right and they’re hiding on Mount Othrys and observing, writing new prophecies, and consulting with oracles, but we haven’t seen them in a century. For all we know they’re dead. All we have is each other.
Something feels off, but it’s not Nora whose energy clings to me. It’s Mio’s soul now that needs healing, the unspoken anxiety is hard to ignore. He’s more worried than he’s letting on. He is afraid we will not be able to save her and that it will be my downfall. It nearly was last time, so I don’t blame him for worrying.
“Why don’t you go home for the night? Get some rest.” Waving my hand in front of us, I open a portal to the Realm of Darkness to send him home.
I will not be going with him, not while Nora is here helpless and alone. Katie’s wards of protection can only stop so much from entering, and with the demons now threatening her life, aware of her emergence, I won’t be going home anytime soon.
“You need rest too, you know. You’ve had a long day. A long year actually, since you’ve started guarding her. The way you protect and care for others is inspiring, but don’t forget to take care of yourself, too.” He steps through the portal, turning to nod as he closes it behind him.
Unfurling my wings from behind my back, they launch me into the air on pure instinct. I let go of my glamours and enchantments once I’m airborne, the shadows are my friend. As I soar through the sky, making my way to Nora, I whisper my realms mantra over and over…
Darkness guide me, gods save me.…
Not her. Not fucking again.
Chapter Six
Blessed Be
NYX
THE REALM OF LIGHT: APRIL 10TH, 1848
White puffs of clouds pass by. I reach up to try to grab them, smiling as they slip through my fingers. Being so high in the sky with the Earth realm so far below is something that still brings me comfort. Most days I’m thankful to have been saved as an infant by Queen Gaia and King Ourahnus and brought here, even if I am being used as an experiment. They’re aware of the witch and demon blood that runs thick through my veins, even thicker than the celestial blood I was born with, but even so, they want to believe there is hope for me. For most of my years, they’ve taught me about celestial laws and the ways of the Realm of Light but now begins my training to wield my power as a witch.
They hope the darkness I have within can be blinded by light from my celestial and witch power, until darkness is forced out of me like it never existed. I believe the darkness cannot be avoided, unlike the clouds here in the Realm of Light that part ways and slip through my fingers, never wanting to be felt against my skin. Darkness makes itself known because it wants to be felt. It wants to reign. It demands attention.
It makes sure I feel it slithering beneath my skin whether I want it there or not.
“Are you Nyx?” A sweet voice asks. A woman steps into the meadow with long, white hair glistening as rays of sunlight shower over her.
I’m not sure whether it’s the beauty of her alone or the path of bright pink and purple wildflowers that come alive and sprout before my eyes as she comes toward me that leaves me breathless. Gods is she beautiful. Her stunning blue eyes shimmer as she stops before me and extends her hand. Hesitating, I smile and shake it nervously. The feel of her soft skin against mine makes my heart race.
“You must be Hekate. I’m delighted to finally meet you. Gaia raved about your power and your ability to teach. What an honor it is to be in your presence.” Clasping my hands together in front of me, I smile as I fully take her in.
Her white, flowing dress is elegant and feminine, highlighting all her best features, yet still modest enough to fit in here where we all wear white robes. The obsidian amulet around her neck is wrapped in golden wire, and there are colors within the crystal that swirl and change by the second. The crown of thorns and roses across her forehead appears to be made of pure gold and is adorned with a crescent moon followed by a full moon, and then a waning crescent with radiant blue jewels outlining each of them. She looks much more exquisite than I ever imagined the Queen of the witch covens would be.
She steps toward me and bows her head. “Please. It is truly an honor to meet you, Nyx. Your power is like nothing I have felt before. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to train you.” Opening her palms, she smiles as she summons her glowing blue power, never taking her eyes off me.
My wings have a touch of this same witch given power, glowing with a soft blue light in the darkness. There’s never a dark day here in the Heavens, though, so the glimmer of light enshrouding me is only visible when I visit the Earth Realm. Most agree my wings are beautiful, despite what else they might think of me. Everyone besides the deities here believe I am evil or cursed because of the darkness that runs through my veins. Why the fearless rulers of this realm trust me to be here, I will never understand. I’m glad they do. I hope to stay here and earn the others’ trust, too.
In the celestials’ eyes, beyond the rulers here, if I did not have my stunning white wings, I’d be nothing more than another demon for them to vanquish—another thing to protect the mortals from. They wouldn’t hesitate in killing me even for a second.
Hekate’s blue light glimmers so bright that it’s impossible to look directly into but much harder to look away from. It’s magnificent. Her magic pulsates out around us as she invokes a circle of light, creating a dome of privacy just for her and I. The color blue has never looked so beautiful, but still, it does not compare to the beauty of her eyes. The sun vanishes as if someone plucked it from the sky, and a full moon the color of crimson takes its place. I huff out a quiet laugh as I take in the beauty of the darkness she conjured while barely having enough time to blink.
“How did you…?”
“Being a skilled witch takes years of practice, Nyx. It will not be easy at first, but I promise if you stick with me, it will be worth it.” She sits in the grass a few feet from me and gestures for me to do the same.
