Helios and Hagar nod their heads in respect, but don't add anything else to the conversation. The twins seem to be the strong, silent type, which is fine with me. I'm not really interested in having more long-drawn out conversations today.
"I'm Aurelia Basilius-Sol and this is my friend – "
"Nyx. Nyx Harland," he introduces himself, his eyes still fixed on Hagar.
"Thank you for saving us," I add, eyes drifting from Helios to Hagar.
"You're welcome," Helios places a hand to his heart. "When you are well, we will take you to meet our father. For now, rest. You are safe here."
His gravelly, soothing voice is honeyed and instantly washes me with peace. Safe. We are safe here. I can breathe easier.
"We will let you catch up," Hani says, ushering her older siblings out of the room. "I'll be back to apply more ointment to your wounds." With that, the Naziri trio slip out the door, leaving me with Nyx.
It takes me several agonizing seconds to tear my weepy eyes from the door and focus on Nyx. He's already staring at me when I finally glance at him.
"Spit it out," he says. "What's troubling you?"
"What's troubling me?" I sputter a laugh, confused. "Look at us, Nyx. This is all my fault. Had you not been with me when Vesper attacked – "
He snatches my hand in his and shakes his head. "I was where I was supposed to be. This is not your fault, Kitarni." His eyes widen. "Wait." His gaze wanders over my neck and to the sliver of my stomach poking out from beneath my cropped blouse. "Are those… are those burns?"
When I don't immediately answer, his face hardens, rage ignites in his hazel eyes. "What the fuck happened?"
I open and close my mouth several times. How do I even explain the torture I endured?
"Shaye." His rare use of my name doesn't go unnoticed. It's how I know he's demanding an answer without sounding mean.
"The portal is open," I say softly. He waits for more. "Drogon killed Vesper."
His brows shoot upward. "He killed her?"
I nod. "She angered him."
"What does that have to do with what happened to you?"
I swallow hard. "Drogon said he was going to break me. Punish me for being Enver Sol's daughter. So he…"
Nyx's shoulders tense and he squeezes my hand.
"I thought he was going to have me whipped," I bite my bottom lip, staving off tears. "He tied me up and stripped me naked. Then he…" I whimper and clear my throat. "His handsburn. The longer he holds his hands in one spot, the worse the burn. I'm covered."
"I'm going to kill him," he growls, his muscles taut in combined anger and resistance. "Where was Bastian while you were being assaulted? Tell me Drogon killed that son-of-a-bitch."
This part of the story is really going to piss him off. "He's alive. He tried to stop Drogon but – "
"Fuck!" Nyx screams. "They hurt you! He is responsible. He shouldn't be alive!"
"Bastian is the only reason we're alive. He got us out of Malvolio. He was injured in the desert but then Hagar and Helios showed up."
"Bastian is here?" His eyes are feral and I'm scared he'll tear Bastian apart limb from limb if he gets his hands on him.
"I don't know where he is," I answer truthfully. "But I believe he's here somewhere."
"Seems I won't have a chance to put my hands on the bastard," Nyx huffs, reclining against his pillows. "The Naziris won't let him live. Not if they know what he is."
They're aware. They recognized the Beast of Midori immediately.
"I'm sorry I wasn't able to protect you," Nyx's voice is broken and it pierces my chest. "You were assaulted and I wasn't there to save you."
