NOX, page 17
part #3 of The Royal Protector Academy Series
“The demon lord and I have come to a new agreement. Asmodeus has decreed they are no longer targets, nor does he hold them accountable for the death of Lady Finella,” Nox’s deep voice states. “However, the Diablo Fairies are still the gargoyles’ concern. He won’t call them off.”
Conveniently, Nox leaves out that we must fight because he refused to give up Inanna to the demon lord.
“Tristan,” Callan meets my gaze. “You were champion for Serena in the Donga fight with the Diablo Fairies, and you fought the demon fairy army within your realm. Is it still the case that they don’t have supernatural gifts?”
“Yeah. Since the army was born of black magic, they don’t have supernatural gifts. However, they can use dark spells to cast away a gargoyle’s power, which makes them dangerous in a different way. Hand-to-hand will be key in gaining the upper hand over them,” I answer. “They’re fierce about their rituals, so we will be able to pick up on song, dance, or chanting before they spell cast.”
“Why the Blood Moon?” Zander asks Nox.
“It is a gray moon, giving demon hunters the opportunity to stalk their prey better at night,” the demigod replies. “I chose it for that reason. Kupuva agreed, unknowing that it gives my army an advantage.”
“And it’s an honorable time for demons to be reborn.” A familiar deep male voice booms into the conference room.
We all look toward the door, where the new voice comes from. The five of us arranged to meet Nox, Tova, and Lael in the chancellor’s old office to discuss strategy, while everyone else agreed to help Ireland and Ryker prepare the Academy’s protectors for battle, even though they are ready.
They have been ready their entire existence, given this battle is why the Royal Protector Academy was created—to fight and keep both the reigning king and the heir safe.
Gage walks in with Helios and a beautiful goddess. She’s wearing some sort of white Grecian dress thing. The color matches her white and gold wings. A large crown sits on her head, with two gold wings decorating it.
A gold collar clutches her neck, with gold chains that lead to two gold bands around her wrists. More gold chains dangle from the bands, attached to two lionesses, one on each side.
By the way the animals are standing regally, watching us, I don’t think they are her pets.
More like guards.
“Hey,” Zander whispers next to me. “Look, she comes with her own Lion Guard.”
He laughs, and I throw an annoyed look at him.
“Dude!” Callan turns to my brother. “That was clever.”
“Thanks.” Zander nods and beams under the praise.
Fury crosses Nox’s face as he steps up to them. “Why are you not behind the gates, Inanna?” Nox roars, and the entire building shakes with the god’s anger.
The goddess narrows her golden eyes at him. “Quiet your voice in my presence, Nox,” she replies.
Her voice is deep and sultry as she pets the lionesses on their heads. I don’t know if she is calming them or herself.
They don’t move.
Inanna tilts her head, drinking in Nox like it’s the first time she’s seen him. The movement causes her long dark hair to fall across her slender shoulder. He’s still, but his eyes follow the movement in a way that only a man completely in love and obsessed with a woman would.
“I removed her, brother,” Helios says.
I take in Zander next to me. His arms are folded casually. He isn’t on guard like he normally is, as he watches the scene play out. “Why don’t you look surprised by this?”
He shrugs. “Come on, if you didn’t see this twist coming, you should re-read your story from the beginning.”
“I am not freed, Nox.” Inanna lifts her wrists, showing him the cuffs and chains. Her lioness guards remain statuesque. “The lion gargoyle and Helios have granted me a temporary reprieve, though I must remain chained.”
Nox takes a step toward Helios. “You’ve placed her in danger by releasing her from divine protection.”
“No, brother. You have.” Helios answers calmly.
“Protection?” Inanna spits out. “Prison. It is prison you cursed me to when you allowed Helios to gift me life again.”
“Christ.” Gage runs his hands over his face.
“Want to fill us in on the family drama?” Asher asks.
The goddess’s golden eyes swing to Asher. With her right hand, her fingers touch her heart and she dips her head respectfully. “I am Inanna, Sumerian goddess of love, beauty, light, and the Heavenly sky. And you are?”
“Holy shit,” Callan blows out, surprised by her titles.
The clan never knew Inanna existed, even though they accept divine assignments from the Angelic Council.
“Asher St. Michael. King of the gargoyle race,” Asher answers her, but it comes out sounding like a question.
The goddess straightens herself quickly. Her lips pucker as if she sucked on a lemon. “Why do you lie?”
Callan chuckles. “We find it hard to believe too. Some days we just humor him and nod. It’s easier that way.”
The goddess doesn’t laugh. “Protectors are soulless. I sense the divine in you. As I do the satyr prince and his brother.”
“It’s a long story, but my mate awakened the divinity, gifting me a soul. It’s rare.” Asher’s tone is quiet.
Inanna lifts her chin. “You are the Asher of Eve? Protectors of the divine gates? The divine protect you?”
“Yes,” Asher answers softly. “Her father is Michael.”
“You and your mate are revered behind the gates.”
“We are honored to help protect them,” Asher replies.
“Why is she here, Helios?” Nox asks, becoming more frustrated. “She is safer in the sky. Not here on earth.”
“My protection of her has come to an end,” Helios states.
Silence.
“I have heard rumors,” Helios continues in an even voice. “Rumors of the war between the Diablo Fairies and the gargoyles. Rumors that you, brother of mine, leveraged a debt repayment and twisted it to darken a divine soul with the intention of taking over two domains. Domains that sustain the earth realm. DOMAINS WHICH ARE UNDER MY PROTECTION!” He bellows the last part.
“Why do you love and protect the earth realm so much, Helios?” Nox asks, seething with hatred. “What pleasure do you get from it? Do you think the realm will bring you Ereshkigal’s favor after you gave life to Inanna again?”
“Ereshkigal?” Keegan questions.
“Their mother. The former goddess of the earth,” Zander explains.
“Talk about family drama,” Callan mutters.
“I do not protect the earth realm. That is for the gargoyles to do. Nor do I seek Ereshkigal’s favor. I protect the water and woodland realms for pleasure.” Helios calms.
“So this is about your nymph whore?” Nox challenges.
“Watch your tongue, brother. Your favor with me is slipping. Aoife has no part in this. The deities enjoy the pleasures of the woodland and water realms. And they will continue to do so under my protection. If you think otherwise, you are mistaken. If it is war you want between the gods and goddesses, then I accept.” Helios pushes Inanna forward. “We have ended our need for one another.”
Inanna lifts her chained wrists toward Nox. “Free me.”
Wordless and unmoving, Nox stares at the chains.
After a while, Gage sighs. “He can free you, Inanna. But he will never be free of you. And that is why he will not grant you your freedom. Once you see the person you love die in your arms, there is no freedom in your existence. You will always be a prisoner to that image.” He steps away from the deities, walking slowly until he stands behind me.
Gage’s words cause my blood to turn to ice. What he just said is what Serena was trying to explain to me about her dream last night.
“This is the only situation where my love for you trumps my love for my realm, duty, and obligations.”
Inanna face falls. “You will not free me then?”
“I cannot,” Nox replies. “Your existence fuels mine.”
“That is selfish!” she yells, with tears in her eyes.
“I am a dark-souled god. I was created to be selfish.”
Helios pulls on her chains, forcing her and the lionesses to him. “Our original terms stand, Nox. She will continue to have my protection so long as you withdraw the threats you have brought upon the woodland and water realms.”
Nox growls. “Fine. The satyr prince keeps his divine soul and realms. My debt has been paid to you already. I have dealt with the threat of Asmodeus. The Diablo Fairies are the gargoyles’ mess to clean up. Now, take her back behind the gates,” he orders. “Where she is safe.”
“No!” Inanna shouts and pulls on her chains.
They clank and shift as she fights their hold.
Helios dips his chin. “Our agreement stands. Come, Inanna,” he holds out his hand.
She looks at it before her eyes throw daggers at Nox.
“My love for you has ended,” she spits out.
“Hate me all you want. I will live out my existence loving you. And know that while you are hating me, I will be thanking the gods that you exist and are safe from darkness and the deities’ wrath,” he replies.
A sole tear falls down her cheek as Helios drags her away in silence. After a moment of staring at the spot where she was standing, Nox turns and releases his fury on me.
His murderous eyes lock on mine. “Did you bring this heartache upon me, in order to revoke your word?”
“No.”
“Our time has come to an end. I have fulfilled my debt to my brother. The Diablo Fairies will be here on the Blood Moon. They are solely your problem. I will not grant deity assistance in their defeat or rebirth,” his voice cold. “As for our agreement, my brother’s word reverses your promise.”
“I am still willing to stand by our agreement,” I state.
“Wait.” Zander grabs me. “What the hell are you doing?”
I shake him off, stepping to Nox. “For Serena’s existence and protection. I give you my soul and realms.”
“I will not grant you what you seek.” He tips his head toward Tova and Lael, and they disappear out of the office.
Staring at the closed doors, dread and anger flow through me as realization settles in. Everything I worked so hard to put into place these last few months is gone. Disappearing with Nox.
“Are you fucking insane trying to get him to agree again?” Zander pushes at me. “It’s over. Helios has spoken.”
I don’t move, but clench my jaw, grinding my teeth together. “You did it.” My voice is low and cold.
Slowly, Zander lifts his eyes to me. “What?”
“You and Serena knew about Inanna when we went to Demon Falls,” I accuse. “Was that the errand you did for her? Run to Helios to tell him about my deal with Nox?”
With a sad smile, my brother drops his hands to his sides. “I’d never forgive myself if I allowed you to turn your soul dark and hand over your realms to him. I’d rather kill myself then be the one to watch you, or our people, die.”
“Why?”
Zander releases a dark laugh. “Why? BECAUSE YOU ARE MY BROTHER! I LOVE YOU! I PROTECT YOU!”
“Your love and protection of me just ended my continued existence. You’ve sealed my fate. And Serena’s.”
“Tristan.” Gage places a hand on my shoulder.
I shrug it off. “Why the hell are you here?”
“I went to Gage . . . and asked him for help.” Zander explains, as if he’s afraid to speak. “With Helios.”
Tension settles in around the room.
“I see.” I nod, no longer in control of my anger. “So, Rionach is dead. Therefore, you what? Just went to the back-up dad?” The cruel words come out without thought. “You’ve RUINED EVERYTHING,” I roar angrily, “that I just spent months fighting for.”
“Tristan, calm down a bit,” Gage attempts.
“Fuck you. We aren’t friends. Hell, we aren’t even acquaintances. We don’t know one another,” I throw the words he first said to me back at him. “We. Are. Nothing!”
Storming forward, I yank open one of the office doors with force. It squeaks loudly with the intensity of my pull, echoing in the small space, causing a sense of déjà vu to hit me. The scene reminds me of the first time I stormed out of Chancellor Davidson’s office, after he told me I was a lot like Gage. I exhale at the fucking irony of all this shit. Because after what just happened, I’m about to become him.
The moment I leave the building and take in a deep breath of fresh air, I realize I was wrong all those months ago when I stood in this very same spot. I thought I was afraid of Serena. Turns out, I’m not. I was afraid of who I would become if I let her into my life. I was afraid of becoming like Gage, a shadow of the being I once was, because I let someone in. Loved them and then had them brutally ripped away. Leaving me to pick up the pieces.
I push away the warmth from the fiery anger that has built in my chest. In its place, ice flows through my veins.
Serena
WITH SHAKING HANDS, I SWIPE THE key card and the lock to my suite clicks open. I open the door and close it quietly behind me. Exhausted from training all day, I throw my stuff on the counter and look around the dark suite. My heartbeat stumbles a bit. I thought Tristan would be here.
Gage, my uncles, Dad, and Zander joined the rest of us a few hours into training with the Academy’s protectors.
They explained what happened with Helios and Nox.
I assumed that after Tristan cooled off he would join us to prepare for tomorrow, but he never showed up. By the end of the day, I was shaking so badly with withdrawal from not seeing him that I decided not to take our friends Ireland and Ryker up on their offer to spend the night, like Magali and Zander are.
Instead, I came back here, hoping to find Tristan. I was wrong. I press my lips together and fidget with my protector bracelet. In a lame attempt at calmness, I walk into the kitchen and open and close the refrigerator door several times before noticing the empty beer bottles and pizza box on the counter.
My vision swings behind me toward the hallway and it hits me. With a deep exhale, I slowly walk toward the bathroom. When I get there, the door is open and the lights are off. The moonlight shines in through the window, bathing Tristan’s silhouette in a silver-bluish glow.
I lean against the doorframe and cross my arms, staring at him in the dark. He doesn’t move. He doesn’t speak.
He just sits there, in the empty tub.
When his gaze finally settles on me, the look on his face and in his eyes sends shivers across my skin. And not the lust-filled kind of shivers. It’s the kind where I know something bad is about to happen. He’s hurt and mad.
“I’m in the tub,” his voice is flat.
“I can see that.”
“Privacy would be appreciated.”
“The door was wide open,” I point out.
“An oversight.”
His tone is cruel as we mimic our responses from our first tub conversation months ago. Only during that one, I was the one in sitting in the cold, empty porcelain after he took me down in training. I frown, recalling how bruised my ego was, along with my body.
“What are you doing?” I whisper shakily.
“Gargoyles don’t have souls.” His voice is cold.
The scent of cinnamon, cigarettes, beer, and all things forbidden hits me as I step into the small space. His scent.
An overwhelming need to be closer to him starts to take over, but I curb it, knowing he needs his space. I lean against the sink, my fingers curling on the marble counter.
He takes a long pull from the bottle of beer in his hands, and I try to get a hold of the turmoil building inside of me.
Tristan stares at the faucet, mouth slack.
“Your penchant for stating the obvious is mind-blowing,” I reply, not really knowing what to say to him.
A dark chuckle falls out of him. “And your and my brother’s penchant for scheming behind my back is fucking amazing. Really. I mean, first ending my betrothal, and now my existence. You two should rule the fucking world.”
A dark look crosses his eyes, sending a shiver of fear down my back. I swallow, taking him in. He’s beyond pissed.
“Why are you sitting in the tub, Tristan?”
“You have no idea what the fuck you two have done.”
“We were just protecting you.” I argue.
“NO!” he shouts, and I startle. “You just ended me.”
I take in a deep breath and clench my jaw. “The deal is revoked. Your soul is safe. The water and woodland realms are safe. So, tell me, Tristan, how exactly did we end you?”
He lowers his voice and speaks slowly. “My soul was never in danger, Serena. I have gargoyle blood running through my veins. If my soul darkens, or suppresses, I still can continue to exist because gargoyles are soulless.”
My lips part as his words sink in. A hard lump forms in my throat at the meaning behind what he’s saying. Tears sting my eyes as realization dawns on me. He’s doing the reverse of what my aunt Eve did for my uncle Asher.
She awakened the divinity in his soul, bringing it to life. Tristan was trying to suppress his soul with darkness, putting it to sleep so that his gargoyle bloodline could take over and make him a pure-blood protector. Renouncing not only the throne, but also his satyr bloodline. For me. For us. Shit!
“But,” I try to breathe. “The realms?”
“Were never in danger of falling. Helios would have always stepped in and protected them. Even if I wasn’t king. My bloodline isn’t tied to the realm’s survival, Serena. My mother’s is. Zander’s is. I am only half-satyr, not pure. Therefore, if my soul was suppressed, the realms would have still lived on through them. Helios would have gone to war with Nox before allowing the demigod to take over, because of his love for Aoife and the Sun of Vergina prophecy.”
While I try to catch my breath and make sense of this, he pushes himself out of the tub, storming over to me and stepping into my space. With cold, detached eyes, he looks down at me. One hand on each side of me, caging me in.
