Page 46 of The Powers of Nyx

The rest of the ship was quiet, and I made my way to a corner by the spelled window. As the illusions moved and reshaped themselves, I gathered the courage to reach out to the Seer. Uncertainty tightened like a clamp around my stomach, and with each breath, I strengthened my resolve.

I sent a message to Sable, and as I awaited her response, I considered the past few weeks. Sable designing our group and the oddness of it all. Pulling all active agents into the hall to assess them had seemed strange at the time, but now, it was clear as day.

But what else did the Seer know? What else was she hiding?

I drummed my fingers on the desk, until the video call request appeared. All hesitancy disappeared asI accepted it, sitting straighter when the Seer’s weathered face filled the screen. She had a smug smile settled across her lips, a brightness in her eyes that washed away any doubts I’d had.

“You’ve always known,” I said, pressing my hands into my lap.

The Seer shrugged.“I know more than most,” she replied.“What are you referring to, immortal one?”

I tightened my hands into fists. “That the team you created is the new Queen’s fated mates.” The smile slipped into a full-blown grin, and she laughed hoarsely, throwing her head back. “You find this amusing,” I deadpanned.

Her snickering laugh quietened as she found her composure. “Took you long enough.” She rubbed her hands together, massaging her knuckles. “I really thought my son would’ve figured it out sooner. He is a romantic, after all. Although, I did have money on you working it out. Again, I didn’t think it would take you so long.”

I clenched my jaw and shook my head. My shoulder tensed as I fought off my own anger. “Seer, I do not play games.”

Games did not end well—not for any involved. And especially not with Ivy caught in the crosshairs. I had to clamp down on another wave of irrational anger—anger directed at myself, at the Seer, at everyone involved in this mess.

“Oh, I’m well aware, vampire.” Her face smoothed out as the smile slipped from her lips. “You have to understand, it is not something I can just reveal. Mate bonds are special, and for her, necessary. As her mates, you must work for your bonds, to prove not only to her, but to the Goddess, why you were Chosen.”

I drew in a breath and released it slowly. The old woman had a point, though I was reluctant to admit it considering the hoops I’d had to jump through to make this connection. I always knew there would be hurdles when it came to Ivy’s bonds—I just had no idea I was part of that.

“I understand,” I replied, “but why put us on this path?”

The Seer’s eyes darkened as she rested her chin on her hand. “I think you know why, immortal one.”

I pressed my lips into a thin line as I sat back. “The organisation hunting her.”

Sable nodded, her eyes grave. “The Goddess put you on this path by using me, but that’s it. She’s always watching, and now, it’s on you to figure out the rest.”

My stomach twisted uncomfortably, and as the call ended, I scrubbed a hand over my face.

We were given to Ivy early because she was in danger, and even with our presence in her life, she was still at risk. It seemed no matter what the Goddess and the Seer did, my mate would always be destined to fall into their hands.

But did we have the power to save her?

16

HAWK

ONEof mine was dead, his body swept back to Avalon without so much as a warning to me, and yet I was morejealousof the would-be-Queen and her little make-shift family.

My heart thundered as I slipped from the shadows of the hallway and made my way back up to the main deck. There was nothing they needed from me, and I knew I’d do better where I could be useful.

I didn’t know what it was about seeing Ivy smiling while surrounded by Grey’s team and those children, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth. I had a family; one I’d created with my team. A team I’d essentially abandoned for...I sighed as I hit the main deck. The sun had fallen, the sky changing from yellows and oranges to deep purples and blues.

“Nash of the Aither Court! Your presence is very welcome here aboard my ship,” Captain Vale said, clapping me on the shoulder as he came up beside me. “It’s nice to have another of the Courts aboard my ship.”

I snorted and crossed my arms, eyeing the Winter Court Fae warily. He truly was an odd sight; a Seelie Fae male captaining a vessel capable of travelling between worlds. “Even one of Unseelie?” I asked, crossing my arms.

The captain shrugged. “Fae is Fae when you’ve been doing this long enough.”

Most didn’t think the way he did, but I refused to comment on it. After years of working beneath Sir Ya’Dahir and QueenGreer, I understood that there really wasn’t a difference between the different Fae when you were working under Nyx and her kingdom. But Fae politics demanded otherwise.

“The Queen is settled? She likes the cabin?”

I stiffened. “From what I gathered, she and her family are taking it well. I’m sure they appreciate everything you’ve done for them.”

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