Nyx | Carpe Noctem ✓

Chapter 9: Coincidence?

∙ Madis POV ∙

I looked at the floral dress in my hands with pride. I had made this. I had made this dress myself. For Aesa. I brushed my fingers over the fabric and only then I did I notice that it was completely dark outside already. Shit.

I should have been back at the poorhouse at least an hour ago. I looked out of the window and telling by how the stars and moon stood on the sky it was already later in the evening. I quickly folded the dress and packed it away in my bag. Then I cleaned the table, put the extra fabric into a box on the cupboard before sitting down and taking deep, steadying breaths. After cleaning the rest of the room, turning off all the lamps and locking the door, I stepped outside and the cold evening air hit my skin, brushing a few strands of hair over my face. With slow steps I made my way over to the poorhouse, fumbling with the key in my bag until a hand was slapped over my face.

I tried to kick and punch whoever it was but it was useless. The person dragged me backwards, holding me tightly. I bit said person's palm and heard a male grunt from behind me while I kept thrashing and kicking.

In the next moment I was slammed against a wall and a hand pressed over my mouth. I had dropped my bag somewhere. The bag where my dagger would be inside. But a dagger would anyways be useless. The man pulled my hands over my head, holding them by their wrists with his other hand and pushing me up against the wall. 

"Such a beautiful young lady. You sure have money on you, give me your money," he slurred, once he had pulled away from me. I shouted loudly, trying to lift my legs and kick him, but he pressed his hips against mine.

"Get off me. Get off me. Let me go!" I screamed, trying to wiggle out of his grip. He smelled like smoke and liquor, his face only inches away from mine. "Behave, beautiful. Give me your money!"

"Let go! I have no money," I cried once more, but he squeezed my jaw, harsh and hard, while he lowered the other hand hand to fumble with the hem of my dress, probably trying to look for money. I bit his palm again to which he winced and glowered.

He opened his mouth the same moment I saw a fist collide with his jaw.

I screamed when I was dropped onto the ground, slumping down against the wall. I threw my hands over my mouth, glimpsing upwards to see who my saviour was. The breath hitched in my throat.

He was the personification of darkness and power—shadows surrounded his large frame, the leathery wings. Starlight shone in his eyes, glowing with the sinister promise of violence.

Nyx Archeron. Once again he was the one to help me...

He kicked the foul man backwards with his foot before grabbing him by his collar and shoving him against the wall. The thief's head collided with the wall and Nyx let go of him to land a blow to his ribcage—bones definitely cracked.

"Get lost, now. If I ever see you touch my girl again I will hunt you down and rip out your throat!" he growled after him. The man looked up at him with a bruised and bloodied face before stumbling away. I gasped audibly, whimpering and clutching my knees to my body. My girl.

Just a second later Nyx crouched down in front of me, his hands moving over mine and I flinched, pulling my hands away.
"Did he-? Did he-?" he stammered, letting himself fall onto his knees on the snow covered ground.

"No. No, he just tried to rob me," I brought out before dashing forward and wrapping my arms around him. I made us both fall back onto the ground, sobbing into his shoulder, his wings spread on the ground. He held me tightly. I shuddered and shook, heart stuttering and my lungs squeezing.

"But he would have if it wasn't for you. Thank you, you-u...you...saved me," I cried out, digging my nails into his leathers. He clutched me tightly to his chest while I sobbed, my heart rattling in my chest.