The Dark Heir - Nyx

38. Theia

Returning to Windhaven was far worse than Theia had thought. The moment they were walking into the home, Theia felt like dropping to the floor. Her chest felt heavy, her eyes burned with tears, and she realized she had never wanted to come back. Nyx had ushered her upstairs as she shivered and dressed her in his own clothes. Theia couldn't help but stare at the left side of the bed where her mother had once laid.

Nyx tugged the wool trousers up her thighs and rolled the bottoms so she wouldn't trip. He looked up at her, a frown on his lips. "It's a new bed. I got rid of the old one."

Theia stared down at him, her own lips in a frown. "Nyx, I don't know if I can be here."

He stood, taking her face into his hands. "Where do you want to go? Your home? I could come back to speak with Zen when she gets back from training-"

"No, I don't think I can be in Windhaven. It hurts. I never realized how draining my home is for me. As soon as we got here, I felt like my body wanted to fall and my chest hurts. My head hurts, too, and I can't catch my breath," Theia rambled, squeezing her eyes tight and sucking in a shallow breath. Nyx pulled her into his chest, his lips against her hair.

"You're panicking, Theia. I've got you, there's no need to panic. It's a new bed, a new life, and we can leave as soon as I speak to Zen."

Windhaven was her past. Every part of her, the good and the bad, lived within this village. It was as though their travels made her feel so light, the weight of reality was too overbearing. Theia clung to Nyx, trying to breathe in his scent. The sea, the wind, the stars. He was everywhere, but she couldn't grasp him.

"Come here," Nyx cooed, lifting her onto his hips and stepping back. He sat on the edge of the bed, letting her curl onto his body like a frightened child. She felt weak, broken. That's all this village ever was for her. Her fists shook as she held the linen fabric of his shirt, her body curled into a ball in his lap. Her lungs felt like they were a fraction of their normal size and the pounding in her head wouldn't leave.

"Nyx," she cried, pressing her face further into his chest.

"I've got you. There's nothing to worry about. I'm with you, nothing can hurt you. We will leave. I'll tell my father that he can come to me, we can go anywhere you want."

She wanted to believe his words but there was no truth to them. Rhysand wouldn't track them down. He would send Azriel after them to drag them to Velaris. She'd never be free of this court, not when she loved the male who'd once rule it. It would be hers, too, but she couldn't feel further from it.

Nyx kissed her head, ran his fingers down her hair. He held her so tightly, he was practically her personal armor. Perhaps Velaris wouldn't feel like this. Maybe it was just this damned village, this damned house. She'd been drowning in Windhaven for centuries, and now that Theia had tasted what other parts of Prythian were like, that wave crashed over her upon their return.

The front door slammed shut, the sound of boots thudding against the floor. Theia sucked in a breath, pulling her face from Nyx to look at him. He was staring past her, to the door.

"Cassian is here."

Another weight was added to the ones dragging her below the surface. With a sigh, Theia crawled from his lap and looked to Nyx. His jaw ticked, his hands sliding down his thighs as though preparing himself for a battle.

"I'll come with you," Theia murmured. His eyes snapped to hers.

"No. You already feel like this, and I don't know what he's going to say. I don't want it to get worse for you. Stay here and I'll be right back, okay? I promise," Nyx responded. His voice was thick, as though he was trying to make it sound much softer. Theia nodded. Her hands were grabbing at the hem of the large shirt, her throat tight. Nyx stood and ran his hand through his messy dark curls, a breath rushing from his lips.