Page 72 of Nyx

My arms bind around him and pull him into my lap, and he settles against me. His face tucks into my neck as I say, “We know nothing about the rifts or how they work. We haven’t learned anything new since they took you.”

“No, but I’m stronger now. I have you.”

“You can still be hurt.”

“I will always hurt,” he whispers, pressing his lips against my neck as I close my eyes, enjoying the soft weight of his body against mine. “When I am with you, I’m strong enough to fight it. You make me forget the pain.” We hold each other for a long, quiet stretch, and his stray hairs tickle my nose. His braid is wild from sleep, so I slip the band from the tip of it and unwind the long locks. They’re wavy and fluffy as I run my hands through them, and without a word, Nyx turns his back to me. I sit up taller, combing my fingers through the strands and scratching over his scalp. He hums his pleasure as I grab the brush from the side table.

“You need to do this?” I ask as the bristles slide through his hair. The deep green shines in the morningsunlight, with emerald and jade highlights that remind me of the forest.

“It’s important.”

“You’remoreimportant.”

He breathes a quiet laugh and glances over his shoulder at me. “What is this called? When you say nice things to get your way?”

I smirk in an attempt to hide my smile. “Flattery.”

He nods and faces forward again. “This flattery won’t change my mind.”

“Sassy,” I mutter, sweeping his hair aside and kissing the curve of his neck. “Braid or loose?”

“Which do you like better?”

“You’re pretty with both. Always so pretty.” I can tell he’s blushing by the way his head dips, and I grin as I finish brushing. “Let’s put it in a braid again. You look more innocent, and we’ll need to use that to our advantage.”

“Why?”

I snort a laugh as I divide the sections, and he shivers when I graze his ear. “We’re going to have to talk to the others about this and make a plan.”

“Ronan,” he realizes, and I chuckle as I start to braid.

“Yep.”

Never in a hundred years did I think Nyx was capable of manipulation to this degree, but there he stands.Braided hair falls over his shoulder, and his oversized shirt brushes his thighs, even though he has plenty of smaller shirts clean. Bare toes shuffle against the dirt, and hiseyes.They’re so wide they’ve formed almost perfect circles, and I swear he’s managed to pool some tears.

I know he’s faking, but the urge to sweep him up in a hug is unbearable.

I need to watch out for this witchcraft, or else I’m royally fucked.

Ronan is larger than life, standing at his full height with his hands on his hips. Nyx is comically small before him, the top of his head only reaching Ronan’s armpits. “It isn’t safe for you to leave,” Ronan argues.

“Others have left.”

“Yes, but they aren’t…you.”

Oh boy. Nyx’s chin juts out, his eyes narrowing. “You think I am incapable of helping? That I cannot do this?”

“No, but—”

“You believe I am worthless?” Nyx demands, and I fight to keep my face neutral. There’s true insecurity behind his question, but in this case, he’s saying it to guilt-trip Ronan into agreeing.

Witchcraft, indeed.

“Of course not!” Ronan’s eyes turn pleading as Nyx folds his arms over his chest. “Nyx, of course I don’t, but it isn’t safe out there and we have limited resources. We have to conserve our fuel.”

“For something more important?” Nyx demands, setting his stubborn jaw again. “Or for something you don’t think will fail?”

“I never said you’d fail.”