Page 2

Chapter Two

NYX

Present Day

Callmai was one of her new favorite places. There was something about the blue-green water, the soft white sand, and salt air that called to her. While Nyx had loved being one of the healers at Lady Lochlee’s children’s home, it had been time for her to move on. At least for a little while.

Her heart panged and she rubbed at her chest. The ache had lessened over the last three months, but Briggs’ rejection still had cut deep. She’d waited all these years for him, had spent years looking for a cure for his malady, only to discover something that could help, and he turned it down. Not only that, but he’d grown angry at her for it, for looking after him.

The bastard.

She plucked a shell off the beach and tossed it into the waves with a growl. So much time wasted on a man who’d didn’t want her. The thought alone was enough to bring Nyx to her knees. No one found their mate at sixteen. Why did she think she was any different? Her life had never been a fairytale.

Sinking her fingers into the sand, she blinked hard against the tears that blurred her vision.

The worst part though was the thought that she’d lost her best friend. They’d grown so close over the years, training as healers and then spearheading the rebellion. She’d always harbored hope for the time when they’d be able to be together safely. Maybe she’d read too much into his one lapse of self-control.

Stop dwelling on him. He won’t change his mind.

“Bah!” she yelled, startling some of the seagulls into flight from the nearby rocks. She didn’t need Briggs to be happy.She’d conquered so much hardship and heartache in her lifetime, what was one more cut?

Nyx closed her eyes and inhaled, savoring the sea breeze on her cheeks.

All she needed was to move forward instead of looking into the past.

“Nyx!”

She opened her eyes and glanced over her shoulder. Marche—Chesh’s first mate—loped toward her through the sand. She smiled at him. Nyx swore the handsome man never did anything slow. He was always bursting with energy, like his body just couldn’t contain it.

He slowed at her side, blowing his downy white hair from his blue eyes. Long gold earrings twinkled from his ears. “What are you doing out here by yourself, beautiful?”

“Thinking.” She stood and brushed the sand from her hands.

“About what?”

“Life.”

“So serious.” He tilted his head to the side, appraising her. “Please tell me it’s not about that male who clearly broke your heart.”

She rolled her eyes and nudged him with her shoulder, before wrapping her arms around herself. “Yes and no.”

Marche curled his arm around her slim shoulders and pulled her against his wiry side. She leaned her head on his shoulder, taking the comfort he offered. “I could make you forget him if you let me,” he whispered in her ear.

She laughed. “You and I both know you’d get bored of me quickly. And I think you’ve been spending too much time with Chesh.”

“Not true. My flirtations are all my own, princess,” he exclaimed. “Aaaand… I think you’d ground me.”

“And then resent me for it. I’ve seen it a million times.” And she had. So many girls had fallen for the bad boy and ended up at home nursing sick babies while their mate ran around with other women.

“So cynical.”

“No, I’m just tired, I suppose.” Nyx sighed. “I lack direction.”

“Then pick one.” He shrugged, as if it was as simple as all that.

She smiled and glanced up at him. “How simple you make it sound. Maybe I’ll just do that once Scarlet’s wee one is born.”

“On that note…” Marche gave her a sheepish smile, the small gold ring on his lip winking in the light. “You should know that the wolf sent me for you. Scarlet’s having contractions.”

Nyx gasped and jerked out of his arms, already running up the beach. “Why didn’t you lead with that?”

“Because Brine is being a big baby. My mother had fifteen children. I can almost always guess how long labor will be,” he said, catching up to her. “Scarlet has at least twenty-four hours before the babe is born, if it isn’t false labor. There is no rush.”

“Fifteen children?” Nyx gasped, her thighs burning from trying to run in the sand. She really needed to exercise more.

Marche grinned impishly. “My father is a hare Talagan.”

She snorted. That made a world of sense.

“Is this really as fast as you can run?”he questioned, jogging at her side like it was nothing. Like the sand wasn’t trying to suck his soul from his feet.

“Yes,” Nyx huffed, “not all of us have your heritage.”

She squealed as Marche swept Nyx off her feet and swung her into his arms bridal style. She clutched him close, giggling as he ran toward town.

“No worries. I’ll get us there faster.”

Nyx stared up Marche’s angular jawline. It was a bizarre feeling, being wrapped up in a man’s arms that weren’t Pyre’s or even Briggs’. Her fingers played with the ends of his hair. It wasn’t bad, to be held by him, just odd and… pleasant, if she were honest with herself.

“You’re staring, princess.”

“You have a very nice face,” she found herself saying.

He peered down at her through his wild fringe of white hair, blue eyes twinkling. “Are you flirting with me?”

Nyx rolled her eyes. “Just stating a fact.”

“Pity.”

Heat filled her cheeks as he continued to stare down at her, and she was the first one to look away. The breath trapped in her lungs hissed out between her teeth. What the devil was she doing? This wasn’t like her. She didn’t flirt, didn’t let men carry her around like a princess, didn’t play with their hair.

She pulled her fingers from Marche’s hair, and he squeezed her.

“Don’t stop. I liked it.”

Her blush deepened. “I shouldn’t have…”

“We’re shifters, touch is natural.”

Nyx looked anywhere but his face. They’d reached the edge of the town proper. “You can put me down now.”

“If that’s what you want, princess.” Marche gently set Nyx on her feet. She went to step away when he took her hand and lifted it to his cheek. Her fingers twitched as his stubble tickled her palm. He smiled, his lip ring winking at her. “Don’t isolate yourself.”

“I’m not.” Her tone held more defensiveness than she would have liked.

Marche smiled gently, leaning his cheek into her palm. “I know your heart is hurting right now, but it’s not broken. You’re surrounded by people who love and care for you. Don’t pull away.”

She nodded, her eyes filling with tears. They’d been doing that more often. “I’ll try.”

“That’s all we can ask.” He pulled her hand from his cheek and laced their fingers together. “Now, let’s go see how manic Brine is.”