The Fugitive - Chapter 170

The world around her suddenly spun in a full circle, the images blurring and warping into one until her surroundings had completely changed. In this dream reality that somehow felt like a distant memory, Esme knew that somehow, she had been transported at a later time or possibly a different day. The goddess was now dressed in a light blue peplos dress, sleeveless and the halter neck golden rope straps wrapped around her neck and went down all the way to her hips where the dress hung just above her backside.

Her silky raven locks were pulled back in a half-up hairstyle, her golden leaf crown still on her head. Nyx was walking just outside of the palace, her hand gliding along the wall as she stared up at the night sky, enjoying the quiet. Like the three suns during the day, there were now three moons; it made her chuckle to herself about how much work Selene must have.

“I missed you at dinner.” A rich, deep man’s voice called from the shadows of a tree. “Again.”

Nyx didn’t pause her nightly stroll. No one usually knew where she was in the night; she was well versed in hiding, disappearing into the darkness. But it seems darkness found her tonight. “I did not feel like entertaining our guests. You know me, Erebus, I’m a loner,” She hummed, walking barefoot across the earth until she was near the tree, her one of only a few friends stood.

She looked up at Erebus’ tall and imposing figure, raising a brow at his bare chest and the thin black material wrapped around his waist. His long black locks were pulled back into a knot at his nape, with only strays of hairs across his face. Dark stubble flourished his strong jawline, his bow lips she envied were spreading wide into a smirk as her eyes then landed on his own. She stared back a bottomless pit of black, but they were not scary up close; in fact, if any dared to be so close to Erebus, one would see small outlines of glittering stars in those eyes that would swallow you whole.

“Gawking, much?” Erebus’ smirk grew more.

Nyx tilted her head to the side, lowering her gaze to his defined abs and back to his face with a sigh. “Why are you really here? And in that form.. Wearing only a rag to cover up?” She asked, unimpressed by his arrogance.

“I thought you preferred me in this form? Or..” His voice darkened as he stepped closer to her, his large hand going to her face as his nails grew into sharp black claws, pointed towards her face; the darkness crawled up his hands, painting him black until his elbows. From there, the markings weaved across his skin like a pattern tattooed across his chest and shoulders, swirling up his neck and down his torse. It stopped at his chin until two of the markings crawled up straight across his eyes to his head, where two black horns grew from his hair. “Do you prefer this?”

It was obvious Erebus was fishing for compliments after she scolded him for appearing before her half-naked. If nobody knew he was Erebus, god of darkness, she knew flocks of women would rally him. But like her father, Erebus had an icy personality, and when he was angered, he could create some serious problems. His powers were extraordinary, and she was jealous that her own seemed meek in comparison. Yet to other gods, she was still stronger than most, except for her father, Khaos, and friend Erebus.

“You know you are pretty in either form. Now stop wasting my time,” Nyx replied and turned her back on him.

“You found Hades’ sons pleasant to look at.” He called from behind her. She looked back and saw half of Erebus’ face disintegrating into mist, blowing away into the breeze before he disappeared and re-emerged next to her, his features building again from the mist forming one place and turning into solid muscles and skin.

“They surprised me,” Nyx said simply with a nonchalant shrug. She dismissed asking about how he knew; he was probably lurking in the shadows watching the whole time. It never creeped her out because she would do the same thing if she was also so curious.

Erebus tilted his head and grabbed her chin roughly, making her look up at him, his claws digging into her skin. “Surprised you?” He drawled, his eyes burned into hers with feelings she didn’t want to yet deal with.

Nyx looked to the side, keeping her face neutral and almost bored from the discussion. She placed her hand over his large clawed one, removing his hold from hers. “I never expected them to look so angelic. Their white hair, blue eyes.. It is not exactly fitting for princes of the world of the dead..” She shrugged again then continued to walk. “Stop boring me with such talk, Erebus. I want to be alone.”

“Such mean words. If my heart was not black, I’d fear it would break-”

“Begone,” Nyx growled, waving her hand and turning him into a shadow that blew away in the wind. She placed her hand against her head, closing her eyes briefly. She was not supposed to use her powers on others, but she’d had enough of him for one night.

Nyx continued in the direction of the large lake. In the daytime, it was breathtaking, but in the nighttime, it was splendidly magical. At this time of night, the area was clear and quiet. The moons reflected on the surface of the pitch-black waters that rippled with the gentle breeze. Nyx stopped, and her face softened with a gentle smile looking at the luna waterlilies glowing a brilliant white along the water with the various splendid colours of the flowers in the surrounding fields shimmering and glowing.. The fireflies hovered and danced across the water, competing against the glimmers of the flowers’ beauty.