Chapter 17 - In the game of gods and monsters, even love can be a weapon

Nyra's POV

I've been avoiding Kade since the mating ceremony was announced. I haven't seen him for three whole days and nights.

And it's been very easy because, since we got back from Dreadmoor, he's become a whole new person. He has been constantly sandwiched by guards and council members, so I barely get to see his perfectly sculptured face.

Plus, he hasn't had a single moment to himself, thanks to the ceaseless babbling of council business. 

Oh, and in his leisure, Vaela is always within reach.

However, she wasn't the real reason I had been avoiding Kade.

It was the mark.

The first time I truly noticed it was while washing some blood off my arms the night we fled the Dreadmoor. It gleamed at me in the dim light, silver and pale, running over my ribs like fire. The mark of Hades. His deal. I wondered why he marked me. I wasn't the one he made the deal with. Why me?

With gritted teeth, I traced it in the mirror. Kade hadn't seen it yet, and I intend to leave it that way. Not until I understood its meaning.

That's why I chose to avoid him, pretending not to care as I listened silently to rumors about the upcoming ceremony permeating the hallways. Yes, I had heard everything about the Alpha's relationship with Vaela, even though it was absolutely none of my business.

What I never expected was the unnerving envy that dances in my veins whenever I see him with Cruella. Vaela would wear the crown. But that's none of my business, and it's definitely not the reason why I'm here.

But I'd be a liar if I said I haven't noticed Kade's stolen glances at me whenever he thinks no one's watching.

---

She cornered me just before I crossed the courtyard.

"Nyra."

Her tone was sweet, full of sarcastic worry. I slowly turned, staring blankly into her flawless smile.

"Cruella," I responded plainly.

She approached, her skirts grazing the stone.

"It's Vaela." She corrected me. "You must have heard about my engagement to the Alpha. The mating ceremony is only days away. According to the elders, our bond will help stabilize Kade's power."

"Hmmn, sounds like a fairytale. Good for you."

Her smile flickered as she blinked. Sweetly, she corrected, "Good for 'us.' For the pack. Obviously." She blurted.

 I cocked my head. "And why are you telling me this? Because I don't remember asking."

Her eyes gleamed. "Because you have been... close to him. Too close. And instead of waiting for the news to spread, I wanted you to hear it directly from me. So you'd know that it's true."

I allowed the silence to linger between us before I finally said, "If you think that I care who Kade shares a bed with, then you don't know me at all.

Her smile wavered for a moment, then she leaned closer. "Yap all you like, but don't forget this: there won't be any space for strays once we're bonded.

That made me smile, "Funny. You seem incredibly insecure for a woman who is about to be confined for the rest of her life."

She pursed her lips but had no words. I let my shoulder pinch hers more forcefully than needed as I swept past her.

She could have her stupid bond and "Luna" title for all I care. But one thing's for sure, she'd need to earn his trust because she wasn't the one who stood by him at Dreadmoor. And his truth was all I needed, not some stupid promise of forever.

…

Sitting by myself, I traced the mark gently with my fingers, crawling down my skin. It felt alive as it pulsed softly beneath my skin.

"What do you want from me?" I muttered to no one in particular. But the shadows responded, coiling like smoke, they gathered in the corner, and Morgra emerged from them. She was the last person I was expecting to see.

"Mogra?"  I thought my mind was playing tricks on me, but she was still there even after several blinks.  "How are you—?"

 "Here?" she cut in, "I'm not. Not really.  Her eyes were drab but kind, and her body glistened softly like moonlight on water.  "This form is short-lived."

With a constricted throat, I got up. "It's been weeks since we last talked, I thought you—"

 "Gave up on you?"  She laughed breathlessly.  "No, kid.  I wouldn't give up on you so easily.  Her eyes softened as she moved forward and touched my cheek with her ghostly hand.  "You leak leaner, but your powers have fattened.  I can feel it.  You made it through Dreadmoor." She gleamed with pride.

 "Hardly," I whispered.  "Uhm, so, I know you sent me here to earn his trust and murder him. It's taking too long, and I'm so sorry. I just—I just needed to earn his trust first, and that took quite some time, but I'm on it. I've earned his trust. I'll take his heart too, when the time is right. I can do it. I just need a little more time."

She had the same frustrating composure as she stared at me. "I understand."

"You do?" I questioned. "Wait, that's it? My voice failed. "You taught me one thing throughout my life, and when I finally got the chance, I have been unable to accomplish it. You ought to scold me."

"There's no need to do that." I was further perplexed by her tone, which was full of pride. "I can see why you haven't done it yet. Even when the head won't listen, the heart has its own reasons.

I took a step back and swallowed. "Don't try to justify my actions. I'm stuck here acting indifferent while he gets ready to mate with whoever just because I let my guard down." I paused. My throat ached. "Mogra, I gained his trust. I can complete the task. Spare me a little more time. Say the word, and I'll take care of it."

Her frame flickered faintly. "No."

"What?"

"Nyra, I said no." Her voice grew colder and sharper. "That's not why I'm here."

"Why are you here?"

"To order you to stop hunting."

The language was nonsensical. "Stop? It was you who assured me that we would be saved by Kade's death. You claimed that the curse of Hades itself runs in his family."

"And it does," she murmured softly. "However, some things have changed. Since the fall of the Dreadmoor, the strands of fate have changed. You will unleash something far worse if you kill him now."

My heart pounded. "I don't care. What could be worse than the Alpha that killed my parents?

Mogra had a slight crimson shine in her eyes.

"You don't understand. You were marked by Hades for a reason. His mark, which is on your skin, is not a punishment. It's a connection."

I turned pale. "What?"

"Nyra, he marked you. Now, you are destined to follow the Alpha's path. Your personal success or failure will be determined by his."

Suddenly, the space felt cramped. "So I can't murder him?"

"You mustn't," Mogra firmly stated. "Not right now. Until I say otherwise, just stay close. Watch in the shadows, but don't get in the way of him and the girl the elders have selected. If the ceremony is required, let it take place without any interference.

With my heart pounding in my ears, I studied her. "You taught me how to attack, how to murder without hesitation, and how to get back at him for what he took from us over the course of years. And now you're telling me to wait?"

Her face softened. "There are stronger ancient forces at work. Nyra, I am not your adversary. I'm only trying to keep you safe.

"By tying me up to the monster that ruined my family?"

"That was Hades, not me." Like smoke, Mogra's shadow flickered. "He might not be as terrible as you think."

With my eyes flaming, I took a step forward. "So who is—"

But before she could respond, her shape started to break apart, disappearing into the same shadowy tendrils from which she had come. 

The silence was overwhelming as I stood there shaking. As if to taunt me, the mark under my ribcage pulsed steadily.

My mind was racing with unanswerable questions.

Don't kill him. Don't get involved. Stay close.

I balled my fists. "This doesn't make any sense."

My heart pounded as I stood motionless. The silence weighed heavily on my ears. I could almost act as though it hadn't happened for a second.

Then there was a sound. A breath I didn't take. I made a quick turn.

Kade was standing in the doorway, jaw clenched.