Chapter 20 Unexpected Arrival
AZRAETH'S POV
I wake to find Mireya unconscious in my arms and Kieran's machine still humming with deadly power.
The containment field released us—but why?
Through our bond, I feel Mireya's heartbeat, weak but steady. The machine tried to separate us, to rip our souls apart. It failed, but barely. If we'd been trapped five seconds longer...
I don't finish that thought.
"Fascinating." Kieran circles us like a vulture. "The bond protected you both. The machine couldn't fully contain a completed soul-mark. I'll need to adjust the—"
A blur of movement, and suddenly Kieran's flying across the room, slamming into his precious machine hard enough to crack the crystal core.
Standing where he was, beautiful and deadly, is a woman I haven't seen in five hundred years.
Nyx.
"Hello, my king." Her voice is silk and poison. "Did you miss me?"
The succubus looks exactly as I remember—tall, powerful, with blood-red hair and eyes like burning coals. She's wearing modern clothes but moves like the warrior who once led my armies.
"Nyx." I gather Mireya closer, protective. "What are you doing here?"
"Saving your life, apparently." She kicks Kieran as he tries to stand. "Stay down, human. The adults are talking." She turns back to me, and her smile is predatory. "I felt your power return when the bond completed. Thought I'd investigate. Good thing I did."
The witches who were guarding Kieran scatter. Smart. Nyx could kill them all without breaking a sweat.
She crosses to me, her hand reaching out to touch my face. "Five hundred years, and you're still getting yourself trapped by pathetic humans. Some things never change."
I catch her wrist before she makes contact. "Don't."
Her eyebrow arches. "Protective of the little witch? How sweet." She looks down at Mireya in my arms. "Is she even conscious? Weak thing, isn't she?"
Through the bond, I feel Mireya stirring. Awake, listening. And absolutely furious.
"She's stronger than you think," I say carefully.
"Is she?" Nyx laughs. "I remember Morwenna. Now SHE was powerful. This one seems... convenient. A means to an end."
Mireya's eyes snap open, glowing gold with rage. She's on her feet before Nyx can blink, shadows exploding around her in a display of power that makes even me step back.
"Say that again," Mireya growls. "Call me convenient one more time."
Nyx looks delighted. "Oh, she's got some fire. That's good. You always did prefer your females with teeth."
The jealousy that floods through the bond nearly knocks me over. Mireya's not just angry—she's hurt. Possessive. Terrified of losing me to someone from my past.
It satisfies something dark and primal in me. She cares. Really cares.
"Nyx served under me centuries ago," I explain quickly. "She's an ally."
"She's touching you like she's more than an ally," Mireya snaps.
Nyx grins wider. "Jealous, little witch? Don't worry. I only want to borrow him occasionally. You can keep him the rest of the time."
That's it. Mireya lunges, her demon-touched claws extending. Nyx dodges easily, laughing, and suddenly they're fighting—fast, vicious, beautiful in a deadly way.
"Enough!" My command echoes with power, freezing them both. "Nyx, stop antagonizing her. Mireya, she's not a threat."
"Not a threat?" Mireya whirls on me. "She just called me weak and convenient and implied she has a CLAIM on you!"
"I was joking," Nyx says, but her eyes are calculating. "Mostly."
Before this can escalate further, Kieran groans from across the room. The machine behind him sparks, damaged but not destroyed.
"We need to leave," I say. "Now. Before more guards arrive."
"Or we could kill him," Nyx suggests cheerfully. "Problem solved."
"No." Mireya's voice is ice. "He's mine to deal with. When I'm ready."
Nyx studies her with new interest. "Possessive of your enemies too. I like her, Az. She's got that same ruthless edge Morwenna never had."
The comparison makes Mireya flinch. Through the bond, I feel her fear—that I'm comparing them, finding her lacking.
"She's nothing like Morwenna," I say firmly. "And that's exactly what I love about her."
The word slips out before I can stop it. Love.
Mireya's eyes widen. Nyx's grin becomes knowing. And I realize I just confessed something I wasn't ready to admit yet.
"Well," Nyx purrs. "This just got interesting."
We escape through shadows, Nyx following us back to the cathedral. The whole way, I feel Mireya's emotions churning—confusion, hope, terror, and that burning jealousy that won't fade.
In the cathedral's main hall, Nyx makes herself comfortable like she owns the place. "So, my king, what's your plan? That machine is still operational. The human will rebuild it."
"We'll handle Kieran," I say.
"WE will handle him," Mireya corrects, her eyes flashing. "This is my fight too."
Nyx rolls her eyes. "Cute. She thinks she's an equal partner." She looks at me. "Az, darling, let the adults handle strategy. Your little witch should wait somewhere safe while we—"
"Stop." My voice cuts like a blade. "Mireya stays. She's not a tool I'm using for the bond. She's my bonded mate, and you'll show her respect, or you'll leave."
The room goes silent. Nyx looks genuinely shocked. Mireya's staring at me like she's seeing me for the first time.
"You mean that," Nyx says slowly. "You actually... Azraeth, she's been alive for barely a heartbeat compared to us. And you're—"
"In love with her. Yes." I meet Mireya's eyes. "Is that going to be a problem?"
Nyx studies us both, then laughs—genuinely amused. "No problem at all. Just surprised. The great Demon King, domesticated by a baby witch. The others will never believe it."
"What others?" Mireya asks sharply.
Nyx's smile turns dangerous. "The other demons who felt your power return, obviously. Did you think I'd be the only one coming to find you?"
Before anyone can respond, the cathedral's wards scream a warning. Something powerful just crossed our boundary. Multiple somethings.
Through the bond, Mireya and I both feel it—demons. At least a dozen. Approaching fast.
"Nyx," I growl. "What did you do?"
"Nothing!" She actually looks worried. "I came alone. But if I could track you..." She trails off, and we all understand.
Every demon who survived the purge knows I'm back. And they're coming.
The question is: as allies or enemies?