Chapter 43 Chapter 43

Chapter 43 Chapter 43


The shadows under the Melanthor’s eaves had only just begun to shift when Nyxios mounted the library steps, every muscle taut with urgency. It was closer to his home and, perhaps more importantly, maybe Patrina had circled back here. Thalana Lakae Armas was splayed over a ledger, lips thinned with as she worked. She looked up and saw the storm in his eyes. Thalana set her pen aside at once.

“Patrina is gone,” he said. “Her collar was left behind. My men found it under a porch outside. They somehow got my blood. Thalana, they took her.”

Thalana swore softly, already rising to action. “You think it was House Maelis?”

“Who else would dare?” Nyxios’s tone made the question rhetorical. “But I mean to prove it.”

He led her through the narrow corridors, past shelves slumbering in blue lantern light, to the scrying chamber. In its center, a crystal scry gem pulsed with its own internal glow, shimmering like a drop of water about to fall.

Nyxios placed his palm to the scryer, channeling a sliver of mana. He thought of his friend. On the far end, the connection shimmered, then resolved into a figure: not Skotos as expected, but another. An elven woman standing straight at attention, her mouth set in a professional line.

“Lysandra,” Nyxios said, not bothering to mask his disappointment. “Where is Skotos?”

The woman inclined her head. “Lord Skotos is presently under house discipline. He will not be joining you for any engagements, social, martial, or otherwise.”

Thalana’s eyes widened at that and got the hint from her words. “Not even a scryer call? He can’t assist at all?”

Lysandra shook her head. “Lord Skotos may not even scry Wynth at the Embassy. Lady Valeska’s instructions were explicit.”

Nyxios absorbed the blow, mask tight. “If I need to reach him urgently?”

“Regretfully, you cannot. That is Maelis law,” Lysandra said, voice clipped and final.

He ended the call by withdrawing his mana, the scry gem dimming to dusk blue.

Thalana spoke. “That’s a first. Skotos never misses a crisis with you.”

“He’s not the target. I am,” Nyxios replied. But even as he said it, a thread of uncertainty twisted in his chest. “We’re on our own.”

Thalana watched him closely. “Do you think it’s possible she went with the high elf? Maybe she took one of their offers after all?”

Nyxios recalled the faint darkening of Patrina’s collar after meeting with Aldergon. He had noticed, even if she didn’t mention it. “I doubt it,” he said, though the words felt like a lie. “Aldergon is too indecisive for her. I don’t see her choosing him over me. He’s a role model to her. Sight unseen, it would’ve been better if he was forgotten. But we have to confirm.”

“High Elf Embassy, then.”

Without another word, they left the library. The early sun splintered off the canal’s waters, glinting along the empty wooden dock streets as they cut a direct line to the High Elven Embassy. Its guards, decked in silver side-eyed Nyxios as he entered then sent a message of his arrival.

Inside, the hallways were pristine, every corner sharp and bright compared to Limdrion’s architecture. Waiting for them were not just Aldergon Graniel, but also the Wood Elf Magistrate: Eliad Tin’vine. Both elves turned at the sound of their approach.

Nyxios cut to the heart of it. “We’re looking for Patrina. She disappeared last night. All traces point to House Maelis, but I need to be certain she didn’t come here.”

Aldergon was shocked. “No,” Aldergon spoke, voice tight. “No one saw her after your last meeting.”

“She’s not here?” Nyxios pressed, “She didn’t request asylum?”

Eliad angrily quipped, “Knowing you dark elves, anyone would assume she should request asylum. Your magic twists human minds, dark elf.”

Nyxios felt a grim certainty settle on him. He turned to Thalana, who nodded in confirmation.

That’s when Eliad stepped forward, fists balled and struck Nyxios across the face. “You lost her in this city? Are you mad? I could only just tolerate her with you. I asked around and I know your House has some sense of decency. She is in real danger! If we somehow manage to find her, don’t you dare think you have a right to her.”

Fury sparked, but Nyxios refused to react. He stood, blood coloring his cheek, but eyes fixed on Eliad. “The collars choose. It never fell from her throat. She didn’t truly hate me. Agh, there’s no time for this! Patrina is missing, and if we waste another moment, whoever has her will make her theirs for good.”

Eliad stepped back, flexing his hand. “I’ll assist in finding her. I’ll go help scout the surrounding countryside. I am assuming you know I am the best tracker among the Wood Elves.”

Nyxios nodded once, grateful for the singular focus. “I thank you.”

Aldergon looked from one to the other, worry etched into every line. “If you need the Embassy’s resources, ask. I don’t wish her harmed either.”

The raw, unresolved confrontation hung in the air, but for now, their goals aligned. Recover Patrina from whoever dared to steal her away.

“You’ll have updates when I do,” Nyxios said, managing a short bow despite the bruising ache in his jaw.

They left as quickly as they had come. Outside, Nyxios paused on the Embassy steps, absorbing the morning light. He rolled his jaw, feeling the swelling, but cherished the pain. It reminded him of what was at stake, and how little time he had to make things right.