Nyx

[0_0_7]

Bond took care of Harry, settling him into a makeshift jail and setting a guard on him. He'd have to talk to Harry, the cooler head, about what to do with the man. Bond would just as likely murder him, but there had been a club full of witnesses.

Once Harry was secure and he was sure Nyx had time to recover a bit, he found his way to the nymph's room. Hex let him in with a warning that Nyx wasn't himself.

Clearly. He looked a mess.

"How are you feeling, Nyx?" Bond said with a note of genuine concern.

Comments

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx had refused to dress for a while, but had eventually been convinced to pull on a thin white tunic. He watched Bond with dark eyes, sniffing the air, then flashing his teeth.

"I am hurt," he replied simply.

[0_0_7]

Bond was shocked by the change in the nymph, but refused to show it.

"I know," he said. "Can I do anything for you while you recover?"

Part of him wished for Nyx to ask for Harry's head. Bond would have to war with himself before he said no.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx was silent for a moment, then wet his lips with a quick flick of his tongue.

"I want to see him. I want to speak. I want... Answers. Why he hurt me."

[0_0_7]

"I don't think that's a terribly good idea, Nyx. He's in jail. Where he'll stay," Bond said. "He said you did something to him..."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Magic. He was sad, I offered kindness. He hit me," Nyx replied. "I want to speak to him," he demanded, before hissing in annoyance.

[0_0_7]

"Perhaps when you're feeling more like yourself," he replied. "When everyone is a bit more level headed."

He paused.

"Myself included."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I have never been more myself," Nyx said. "What do you wish to trade? I will trade to get what I want."

[0_0_7]

"It's not up for trade," Bond said. "Why do you need to speak to him so badly?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I need why," Nyx replied, looking frustrated with himself as he struggled to sound as eloquent as he could.

"...I want to know what made him mad," he managed finally.

[0_0_7]

"I'm certain that will come out at trial, Nyx," Bond said calmly.

His expression softened.

"He hurt you because he's a violent man. He was Before, and he still is."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx tilted his head, looking Bond over.

"You are violent too, should I beware of you?" he asked.

[0_0_7]

"You'd be wise to," he replied honestly. "But you don't need to."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx considered that, then nodded just once.

[0_0_7]

"Harry, on the other hand,is lucky he'll make it to trial. If I had my way he'd be dead or banished," he continued.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx frowned in disapproval. He didn't wish such a fate on anyone.

"I think you simply have bloodlust."

[0_0_7]

"Perhaps. I definitely have a taste for vengeance," he said.

"He should have picked someone I didn't consider-" property "-a friend."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Tame, and in his more human form, Nyx would have been touched by that. As he was, however, he could only feel doubt.

Bond never spoke to him like a friend, he used him like a tool.

The fae hummed, nodding slightly.

[0_0_7]

"You seem to be healing well," he noted.

It was obvious Harry had done real damage. Even if the bruises had faded, Nyx was clearly changed.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I heal fast. You know this. You've tested it," Nyx pointed out. "Why are you really here?" he pressed.

[0_0_7]

Bond looked at him a long moment.

"I was concerned," he answered simply.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx wandered closer, giving Bond a sniff.

[0_0_7]

Bond watched him, but kept still to let him do as he liked. THere was a spark of desire, always, but Bond kept it in check.

"Yes?" he asked after a moment.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx was silent a beat, then leaned in, up on his toes slightly as he whispered into Bond's ear.

"You smell like murder. Death. ...Lies," he whispered, drawing away and putting one finger to his lips, as though promising to keep a secret.

...For now.

[0_0_7]

"I don't know why. I washed this morning," he replied, cool and even.

It took quite a bit to unsettle him. Nyx knew what he was about. The time they had shared, he had probably revealed more than he'd intended.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Some things don't come clean," Nyx replied.

[0_0_7]

"Then it's a good thing most people aren't as observant as you, Nyx," Bond replied. "Do you think if you talk to Harry you'll learn the same thing?"

Because Bond knew he would. He'd smell it. Harry reeked of violence.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Maybe," Nyx replied. "But I'm not speaking with him, I'm speaking with you."

[0_0_7]

"Are you hoping to learn something new about me, Nyx? Are you sure you want to know?" he asked.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx imagined he knew plenty.

"No," he replied simply. "Unless you want to share something"

[0_0_7]

"Sharing is for therapy," he smirked.

"I think you know enough, Nyx."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx tensed, not sure why he suddenly felt nervous. It was as though the air itself shifted.

"Yes, well, I might not make it this week."

[0_0_7]

"Understandable, under the circumstances."

He looked him over, noting that even as they'd been speaking, Nyx's injuries seemed to have healed.

"I'm sure you'll be right as rain soon enough."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"We will see," the fae replied, his voice a low rumbling purr.

[0_0_7]

"Do you or Hex need anything to help your recovery?" Bond asked, straightening a bit as he resisted the pull of that tone.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Not at the moment, but I will tell you if we do," Nyx replied, noting the arousal.

[0_0_7]

Bond nodded once.

"And when will you be able to get back to work?" he asked. "Harry tells me we're nearly ready for parliament to take over."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"When it is ready, just come see me. I will come," Nyx said, offering no timeline.

[0_0_7]

Bond watched him closely. Nyx was changed in more way than one. He wondered if the nymph would still be an asset if he' gone wild.

"I'll let you know," he nodded.

"I'm sure you're tired. I'll go and you can rest."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx smiled, a flash of teeth that felt more lie a warning than friendly.

"Goodnight, James."

[0_0_7]

"Good night, Nyx," he nodded and turned to go.

He was going to have to find a way to ensure loyalty. He didn't trust that smile at all.