Macy POV
It has been several days since I freed Raven from the hold the Moon Goddess had on her. She is being overly kind and smothering me. The twins are ecstatic to have their mother back to normal, but I can't bring myself to trust her. Not yet. Part of me thinks she knew what the Moon Goddess was doing and hid her actions behind that mask. Either way. I spend my days outside, away from everyone.
The lush grass pads my back as I look up at the sky. It is unseasonably warm, and I am determined to soak up every ounce of sunshine. Nyx is sleeping soundly beside me. She does not leave my side unless I ask for a few moments alone with the twins. Then she sulks in the bathroom or right outside the bedroom door. I don't mind her being around. It is the one familiar thing I have left.
'We need to get you to the portal,' she breaks the silence between us. 'Time is wearing thin.'
I roll over onto my stomach and rest my chin on my hands. No one has spoken of the portal since I freed Raven, not even the twins. It is like everyone is avoiding the question, but I cannot stay here. I don't belong.
"I know," I sigh. "I don't think the twins want to leave anymore."
'Then you will have to leave them behind,' Nyx says with certainty.
"I know," I groan. "I will just miss them."
'You can find love after your mate,' Nyx says quietly. 'It is not the same, but it is still love.'
"Who is your mate?" I beg the question. "I know it is not Cassian."
'It is not Cassian,' she confirms.
Rolling onto my back, I look back at the sky. "I am just trying to figure out how you fit into the royal family."
'I am your grandfather's warrior,' she responds. 'I was charged with protecting him.'
"So, you aren't going to tell me about your mate?" I muse.
'No,' Nyx responds curtly. 'Not today.'
"So, one day?" I look over at her.
'Perhaps,' she sighs. 'If it is necessary.'
I can hear the annoyance in her voice, and I choose not to push her further. She might actually bite me now that she is not contained in my mind. I chuckle at the thought and hold my hands out in front of me. A small purple flower blooms in the palm of my hand. It is the only color I have been able to make so far. I pluck it from my skin and lace it into her fur. Nyx lets out a disgruntled humph and tries to shake it from behind her ear.
'You shouldn't be using your magic here,' she growls. 'It will drain your energy.'
"I know, I know," I huff. I have heard it from her since I awoke from a mind blowing orgasm. Magic needs to be used sparingly in the Human Realm. It takes longer to replenish the energy needed to create magic. Blah, blah, blah.
A shadow casts over my body, blocking it from the sun. I shield my eyes and look above me. It isn't one of the twins looking down on me. It is Billy.
His eyes roam over my body, not leaving a piece untouched. It makes me feel dirty and used. I shudder under his gaze. Billy is never far from me. His eyes are always watching me. I don't know if Alpha Kieran put him up to it or not, but I wish he would leave me alone.
"Can I help you?" I ask.
"Raven wants to speak with you," he says stiffly.
"Oh," I furrow my brows. "Okay."
"Not you," Billy says roughly. "She wants to see… that."
I glance over at Nyx. Her ears are pinned back, and she is baring her teeth. She doesn't like him. 'I am not leaving you with him.'
"I know," I whisper to her. "I will go with you."
I get to my feet and try to step around Billy, but he steps in front of me. "She wants to see her alone."
"I go where Nyx goes," I hiss at him. "And vice versa."
"You just got back on her good side," Billy muses. "Do you think it is best to upset her?"
"She was acting under the control of the Moon Goddess," I remind him.
He shrugs his shoulders. "If you say so."
Nyx begins to trot toward the mansion, and I step in line to follow her, but Billy reaches out and grabs my wrist. His touch burns and stings my skin, and I yelp in pain. He immediately lets go, but there is an odd look of satisfaction on his face. His tongue darts out and wets his lips. Clutching my wrist, I step away from him.
That is when I notice a hint of metal shining on his hands. Iron rings are on each of his fingers, and I have to choke back the gasp in my throat. I sneak a look at my wrist and small burns line my wrist. My eyes dart to his in disbelief. He hurt me on purpose.
"I think we can come to an understanding so this doesn't happen again," he smirks.
"The one where Nyx bites off your balls?" I snarl at him.
Her steady growl rumbles through the air, letting me know she saw everything. Only Billy does not appear to be frightened. In fact, he looks excited.
"I like a challenge," he smiles before walking away.
I twist my fingers in Nyx's fur like I used to do when I was little. It is the only comfort I can take right now without falling apart.
'This is why you have to leave,' she begs me. 'They will all come for you eventually.'
I nod. "I will find the twins and tell them I am leaving after we meet with Raven."
'You are so innocent,' Nyx sighs. 'There was never a meeting with Raven. He was trying to see if he could get you alone. You are going to have to stop being so naive at some point.'
I want to argue with her and tell her I am not naïve, but she is right. My shoulders slump, and I look down at my still burned wrist. If the Human Realm is this cruel, I can't imagine what the Immortal Realm is like. What if I don't belong anywhere?