Chapter 9

~~~~~NYX~~~~~

Nyx had been having strange dreams for weeks, blurred images but never the full picture. 

Some were gore flashes that twisted his guts and made him feel like puking. Others were quiet, content moments. 

Gloves covered in blood, vomiting over a rotting toilet, killing people as they begged for mercy. But then he'd also see those same gloved hands write letters in their delicate cursive, or play piano so beautifully, or shuffle a deck of cards at lightning speed. 

He didn't know what to make of the dreams. 

He had yet to tell anyone, he didn't know why he kept it a secret, Nyx just felt as if the images were intimate. Like they were for his mind only.

The annual masquerade was being held in the Day court, to celebrate the day his Mother defeated the Blithe Amarantha and freed Prythian. Last year it was in the Summer court and Nyx and Finch ended up so drunk that finch destroyed a building and Nyx tried to catch it. 

He would try his best to stay sober this year, though that's what he said last year and the year before that. 

He brushed invisible dust from his black tux as he looked at himself in the mirror. 

A knock sounded at the door and in came his mother, Feyre Archeron. 

Nyx watched through the reflection as a fond smile took over his mother's face, "You look just like your father, you know that? I care you for ten months and you don't even have the decency to look like me." 

They laughed at her joke scolding as he turned to look at her. "All I'm hearing is he's devilishly handsome like his old man. Don't be offended Feyre darling, he just chose his genes well." The teasing voice of his father entered the room. 

You could hear the joy in the high lord's voice as he looked at his son and mate. 

"Are you ready? Everyone's waiting for us." Feyre said as she adjusted the collar black collar of her son's shirt. 

"Yeah... I just... I have a weird feeling." Nyx answered honestly. 

He had felt on edge all day... like something was going to happen but he had no clue what.  His parents stiffened, worry taking over their features. 

"We'll have Azriel do a sweep before we go in, warn everyone to just be careful. The last time I attended a masquerade with a bad feeling, half of Prythian ended up trapped under a mountain for 50 years." Rhys said, though his voice was playful, his words were dead serious. 

With that, they left to meet with the rest of the inner circle. 

~~~~~LOKI~~~~~~

It's just a job...

Loki scowled at herself in the mirror, she hated dresses. They were much too constricting and made a quick getaway impossible 

She knew that the plan was brilliant. She had so many backup plans that there is no possible way that any unaccounted for variables. 

The Day Court had a book they needed for a client, all they needed was some of High Lord Helion's DNA, and Nina would be able to get them into the private library. 

With all the distractions no one would notice the book was gone and there would be too many suspects to track it down. 

Loki wore a black dress it was silk and had a hood attached to the tight bodice. It shined in the light as she moved with a slit that went up to the top of her thigh. Matching silk gloves adorned her hands and a black and silver mask covered a majority of her features. 

She thought it showed too much cleavage but Nina insisted that she looked like a Prythian high fae. 

As disappeared into the crowd of party-goers all dressed in blacks and reds to remember all that was lost. 

Loki didn't particularly care, she wasn't alive at the time and she was also from Hybern. 

The only thing she really cared about was how stupid Amarantha was. She was smart enough to get the entirety of Prythian under her control... just to waste it by giving a human a stupidly easy riddle. 

Such a wasted opportunity. 

Rather than solidify her power forever, she threw it away being petty. 

Stupid girl.

But now her execution marks a time for Prythian to come together and get drunk of their asses. Also, a perfect opportunity to rob the High Lord of day. 

Inej dressed as a servant approached Loki with a tray of champagne glasses. Loki took one sending a cheeky wink at the girl before they parted ways. 

Nina was on the dance floor with Matthais, pretending to be drunk already. 

The doors opened and the announcer spoke, "Now entering, High Lord Rhysand of the Night Court, High Lady Feyre Archeron Cursebreaker of the Night Court, and Crown Prince Nyx of the Night Court." 

They entered and the crowd silenced, taking in the Royal Night family. Most were focused on Feyre Cursebreaker, the hero of the evening but Loki couldn't help the pull she felt towards the prince of night. 

He had perfectly styled onyx hair and piercing blue eyes that she could make out even from across the room. Tattoos crawled up the tan skin of his neck. He had a lazy arrogance about him, an air of power that surrounded his every sensual movement. 

He was the most beautiful man she'd ever seen. 

Loki sensed Inej come up next to her holding an empty champagne glass that High Lord Hellion had drunk from. 

"He put his mouth on the glass?" 

"Yes."

"Good. Take it to Nina, once she opens the library get the book and get out. Don't come back to the party." With a nod, Inej disappeared towards Nina as Loki moved to ensure they were not seen. 

But then she looked at him again, Nyx crown prince of the Night Court, and their eyes met. 

Only for a second. 

But that was all it took for the mating bond to click into place.