The Rise of Nix
Chapter 18

The beat of the drums called out to her as she swayed her hips, her hands gliding in the air as if she could feel the life force. Nix’s mind relaxed as the beat picked up, her eyes closed, and her body relaxed. The heat from Maverick’s body crowded her cooling form as he danced beside her, his fingers itching to reach out and pull her closer.

With the one cup of mead, the world’s heavy burden was released from her shoulders, and the last couple of days fluttered into the air the more she let go. Opening her eyes, Nix finally noticed the darkness beginning to lighten as the sun rose from behind the thick line of trees. Wiping away the sweat from her forehead, she stopped dancing and looked to Maverick, whose intense stare returned the heat to her core.

“Wow, that was amazing.” Nix breathlessly says, the night’s activity finally catching up to her exhausted body.

Maverick smiled as he watched his mate, the feeling of finally being home warming his soul. “You telling me. I did not know that you could be so much fun.”

Tilting slightly and smirking, she replied, “That is because you don’t know me so well.”

“I could if you let me.”

Breaking eye contact, Nix finally realized the lack of people around them. The massive fire from the night was gone; in its place were the charred remains of wood, a few dying sparks still struggling to ignite. Sleeping bodies of villagers scattered over the field as some slept on the ground while others huddled with their partners, desperate for the warmth they provided. Waking birds replaced the sound of the drums, and as she turned to face the musicians, she watched as they silently picked up their drums and disappeared to their homes, exhaustion visible in their slouched shoulders.

“Is it morning already.” noted Nix, “I was having so much fun.”

Wrapping his hand around her upper arm, Maverick fought the attraction that sparked up as their skin touched. Gently tugging, Nix turned towards him. “I dare say you were. So mission accomplished?”

“Absolutely.”

“But no need to end it just yet.”

His words took a second to register, making her blush again, “I told you I am not interested in that.”

Maverick looked hurt, but he quickly shifted, “Fine, but like I said. The invitation is always open.”

Staring at her feet, not knowing how to reply, Nix mumbled, “I will remember, but I think it is time for bed.”

The hold on her arm tightened for a second before Maverick let go, the beast in him urging him to take her, to possess his mate finally, but the human in him reminded him that she was not of his species, and she did not feel the instant attraction he is feeling. “Then let me walk you back.”

“That is not neccesa-”

Maverick interrupted her decline, “Nonsense. Some might view me as a beast, but I can assure you, I am all gentleman.”

“Fine,” replied Nix as she rolled her eyes. Men always thought that she needed their protection, but she was too tired to fight with him and instead turned and began walking, the footsteps sounding behind her indicating Maverick was following her.

The walk back was not long, but with each step, the muscles in her legs protested as her eyes begged to close and rest. Finally, the trees cleared up as her village slowly drew closer, the man still behind her, silent. An act she was grateful for, for she was too exhausted to talk right now.

Walking through the huts, females emerged from them, ready for a new day, but they all stopped in their tracks as Nix and Maverick moved past them, their mouths hanging open at the unusual sight. Fighting to ignore the stares, Nix picked up the pace as the comfort of her bed began to fill her mind. Finally, her small hut on the edge of the village stood before her, and her shoulders dropped in relief. Facing Maverick, all words fled her mind as she did not know what to say.

“You are back and safe. My job is done,” spoke Maverick, filling the awkward silence between them.

Smiling, Nix said, “Thank you again for last night. I did have fun.”

Leaning in, Maverick swept a fallen tendril away from her cheek, resting his fingers on her soft skin. “Me too.”

The closeness choked her breath as she examined his face before landing on his gaze, his fingers softly grazing her face, the thought of sleep vanishing. His dark eyes sprung from her lips to her eyes, her mind yelling to kiss him. In response, she licked her bottom lip, making the fingers on her face grasp her chin.

“You drive me crazy without even trying,” murmured Maverick.

Catching her breath, Nix’s eyes shifted to his full mouth, eager to taste him.

“Damn it,” rasped Maverick before he leaned in, his lips capturing Nix’s.

His sudden action shocked her, but she exploded the second his tongue licked her bottom lip. Opening her mouth, Nix granted him access. Nix returned the energy as his tongue explored hers, gently tugging at his bottom lip before softly biting it. A moan rumbled against her chest as Maverick’s hand fell to her hip, his fingers digging into her flesh, pulling her hard against him. As their exploration continued with their mouths, Nix fought and lost as she laced her fingers through his hair, pulling him closer.

“You drive me crazy,” whispered Maverick in between stolen breaths.

As his hands roamed her body, an intense heat pooled at her core as a new hunger gripped her body. Pulling away, Maverick broke their kiss as Nix almost moaned from the loss, but his words stopped her.

“I can sense your desire, but you won’t fulfil them. Why is that?”

The mood drastically shifted as the remaining heat dissipated. Stepping back and out of his reach, Nix eyed the ground, not wanting to answer. Her virginity was sacred, an intimate act she wanted to share with her loved one.

“It is getting late. You should go.”

Lifting his chin as a smirk revealed half of his teeth, Maverick folded his arms over his chest, eyeing her. “You don’t have to tell me, but know, I will have you screaming my name. I don’t care how long it takes.” his voice lowered with the last part as the intensity of his voice brought back the desire in her.

“We shall see,” replied Nix as she lifted the animal skin to her home. Dropping the cover and leaving Maverick outside, Nix began to move, but his parting words scared her. Not because she feared him but because her body was betraying her. The connection she felt with Maverick is unexplainable and contradictory to her beliefs. But how he made her feel was exhilarating, an act only another managed—one who broke her heart without even trying. Letting Maverick in might be fun for a while, but in the end, he could also hurt her, and she did not want that pain.

“Yes, we shall see,” spoke Maverick from outside, the dying footsteps alerting her to his departure.

After a few hours of sleep, Nix arose, still tired; her mind churned in overdrive. Last night was fun, and the kiss was memorable, but deep down, a part of her soul screamed to stay away. Laying on her back as she studied her straw roof, she replayed the whole night, trying to find something wrong, but it had been perfect, yet the itch telling her not to proceed kept clawing at her. Before she would always listen to her inner voice, the one that had saved her countless times, but it had been wrong before. The voice had said that Deimos could be trusted, yet here she was, hurt by him. And now the voice is yelling to stay away from Maverick, a man as perfect as can be.

Shaking her head, Nix threw off the blanket, releasing the warmth she had cuddled with. Getting ready for the day, Nix planned ahead. The less she thought of the two men, the better. First, she had to get food in her. Her stomach rumbling reminded her it had been a while since she was fed. Drinking some water quieted it, but only for a time. She lit a fire and hooked the pot onto the wooden rack hanging above the flames. Filling it with water, she tossed in some dried meat and herbs she had gathered in the woods behind her. Some had excellent properties to help the sick, while others made the bland food taste incredible. Watching the water boil while rubbing her hands over the heat, Nix’s mind began to wander. Grateful it wasn’t about Maverick, she replayed the session she had with Deimos in the field. After he had told her about the transformation in her body, she had not believed him, but after she had glowed, there was no turning back. To desire the change she wanted in this world, the magic had to be trained, so instead of letting the two complications ruin her day, she would learn to yield her new powers.

The warmth from the fire began to prickle her skin, and pulling them back slightly, Nix focused on her hands, a thought boiling up like the water in the pot. Hands open and palms up, she strained her gaze on her skin, detailing the lines running over her palm. Choosing a spot, she intently concentrated on the two lines as they met in the centre, willing her mind to make something happen. Slight tinkles began bubbling under the surface the longer she focused until they spread higher, covering her whole arms in the sensation. Something was happening, she could feel it, and as she dared the magic to show its face, it obliged. The pale skin suddenly began to glow, starting small but growing brighter, the color reminding her of the flames right next to her. The pot began to boil over, but she was too distracted to notice, for the glow started to morph, shifting and changing before her eyes. Two golden globes formed in her hands, giving off a warmth compared to the fire, which did not burn her. The fire spit sparks as drops from the soup landed on it, an echo in her mind as the golden globes copied the flames, tiny golden sparks shooting out before being pulled back. Pulling her hands apart, the orbs stayed in each palm. Curious to see what it does, Nix watched as the power clung to her while she flipped her hands over before turning upright, the gleaming orbs moving with her, moulding against her skin.

Then suddenly, a more significant flame licked out, grazing the delicate skin at the back of her hand. “Ouch,” Nix pulled her hands away from the pain, finally seeing the water vigorously spilling over the edge of the pot. The abrupt movement sent one of the golden orbs flying as it hit the ground to her right, black char in the place of the glowing power as it dissipated. Before she could investigate, Nix quickly picked up a cloth and cautiously removed the pot, her meal spilling over the edges. Placing it on the ground, she examined the soup. Infused with herbs and meat, the colour had become a dark brown as pieces of dried rabbit floated at the top. The delicious aroma tickled her nose as her stomach growled again, but before she could enjoy her meal, she had to check the damage she had unintentionally caused.

Bending down next to the burned spot on the ground, Nix lifted her hand, ensuring the power was gone before cautiously touching it. Her fingers met with a warm black spot, her fingers coming up black as ash covered them.

What is this? Did she just burn the ground with a magical golden ball that manifested only using her mind?

Smiling at the thought of her new powers, she grabbed the trunk standing at the edge of her bed and placed it over the evidence of her actions. Eyeing the wooden box and its content below one more time, Nix took a bowl from the table and filled it high with her meal, gulping it down hungrily. After the third bowl, her stomach groaned with fullness instead of hunger. With one task done, Nix pondered what to do next. Anything to keep her mind off of the two men.

After dressing and tidying up her home, placing the leftover soup in the bowl, and covering it with a wooden lid, Nix ventured out, sure that her early morning escapades with Maverick had reached the whole camp by now, moreover, Leela’s ears. As she walked through the people and their huts, the village was in full swing. A few people stared at her, only looking away when they were caught. Whispers behind their hands fluttered about her, but she chose to ignore them. Was it so scandalous that a man had escorted her home? Sure it was early in the morning, but she knew what had happened or not happened, so who cared what the others thought? They already saw her as strange, nothing compared to what they said about her.

The familiar hut came to view, less the crowd this time, but rather a laughing family. Anna sat by the entrance and watched her little boy playing with his father, a wrapped bundle against her chest. The newborn baby’s face peeked out from the animal fur wrapped around him, his eyes wide with a tint of a smile as he stared at its mother, Anna smiling down as she coed her child.

Moving closer, Nix couldn’t help but smile as pain grabbed her. This is what she wanted deep down. A family of her own, one she has not had in years. The villagers could be seen as her family now, but only a few she regarded as such. The rest were mere acquaintances.

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” Anna said as she looked up from her bundle of joy, her smile genuine as she looked at her friend.

Wiping away some fallen leaves from the wooden bench, Nix dropped down next to her friend. “Don’t start.”

Laughing, Anna tightened her bundle as she eyed Nix up and down, sniggering the whole time. “Start what?” Anna’s left eyebrow lifted as if she was playing with Nix.

Letting out a sigh and folding her arms over her chest, Nix studied the playfully look of her friend before focusing on the boy and his father as they carved a spear from a broken branch. “I assume you must have heard the chatter from the other villagers.”

“Of course I did. You know nothing stays a secret in this place. Especially something juicy as a certain gentleman escorting our modest Nix home. In the early morning, nonetheless.”

“It is not what you think.” Nix glanced back at Anna, who still had a look of suspicion plastered on her face.

“Then what did it look like?”

Reaching out, Nix lightly brushed the baby’s head, drawing the attention of the tiny bundle. Light eyes, the colour of a new morning sky, clashed with hers, making her heart melt as life’s troubles slipped away. Anna saw the interaction between her best friend and child, and without saying anything, she supported his neck as the bundle moved from her chest, holding him out for Nix.

“Hold him.” offered Anna.

“No, I can’t.” Nix wanted to decline, but Anna did not listen.

Nix carefully took the bundle on instinct as Anna pressed him into her. Sliding her hand underneath, she replaced her hold with the mother’s, replicating Anna as she held the baby boy against her chest. The blue eyes stared at her as she froze in place, scared that any move might hurt the child.

“He likes you,” remarked Anna as they both watched the baby smile at Nix.

“What is his name?” asked Nix.

“If his father had a say in it, we would have called him Samuel,” began Anna, ” but luckily, we both know who is the boss around here. So Gabriel is what I chose.”

Gently trailing a finger down Gabriel’s soft cheek, Nix said, “It suits him.”

“That is what I said.”

Watching the baby laugh as she caressed him, Nix melted internally as the fear of hurting him became replaced by love. The bond between a parent and child is inseparable, one she had lost at a young age and the reason she acts the way she does. After her own family’s loss, Nix shifted between different groups and saw families’ good and bad. Anne’s family life is what she wanted, but the curse of having the wrong partner was evident in some homes where she stayed. The men had beaten their wives and children, causing deep trauma in her and the kids. So Nix made a promise at a young age. She would not commit to the relationship if she did not fully trust a man. And the last two men had proven her point.

“So, are you going to tell me? Or should I force it out of you?”

Glancing away from the plump smile of the newborn, Nix looked back to her friend.

“You wouldn’t believe me.”

Anna cocked her head, “Try me.”

“There you are, you party animal.” a high-pitched voice interrupted Nix as she was about to relay the night’s event.

Both women turned to face the newcomer. Red hair shining in the sun caught their attention before the bouncing bosom and swaying hips neared. Mary looked gleeful as she stomped onto the pair, her gaze zoning in on Nix before she slowed as she caught sight of the bundle against her chest.

“Now, this I did not expect,” announced Mary as she stopped before the two women, one hand on her hip as she waved the other at Nix.

“Motherhood suits her, doesn’t it?” pointed out Anna.

“Sure looks like it.”

“Guys,” interrupted Nix. “I am just holding the child I pulled into this world. Blood soaked and all.”

The sudden noise scared the baby as the boy began wailing, a horrid look on Nix.

“Clearly, not there yet,” replied Anna as she reached for the baby, Nix gratefully handing over the bundle, unsure how to calm him down.

As soon as Gabriel became engulfed in Anna’s arms, his face turned as he opened his mouth, seeking out a breast. With mother’s instinct, Anna released her left breast from her shirt as Gabriel latched on, soft slurping sounds following.

“I do not miss that.” Mary pointed out.

“It is not so bad.” Anna stared lovingly at her feeding son, a beam of light directed at him.

All the ladies watched Gabriel feed for a moment before Mary broke the spell.

“Now, back to you.” the hand by her side shot in Nix’s direction, a finger pointing at her.

Lifting her hands in the air, Nix faked submission, “Relax. I will tell you everything.”

“It better be good.” Mary jokingly said as she squeezed between Nix and a feeding Anna, her plump behind forcing Nix to shift slightly to the side to make enough room for her friend.

“Well, after you left...” began Nix as she told the story, being sure to leave out the part about the golden sphere of power. The two women were her friends, but they might not accept her new abilities or what she planned to do with them.

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