The Rise of Nix
Chapter 27

A new morning crescendoed over the blue horizon, creating a golden glow over the dawning of a new day. Waves crashed against the shore, sending cool ocean water swarming over Nix’s bare feet as she walked along the coast, admiring the natural beauty she had come to love over the last couple of weeks. After their swim on the first day, they ventured into the small village sitting atop the hill. At first, the villagers were cautious about the unfamiliar additions, but soon they warmed up. An elderly couple even offered up their dwelling for them until they managed to secure their own home. Thinking it would be a while, Nix had begun thinking of a solution to their problem, but two days later, Deimos had surprised her. Covering her eyes with his palms, he had carefully let her away from the now-familiar chattering of the group, taking her over rocks and through bushes as the sound of civilization whispered away. Instead replaced by the glorious sound of water crashing down from a height into a pool.

“You ready?” Deimos’ warm breath caressed her cheek as he whispered in her ear, the closeness of his body sending heat to her core. Combined with the surprise, Nix couldn’t help but burst with happiness, the loss of her family back home slowly healing.

“Yes,” breathed Nix, her heart thumping wildly.

“I knew how much you love swimming since I struggled the last couple of days to get you out of the ocean.” began Deimos as he finally removed his hands. Nix blinked to adjust to the sudden brightness but gasped as she laid eyes on the glorious sight before her. “So I thought you would love to stay here. It is not much, but we could always build to it.”

A small waterfall stood before her, the clear liquid forming into a tiny pool mere feet from where they stood. The rock formation was slightly taller than her, the grey rocks slick with water, shimmering under the fierce sunlight. A green forest surrounded the back of the waterfall, coming around the pool to reach them as they stood by the entrance. Eyeing the area, Nix spotted a simple structure to the right. A wooden roof was built against the trees, and what looked like a boar skin covered the back.

“This is... amazing,” words escaped her as she absorbed their new home.

“So you like it?”

Turning to Deimos, Nix caught a barely scared look flashing over his features. Reaching up, she caressed his cheek, letting her hand rest against his soft skin, a slight stumble tickling her fingers. Softening her brows, she lovingly gazed up at Deimos, the stress leaving his features simultaneously. “I love it,” Nix paused, dreading how her following words would affect him. “And I love you.”

Deimos gasped, his mouth falling open as he replayed her words. From the beginning, he has loved her. Even from the second he saw her reflection in the pool as he had watched the humans, but to hear her say it, made all the trials and turbulence of mortality worth it. SNaking his arms around her waist, he pulled her close as she crashed into his chest, tightening their bodies together. “And I love you.”

Their kiss was gentle but rough at the same time as their hunger for the other surfaced. Finally breaking away for a breath, Nix turned in his arms, resting her back against his chest as he dropped his chin to the crook of her neck. “I promised you a life of adventure, and this is only the beginning.”

Two weeks had passed in blissful intensity. During the day, they had worked on honing their magic, teasing and testing the other. Their small hut had also grown with them. Adding a floor and walls, they gained privacy, for at night, they had expressed the feelings building inside as passion and pleasure surged through their veins. Nix never imagined that love could feel this great, but a small part of her mind screamed to be careful.

And so she found herself walking along the beach as the sun rose, marvelling in the glorious sight as she mentally reeled. For years, she had trusted her gut, which had helped countless times to save her, so why was the same voice yelling at her to run just as things were coming together? A darkness was looming above her, but she did not know if it was about the horrible vision of the future she had or if it was about the most wonderful man she had ever met, Deimos.

Plopping down on the shore, she dug her wet into the sand, wiggling her toes as she watched hundreds of grain playing over her skin. Tugging her knees to her chest and resting her head on her knees, Nix relaxed, using the calmness of the world around her to focus on one thing. Magic.

Each morning she had woken before Deimos, gazing at his sleeping form before going for a walk, practising on her own, for the magic responded best when she was clear-headed and had no distractions. Trailing her finger in the sand, her hand lifted as she turned her palm up. Whispering an unknown word, the power surged forward and a purple-like sphere formed in her hand. Soon she realized that the different colours reflected her mood. A golden hue meant happiness, a frequent colour, and orange/red meant anger or heightened emotion. But only recently has the stunning purple surfaced, the beauty compared to a sunset over the mountains, but it always accompanied the dread of the voice.

Shaking off her wandering thoughts, Nix let the ball grow, shifting her hand so she could admire it from all sides. But, suddenly, the voice screamed in her head, a pang of pain making her jerk and the power fall to the ground. Tiny sparks shot in every direction as they crashed into the sand, covering the pale surface in a small circle. Not knowing what the magic would create or destroy, she quickly shot up to escape but froze as a flash of familiarity caught her eyes. Red hair streaked across the violet shimmer. Red hair is not a common trait, and she has only known less than a handful of people with the rare trade, with her best friend Mary at the top of the list. Could it be? Did she see her friend while using magic? Squatting down for a closer look, Nix held her breath while watching the flowing power, but nothing happened. Letting out a frustrating groan, she carefully reached out to touch the puddle, a subtle spark meeting the tip of her finger. Unexpectedly, it vanished, leaving her skimming the bare sand.

Watching the spot for a while longer while hoping it would somehow reappear, she finally gave up as she stood, moving her gaze to the breathtaking ocean view, sadness for her loss returning double fold. Even the fresh breeze from the water could not push down the pain. Needing to forget about it, Nix reluctantly left the waves and foam behind her, heading up the hill towards the village. Fighting back the urge to cry, she plastered a fake smile on her lips, the happiness not reaching her eyes as she weaved through the morning crowd. People passing greeted her, and she nodded in return, feeling wrong for not stopping to talk to them. These people had welcomed her and Deimos, providing what they needed to build their home, even helping them some days. And in return, Nix had become their healer. Growing close to them, she could finally see herself settling down here. The thought of crossing the ocean disappeared slowly each day as they became friends. None of them knew of her history, meaning they could not judge her for her choices. In fact, they accepted her with open arms.

“Nix,” a boy’s voice shouted from across the village. Rafael’s head bobbed through the crowd, his brown hair flailing wildly in the wind as he ran towards her. Instantly, her mood lightened, and a genuine smile crossed her face.

“Raf,” Nix shouted back as she waved at him.

Dodging an elderly couple leaving their tent, the boy jumped into her open arms, and she engulfed him in a hug, holding tight as she inhaled his familiar scent. Rafael wrapped his arms around her, snuggling deeper as Nix’s eyes closed, enjoying the contact and allowing him to wash away the fear and dread she was experiencing. She has grown close to the boy and his brother in the last couple of weeks, especially after their mother, Nadine, invited them for dinner several times. After some chatting, she realized Nadine, and she had more in common. The woman was raising the two boys alone after the accidental death of her husband. He had gone hunting one morning, never to return. After days of searching, they found his mangled body. All signs indicated he had fallen down a cliff since they found him at the bottom. Nadine had been devastated since she was alone with two young children, unable to support them. But like her own village, the people had banded together and helped raise them, making this close-knit group even more inviting.

“You should be more careful,” reluctantly breaking the comforting contact, Nix ruffled the boy’s hair as she stepped back, grasping his shoulders and bending down to talk at his eye level.

“I’m sorry. Mamma says one of these days I will crash into the wrong person.” the boy explained.

Nix giggled at his words, knowing Nadine was right. The woman was protective of her sons and would move mountains for them. A connection she had a small taste of before the death of her own family and could appreciate it. Not so much for Rafael, as the boy was always curious, getting himself into trouble. At that age, she and he were alike, and unlike her village, these people encourage curiosity, within reason, of course.

“She is right, you know. It would be best if you listened to her,” affirmed Nix.

Rolling his eyes, Rafael shrugged his shoulders, eliciting another giggle from Nix.

“I know.”

“Now, why are you here? Shouldn’t you be with the other kids, learning stuff?” asked Nix.

Rafael started jumping with joy after her question, his clear eyes sparkling with life. “I was looking for you.”

“And why is that?”

“Mamma wants to invite you and Deimos to the party tonight. There is going to be a BIG fire,” he opened his arms wide to indicate the size, “and we want you to come.”

“That sounds fun. We will be there.”

“Yippie.” the boy cheered, his excitement making him run back home, no word of goodbye to her. Watching him leave, Nix glowed with happiness again. His slight frame disappeared into a hut as she longingly stared ahead, her mind reeling. As she had woken this morning, readying for her walk, a thought had randomly popped up. It had been roughly three weeks since they left Khan’s village, two weeks after her bloodshedding. Gently massaging her stomach, Nix recalled how the girls had explained what happens when you do not bleed. And it scared her.

She could be pregnant, and she did not know how Deimos would react to the news.

“This is amazing,” the light from the flames sparkled in Nix’s eyes as her face lit up with excitement while watching the gathering, her hand tightening in Deimos’ as they stood by the village entrance. After Rafael had invited them, Nix happily sprinted back to their home, catching Deimos as he left their small pool, droplets of water rolling down his chiselled body. Admiring the view for a while, she finally approached him with the invite, and he agreed.

“Now it is starting to feel like home,” Deimos squeesed her hand, walking to a group of people talking as he led her. After welcome greetings, and an offer of mead, they dropped onto an open log before the fire, basking in the warmth it provided as cool air from the ocean brushed their backs. Men and women laughed and talked as the children ran in circles playing. Nix focused on a group of kids next to the fire, watching as they played and giggled, her mind conjuring up images of another small child. One with long blond hair, braided in her favourite style, dark eyes turned up as the girl smiled, features from both her and Deimos evident on her face. Caressing her stomach as she watched, Nix dreamed about the future and how it would change with her child. In her earlier years, she never actually dreamed about having a family. She had known it might happen one day, but she had always pictured dark silhouettes and blank faces, but now it was becoming a reality.

“Everything alright?”

Facing a concerned Deimos to her left, Nix faked a smile. “I am great,” she reassured, but he could sense she was avoiding the truth.

“Then why are you lying?”

Turning back to the children, she saw her imaginary daughter disappear with the wind as reality entered. Deimos’ hand crept to her thigh, lightly grasping her, forcing her to look at him.

“Talk to me. Please.” Deimos looked sad as he spoke, breaking Nix’s heart. “We are in this together.”

Nodding in agreement, she looked him in the eyes with such intensity the background faded away, making it feel like it was only the two of them in the whole world.

“There is something I need to tell you, but I don’t know how you will react.”

“Just tell me, and we can go from there.”

“Okay,” began Nix, scared to tell him she might be pregnant. Does he even want kids? Can he have them? And the magic. She had completely forgotten about a significant part of her life now. Will their baby get the power as well? What if it is too much for an infant to handle?

As the answerless questions bombarded her mind, so did the party crowd her senses. The yell of a boy a few feet away crashed through her ears as the fire’s brightness felt like it was daytime. Her heart frantically pumped in her chest as she began sweating, her chest doubling in speed as she struggled to breathe. “I- I can’t do this.”

Jumping up, she sprinted past everybody, only faintly hearing her name being called as the darkness beckoned her over. Following the memorized path, she nearly slipped on the rocks in the dark but steadied herself. Salty air wrapped around her skin as the sound of waves neared, something she had come to love and used as an escape from daily stress. Kicking off the shoes, her feet sunk into the coarse sand as she sped to the water’s edge, stopping only when the waves crashed into her calves. Hundreds of stars glistered against the dark sky, and as she began to count them, her heart slowed, and her breathing returned to normal. A sudden cold touch on her shoulder spun her around to face Deimos.

“Now you have to tell me what is going on. I have never seen you so freaked out before.”

Wrapping her arms around herself for comfort, she turned towards the ocean. On instinct, Deimos reached out to her but bit back as he realized this was not what she needed, and as much as he wanted to comfort her, he needed her to tell him first what was happening so he could help her. As silence clung between them, his mind rattled off endless reasons for her behaviour, the loudest one being that she was already regretting leaving her home and friends to be with him. Leaving all that she had for a small house on the edge of the world for a man who has nothing, just himself. And that thought tumbled downhill, growing more prominent as he tried to figure out how to handle the situation if she said she wanted to return to her friends and Maverick. But before he could imagine the worst, she spoke, and he slightly relaxed.

Turning her back on the full moon hanging over the darkness, Nix faced Deimos, her heart beating erratically in her chest as her hands began feeling clammy. “Since your time here, have you thought about starting a family? Is it even possible?” she asked.

Staying silent as he pondered the question, he wondered if it was possible. “No, I never thought about having children.” It was true. As a God, they cannot reproduce, but in a mortal form, was it even possible? The Three never mentioned anything about it, so he never questioned it.

“But is it possible?” Nix’s eyes doubled as she tried to relay her concerns without speech.

“I guess,” replied Deimos. “Why are you asking this? Do you want to start a family, and you are worried that I can’t provide what you need?”

Nix’s face dropped at the thought of insulting him. Reaching out, she rested her hand on his forearm, gently massaging him. “Of course, I want to start a family. Seeing the people in this village so happy together made me start picturing our own family.”

Pulling Nix into a hug, Deimos rested his chin on her head, breathing in her intoxicating scent as she wrapped her arms around him, pulling them tightly together. “If it is what you truly desire, I don’t see why we cannot try.”

“That might not be necessary,” mumbled Nix against his chest.

Pushing her back to hear better, he said, “Say that again.”

As waves licked their feet and cold air wrapped around their heated bodies, Nix stepped back, her hands instinctively covering her still-flat stomach as she peaked up at him from below her lashes.

“I think I am already with child.”

The world froze around them. Nix looked at Deimos with hope in her eyes and fear in her heart, waiting for him to respond to the shocking news. Would he be thrilled about this? Or would he run far away from the complications it could bring? Deimos had guaranteed he would always be with her, but will he stay for a child?

What felt like hours passing only turned out to be mere moments. Blinking faster as his eyes lowered to her cradled stomach, Deimos ran his fingers through his hair as images of their life flashed before him: Nix sitting by the fire, her belly so big it seemed like it was about to pop. A small wrapped bundle lying against her chest. A smaller version of his love playing with a smiling Nix.

It all seemed perfect, but was he ready for this? He had one mission to do, and he failed. Instead of teaching the witch to yield her powers, he fell in love with her and inadvertently produced an heir. Of course, he had not thought about the consequences of their lovemaking, yet they were about to become parents. But what of the Mighty Three? Do they know? Are they watching them now?

As the thought hit him, Deimos panicked. Quickly eyeing their surroundings for any sign of magic, he relaxed as non popped up, but it did not mean they weren’t still watching. Making a mental note to put up a magical barrier around their home for privacy, he finally gazed down at a waiting Nix. But what would he say? Yes, he was thrilled at the idea, but was he ready? Were they ready?

“I know it is scary, but we can do this together.” Nix interrupted as the silence killed her. This was not the reaction she had hoped, but at least he had not run away. Yet.

“I, I don’t know what to say,” mumbled Deimos.

“You can say what you don’t feel. Are you mad?”

Shaking his head, Deimos reassured, “No, I am not mad. Shocked, yes. But never mad.” Gripping her shoulder, Deimos wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as he spoke. “To be honest. I never thought about starting a family since I don’t know how long I will be here. It is scary; frankly, I have no experience handling babies. But with you by my side, I can see us as a little family, all together in our slice of heaven.” Sliding his fingers under her chin, he lifted her face, caressing her cheek as they gazed lovingly at each other, their love doubling.

“So you are ready for a baby?”

“Not right now, but we still have a while to go before she gets here.”

Nix’s head tilted, “You think it would be a girl?”

“Yes. Having another one of you can only make life more entertaining.” Deimos smirked.

“Are you saying I am too much?”

Placing butterfly kisses along her jaw, Deimos smiled, “You are just perfect. And so will our child.”

Their kiss felt intimated as they came together. And their love showed in the sex as they lay on the beach, cuddled in each other’s arms, watching a new dawn crescent over the horizon, and at that moment, Nix experienced true joy. For once, life was great, and she looked forward to the future.

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