44. Our minds are all now linked in a deep, inescapable bond.

Chapter 44

Our minds are all now linked in a deep, inescapable bond.

NYXION

"Mr. Sandman" by SMYL

"Take Me to Church" by Hozier

A s we soar through the night sky, the weight of Zenya's sleeping form secure in my arms, our gaze is drawn below to the vast canyon that once divided our realms.

My jaw drops as does my brother's. It takes our breath away. The jagged chasm, once a formidable barrier of stone and shadow, has now fused, the mountains interlocking like the pieces of a dark, ancient puzzle.

The ever-present barrier of mist, which had long separated our worlds of Nightmares and Dreams, is gone.

Hovering in midair, thoughts mirroring one another, Morpheus and I stare down at the girl cradled in my arms. Awe fills my chest, a proud warmth spreading into my heart, knowing how she is the catalyst, the key to all of this—the force that has united us, binding our fates.

A wry smile tugs at Morpheus's lips as he glances at me. "You know, Hecate planned this all along." His tone carries a note of grudging admiration.

I nod, a soft chuckle escaping my mouth. "Of course she did. The Goddess of Crossroads never sends us to the edge without a reason."

As we return to my brother's castle, our shared laughter echoes through the night, a sign of how we are moving forward. We will live as brothers rather than enemies.

HECATE

Of course, I was waiting for them until they returned.

The daemons exchange knowing glances with me, but I say nothing about my premonition. Nor would I. The visions of a Goddess belong to her and her alone. I insist on taking Zenya for now. They don't quarrel, willingly surrendering her to my care.

She is naturally exhausted, her breaths slow and deep, her body worn but peaceful, bereft of tension.

"One last thing before you rest, little dreamer." I brush my lips along her temple. Zenya stirs in my arms as I lay her on the bed.

I light my torches, casting the scent of incense. Flames crackle. Embers drift through the air like floating shards of shattered stars.

Zenya's breathing is soft, her body still, but the markings on her skin testify of the forces that now claim her. On her left side, the intricate lines of skeletal framework, etched in ghostly white, symbolize Nyxion's dark influence. On her right, swirling shadow whorls, as deep as the abyss, mark Morpheus's hold on her. Despite the stark contrast, they seem to complement one another in a strange, beautiful way.

Mine will fulfill them.

I stand over Zenya, eyes lingering upon her form, gilded in my firelight. She is so lovely. A beautiful and powerful soul who now belongs to us. I skim my fingers along the center of her body, bare of any marks. Her nipples pebble even in her sleep, and I shake my head with a smile.

Raising my hand of ancient force, I extend my fingers until a flame flickers to life at the tips—blue and white, intense and otherworldly. With grace and purpose, I guide the flame down the center of Zenya's body where the skeletal markings and shadowy whorls nearly meet. She moans in her sleep but does not stir. I didn't even need to numb her. Not when she's had her recent fill of the ultimate addiction and painkiller.

The flame dances and weaves between the two forces, binding us in a seamless synthesis. The fire doesn't burn. It melds, harmonizing the contrasting energies into a powerful fusion.

As the flames settle into Zenya's skin, they leave behind a glowing, fiery mark down her middle…from her brow to her navel. A symbol of my dominion, my crossroads bringing Nyxion and Morpheus's claims over her into one cohesive force.

I know they sense it. When she awakes, she will, too.

Our minds are all now linked in a deep, inescapable bond. Zenya will have access to our thoughts, our powers, and we, in turn, to hers.

I smile softly, tenderly, knowing this bond is not just a seal of power, but also a promise—one that will shape our destinies in ways we cannot yet comprehend.