She reaches over and takes my hand, “Lillie, I will not pretend to understand what you endured at the hands of the keepers of the Fields. Those nasty little dark sprights are meddlesome and truly wicked, but they serve Lucifer and they do their job well for those that belong there. However, you did not, and they took pleasure in wrecking your world, or the world as you knew it to be. I’m sure that you faced a lot of demons while in their hands. You know? The mind is a funny thing. I’m sure that the moment that you let go of all your insecurities then your memories will be restored. Until then, we will protect you and keep you safe. My mates and I know how important you are to Daxell.”
“Seraphina, I’m not sure how to repay your kindness.”
She squeezes my fingers in her hand gently, “There is nothing to repay, my dear. You are most welcome here in our home. Anytime.” Her smile is genuine as she stands to leave me to my own devices. I watch her as she leaves me with Cara. Looking around, I see that black roses are in full bloom to my left. Their thorns look to be wicked sharp. Straight ahead there is a bed of dark purple tulips, or what looks like tulips until I watch the blossom open up to swallow what looks like a dragonfly, whole. I shrink back from the scene. I’ll never look at tulips the same way again.
Sighing, I lean forward and cradle my head in my hands. I need to remember. Why can’t I remember what happened to me?
Gentle fingers close over my own and I look up to see that Daxell has joined me, “Hey, honey cheeks. Why are you avoiding me?” Somehow, he manages to look at home here as well as ill at ease. His fingers linger over the unwanted iron that encircles my wrist. “Does it hurt?”
I stare up at him, I’m sure that my torment is reflected in my eyes because he flinches before reaching for me to pull me into his arms. A whimper escapes me before I murmur against his chest, “Why can’t I remember? How did I get to be here? And who the hell is Nyx? I just have flashes of memories, more like a dream than anything else. I don’t even know how I came to have this on my wrist?” I wrap my arms around him and he pulls me in tight.
“Lillie, I think if we are able to remove this cuff then you should be able to remember. I’m not sure why, but I think that is the key, for some reason it makes sense.”
Pulling away, I look up at him and nod, “I think you’re right. When you found me was there anything else with me?”
“No, just you. Why do you ask?”
“I could have sworn to you that I had a backpack. I don’t know why. I have this image in my head of me hoisting a backpack over my shoulders before being thrust into a portal.”
Daxell squeezes my fingers in his own, before asking, “Who thrust you into the portal, LJ?”
“Does Morríganna have a daughter?”
“Not that I know of. Why?”
“Do you know who Nyx is?” I ask, not answering his questions as images and bits and pieces of disjointed memories assault me. None of which make sense.
“Walk with me.” Daxell takes my hand and pulls me to his side as he turns us to walk into the gardens that I have shied away from. For good reason. Not all is as it seems. Some of the plants are carnivorous. I pull back and he smiles, “As long as we stick to the pathways we should be okay. Come, my little angel. I want to share my home with you and I’ll tell you a story.”
29
The Goddess of Night
(Daxell)
"I find it interesting that you’re asking about Nyx. The only Nyx that I’m aware of is from early mortal mythology. She was the daughter of Chaos, a primordial deity that preceded even the Titans and the Olympians. She is known as the goddess of night and she birthed other deities according to legend, but not much is known of her. How she came into being or how she died, or even if she did. All that has been passed down is that she was one of the deities that have been around since the beginning of time. Nyx was very powerful, so much so that Zeus feared her as well as her siblings, Erebus and Gaea. Well, Zeus feared anyone that held more power than him. Honestly, I think the guy was a true pansy ass. I have no idea how he got to be the head of the Olympians. Those that came before were so much more powerful than they were, and honestly, it was a fluke that they were able to take down the Titans. The Creator clearly took a step back after he placed his angelic gods upon the worlds.”
“Daxell, tell me, what happened to Nyx?” LJ asks, peering up at me.
“It’s not clearly defined if she died, was killed, or simply ceased to be. Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know. What if she has been reborn somehow? What then?”
“Okay, LJ, you need to tell me why you are asking so many questions about Nyx, and why you think she factors into any of
