"Skye?" Nyx called, abruptly standing to her feet and walking to his side. "Skye…" she placed a hand on his shoulder while the other drew soothing circles on his back.
"I am fine," he said after taking a moment to calm himself. "I…" he coughed again, covering his hand over his mouth.
Nyx looked at him and then at his fisted hand. There were traces of blood in the outlines of his fingers, and she could also smell it in the air. "It's alright, you don't have to force yourself to say it anymore. I understand," There was a mythical entity at work, but which one? She hadn't done anything to anyone or said anything that could have possibly attracted the attention of a vile spirit.
"I am sorry, Nyx," Skye said. He felt pathetic that he was unable to tell her the truth and the fact that she had to see him that way, vulnerable and weak.
"It's fine, I understand now," said Nyx. She let go of him as she sat next to him. "Do you know his name or what kind he is? I mean the one who did this to you."
Skye was lost for a moment before he remembered the creature talking about someone to whom Nyx was connected. He was afraid of whoever that was, so maybe she might have an idea. "I can not say his name, but I know he is a devil," he said, avoiding going into detail before he triggered something again.
"Mhm," Nyx hummed with a nod, her eyes distant and her mind even more so. It wandered around, trying to remember if she had met anyone in the past who would want to hurt her, but she couldn't think of anyone.
"Nyx, I don't think he wants to harm you either. Well, he wouldn't harm you himself, but he can use others to do it. I just happen to be one of those pawns he has chosen to use. My purpose is to get provocation from someone whom you are connected to. I do not know what it means, but that was what he said," Skye uttered, and she just nodded her head.
"Reaper," Nyx whispered the name. 'So this was what he meant when he said it was too dangerous?' So what difference does it make if they were already on to her when she was far from him? Nyx balled her fists and gritted her teeth. Knowing that she wasn't alone and there was a man beside her who needed her attention, she calmed down. Getting angry over that now was wasting energy.
"Will you be alright going out there alone?" Nyx asked. Although he couldn't tell her the exact reason, he had said a lot. What if that person didn't like that?
Skye smiled at how she suddenly started worrying about him. The pain was worth it in the end. Rather than the hatred he was expecting, he received care and concern instead. Thinking of it now, that was the first time she touched him without seeing it as an obligation or just putting up a front for others to see. "I will be alright, Wife," he said in a playful tone.
"Okay," Nyx nodded her head. "I will leave the house later, I might come back late." She informed. It was time she paid a visit to her father to ask him all that he knew. Reaper wouldn't answer all her questions, and he would just tell her she would know when the time was right, but she wanted to know now. However little the knowledge, it was still better than nothing.
"Alright, take care of yourself and…please be careful," he didn't know who the devil had placed out there to watch Nyx. He could only hope that whoever the person she was, he would be capable enough to protect her.
"I will," Nyx said and left the dining room.
Skye watched her go, his eyes following every step that she took until she was out of sight before he averted his gaze. He looked down at his hand with the blood he had coughed almost getting dry on it. His eyes moved to the food, he didn't have the appetite to eat anymore and stood up. On his way out, he was met by the housekeeper, Selene.
"You can have the table cleared, Selene. Your madam will be leaving soon to help her however she may need you," he instructed.
"Of course, Master," Selene replied, relieved that they did not get into a fight like she had thought. Skye left and she found her way to the dining room. There seems to be progress between the couple.
Skye returned to his room and into the bathroom to have his hands washed and get a change of clothes. He didn't want to risk having the scent of blood on him although it wouldn't be seen. He had expected meeting the devil inside his room or the bathroom but until he finished and departed the mansion, he did not appear out of the blue as he always does.
***
Meanwhile, Nyx drove into the parking lot of the house that she grew up in. She hoped to find him there or she would just wait until he returned. He may have had her married off, he was still her father and this was still the home she grew up to know.
She knocked on the door and waited but there was no reply. She knocked a second time and still no reply. Not having many options left, she opened the door and entered. He could either be inside and ignoring her, or he was away.
Getting inside, the house looked empty and she would have thought it was so hard she did not pick up the aroma of a freshly cooked meal coming from the kitchen.
"Father," she called and walked to the kitchen but he was not there and neither were the servants. Nyx turned off the gas stove and left for Mr. Morgan's room, having a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.