Chapter 523: An Unlikely Trio (1/2)
Nix smiled in his sleep; the warmth of a familiar body next to him quickly destroyed any motivation he had to get up.
”I'm glad you're back.” Hyai's voice was comforting as it drifted into her companion's consciousness.
Nix opened one eye, just long enough to ensure it was the Innkeeper. ”It will be two days before I can be resurrected. I expect you to let me sleep as much as possible.”
”He's tired, Hyai.” Deidra's voice pulled the Inferno Leader out of his slumber. ”Although I am curious as to how he died.”
Nix cursed into the soft padding of his pillow. ”The hell is she doing here?”
Hyai pinched his side in response. ”She's been guarding me...” The Innkeeper sighed heavily; although unwelcomed, she found the intent quite heartwarming.
”Hmm?” Nix sat up slowly, glancing around the bedroom. He respawned in the Coven circle a few hours earlier. After enjoying a homecooked meal, he moved into the room that Hyai had been using. He glanced at the cold beauty of Solomon City before looking back at the woman in bed beside him. ”Why would she need to guard you?”
”We'll talk later, Nix. Welcome back.” Deidra excused herself and shut the door softly after exiting.
”Well... The thing is...” Hyai found herself somewhat hesitant to speak; the normal confidence she spoke with seemed to avoid her as she stared at her gripped hands. ”Somehow, I find myself in the same condition as Mina.”
Nix chuckled at her discomfort. ”That makes it sound like you're pregnant. Hit me with it. What's up?”
”I'm pregnant.” Hyai smiled at her own words and let out the breath she had been holding. ”A boy, according to Shae.”
The silence stretched for several seconds while Nix processed her words. His first reaction was that she was teasing, but he knew by her expression that she wasn't. ”Holy crap... We need to get you somewhere safer.”
Hyai watched as he tossed off the covers and started getting dressed; he tripped twice while slipping his own shoes on. ”Nix? Stop for a moment.”
”Huh?” Nix finally managed to get his shoes on by sitting on the floor. ”What?”
”What do you think?”
”Hmmm... I'm thinking that the ten thousand reasons why I can't lose you, just doubled.” Nix ignore his own nerves and took a seat next to her on the bed.
Hyai smiled and hugged him tightly. ”So it's good?”
Nix nodded and kissed the top of her head. He had met the Innkeeper on his first day after escaping the Gladis Hub; if he was being honest, her influence was a big part of his success. ”Did Bela freak out?”
(Bela is married to the Provost Marshal Bane, she is Hyai's daughter)
”Freak out?” Hyai made an effort to pat down Nix's bed hair. ”What's that mean?”
”Did her head blow up?”
Hyai nodded. ”Yep...”
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A short excursion from Colonial will only be two chapters. Skipping ahead won't really affect much other than a bit of backstory.
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