Nyx was blindfolded and pushed into the back of a van. The magical shackles still bound his hands, and he needed his hands for magic. At least his wings weren’t restrained, so he could still somewhat protect himself if needed. But if there were bullets involved, he knew it would gonna hurt like a bitch.

“Where are you taking me?!”

A tingling pain shot through his left cheek as someone slapped him, hard.

“The boss ordered us to keep you quiet, so no talking!”

Nyx grumbled in reply. If only he could figure out what they wanted…

Half an hour passed and the position the alicorn sat in, got uncomfortable pretty fast. Luckily he could feel the van slowing down and making a few turns, so they should arrive soon to wherever the blonde was taking him.

The sound of the door opening reached Nyx’s ears. One of the men who were supposed to watch him, pulled him on his feet and ripped off the blindfold in an aggressive motion.

“Get out,” the man commanded while pushing their hostage out of the back of the vehicle.

Nyx looked around. The place he had arrived at was dimly lit, yellow candlelight reflected from the stone walls. It looked like some sort of underground hideout, someplace where evil beings would feel comfortable hiding.

He was led to a small room. The inside was quite a contrast to the rest of the place, with delicate sheer fabrics in lush colors draping from the ceiling, colorful carpets and rugs overlapping each other covering the floor and many pillows in all kinds of shapes and sizes were piled up in the corners.

It was as if he had stepped into a scene of some kind of Aladin movie. In the middle of the room a low, wooden table was placed with several big pillows around it, and on one of the pillows sat the blonde man who had captured him, now wearing a loose robe that matched the room’s aesthetic.

“Finally a place to talk,” He said, and snapped his fingers, making the shackles around Nyx’s wrists disappear.

“What do you want from me?”

Instead of answering, the mystery man poured him some very stong smelling mint tea from a golden teapot and motioned for him to take the pillow opposite of him. Nyx sighed and sat down.

“Let’s start with some proper introductions, shall we?”

The alicorn nodded begrudgingly and waited for the other to continue.

“My name is Helios, and I’m your half-brother.”

“You what?!”

Slightly annoyed, Helios waved a hand in front of his face, and sure enough the tips of two black horns appeared from between his blonde locks. Then he shrugged out of his robe’s bodice, the waist still tied, and reveiled a pair of white feathery wings.

“Do you believe me now? Mother has cursed me with the same fate as you. I’m sure you’ve read the letter I sent you quite some time ago, Elrick said you did.”

“You know Elrick?”

Nyx couldn’t believe it, no way was this a coincidence. His half-brother was sitting in front of him, knew about him and his mother and even knew his ex.

“Ofcourse I know Elrick. He’s my lover.”

Several emotions tried to take over, from anger to jealousy, but not knowing what kind of person Helios was, Nyx tried to keep his expression neutral.

“Heh, no reaction? Did Elrick mean so little to you then?”

Helios clearly tried to get under his skin, but Nyx wouldn’t let him. He was already vunerable enough with the full moon so close.

“Elrick… is part of the past now, Helios. I’ve moved on, I’m sure he has too.”

The blonde scoffed at his words, and Nyx wondered what it was that made him so visibly upset.

A minute passed where neither of them said anything, the only sound the clinking of spoons against porcelain and muffled chatter drifting in through the wooden door from the hallway. Then two male servants came in, matching the room by wearing layers of colorful chiffon and delicate golden chains, leaving practically nothing to the imagination. They set down bowls of cut fruit and then settled down on each side of the blonde alicorn, draping themselves over the man like a pair of attention-starved cats.

“Don’t worry, they are legal,” Helios said with a smirk as he caught his brother staring warily at the servants.

“What does Elrick think about all of this? I thought you said you were his lover.”

Helios glared at him. “We are just lovers, nothing more.”

“But you want to.”

Nyx saw it in the other’s eyes. He was in love with Elrick.

“I do not. Don’t spew such nonsense.”

Pretending the whole conversation didn’t happen, Helios leaned over to one of the young servants and whispered something into his ear. The boy nodded and then got up, swaying his hips as he walked over to Nyx and then sat down next to him.

“What are you doing?” Nyx glared at the blonde while the servant tried his best to seduce him. Helios was up to something.

“Just sharing with my guest.”

“I won’t fall for whatever plan you’re scheming. My heart lies with Zain now.”

Helios snorted. “I’m well aware of that. But, we’ll see how long you can manage. After all, soon it will be a full moon.”

Nyx felt sick to his stomach. He should have never agreed to meet the man, not so close to his weakest night. Fuck.

“Guards!” Helios bellowed and seconds later two burly men opened the door, “Please escourt our guest to his room.”

Strong hands wrapped around Nyx’s arms, so tight he could feel the bloodflow almost getting cut off. He struggled to break free, flapping his wings trying to hit the men in the face all the while trying to call up magic in his hands, but the guards easily dodged his wings and for some reason the magic didn’t come.

“Magic doesn’t work here, dear brother. Now, please enjoy your stay!”

The man’s laughter faded as the alicorn was led through several long hallways and up two stone staircases.

Nyx was in deep trouble. How would he ever get out of here?