I spent the rest of the day trying to read, but unable to focus. Eventually, I just gave up and picked at the meal the servants had left out for me before retiring to bed. At least I was able to sleep without interruption; the ghouls did not return.

The sensation of something cool on my feet woke me—one of the servants was cleaning my wounds. I watched those transparent hands flicker in and out of sight as they wound fresh bandages around my feet.

"Thank you," I said once the spirit had finished.

It didn't respond, simply rising and fluttering away.

Feeling hungry, I padded out into the dining room, where the servants had left breakfast out—an assortment of fruit and porridge and scones with butter and jam. It felt a little wasteful, sitting by myself at a table with enough food to feed at least four people, but then I wondered what wasteful even meant in a place where people were either immortal or already dead and didn't need food.

That was an uncomfortable thought, one that I pushed to the back of my mind as I reached for a scone, hoping that today, maybe, I'd be able to taste more than just a faint hint of flavor. Then I saw it, a small carton in familiar shades of red and white, resting on the corner of the table next to a cheap BIC lighter. Nox had kept his promise.

I wolfed down my scone and reached for the box, peeling away the clear cellophane and flicking the carton open. I pulled a single cigarette from within and lifted it to my mouth, lighting it with practiced motion, my eyes closing in ecstasy as I took that first soothing drag. I tasted every bit of it—the first real taste of anything I'd had since arriving here.

"Fuck," I sighed, falling back in my chair. Never in my life had anything felt so good, so satisfying. It was perfect, except for one niggling thought that nibbled at the back of my mind.

Nox had brought these from the mortal realm. It meant that he'd returned, that he was here, but he hadn't come to give the Marlboros to me in person. And that bothered me. I didn't know why, but it did. I'd gotten used to only seeing him occasionally in the real—I mean the mortal world. That made sense. But this was his realm, his home, and I'd hardly seen him at all. In fact, I'd spent more time with Eris, who I was convinced hated me.

I don't know if it was the fact that I'd finally had my first smoke in three days that bolstered my courage, or if I was simply that annoyed at Nox, but I put out my half-smoked cigarette and rose to my feet, appetite gone, and left my room in search of him, still hobbling a little, but able to walk on my own.

The palace was large, but I was determined to search every corner until I found Nox, hoping that he was actually still there, that he hadn't simply left again. It was discouraging to turn down corridor after corridor, peeking into rooms, and find nothing but the semi-visible servants and a few watchful, empty suits of armor.

Then I heard Eris's voice. It sounded agitated, the sort of tone a woman takes when she's arguing with a family member—a brother.

I approached the sound, tiptoeing down the corridor, until I could clearly make out what she was saying.

"—read books all day! She's despondent and weak-willed, nothing like the queen you need by your side."

My hackles rose defensively, but then I heard Nox come calmly to my defense.

"It's only been a few days, Eris. Patience. This is all new to her."

"Patience," she scoffed. "You're too besotted with her to see beyond your own nose. You're going soft, brother. You've always had a weakness for that girl."

"You don't know her."

"She doesn't belong here."

"The Old Ones say she does."

Eris let out a bitter laugh. "You only listen to their counsel when it suits you. They also told you it wasn't time, and you still snatched her and brought her here."

Nox sighed, heavy and tired. "I had no choice. I almost lost her."

"She used you. Now she's run from whatever she was trying to escape—something I imagine has followed her here—and you have nothing to show for it but a missing arm. Gods!" she exclaimed in frustration. "I still can't believe you gave it to Daius."

His arm? I thought. That's what happened to it? He just gave it away?

"Daius interceded with the Old Ones on my behalf," Nox replied quietly.

"On her behalf, you mean," Eris retorted. "She's the only one benefiting from this arrangement, a guest in your palace, and you simpering after her like some lovesick—"

"That's enough!" Nox's voice erupted suddenly. I could feel the words vibrating in the air, shaking my bones. Even Eris went quiet for a moment, a moment that didn't last long.

"I'm only looking out for you, brother," she told him.

"You overstep," he said sternly. "I will get my arm back. You know Daius never was good at holding onto things."

"Yes, of course. And in the meantime, you have the mortal girl to entertain you."

"Vesper does not concern you."

"Oh, I'm very concerned," Eris said, adding in a voice dripping with sarcasm, "But I wouldn't want to overstep."

Her footsteps approached swiftly, leaving me no time to duck into a dark corner before she came through the doorway. Her gaze met mine, hard and cold. An unpleasant smile lifted the corners of her mouth, but she said nothing. She just walked away.

I waited for several moments before going to the doorway and peering through it. I'd expected a room, but it was actually a staircase that led down into the bowels of the palace. Nox stood at the bottom, leaning against a door, shoulders sagging, eyes closed. He looked tired.

"Hello?" I called softly. "Nox?"

His eyes flashed open, and he looked up at me, a weary smile softening his features. "Vesper. What are you doing here?"

"I came looking for you," I admitted, descending the stairs until I was only two steps above him, at eye-level. I pulled the box of Marlboros out of my pocket and added, "I wanted to thank you."

"Hm," he grunted noncommittally.

Glancing around the tiny landing, noticing the size of the large door behind him, I asked, "What is this place?"

Nox regarded me silently for a moment before he sighed in what sounded like the vocal equivalent of a shrug, and turned to the door. "I'll show you."

He brushed a hand over the door, tracing some invisible pattern on the wood. It slowly creaked open. I followed close behind him, entering the room beyond. Completely of its own volition, the door closed quietly behind me.

The room was dark—the sort of darkness that just keeps going, giving you no sense of space or limit. It could've been a broom closet; it could've been infinite for all I knew. I stayed near Nox, resisting the impulse to cling to him.

A long, plaintive bellow emerged from the darkness, not distant enough for my liking, but at least the sound hinted at the size of the dark room. It was immense.

"What was that?" I whispered nervously.

The blunt end of Nox's arm rested on my shoulder, the touch comforting. He reached into his robe with his hand, pulling something from within the loose folds. My eyes could make out something spherical in the dim light that crept in from around the edges of the door behind us. It almost looked like…an apple?

"Don't be afraid," Nox murmured.

Something shuffled nearby, getting closer. As it neared, it almost sounded like the steady clop of hooves on dirt, but I only heard two steps, not four. Then I saw it, the shadowy silhouette of a beast with massive ox-like horns and a shaggy head. The body of a man, head and tail of a bull.

"A minotaur?" I breathed in wonder, not trusting my own eyes.

The creature suddenly stopped, stomping and snorting nervously.

"Shh," Nox hushed me, stepping forward with arms outstretched to placate the beast. "It's all right," he said in a gentle tone.

I watched nervously as Nox approached the minotaur. The stories I'd heard all mentioned a fierce and bloodthirsty animal. I knew Nox was technically some sort of deity, but it was hard to believe that when there was a monster that towered even above him.

He reached out, hand extended in offering. The minotaur snuffled at the apple in Nox's hand for a moment before snatching it with surprising speed and eating it with a crunch.

"That's it," Nox murmured quietly, stroking the side of the beast's heavy head. "I've missed you."

The minotaur snorted and shook its head.

"I'd like to introduce you to someone," Nox continued.

The creature paused, head raised, sniffing at the air. I realized it was smelling me.

"Vesper." Nox beckoned me nearer. "It's all right," he said in exactly the same soothing tone he'd used on the minotaur.

I took the hand he offered me, letting him pull me closer. The minotaur was not only intimidating in size and bulk, but the smell was overpowering as well. I covered my nose.

"This is Asterion," Nox murmured to me. "He's gentle."

"Can I touch him?" I asked tentatively, not sure why I had the desire to pet the creature. Maybe just to prove to myself that he really was gentle.

"If you ask permission first," Nox replied.

"I thought I just did."

"His permission." Nox gestured at the minotaur.

It felt a little silly, but I obeyed. "May I?" I requested.

Asterion blinked, regarding me with large black eyes that I could barely see in the darkness. After a moment, he lowered his head.

I reached toward him and ran my fingers through his shaggy fur. It was softer than I'd expected, but matted with tangles. "You poor thing," I heard myself say, surprising myself. Turning to Nox, I asked, "If he's so gentle, why do you keep him locked away in the dark, neglected like this?"

Asterion snorted, and Nox let out a soft chuckle. "He isn't trapped here, my dear. The light from the black sun hurts him. He prefers dark spaces and solitude."

"Then why lock the door?"

"It's locked to keep intruders out," Nox explained. "Not to keep him in."

"Oh."

I looked up at the creature again. His head was cocked curiously, and a strange rumble emerged from his cavernous chest.

"Forgive me, friend," Nox apologized to Asterion. "This is Vesper. She's from the mortal realm."

The minotaur made another sound, and Nox laughed.

"If I'm lucky," he replied, as if having a conversation with the beast.

"What did he say?"

Nox glanced at me. "He asked if you are my mate."

I was glad the room was dark enough to hide the blush that spread over my face.

Asterion huffed, and Nox nodded.

"She is," he agreed.

"What was that?" I asked.

"He said you're kind." Another rumble. "And that you have soft hands."

"Thank you?" I replied tentatively.

The minotaur suddenly let out a loud bellow that made my ears ring. I took a step back, covering my ears.

"No," Nox answered, his voice hardening, becoming sterner.

Asterion rumbled once more.

"You don't need to worry about me," Nox reassured him. "Here." He pulled another apple from within the folds of his robe. "Take this."

The minotaur took the fruit reluctantly from Nox's hands, a growly sort of whine resonating in his throat.

"Now go on. I'll be fine."

Huffing, Asterion turned away and disappeared back into the darkness, the thudding of his hooves fading into the distance.

"What was that about?" I asked.

Nox glanced at me and shook his head. "Nothing important. He worries. Come." He put an arm around my shoulders and guided me back toward the door. "Have you eaten yet?"

"I had a scone and a smoke," I replied with a shrug.

"That is not a meal. Let's get some food into you."

"I'm not that hungry."

"It doesn't matter." Nox held the door for me, sealing it behind him before leading me back up the stairs. "You need to eat regularly to stay grounded here until we can work out something more permanent."

"I can barely even taste it," I grumbled.

"You will be able to, eventually. Patience."

That seemed to be a common theme with Nox. Patience. Something that was certainly not a strong suit of mine.

He walked with me to my rooms and joined me for my second breakfast of the morning, keeping a careful eye on me to make sure that I was eating and drinking enough for his liking. It felt strange, but I was glad that he was at least present. To be honest, I'd started to feel a little neglected myself, almost like Asterion, although I had to admit Nox hadn't locked me away in a dark room. Yet.

"Vesper." Nox's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I glanced up.

"I know I haven't been a very good host," he said, and for a moment I wondered if he could read my mind. "Being lord of the underworld is a heavy responsibility, and I've been doing it alone for quite a long time. I regret that it's pulled me away from you these past two days."

I shrugged and mumbled out an awkward, "It's all right."

"It's not. I'd like to spend more time with you. I want to know you better."

I stared at him curiously. I'd known him since I was a child, but even as I thought that, I realized that I hadn't really ever known him. Just the versions of him he'd let me see. The dad devil. Big-hair band devil. And most recently, a minotaur tamer.

"The next time I'm called away, I'd like to take you with me. We should get to know each other. And you should acquaint yourself with Nictus. One day, it will belong to you too."

Grimacing, I responded, "You say that like it's a sure thing."

"I told you, Vesper. You were made to be my queen."

"Don't I have a say in the matter?"

Nox sighed and nodded, running a hand over his long dark curls. "Yes. As I said before, I don't want a reluctant queen. But it is your destiny. You choose whether or not to fulfill it, that's all."

"I hate that word," I admitted. "Destiny. Fate. Who decides these things? And why does what I choose to do matter so much to them?"

Shrugging, Nox murmured, "It isn't decided. It simply is what it is. To be honest, I'm not fond of the concept either."

"Do gods have fates? Do you have a destiny?"

"Yes," he said, and it sounded a little sad. "I care for you, Vesper," he continued, turning the focus back onto me. "I once thought it would hardly faze me to snatch you from your home when you came of age and make you my queen. Then I met you. I knew then that I could never harm you. I can't force you to do anything. I don't want to. Look, I'm not telling you what to do, but please, Vesper, don't close yourself off to the possibility simply because it's your fate. I truly believe you could be happy here, with me. And frankly, I would be glad for your help. Caring for Nictus is a heavy burden. Even for an immortal."

I simply stared blankly at the table, hardly seeing it, lost in thought. Finally, I sighed. "I'll give it a chance, I guess, since I'm already here. I'll go with you the next time you need to take care of something. I think I'd like to see more of Nictus."

"Good," was all Nox said, but he was smiling. I had to admit that it was a pleasant sight; he wasn't unattractive, and I liked that I could make him smile like that. I smiled back, at least until his dark eyes flickered to my plate, and he added, "You should eat more."

"I'm full."

"Very well. I must attend to some business now. I'll be in my study if you need me. I'm sure Eris has shown you where that is by now."

I flushed a little, remembering my excursion with Eris.

Nox chuckled. "I knew it. She's trouble, my sister."

"True," I agreed wryly. "Will I see you again today?"

"Yes." He nodded. "I'll find you this afternoon. There's something I'd like to show you."

"All right. This afternoon. I'll hold you to it then."

He smiled and reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "I'll see you soon, my dear."

And then he left.