Danmachi: The little King of Nothing

The palanquin rested in a moonlit clearing, its silken curtains glowing faintly in the silver light. Crickets chirped their nightly chorus as fireflies danced between the trees. Dimos lay curled against one wheel, his chest rising and falling in steady rhythm, a thin blanket draped haphazardly over his small frame.

Nyx's fingers tapped an impatient rhythm against the palanquin's frame. "Are you ready, little moth?" Her voice was honey-sweet but carried an edge like a knife hidden in silk.

Regulus rubbed his sore shoulders, glancing at the sleeping boy. "Dimos is asleep, you know?" He kept his voice low. "Can't it wait until we get to Vespera? We'll be there by morning at this pace."

A spark of divine energy crackled through the air as Nyx leaned forward, her golden eyes gleaming in the darkness. "Nope," she popped the word like a bubble of gum. "It's more risky doing it in the city, technically."

Regulus crossed his arms. "You're just impatient, aren't you?"

Moonlight caught Nyx's smile, turning it predatory. "And if I am?" She extended a hand, palm up. A small flame burst to life above it, casting dancing shadows across her face. "The night is perfect. No prying eyes. No interruptions." Her gaze flickered to Dimos. "Well, almost no interruptions."

Somewhere in the forest, an owl hooted - once, twice - before falling silent. The fire in Nyx's hand pulsed in time with Regulus' quickening heartbeat.

"Fine," he sighed, rolling his stiff neck. "But if this goes wrong-"

"Then you'll have a wonderful story to tell at parties," Nyx interrupted, already rising from the palanquin. Her bare feet made no sound as they touched the dew-kissed grass. "Now come. The stars are aligned, the air is clear, and I've waited long enough to see if you'll set yourself on fire."

Regulus hesitated only a moment before following her into the moonlit clearing, leaving Dimos to his peaceful sleep. The night hummed with possibility, and somewhere beyond the trees, Vespera's lights glimmered faintly on the horizon - a tomorrow that would wait just a little longer.

The clearing was bathed in silver, the grass cool beneath their feet as Nyx stepped closer, her fingers trailing up Regulus' chest. The usual playful glint in her eyes had darkened into something more dangerous—more hungry.

"Tonight's lesson is simple, little moth," she murmured, her breath warm against his lips. "Make my heart race."

Regulus blinked. "What?"

Nyx's palm pressed flat against his sternum, her nails lightly scraping fabric. "Seduce me. Right here. Right now."

A beat of silence. Then—

"Are you feeling alright?" Regulus reached up, pressing the back of his hand to her forehead. "You're not feverish, are you? Did you eat something weird at the last village?"

Nyx's eye twitched.

"Or—wait." His expression shifted to sudden alarm. "Is this a test? Like, if I actually try it, you're going to smite me into next week?"

For a long moment, Nyx just stared at him. Then she exhaled through her nose, long-suffering. "No, you impossible mortal." Her fingers curled into his shirt, dragging him closer. "I am bored. The road is dull. The night is warm. And I wish to be entertained." A slow, wicked smile. "So. Make. Me. Feel."

Regulus opened his mouth—closed it—then grinned.

"Well. When you put it like that..."

His hand slid around her waist, pulling her flush against him. Nyx's breath hitched—just slightly—as he leaned in, his lips brushing the shell of her ear.

"Tell me, Nyx," he murmured, voice dropping low, "do gods actually taste like ambrosia...?"

Her pulse jumped beneath his fingertips.

Somewhere in the trees, a branch snapped—Dimos, shifting in his sleep, oblivious to the tension crackling in the clearing.

Nyx's laugh was breathless. "Cheeky bastard."

Regulus' grin widened. "You like it."

And for once—just once—she didn't deny it.

The moment stretched between them, charged like the air before a lightning strike. Nyx's golden eyes burned with an unfamiliar intensity as Regulus' thumb traced slow circles against the small of her back. The usual divine composure flickered - just for an instant - when his teeth grazed her earlobe.

"You're playing with fire, little moth," she warned, though her fingers tightened in his shirt.

Regulus chuckled, the vibration humming against her skin. "You're the one who started this." His free hand came up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, calloused fingers lingering along her jawline. "Tell me to stop and I will."

The challenge hung between them. The night itself seemed to hold its breath.

Nyx's lips parted - not in command, but in invitation.

Somewhere beyond the clearing, a nightingale began its song, the melody weaving through the rustling leaves. The moment stretched, fragile as a spider's silk, until-

A loud snore erupted from where Dimos slept. The boy rolled over with a grunt, kicking off his blanket with dramatic flair.

The spell shattered.

Nyx blinked, then threw her head back with a laugh that startled the nightingale into silence. "Gods below," she sighed, shaking her head. "Your timing remains impeccable, little king."

Regulus grinned, reluctantly loosening his hold. "Saved by the squire. How... unfortunate."

"Mm." Nyx stepped back, smoothing her robes with exaggerated dignity, though her pulse still fluttered at her throat. "Consider this lesson... postponed."

The words hung between them, a promise and a threat all at once. The fireflies resumed their dance as Nyx turned toward the palanquin, her silhouette gilded by moonlight.

Regulus watched her go, the ghost of her warmth still lingering on his skin. Somewhere in the distance, Vespera's lights twinkled like fallen stars - their destination, and the next chapter in this dangerous game they played.

Dimos snorted in his sleep again, muttering something about "stupid adults" as he pulled the blanket over his head. The night settled around them once more, though the air still hummed with unspoken possibilities.

Nyx lingered by the palanquin's steps, her back to Regulus as she stared at the moonlit trees. The night air hummed between them, thick with something unspoken.

Did I make it too easy for him? she wondered, pressing a hand to her chest where her pulse still fluttered like a trapped bird.

The thought should have irritated her. Instead, a slow, wicked smile curled her lips.

Perhaps I'll be the first among the goddesses to find my fated partner.

The image bloomed in her mind—Freya's face when she learned of it, that perfect porcelain mask cracking with disbelief. Nyx stifled a snicker, biting her lip to keep from laughing aloud. Oh, how the others would seethe. The most capricious, least predictable of them all, bound to a mortal who teased her like an equal?

Ridiculous.

...Delightful.

Behind her, Regulus cleared his throat. "You're muttering to yourself."

Nyx waved a dismissive hand, not turning. "And if I am?"

"Just wondering if I should be concerned."

She finally glanced over her shoulder, her golden eyes gleaming with mischief. "Oh, little moth," she purred. "You should always be concerned."

Dimos chose that moment to sit bolt upright in his sleep, shouting, "I'm not eating the damn carrots!" before flopping back down.

Nyx sighed. "Your squire ruins everything."

Regulus grinned. "He's your squire too, technically."

"Ugh. Don't remind me." She flicked her fingers, and the palanquin's curtains drew themselves shut with finality. "Dawn comes early. Move your mortal legs faster tomorrow."

But as she settled into the silken shadows, Nyx pressed her fingertips to her lips, hiding a smile.

The road to Vespera stretched ahead—and for the first time in centuries, she found herself eager to see where it led.