Two hours later, Nyx and Raziel went to his private study. The moment the door closed, Raziel pulled her into his arms.
"You felt him too." He said.
"Umbra was in the chamber. He was watching us." Nyx pulled back to look at Raziel. "I promised him that I'll go to him after passing the trials. I think he has come to take me."
"Don't worry. I won't let him take you. He'll have to go through with me first."
Through the bond, Nyx felt his worry.
"We need to handle one problem at a time." Nyx said, trying to sound more confident than she felt. "First, we need to deal with The Culled. Then we'll worry about the shadow kings lurking in corners."
"Together." Raziel said.
"Interesting." A voice whispered in the shadows, too quiet for everyone but Nyx to hear.
Nyx shivered and tightly hugged Raziel. Outside the window, storm clouds gathered over the Pride Lands, indicating that their honeymoon period was officially over.
