Hot tears dripped on Lyric's chest as he fell silent. It wasn't only his own which soaked the bed, but also those of his oracle. It had been more emotional than he had assumed. After all these years, Lyric had actually thought that he had come to terms with it.

"That's not fair. You didn't do anything wrong. You only chose your freedom to love the one you want," Nix whispered. Nix' heart felt as if it had been pierced by hundreds of daggers. This demon had deprived Lyric of the chance for a happy future, for physical closeness and for a bond. That's not okay. He has had to endure so much.

"Nix, life is not fair. Terrible things happen every day, that's just the way it is. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time one evening. I could have waited for reinforcements, I could have decided against going to the event. I had made a decision and now I have to live with the consequences. There were many chances to avert my fate. I could have tied the knot with him, but I didn't."

Nix straightened up and looked at Lyric with swollen eyes. "Why not? Why didn't you just do it?" he asked desperately.

Lyric just smiled and stroked his cheek. "Because I will entrust a part of my soul only to my heart. Because I only give myself to those who mean something to me. That is my decision and I don't regret it," he replied in a soft voice.

Carefully, the oracle took his hand and pressed a kiss into the palm of his hand. "So then I'm worth being with you?"

The rune demon just laughed and gave him a soulful look. "Nix, you're not just worth being with me. You are worthy of me dying for you."

These words burned into Nix' memory. They went deep, right down to his soul. He didn't know how to answer.

A knock on the door interrupted their moment and Nix got up to go to the door. He was too confused, he first had to bring order to the chaos that was his feelings and thoughts. He couldn't do that if he stayed with Lyric, so he welcomed that interruption. His best friend stood in front of the door and looked at him seriously.

"Nix, we have to talk."

Nix nodded and looked at the demon on his bed.

Lyric just nodded and said, "Just go, I'm going to rest so that I can regain my strength as soon as possible."

So Nix left the room and silently followed his friend. They went to the small meeting room where they had been the day before. What does Dayan want to discuss with me? He was nervous because Dayan made a serious expression when he sat down.

"Tíz, I met with Daria," his best friend began.

Daria? The Banshee? Then Nix remembered their area of expertise. Oh. "And what did she say?"

"I described Lyric's situation, of course without naming names or revealing anything about his person. I also talked about the effect you both have on each other," Dayan replied.

Now Nix was curious. Their situation was special, possibly unprecedented. What did the curse expert say?

"Of course, she could only make assumptions, but she more or less settled on two scenarios." He stopped his explanation and looked at Nix. "Tíz, if I asked you to stay away from Lyric, would you do it?"

This question shook Nix more than he would have thought. Of course, he had thought about it many times, but he had never decided to do so. "No, why?" Nix replied.

"There are two scenarios: the first is that if Lyric triggers the curse, you tie the knot and become happy."

And the second scenario?

"The second is that Lyric binds to you and the dampening effect he has on you disappears. You will no longer be able to be near him, while at the same time he will always seek your closeness."

"Shit." More didn't come from Nix' mouth. He squeezed his lips and looked seriously at his friend. "How... How likely is the second scenario?" he asked in a trembling voice.

Dayan's gaze changed and he realized that he wouldn't like the answer. "Both are equally likely, it is absolutely impossible to predict what will happen. Only fate knows that."

A desperate laugh filled the room. Nix leaned back, just couldn't hold it in. His right hand covered his eyes, while his left hand clawed into his thigh. "That was predictable. How could it have been otherwise? Both scenarios are equally likely? Are you kidding me?"

Dayan's chest contracted. When he looked into Nix' eyes, he saw only pain and resignation.

"D, every time fate," he spat out the word as if it were a disease, "was involved, it has decided for the worst variant. Why should it be any different now? I get a taste of happiness just so it can take it away from me."

Nix' words cut through his heart like a knife.

"But you know what, if it really wants to see me dead, then I will make his wish come true. I will bond with Lyric and we will go together, because this bond cannot be taken away from me. This decision cannot be taken away from me."

"Tíz, please. I know it's not right, but leave Lyric. Once you have found the remaining items, please go separate ways. It may not be a happy life, but it is a life after all. I will always be by your side-"

"It's a life?" Nix shouted and stood up.

Dayan looked at him frightened. Nix had never yelled at him. Not once.

"It's a life?! What life?! I can't get too close to anyone, I can't love anyone, I can't touch anyone! I can't even hug my best friend who has been by my side for centuries! This is not a life! If you hadn't been by my side, I would have long since disappeared from the face of this world. I'd rather die than endure it for even another year!"

At that moment, everything that had accumulated in the last centuries had broken out of Nix. Every emotion, every thought, everything. Breathing heavily, Nix stood there and tried to calm down. Then he realized that he had just yelled at his best friend, who had sacrificed his life for him, who had always been by his side. He was the last person who deserved it, the last person he wanted to tell about his suicidal intentions.

"Nix. How long?" Dayan asked, looking at him with tears in his eyes. Dayan had never cried but now he was on the verge of it.

Nix had never lied to Dayan and wouldn't start now. "Since I saw Aleks. This trip was to be my last."

Dayan couldn't believe it, even if he had guessed it. It had always been an unwelcome thought. Something that was still a long way off, but now it was real.

"Dayan, it's not your fault, but I'm not going to lie to you. I want to tie the knot with Lyric and if that doesn't work, I'll leave."

Dayan buried his face in his hands. He couldn't ask Nix to continue, to stay with him. He couldn't ask him to continue his suffering because of him. It wasn't fair. Dayan had found his happiness, but Nix, who deserved it more than anyone else, instead of being deprived of it until the end. Then he felt it. He felt warm arms that closed him in a tight embrace. Frightened, he looked up in Nix' smiling face.

"I love you, Dayan. Don't forget that."

As a result, his body began to tremble and Nix' eyes rolled backwards. All tension disappeared from his body and he fell forward unconscious.

Dayan caught him, stunned. His best friend had been able to do such a reckless thing. All the pain just to comfort me. He lifted Nix up and carried him to his bedroom, to the only demon that could heal Nix' suffering.

Nix woke up with an unspeakable headache and groaned. With one hand he rubbed his forehead and frowned.

"Headache?" a soft voice asked.

The oracle just nodded. Then he felt two fingers massage his temples and the pain faded.

"That was reckless," said the rune demon. "Dayan looked like he was facing death, I've never seen him like that."

"I had to do it," said Nix, his eyes still closed as he snuggled up to Lyrics' chest.

"What caused it to escalate so much?" Lyric asked.

Nix stiffened. He wouldn't tell Lyric about their conversation. Not before we have the key. Then I will ask him if he wants to become my mate. "Nothing important. Just a friend thing."

Lyric knew the oracle lied to him, but he wouldn't ask further. There was certainly a reason why he didn't want to talk about it.

Sighing, Nix sat up. The oracle still had something to do that could not be postponed.

"Are you sure you should move again?" his worried demon asked.

"Yes, I'm alright. My head just hurts a little," he said with a playful smile that didn't reach his eyes.

Lyric's hand closed around his wrist. In a serious voice, he said, "I won't let you go until I'm sure it's safe."

"Don't worry, I'm just visiting Astaroth," Nix said.

"I'm coming-"

"No you won't, you will stay here and get well. If things go well, you'll be back on your feet in two days and you have to be that way if we want to continue our search."

Lyric knew Nix was right, but he didn't like it at all. Reluctantly, he let go of his oracle. "Please take care of yourself."

Nix laughed and this time it was real. "Of course I will. When I come back, you can show me how much you missed me," he said with a cheeky grin.

Lyric growled in response.

____________________________

Nix has made a decision and nothing will change his mind.

What could he have to discuss with Astaroth?

Your Mouse Goddess