Chapter 1
"What do ya think, Nyx?" Dylan whispers, kneeling before me with an open little box. Inside is a shiny diamond ring. I am no expert on human fashion, but I think it is lovely. It has a pretty diamond placed in the center of a rose. "Do you think she will like it?"
I do indeed, Dylan! But unfortunately I can't give voice to it. I just push off my hind legs and nuzzle the man who has made my lovely so happy. I purr for him, hoping he understands my message. I am so proud of him for sticking with my sweet girl and protecting and encouraging her with her dreams. They have been inseparable all these years, and now it's finally time.
Dylan chuckles, running his big hands down my back. I really do love it when this man lavishes me with attention. I'm so glad I trusted him when he came into my lovely's life. "I'll take that as a yes. It's good to know at least you like it. I made it special, just for her. But I'm so nervous," he admits.
What a sweet boy... Well, I suppose he is a man now. I know exactly why he is nervous, as this is a big step in their relationship... Even if I think it is long overdue... Well, I'm a cat, after all! We don't take four years to romance our mates. But I guess this is a human thing.
My lovely and Dylan are both 20 years old now and have been attending a local college so they can stay near their families... Secretly, I know Sophia was worried that if Dylan left her to go off to a far away university, he would find another girl... I would've told her she was being ridiculous, but then Dylan suggested they stay local, and my sweet Sophia was thrilled.
Dylan always does know how to make my Sophia happy, and by extension, me. In fact, I have hardly ever seen them fight. They get into disagreements sometimes like all couples do, but they work it out every single time. There seems to be nothing that is strong enough to pull them apart, and I am so thankful for that. They both need each other.
I think back to when I first met this sweet man. He came out at lunchtime to scare away that witch and her little minions. I had already done most of the hard work, but I was pleased to have him shoo them off... He came out to check on my girl, making sure she was alright. (He even complimented me! It was the first time I thought he may be good for my Sophia.) He thought I was awesome... I snicker at the thought. Yes, I was pretty awesome back then. Since then, I haven't had much use for my skills.
In the past four years since my lovely's father was killed by Fate and his companions, I wish I could say that the darkness that had encompassing the world had died down. But that would be a lie. I can't go a few feet without the smell of rot and decay. To say it is annoying is an understatement! But they will not cross the little bubble surrounding my lovely! They know better.
I've watched as the evil seems to seep through the cracks of the underworld and make their way past the veil. They only whisper evil into the ears of those who have already been corrupted. They don't dare touch those pure souls around us. As long as they don't hurt my lovely, I don't retaliate.
But that doesn't mean I am not angry. No. I am furious, as Tartarus is not doing its job! The vile creatures are supposed to be locked away forever. The ones that walk freely are not supposed to be the ones cursed to spend eternity in the darkest depths of Tartarus. Because whether or not the ghosts are directly hurting my girl, they have a round-about way of reaching her. And they all seem to be trying to attack her purpose, and I cannot allow that to happen!
In the last few years, Sophia, with Dylan's help, has been fighting against child abuse and bullying. I've seen them change the lives of many. They have been a friend and a helping hand to those on the brink of taking their own lives. They have stopped those who shame people who are of a lower social class than the others. Both of them go to the high schools talking about Sophia's experience and teach that violence is not the way to fix anything. Only love brings people the peace we need.
And yet, with each new friend they save, it seems two demons rise to wreck havoc on those trying to live in peace. More people become corrupted by the darkness and more evil entities surface following their darkness, recruiting others to their bandwagon of degradation. But my girl will not rest until there is peace and there is no more bullying.
I'm so pleased they are on this crusade together. And now Dylan has decided it is finally time to start their own family unit! Maybe soon I will have a little one to cuddle with... Not that I couldn't have had my own little ones, but I have been busy keeping my Sophia safe. It is very hard work being a familiar, protecting her charge from those who wish her harm, whether she knows it or not.
I purr in satisfaction as Dylan stands up and puts the pretty box in a drawer. "You're gonna make sure she doesn't run from me, Nyx?" he asks me, running his hand through his dark hair in nervousness. If I could chuckle at him, I would. His hair is now standing up all over, and after he'd spent so long taming it...
That is also a ridiculous question! Of course my sweetling will not run from him... (If I know my girl, she will be throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him senseless!) However, I am more than honored to be with them as he finally proposes to my girl.
I rub up against his leg in reassurance, purring loudly. If he needs me around to give him the confidence to ask my sweet girl to marry him, then so be it. I love the two of them, and they know they can both count on me for anything... However, this is different. This is special!
"Good girl, Nyx. Such a good kitty, always taking care of Sophia. You will be with us once we finally move in together and become a whole family," he smiles down at me.
Oh! I do like that! Not that I had thought I'd leave them once they had married, but that makes me happy to know he knows I'm coming too! Yes, that way we can all stay in one place. I am sure he can keep her safer when they are together.
"Meow!" I chirp, pawing at his leg in agreement.
He chuckles at me again. "Okay, I gotta go pick up our girl. She's at her mom's house getting ready," he blushes. "You wait for us here, okay? Julia is probably going overboard again..." Dylan looks around his room as if trying to see if he has everything perfect for his love.
Oh, Julia is quite lovely. As soon as the paperwork had gone through, Sophia was officially adopted by the woman. She has been nothing but wonderful for my girl. She reminds me of Victoria in how she puts the needs of my girl first. She is brave and strong and completely supports Sophia with her mission to abolish child abuse.
Dylan asked my lovely if he could borrow me for a bit. Sophia thought that was a funny thing to ask as she knows I adore her man almost as much as she does, and he often brings me with him on short trips. Most of the time, I stay with my girl, but sometimes Dylan seems to need my help, and he often asks for my opinion. That makes him a very smart man!
And of course, she just kissed his lips and told him to have fun and make sure nothing bad happened to me. My sweet girl was so giggley as we left her with her mother... Julia wouldn't tell her what was going on, but she told her daughter she was going to help her get ready for a special date tonight.
So that is how I ended up in Dylan's apartment. I've seen him adding things to his home. It is almost as if he is nesting... But he isn't a bird. It's more like he is preparing his home for his bride... And cat!
Dylan comes from money, but he never takes any of his parents' money. No, he made his own, but he could hardly refuse when his mother showed up at his home after telling her he was looking for furniture for his home. She brought him a new couch and a dining set and even a king-size bed.
It was quite funny how flustered he was at the gifts. Pam stood at his door, the picture of a triumphant matriarch. She was finally going to do something for her son to show him how much she loved him, and not just him, but she wanted to show him how much she supported his choice.
"Mom! I didn't mean for you to buy them!" he whined. "I was just wondering if you knew where I could look. I had every intention of buying these things myself!" he sighed in frustration. He looked back at the men carrying his new furniture to his apartment, all chuckling at him, and he groaned.
"You are finally marrying Sophia! I need to help! Boys have very poor taste in furniture!" she insisted, giving him a big hug and kissing him on his cheek before proceeding to instruct the strong men where each item should go.
Dylan had spoken to both his parents and Julia about proposing to Sophia, and all the parents in question were euphoric at the news. It seems I'm not the only one who thought the two should have been married by now... Well, Pam and Julia had both said it was about time. However, Eric seemed pleased he'd waited this long to begin with... Something about being financially stable? Whatever that means... Males!
Well, they have all had a hard time keeping it to themselves. I've noticed Pam, in particular, has had a hard time avoiding the subject, and Dylan has to constantly redirect her direction in the conversation. Thankfully, my sweet Sophia has been completely oblivious to the blunders. I just find it all humorous.
"I'll be back, Nyx. You be a good girl and guard that ring!" He chuckled, scratching under my chin once again, before he straightened up once more, and he left the apartment.
I purr as I watch him leave. I make myself cozy on the new couch Sophia doesn't know about. I look around at the changes he has put into his home. He has done really well... With Pam's help, of course!
The table is set with a pretty red rose and an unlit candle. There are even pretty fairy lights decorating his home and pictures of the two of them placed on the coffee table.
He came home to prepare the dinner he is planning on making for his sweetheart. I think it is quite romantic, but I am a cat, so what do I know? I am hoping this goes well for Dylan and my girl.
Suddenly, two bright figures appear before me. I blink my eyes in disbelief. Really? Today of all days? What on earth do they want? No! It does not matter! They must leave now!
I hiss and the newcomers. You need to leave!
"Peace Nyx. You know I'm not here to hurt you or to hurt your sweet Sophia," Fate sighs, leaning over and petting me. "I told you I would be back for her!"
He did. But I am still suspicious! And anytime he shows up, there is always trouble that falls for my girl! But that isn't the only problem at the moment! No! It's him!
What is he doing here? I demand. He is the last god on earth... (or any other place for that matter) that should be around my lovely! He is not safe and protective like Erebus and Thanatos! This is not good at all!
Fate looks over at his companion, and Ares just shrugs with a wicked smirk. He was a handsome god, I will admit. But he should not be allowed anywhere near my girl!
"He is here for the same reason I am. It's time, Nyx. I have come for my Phoenix," he states.
