CHAPTER 66: SACRIFICIAL LAMB (1)

Manhandled once again, Nova was flown to another tree where dozens of tribesmen—both in eagle and human form—were gathered. Unlike Ixana and Vulcan, the other eagle shifters in their beast forms were noticeably smaller—still fully capable of tearing flesh and pecking out eyes, but smaller nonetheless.

The massive trunk of this tree spread out into a wide, natural platform where their kind could gather and socialise. Its branches jutted horizontally, giving the impression that the tree had been squashed by some ancient giant, its limbs sprawling out far more than the trees around it, offering more space for the eagles to mingle and perch.

The space buzzed with life. Groups clustered together in conversation. Families kept their young close—none of the children looking older than fourteen. Teenagers sparred near the edges, shoving and grappling until one tumbled, wings flaring out just in time to catch the air. Others bantered and boasted, puffed up with energy, eager to prove themselves capable fighters, hunters, and potential mates.

Their chatter hushed the moment Nova’s feet landed on the bark. All eyes turned to her, scanning her from head to toe, murmuring to each other. She felt the weight of everyone’s interest, and had to fight the urge to look down or cross her arms. That would only confirm how uncomfortable she was—and in this world of survival, she needed every little advantage she could get, even if it was just the illusion of confidence.

Body language was everything. When she first started her career, she’d had to fake confidence in her abilities—until the results caught up with the effort, and her self-belief became real. Fake it ’til you make it, and all that.

But did that mindset apply here?

Probably not... not if someone actually challenged her to a fight—because she’d lose. Badly.

A nudge behind her, forced Nova into a walk. She tipped her chin a little higher, ignoring the rapid beat of her heart. She wanted to ask where she was meant to go but if they wanted to tell her, they would.

The two women stayed close behind her, acting like her shadows, and perhaps her guards. That made her feel somewhat better, especially when the guy who’d kidnapped her abandoned her and—oh.

Vulcan landed with a soft thud in the middle of the tree. Like a ripple effect in water, the crowd parted for him, heads bowing in reverence as he started towards Nova. The morning sun bathed his bronze skin in soft light, casting a warm glow that danced across the defined lines of his body. His pale hair shimmered like stardust, catching the light with every subtle movement. He looked so ethereal right now that she couldn’t blame the way most of his flock watched him, unable to look away, awe struck into their hearts. Yet beneath that beauty, his eyes held a sharp glint of calculation, like the sun’s warmth hiding a blade beneath.

Nova met him halfway, and although he was the villain in her story, she’d prefer to have his company right now than be left like easy prey to his kind.

His gaze swept over her, assessing every inch, before he nodded once. His cold, calculating expression softening slightly with appreciation, the corners of his lips twitching upward. "My feathers look good on you," he smiled, his voice rich and strangely warm with approval.

The sassy remark Nova had ready, died on her tongue at his words. "Your feathers?" She gaped and looked down at her silver, white and dark brown two-piece top and short skirt. It was a little scratch, and some of the feathers dug into her skin, but it was no doubt beautiful.

Focus girl! This man kidnapped you! And these feathers are a pain to wear!

Vulcan nodded before handing her a basket woven with thick green leaves. Nova accepted it numbly, staring up at him, wondering if he’d plucked himself to make the outfit. She knew, without a doubt, that line of questioning was probably insulting and these feathers were likely a symbol of something important. The glared burning into her from all sides made that abundantly clear.

Nova’s gaze dropped to the basket when she realised she’d been staring at the massive eagle-man for too long. Inside lay an array of tropical fruits—mangoes, bananas, açaí berries, and coconuts.

"I did not know what you liked," Vulcan said, "but I assumed my Nokari-to-be wouldn’t care for my usual... food."

Nova kept her gaze fixed on the fruit, hoping to hide the way she balked at the words ’Nokari-to be’. Then her mind finally caught up to the rest of his words. "Usual... food?" She repeated, looking up at him.

Vulcan’s eyes gleamed darkly, and she was reminded with how the monkeys fled for their lives as Ixana viciously killed them and had a preference for the howler monkeys. She shivered, unable to hide the colour draining from her face. Noticing her reaction, Vulcan’s hand slid to her lower back, the action making her straighten at the intimate touch. It felt weird, and she almost slipped out of his hold until she noticed he was guiding her away from probing eyes and onto a branch that curved around, hiding them from everyone else.

The women who had bathed Nova so roughly her skin was still a little tender, hadn’t followed.

"Sit," he instructed, his hands tucked behind his back as his wings folded neatly behind him. He scanned the surroundings, head tilting slightly as something in the distance caught his attention.

Nova sat down, ignoring the small spark of rebellion forming in her chest at being told what to do. But it was way too early in the morning to make a fuss. Besides, her plan right now was not to weaken herself even more than she already was.

"Thank you for the fruit" she murmured, picking at the berries and savouring the burst of flavours coating her tongue.

Vulcan gave a small nod, his gaze still fixed on something in the distance, eyes narrowing with focus.

Nova followed his line of sight and squinted, but whatever he was watching remained unseen to her.

Eventually, she gave up, sitting quietly with her legs dangling off the branch. The wind howled below, tugging at her hair and chilling her skin as she ate, grateful for the fruit that would keep her going.

Finally, Vulcan’s attention returned to Nova, dismissing whatever he’d deemed a threat or perhaps just potential breakfast. "Ready?"

"For what exactly?" Nova pursed her lips, fingers idly stroking along some of the feathers on the side of her thigh.

"To meet Ixana," he said like dropping that bomb was no big deal.

"Now?" Nova squeaked, remembering how fearsome Ixana had been. She was going to meet her now?! She hadn’t even come up with a plan to get out of here!

Vulcan smirked. "You’re safe with me."

"Am I?!" she snapped, her voice rising with disbelief. "You kidnapped me, remember?"

Vulcan let out an exaggerated sigh and rolled his eyes, as if she were being unnecessarily theatrical. "Kidnapped is such a strong word," he muttered, folding his arms loosely. "I relocated you. Safely."

Nova’s mouth dropped open. First of all, she hadn’t expected to ever see Vulcan roll his eyes in annoyance. Apparently there really was more to that sun-god, stoney-faced male than she though. And now he was acting like kidnapping her was totally normal.

Well, that wasn’t really the biggest or craziest problem right now. He intended to make her his Nokari. She didn’t completely understand it besides him making some claim on her.

Nova opened her mouth again to respond but was cut off as Vulcan tugged her by the wrist until she fell into his arms and was lifted up bridal-style. Nova gasped as the basket with the leftover fruit slipped from her hold in the process. It dropped onto the branch and spun slowly until it came to a spot.

Without another word, he launched into the air, his wings beating with long powerful strokes until they flew to another towering tree. "Skyhold," Vulcan murmured by her ear, making her shiver at the close contact as dread pooled in her stomach at the sight of it.

Skyhold’s bark shimmered faintly under the filtered sunlight, and nestled between massive branches was a carved platform lined with bones—skulls, rib cages, talons—each piece arranged like a warning and a throne all at once. Sitting upon it was Ixana.

Her posture was nothing short of queenly, one long leg crossed over the other, one hand dangling on the side of the throne, rocking a crib from side to side. Eyes like molten amber fixed on them the moment they arrived.

Vulcan landed, placing Nova beside him and stepping forward with measured confidence. Ixana’s cool gaze slid from her son to Nova. A coldness swept over her body as Ixana observed her, unblinking, head tilting to the side. Under that stare, she wanted to fidget, but she refused to and lifted her chin higher.

A flicker of anger burst across Ixana’s eyes but it was gone instantly like it had never been there in the first place. Then she narrowed her eyes at Vulcan whose smirk grew the longer his mother stared at him. Nova didn’t care about whatever little power play they were going at right now, she was just glad Ixana’s attention was fixated on her son.

There had been something very unsettling in the way Ixana had stared at her. It was almost like she was some sacrificial lamb waiting to be slaughtered. Nova shivered then stilled when the Sky Matron noticed, her sharp eyes flicking to her before returning to Vulcan.

"You took my sacrifice," Ixana said icily, her tone like frostbite, eyes narrowing at her son.

Nova almost laughed. Not because anything was funny—because apparently, that was her new trauma response. His terrifying mother actually wanted to ritually murder her. Cool. Cool cool cool.

She shot Vulcan a look but his attention was solely on Ixana even as more of their flock were beginning to land behind them, eager to watch what would happen next. Nova tried not to sag at the two options before her—becoming Vulcan’s Nokari or being sacrificed. Neither really sounded rather appealing.

"No matter the power granted to you, boy, this seat does not belong to you," Ixana continued in that chillingly quiet, yet unmistakably commanding voice. She still rocked the crib by her side in a rhythmic motion but it didn’t lose the impact of her words or the power she held over this flock.

"Who said anything about sacrificing my Nokari-to-be?" Vulcan mused, his voice loud enough to carry through the branches—even to those still tucked in their nests.

"Nokari?!" Many whispered, echoing the term around the tree as many eyes fell on Nova with more interest.