The Rise of Nix
Chapter 5

The sudden surprise of being interrupted spooked Nix, but as soon as she laid eyes on the intruder, she regained her composure while using the water and her arms to hide her body from his gaze.

"Who are you?" asked Nix, dropping deeper into the water until it touched her chin.

The man remained silent as he watched her, the signs of a bad person, but a voice inside told her not to be afraid, and her gut was never wrong, but now was not the time to take chances, especially considering she was naked with the opaque water as her only cover.

"Hello. Can you speak?" Nix tried again.

As the man watched her silently, Nix swore his cheeks burned red with a blush. An unusual sight for men in these parts, but he was still a stranger and one she had to get away from. Opening her mouth, Nix was about to demand the intruder leave so she may get out of the water with her dignity intact, but the man beat her to the punch.

"I...uhh.. my name is Deimos." the man rumbled, his voice breaking as he spoke.

"Well, Deimos. Were you never taught that sneaking up on a bathing woman is rude?" questioned Nix, her legs frantically kicking beneath the surface as she moved deeper into the pond and closer to the rocks. Droplets splashed onto the back of her head as she neared the waterfall.

"I..uhh... I am sorry for intruding," the man apologized, but instead of leaving, he reached for the bag's strap around his shoulder, pulling it off.

His actions caught Nix off guard as he began to undress instead of leaving her to her glorious time alone.

"I did not say you could join me." Nix watched, flabbergasted as he resumed his unrobing, fingers working the latch at the hem of his shirt.

The man's gaze zoned in on Nix, his fingers slowing down by her statement before resuming. "I know, but the water looks heavens send, and the pool is big enough for both of us." Deimos winked, "Don't you think?"

Water rushed to Nix's mouth as it fell open, astounded by his response. Most men with dignity would have left by now, ashamed of their actions, but he was bold.

Lifting his shirt over his head, Nix mentally berated herself for not turning away as he undressed, but her eyes refused to leave his exposed skin at the sight of his body. Tanned skin kissed by the sun stretched taught over his muscles while his arms lifted to pull the material over his head, the movement forcing his chest and stomach to clench. Nix noticed his broad shoulders first. Then lowering her gaze, she expected to see a more considerable body, not a lean torso with defined abs. Dropping the shirt, the man made eye contact with Nix, and she quickly spun around, blushing at the thought of being caught ogling a stranger.

His deep chuckle came from behind, which caused her cheeks to burn even redder. Just her luck that the stranger caught her openly admiring his physic.

"No need to be shy. I am not," Deimos smirked.

Kicking vigorously to keep her head afloat, Nix replied, "I was not watching you."

"If you say so," he replied.

The waterfall crashed before her with the sound reaching past her, which silenced his undressing. She needed to focus on something else, not the image of him removing his pants to reveal his manhood. Diving beneath the water, Nix allowed the iced water to wash away her thoughts, bringing reason back. Popping back up, she turned around, ready to berate him for interrupting her bath and demand he leaves, but the pool's edge was empty, with only a pile of discarded clothes by the rim. And they were not her clothes.

Surveying the water for the man, Nix saw nothing, and she hoped he might have gone into the forest naked, but it seemed ridiculous and unlikely. Suddenly, a movement caught the edge of her gaze. Turning, she saw a dark form growing more prominent the closer it got to the surface when it finally broke through. Deimos wildly shook his dark hair, wiping at his eyes. He also scanned the area before meeting her gaze, a slight smile appearing as they locked eyes.

"This is truly wonderful." Deimos began, "I don't remember the last time I was just able to relax."

"I can," muttered Nix, "Right before you came."

Bursting out with laughter, Deimos squinted with genuine humor. "You are not afraid to say what is truly on your mind."

"Of course not. Life is too short for lies."

"But what if a lie could safe a person from the hurt the truth would reveal."

"Rather the small hurt now than the bigger pain later when the truth eventually comes out."

"Yes, for nothing can be hidden for too long in this world. As much as one might try." Deimos agreed with her.

Nix watches him as she wonders what he is thinking about. The longer she stared at him, the stronger the voice in the back of her mind said to not be scared. Their conversation was beginning to get entertaining, and it was rare to replace someone who could mentally match her.

"But, I believe a small lie here and there is good. Don't you?"

Deimos voiced his opinion, making Nix arch her eyebrows ever so slightly. He made her feel safe in a way none ever had, and he wanted to discuss more than just his hunt or achievements. Shocked could partially describe her emotion.

As the waterfall's current gently nudged her closer to him, Nix allowed her body to relax and enjoy the drift against her skin. She knew getting too close could be dangerous, but she also wanted to be so that she could observe him better. Light brown eyes on the edge of being green silently followed her, so she did the same. Silence clung to the air as they studied the other. Nix could feel her cheeks heating up, but he had captivated her. A pair of busy eyebrows matching his dark head framed his eyes. A triangle nose moved down, connected to plump red lips, an unnatural color on a man, but it suited him. While her eyes locked on his delicious lips, he smirked, revealing dashing pair of white teeth. In her book he was handsome, but looks could be deceiving.

"Like what you see?" he asked with a smile.

"Yes," responded Nix, "But too bad the package doesn't hold anything nice."

Water splashed onto her face as he grabbed his chest with a painful expression. "Aww, you hurt my feelings."

Instead of Deimos getting angry at her taunting, he feints hurt, astonishing Nix even more. Usually, men would get upset with her verbal jabs, but he seemed to enjoy them. And she couldn't help but laugh at his dramatic nature.

Her soft laughter filled the air causing Deimos to return to his original pose while still gazing at her.

"Your laugh is beautiful. One which can bring hope into this dark world, I think."

The pair remained silent as his words hit a nerve. This world is a dark place and one she would love to fix, but her smile could not be the way. "Thank you, but I doubt it would be that easy."

"And why is that?"

"One person cannot fix everything, let alone this place."

Swimming closer, Deimos stopped inches from her paddling body as he stared directly into her hypnotic eyes. "But what if you could? What if you had the power to change what is broken?"

His question made her wonder. What if she could achieve her goals? What if this was why she is the way she is? So many questions were forever unanswered.

"If you replace the way, please let me know." Nix chuckled to lighten the dreary mood.

"You are in luck, for I have..."

"Who the hell are you?" a demanding voice came from the side. Both their heads twirled to the source, seeing an angered Maverick as his eyes narrowed on Deimos.