Page 22 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

The worst of these nightmares is the one that feels more like a memory than a dream. The one where I see the hooded woman and hear her cryptic words. Her message still echoes in my mind, leaving me with more questions than answers. What choice does she speak of? What power does she believe I possess? And most importantly, what is the key?

Sleep hasn’t brought me back to that burning forest since the carriage ride, but sometimes I wish it would. I would rather speak to the hooded woman and try to get answers than see the life fade from Luke’s eyes again.

As I try to make sense of it all, the reality of my situation continues to weigh heavily on me. The castle is eerily quiet, and the air feels thick with tension. I’m being watched and guarded at all times, making me feel trapped and alone, but I’m thankful I have Chepi.

After my first night home, Lili is finally allowed to come see me and bring me food. Chepi is well, thank the gods. He’s been licking my face and waking me from my nightmares most nights. Lili isn’t able to share much with me, but I shared with her all the horrors of the shifting moon festival. I haven’t been allowed to leave my room, Samael’s orders, but Lili has been bringing me all my meals and making sure I’m taken care of.

Lili comes in to wake me, even though I’ve been stuck awake for hours. Her familiar smell of lavender and vanilla warms my heart.

“Lyra, hun, I brought you and Chepi some breakfast,” she says softly, sitting on the edge of my bed.

I sit up and eat a slice of toast while feeding Chepi my bacon. “No point in you being locked up all day too.” I push open the window beside my bed so he can fly out. Lili sits across from me on the bed. Her soft eyes study me.

“How are you feeling today?”

“I’m okay, Lili.” I try to sound convincing.

I’m not okay. I’ve barely slept. My head won't stop aching, and I feel desperate. I’m desperate for anything to lessen these feelings in my chest, which feels tight. I wish I had access to whiskey, wine, anything to make me feel less of this hell I am currently residing in.

“Have you had another premonition?” Lili asks.

“Not that I’m aware of. I’ve had nightmares, but none are like the one in the burning forest.”

“I’ve been sneaking into the library at night searching for any references that may help you.” Her words send a jolt of worry through me. “Lili, you can’t do that. If Samael were to catch you . . . gods only know what he would do. Have you found anything?”

“I have. But, Lyra, I don’t like it, and I don’t know what it means. I found it in one of your father’s journals. I didn’t want to take the entire journal, so I ripped the page out.”

“What are you waiting for? Let me see it,” I exclaimed.

“Before I give it to you, I just want you to know whatever this is, whatever it means, we’ll get through it. I’m here for you okay.” Her words make me feel uneasy. I’m almost afraid to read the journal entry, but I take the page from her anyways.

I visited Zomea today and finally figured out how it will work. All of my work hasn’t been for nothing. What I thought was impossible has been hidden right before me this entire time. He shared the prophecy with me, and it was then I knew. I know it will be her.

One born of Fae and Sorcerer blood must consume blood of the Lycan and Lamia before their powers manifest. Blood of all the realms must live inside her. To successfully unlock the bridge to Zomea, three innocent Lycan must die at the hand of the one they trust before the first shift under the full moon. A single Lamia must choose to end her life prematurely, giving her blood willingly under the light of the blood moon. Only then may the key unlock the bridge.

I read the page over three times. What was my father doing? How did he visit Zomea, the afterlife?

“Lili, this cannot be about me. I wasn’t born with Fae blood.” I get off the bed, feeling the need to move, to pace.

“I know, Lyra, but the Lycan ceremony is exactly the same. I knew your father, and he was a very secretive man, brilliant but secretive. I don’t know what this means, but it has to be about you somehow. Or your mother believed it was about you.”

“What do you know about Zomea? Is it possible the burning forest from my dream is in Zomea?” I ask her while running my hands through my hair.

“I don’t know much about Zomea, but it would make sense. You did say it was a forest like nothing you’ve ever seen before. So it’s possible?” Lili says.

A servant knocks on the door. Lili gets up and exchanges a few hushed words with him.

“Today’s the day you know, right?” Lili speaks softly, like I might break at her words.

I move to sit at my vanity and stare at the mirror, trying to tame my hair. This is the day of my parents’ funeral, and I don’t know what to feel. Part of me wants to scream with anger and pain, to throw things and lash out at everyone around me. But another part of me just feels hollow, empty, and numb. How do you mourn the loss of people you were never close to? People who used you, sold you out to some dark and twisted bargain? People who never cared about your feelings or your trauma, who only saw you as a pawn, as a key, in some dangerous game of power?

My mother, the one who gave birth to me, the one who was supposed to love and protect me, was the worst of them all. I still remember the way she treated me, the way she belittled me and made me feel small. The way she changed after my father died, and now she’s gone, and part of me wants to celebrate, to dance on her grave. But another part of me just feels…nothing. It’s like I’m watching everything happen from a distance, like I’m not really here at all.

I take a deep breath, trying to push away the emotions that threaten to consume me. I know I have to be strong, to put on a brave face for the sake of appearances. But it’s hard. So damn hard.

“I know the funeral is today, Lili. Don’t worry about me. I can handle it…as long as you help me do my hair.” I give her a light laugh and half smile while meeting her eyes in the mirror, hoping to cut the tension in the air.

“People from all over have been arriving all week to attend the funeral. I’m sure that’s why Samael has kept you in your chamber. He’s just making sure you’re safe. Can you blame him after losing your parents? You’re all he has.”