Page 3 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

“Oh, darling, I’m sorry. Please go rest. I'll have Lili bring you up dinner,” my mother says in a sweet tone, but her eyes became hard stones for a moment.

“Thank you,” I say then flash a smile at Nyx before taking my leave. As I walk away, I steal a final glance at him and notice his unwavering gaze fixed on me. Once I’m out of sight, I have the strangest feeling of dejection.

Chapter Two

I hurry back to my room where a plate of food is already waiting. It’s a tomato tart with goat cheese, one of my favorite things to eat. I devour the tart, sharing with Chepi of course. I can’t go to bed just yet. I can’t escape this sense of foreboding. I need to know what Samael is up to and why he didn’t want me at dinner.

“Are you up for a little spying tonight, boy?”

Chepi wags his tail in confirmation.

I change into tights and a tunic to be more comfortable but keep my bloodstone necklace on. My mother would probably incinerate my clothes on sight if she caught me wearing this in front of company, but luckily for me Chepi will make sure neither of us are visible. I pace my room for what feels like hours until I can no longer hear any noise in the distance. When I stick my head out into the hall, it sounds like all the dinner guests have finally retired. Time for me to go find Samael and see what he’s up to.

I pick up Chepi and hold him tight to my chest.

“Okay, boy, it’s time.”

I glance at the mirror, and when I can’t see us in the reflection I scurry into the hall. While Chepi has the gift of invisibility, I know he can’t sustain it all night long without putting a significant strain on his body. I must hurry and make the most of our time. I rush down the stairs and across the castle. Samael has his very own wing on the ground floor furthest away from everyone else. I slow my pace when I reach the hall leading to Samael's private chambers. It's eerily quiet in this part of the castle. Samael doesn’t even allow servants to enter his chambers.

I stop dead in my tracks when I hear Samael speaking to someone. I wish Chepi’s gift included walking through walls. I put my ear to the door, and when I don’t hear anything I quickly crack it open and slip inside. Once inside Samael’s room, I’m immediately struck by its size. It’s really three large rooms that he has combined to create a seamless and disturbing hall. Compared to this, my own room looks like a closet. I tiptoe against the wall, following the sound of his voice. It’s dark in here, and only the light from the fireplace in the distance helps me not trip over anything. There are stacks of books everywhere and a long table cluttered with something on it that smells like death. I press my back to the wall and scurry past the table. I press my hand over my mouth to keep from gagging. The table is covered in body parts, not human body parts but some poor dissected creatures. Chepi buries his face in my armpit, and I hold him tighter. Samael is sick. He needs to be stopped.

“I need to get the Moon Grimoire,” he says while pacing in front of the fireplace. Every family of Sorcerers has a Grimoire that’s passed down generation after generation. It’s how we learn spells and rituals. The Moon Grimoire belongs to my mother. It’s called the Moon Grimoire because her family name is Moon. Before she married, she went by Macy Moon. I wonder what Samael could possibly want my family’s grimoire for. He surely must have access to his own.

“When all of this is done, she’ll belong to me. I need you to make sure they’re ready,” Samael says to someone, but I can’t see who it is. They’re sitting in a tall black chair, and they have their backs to me. I keep padding quietly along the wall trying to get closer. I just need to see who he’s talking to. Chepi starts pawing at my arm, and it’s my warning to get out of there before his magic wears off. I tiptoe quickly back to the far end of the room.

“You have my word, master.”

It’s a woman’s voice I hear, startling me as I slip out the door. I race down the hall, turn the corner, and smack face-first into a firm chest.

Chepi jumps to the ground, and I look up to find Nyx smirking at me. He grabs my arms, steadying me gently.

“Are you alright?”

I clear my throat. “Yes, thank you. I didn’t see you there.”

“Clearly,” he says, chuckling softly. “What are you doing wandering around the castle so late?” I brush my hands down my tunic. “This is my home. Shouldn’t I be the one asking you what you’re doing wandering around in the middle of the night?”

Nyx just laughed. “I take it you’re feeling better then, Princess.”

I’d almost forgotten I left dinner pretending to be ill hours earlier. “Yes, quite better, thank you. I must be going now, goodnight.” I start to hurry away before he can ask me anything else.

“Goodnight, Princess,” he says from behind me.

I don’t turn back, but I can feel his eyes on me until I’m out of sight.

I feel breathless back in my room. My heart is racing. Not racing from Samael but racing from my encounter with Nyx. How does this man have such an effect on my body? I shake the thought away and crawl into bed with Chepi. I have no clue what woman Samael could’ve been talking to. The only woman at dinner other than me was my mother, and she would never call him master. Maybe one of the servants is doing his bidding for him. I need to know why he wants my family grimoire and who will belong to him. I’m also a bit suspicious of why Nyx was so close to Samael’s wing of the castle so late at night. My mind is exhausted from spinning with the possibilities.

I toss and turn all night, plagued by strange dreams of unknown places. As I awaken, the image of Nyx’s face lingers in my mind. My curiosity about the elusive man who Samael wanted me to stay away from intensifies, but I know no one here will share any information with me.

It’s still early. The sun’s not quite visible yet, but the soft-blue hues of this blue hour are present. I go onto the balcony for some fresh air to clear my head. Taking in deep breaths, I let the crisp air fill my nose with scents of fresh pine and chimney smoke. I love the fall air and the sound of the forest just before dawn. I pause to listen for the early morning birds chirping, but when I don’t hear them the hair on the back of my neck stands up. I get the strangest feeling I’m being watched.

The gardens below catch my attention, and I nervously glance around until my eyes fall upon a figure standing below my window, gazing up at me. It’s not just any man, but a Lycan, easily identified by his glowing light-blue eyes. He has a strong build and shoulder-length white-blond hair, and I can’t help but wonder what he’s doing outside in the cold, shirtless. I don’t recall ever seeing him before, not even at last night’s dinner. It's been a while since a Lycan visited the castle. I pinch my arm to make sure I’m not dreaming. The sharp pain tells me I’m awake. I quickly go back inside and lock my door, feeling awkward and uneasy about seeing the man outside watching me.

I have to meet with Mr. Drogo early this morning. The closer I get to my nineteenth birthday, the closer I get to finally inheriting my magic and the more he wants me to study.

Lili barges into my room, and I recognize her by her distinct scent before even looking up. Her presence distracts me from my thoughts for a moment. After quickly selecting a simple and comfortable light-blue gown, I let her take over and style my hair.

“Why are you so quiet this morning? What are you thinking about?” Lili’s voice pulls me from my train of thought. Her hazel eyes meet mine in the mirror.