Page 36 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

“Which one would you most like to visit?”

“I don’t even have to think about it. I’d want to visit your home in Fate Fields. I love the cold, snowy weather; it makes me want to cuddle up inside by the fire with hot chocolate.”

“That can be arranged.” He tugs me closer to him. Little bolts of excitement shoot through my chest. “Where is Dream Forest?”

“It’s an island off the coast of Vision Valley.” We both continue eating in silence.

I whisper a soft thank you to Nyx, feeling a sense of gratitude and warmth inside me that I haven't felt in a long time. He leans in, his lips brushing against the top of my head before pulling away slightly to ask what he's done to deserve my appreciation. I take a deep breath, gathering the courage to speak my truth.

“For today,” I say softly, “for being kind to me. No one has ever treated me this way before.” Nyx's eyes soften at my words, and he draws closer to me, pressing his lips against my jawline and trailing soft kisses down my neck and collarbone. The touch of his lips sends shivers of excitement through me, and I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks as my body responds to him.

“What are Bim and Flora like?” I ask, leaning into his touch.

“Well, they’re both sarcastic pains in my ass, to tell you the truth, but loyal to a fault, and I love them. Bim leads the Fae armies for me. He’s a fierce fighter and strategist. Flora’s specialty is healing. She’s the one who healed you when I brought you home.”

“Are you not able to heal?”

“Most Fae have basic healing abilities. I can heal minimal injuries, but I’m not very good with anything more serious. Things can go terribly wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing.”

I try to steady my racing heart, but my thoughts keep spiraling out of control. What am I doing here with Onyx anyway? He's Fae and a king, and I'm a Sorceress, a mixed pairing that's frowned upon in both our worlds. I can't imagine he would ever want anything serious with me. Maybe he's just looking for a good time until he finds someone more suitable. The idea crushes me. But no, I can't let myself get caught up in this. I need to focus on my goals, on finding answers from the Lycans and figuring out how to stop Samael before he can do any more damage. My powers are still developing, but I can't let that stop me. I need to be strong and determined, no matter how distracting Onyx may be. I can’t lose sight of what’s important.

I clear my throat, straightening up. “Are you ready to head back?”

“Sure.” He sounds distant, and for a moment I wonder what he senses from my emotions.

* * *

We channel back to the castle, and Nyx leaves me in my room. He tells me to make myself at home, and he’ll be back before dinner. I have a few hours before I have to get ready.

“Hey Chepi, you up for helping me snoop through his majesty’s bed chamber?”

Chepi jumps off the bed so fast, wagging his tail. I open the door and wander down the hall and set out to find Nyx’s bedroom.

“Stay close just in case we run into anyone. You might have to make us invisible.”

Chepi rubs against my leg in understanding and then starts padding down the hall in front of me. “Do you know the way already?” He yips quietly at me then picks up the pace, winding through the maze of hallways. I hope he knows where he’s taking us. I know Nyx will be gone for a while, so we have plenty of time. I can’t help the guilt that creeps into my chest, but I quickly squelch it. He just seems too good to be true. I have to find out if he’s hiding anything. I can’t feel guilty for protecting myself, even if it involves invading his privacy.

Chepi doesn’t take me to Nyx’s bed chamber but to his office. It appears to be an office of sorts at least. It must be Nyx’s office, because no one else lives here. It’s dimly lit by the fireplace, and its black curtains are pulled closed, so it doesn’t feel like day or night. A large desk sits in the center of the room, and the wall opposite the fireplace is one huge bookshelf filled with books. I carefully make my way to the desk and sit down, eyeing the papers and books on top of the desk. Everything looks harmless enough at first glance, but then I see something tucked under A Tree Whisp’s Guide to Herbology, a deteriorated notebook. I pull it out. Scribbled across the cover it reads, “Lewis Lineage.” Lewis is my last name and was my biological father’s last name. Not many people speak the name Lewis anymore. My mother always used Silas’s last name Sellar or her maiden name, Moon. She’d call me Lyra Moon even though my true name is Lyra Lewis. I think she wanted everyone to forget my father after he passed, but Onyx knows my last name is Lewis. Why would he have this and not share it with me?

The notebook is fragile and dusty. I slowly turn the pages, reading through what appears to be a family tree of sorts. Each person on the tree has their own page with a sketch of what they look like next to their name, details about their family, their bloodline, and their powers.

I’m only halfway through the notebook when I hear footsteps coming down the hall.

“Shit,” I mutter to myself and duck under the desk, tucking the notebook back where I found it first. Chepi runs over to me, hopping in my lap. I hold him close to my chest, and I know his magic will keep us hidden. The door opens, and I hold my breath wondering who could be coming in here. There’s no way Nyx is back yet. It could be Twig, but whoever it is sounds too heavy footed. I want to peek, but I’m too afraid to move. I don’t want to get caught, especially since I’m snooping through Nyx’s office. The footsteps come close to the desk. Whoever it is stands only inches from me. I can hear them breathing. I bury my face into Chepi and try to take slow, quiet breaths. They rustle through some papers on the desk then leave the room, closing the door. I let out a loud breath and ease up to my feet, surveying the room. We’re alone.

I look over the desk and everything seems to be in place except for a envelope that has “King Onyx” written across the top of it. I grab the envelope and look it over. I can’t see through it, but it has my family’s Sellar seal on the back. I wonder if this is from Samael, possibly negotiating for my return. I have the urge to open it, but maybe this will be a good test to see if Nyx tells me about it.

I go back to skimming through the notebook when I have to stop and do a double take because the name reads Euric Lewis, which is my father’s name. I look at the sketch next to the name. It's old and faded, but it looks like a young version of my father. The page reads:

Euric Lewis

Son of Edward Lewis and Marian Time

Bloodline: Fae

Abilities:

-Channeling