Page 44 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

“This is Lyra. Lyra this is Polly, my favorite chef in all the Realms.” Nyx smiles at her and winks.

“Flattery will get you nowhere, boy. I know what you’re after. And it’s a pleasure to meet you, dear.” She swats Nyx’s hands away from her boxes and gives me a smile. Her teeth are white and straight but a little pointier than I expected. Definitely Fae. She reaches into a box and pulls out a small bag, handing it to Nyx.

“These are fresh. I just made them this morning.”

Nyx takes the bag and gives her some coins. “Thank you, Polly. You spoil me.” He waves her goodbye.

“Pleasure meeting you.” I smile and wave.

“Stay out of trouble, boy. Lyra, make sure he shares with you,” she yells after us, waving.

We head back inside, and Nyx finds a table in the corner with two chairs. He pulls one out for me, and I take a seat before he comes to sit next to me.

“Here. You must try it while it's still warm.” He removes a rectangular dough piece from the bag and hands it to me.

“What is a Riff exactly?” I ask, turning it over in my hand to examine it.

“It's a fish hand pie. Polly’s husband is the fisherman in the family, but Polly makes the fish pies. She uses the best spices. It's delicious. I promise.”

I take a bite. It’s an explosion of flavors in my mouth. It makes the meat pies back home seem bland. I taste lots of spices, cardamom, turmeric, ginger, and a hint of sweetness, maybe coconut and cinnamon. The dough is cooked just right, slightly soft inside but flakey and buttery on the outside. I shovel several more bites down my throat before I get a chance to tell Nyx I like it.

“You’re right. This is delicious. The combination of flavors hitting my tongue is . . . invigorating. Where has this been all my life?”

His smile widens. “I’m glad you like it. I’ll grab us some water.”

He speaks to a woman at the counter before coming back with two tall glasses of water. I finish my hand pie and clear my palate with water.

“There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about. Since we’re both being honest with each other now . . . I feel I should tell you.” I need to ask him about the prophecy from the journal. He might know something.

“Come. Bim lives just outside the village, and it’s a beautiful walk. You can talk to me about it away from prying eyes and ears.” He finishes his water, and we make our way outside the small, crowded hut.

The sun is well overhead, and I can feel my face glistening with sweat beads. We continue down the dirt path past many huts that are all full of people eating and drinking. Some appear to be selling clothes and fishing gear. Once we get past the hustle and bustle of the fishing village, our path winds away from the water through the denser vegetation under the trees. Everything is so spread out here. We pass what appear to be pathways leading to houses, but I can’t see most of the houses due to the trees and the vastness of the properties.

“Now, what would you like to tell me?” Nyx asks. There’s no one around to hear me except the birds.

“Before you brought me here, Lili was searching the library in secret for answers about what happened at the Lycan ceremony. While she was searching, she found one of my father’s old journals. I never actually got to see the whole journal, but she ripped a page from it to show me.”

“What did it say?” Nyx comes to a stop, facing me.

“I can’t remember exactly but something like this. ‘I visited Zomea today and finally figured out how it’ll 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’s 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 Lycans 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 recite the passage to him word for word as best I can remember it.

“Are you sure that’s what it says. You remember it exactly?”

“Yes, I read it over so many times that the page is seared in my mind.” I turn to start walking again.

“Where is the page now?”

“I left it tucked under the mattress in my bed chamber. I don’t know if Samael will find it, or maybe he already knows about it. Do you know what it means?”

Nyx starts walking again, but his pace is slow.

“It must be about you. You’re the only one I’ve ever known born of Fae and Sorcerer blood. As far as visiting Zomea, I told you your father had midnight mind. He could travel to Zomea in a way with his mind. The more concerning part is who told him about this prophecy and what unlocking the bridge might do . . .”

“So you believe I am the key—it’s like she says in my dream?”

Nyx holds his arm out in front of me, stopping us abruptly, “What dream?”