Page 54 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

“You won't have to. I don't plan on going anywhere.” I place a kiss on his mouth and nestle my head into his chest. I savor the moment, feeling the warmth of his embrace and the beat of his heart against my cheek. His strong arms wrap around me, pulling me closer, as if he never wants to let me go.

I fall asleep in his arms listening to the storm outside, thinking that no night could be any more perfect than this.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Something’s burning! I’m crawling as fast as I can across the forest floor. My knees are stinging from plants stabbing and slicing at me. I’m trying to crawl away from the fire, but flames keep bursting to life in front of me, like they’re coming for me. My skin is drenched in warm blood from the trees. It’s hard to see where I’m going. A wolf runs past me, brushing against my side and causing me to fall over. I wonder if it’s Luke. I jump back up, trying to regain my footing. I squint into the smoke, but my eyes are burning, and I can’t see the wolf anymore. I run but don’t make it far before I trip over something and go flying face-first into the ground. A set of arms grab me and pull me to my feet.

“Luke.”

“He’s looking for you, Lyra,” he says.

“Who’s looking for me? What do you mean?”

“He wants you for himself. You must stay away.” He’s shaking me, and I feel the heat of the fire surrounding us. “Go now, Lyra.”

* * *

I gasp awake, disoriented. Then I hear Nyx breathing next to me, and I place my hand over my chest to calm myself. I’m covered in sweat, and the sheets are soaked. Thank the gods Onyx is sleeping. I relax back into the pillows. What does it mean? I’ve had dreams like this before with Luke, but this one seemed so real. It has to be the midnight mind. I have to be visiting Zomea. What’s going on there? Why is everything burning? Was he warning me to stay away from Samael? I need to figure out how to stay in the dream longer. If my father mastered it, then I know I can too. I wish there was someone else with midnight mind I could talk to who could help me. Maybe the elders remember what it was like for the Fae with midnight mind and have an idea of how to control it. I’m afraid if I don’t learn how to control it, it’s going to make me go crazy.

I listen to the slow breathing of Nyx next to me and stare out the window at the snowflakes collecting on the sill. Just when I think I’m never going to be able to fall back asleep, my eyes start to feel heavy. For a split second I think I’ve fallen into a dream again when a quick burst of light and a flash of purple appears in front of the window. Nyx sits up next to me, and I know I’m not dreaming. I sit up, blinking the heaviness out of my eyes. The purple figure comes into focus, and I realize it’s Twig. Nyx waves a hand, bringing all the candles in the room back to life.

“Twig, what’s wrong?” he asks.

A sudden sense of panic hits me.

“Is Chepi alright?” I ask quickly, pulling the sheets up to my neck.

“Yes, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to alarm you. A letter arrived at the castle only moments ago, and it’s spelled.” Twig flies closer to the bed, hovering above our feet.

“Spelled how?” Nyx asks, studying Twig.

“It just appeared, and I don’t know how to explain it, but I felt a sense of urgency to bring it to you when I touched it. It’s addressed to Lyra.” Twig pulls the envelope out of his pocket and offers it to me. Nyx takes it before I even think about moving.

“Enchanted mail is rare, old magic. It could be a trap from Samael. Do you recognize the writing or the seal?” Nyx asks, showing me the envelope.

I grab it, recognizing the writing immediately.

“It’s from Lili. This is her handwriting.” I turn it over in my hands. I had no idea she knew how to send enchanted mail, but I guess there’s never been a reason for me to know that.

“If you won't be needing anything else, I’ll take my leave.” Twig tilts his head to Nyx, his beautiful translucent wings glowing in the candlelight.

“No. Thank you, Twig. You may go.”

Twig disappears in a small burst of wind. Nyx moves closer to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

“Are you alright? Do you want me to open it?” I’ve been so stressed hoping Lili is okay and wondering what is going on back home. My hands start to quiver. I can’t imagine she’d be sending me good news. I tear the envelope open, pulling out the parchment and unfolding it slowly. I hold it between us so Nyx can read it with me.

My darling Lyra,

I wanted to write to you sooner, but things have been unpredictable at the castle of late. King Samael has been frantic since you left. Each day you are away I worry the castle grows colder, and a darkness has started to loom over Tempest Moon. I can feel it in my bones.

Samael disappears for days at a time, and no one knows where he goes. When he’s here, he spends all of his time locked in his chambers, and I can hear screams coming from his wing of the castle in the dead of night. I was able to sneak back into the library and read more of your father’s journals. I found an alarming passage, and I knew I had to risk sending it to you as soon as possible. I don’t know what it means exactly, but I fear for you, Lyra, and I fear for all of us if Samael isn’t stopped.

I know what he did to you that night. I know what he did to you all those nights, and I am a coward for never speaking up, for never helping you. I live with the guilt every day. I was afraid to speak against the prince, and I tried to turn a blind eye to it. It wasn’t fair to you, Lyra, and I do not blame you if you never forgive me for not sticking up for you. I know I can never make up for it, but I promise I will do everything in my power to help you now. I will keep researching your father’s journals and send you anything I find that may be helpful. I know you are safer with King Onyx than you ever were here. Don’t ever come back. I don’t know what Samael will do if he gets a hold of you. May the gods save us all.

Lili

Tears stain my cheeks, and Nyx leans in, wiping them away softly with his fingers. He places a kiss to my damp temple. “I’m with you now, Lyra, and I won't let anything happen to you. I’ll handle Samael. His days are numbered.”