Page 89 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

“The only way I knew how. The promise of power.”

“Power?” Nyx says, leaning forward.

“There’s an artifact hidden inside Zomea. This artifact is extremely powerful, and whoever possesses it has the power to control Zomea itself, ultimately controlling life and death. Your father used to possess this artifact, but he knew it was too much power for one person to have and eventually hid it where it belongs in Zomea.

“I made sure your mother and Silas learned about this artifact. They wanted to retrieve it for themselves. Your mother ordered Aidan to take you and complete the shifting ceremony. I was never fond of your mother, but I made her believe I was loyal to her so one day I’d be able to stop her when she made a move for power. I didn’t anticipate Samael. You must understand I never meant for them to die. I was only pushing them to complete the ceremony and making them think it was their idea.”

“What do you mean you didn’t anticipate Samael? Why would my mother and Silas want the artifact? Why wait all these years before trying to get it?”

“They just learned about it recently when I pushed them in the right direction. I told your mother about you being the key and Euric’s plan, but I knew that would not be reason enough for her to have you go through with the ceremony. I needed a reason that would drive her to want to go to Zomea, and that reason was power. I don’t know how Samael learned of the artifact, but I know he killed your parents. I can only assume he tortured them for information before they died. Samael is blinded by his need for power.”

“You think this is why Samael is after Lyra? He wants to use her to retrieve this artifact in Zomea?”

“I don’t know what Samael knows, but I do know he is deranged and power hungry.”

“Just to be clear, did you make up this story about an artifact with power to convince Lyra's parents to unlock the bridge to Zomea? Or was it really because you want to save Lyra before the key destroys her and completes Euric's plan of creating a way to pass between Zomea and the realms?” Nyx asks.

“That’s correct, but I didn’t make up anything about the artifact. The artifact is real and is hidden within Zomea.”

“And you’re not afraid if Lyra unlocks the bridge Samael will try to get it? You said it yourself…he’s deranged and power hungry.”

“Samael may try, but I’m sure it’s hidden and protected. It’s a risk we must take,” Athalda says, crossing her legs.

I get up from the couch, feeling the need to move. Nyx gets up after me, jarred by my sudden movement.

“What’s wrong?” he touches the small of my back.

“I just need a moment to think, to process. I need to move.” My head is hurting again, and the stress of all this is weighing on me.

“Go lie down in your room. You have a lot to digest. I’ll be here when you’re ready to talk. Think about what you want to do,” Athalda says.

I turn, heading back toward the room I was resting in before.

Once inside the privacy of our room, I throw myself down in one of the chairs and bury my face.

“Come lie next to me,” Nyx says, kicking off his shoes and lying down on his back.

“I don’t want to lie down, Nyx. I want to talk about this. All of this.” I emphasize my point with my hands.

“I know that was a lot. Come sit down next to me at least, please.” He pats the bed next to him, and I take a seat cross-legged on the bed.

I make sure he’s looking at me when I ask him, “How much of this did you know? How much of this have you been keeping from me?”

“Lyra, I’m not keeping anything from you.”

“I don’t believe you. You’re hundreds of years old. You’re the Fae king of Nighthold. You knew my father. You expect me to believe you didn’t know any of this?” My voice comes out high pitched.

“I promise I didn’t know, Lyra. I suspected some things, but I wasn’t in on all this.”

“You suspected some things? Nyx, you say you care about me, but you don’t even let me in your head. Stop treating me like a child and treat me like your equal. You need to tell me things. I want to know what you suspect. If you want to be with me, then we need to be a team.”

“You are awfully cute when you get upset. Has anyone ever told you that?” Nyx is smirking at me now, and I feel like he’s not taking what I’m saying to heart.

“Nyx, I’m trying to be serious. I could be dead in a few days for all we know.”

“Stop. I will not let anything happen to you. I’m sorry. You’re right. I was trying to lighten the mood.” He tugs on my hand, pulling me closer to him, and I move to face him, letting my fingers intertwine with his.

“What do you think we should do?” I say, letting out a sigh.