Page 90 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

“I think we need to go to the Lamia Realm and finish this. Open the bridge to Zomea then get the hell out of here and go back to Nighthold. We can’t risk not opening the bridge now. Not only do I not want to risk anything bad happening to you, but with Zomea being unstable—”

“What would happen if there was no more Zomea? I know it’s unstable, but could it ever just be gone? What would happen to everyone there?” I never really let myself think about it before, but without Zomea there would be no afterlife.

“I don’t know what will happen to Zomea if you don’t return the blood to Moirati. You said it’s on fire . . . it’s possible it could reach a point of total destruction, but it’s also unthinkable. Nothing like this has ever happened before. Euric messed with things he shouldn’t have messed with. Without Zomea, when someone dies, they’d ultimately be stuck in Limbo forever. No one would find peace.”

I roll onto my back next to Nyx and stare up at the ceiling. A part of me is upset with my father. How could he do this? What was he thinking? I understand what he was trying to do, I think, but what a mess he made.

“What do you want to do? I’ll do whatever you want. This is all ultimately your decision.” Nyx rolls onto his side to face me.

I can feel his eyes on me. I don’t know what to do, and there’s just so much to worry about right now. I still want to deal with Samael before Lili is hurt or anyone else in my realm. Who knows what he’s been planning this entire time? I don’t know if he ever found the grimoire he’s looking for or if he found a way to make his magic dark permanently. How powerful would he be if that happened? I mean, Nyx is extremely powerful. There’s just no way Samael could hurt Nyx . . . at least I don’t think so. I’m afraid for— everyone. I don’t care what happens to me anymore I just want to make sure Chepi is okay and Nyx is alright and all the people of Cloudrum who are suffering under Samael’s rule are freed. I can’t deal with Samael right now, not with Zomea being unstable and the blood moon fast approaching.

I let out a loud huff. “We have to go to the Lamia Realm before the blood moon, and I need to unlock the bridge by whatever means necessary. I want us to deal with Samael. We need to come up with a plan to stop him. Who knows how many innocents have been harmed since he’s come into power? But first—you’re right—we need to deal with Zomea.”

“I know Samael needs to be dealt with, but let’s just focus on one thing at a time. We will unlock the bridge then go back to Nighthold. I want you somewhere safe to practice your Fae magic and become stronger. Not to mention we need to be prepared for your nineteenth birthday and whatever dark or light magic that brings you. When we take on Samael, we’ll need a plan and reinforcements. My armies have been training off the coast of Nitross, and they know a time may be coming when we find ourselves in a war with Cloudrum.”

“Is that what you were doing when you and Bim left me and Flora at the manor?”

“Yeah. I had a meeting with all the commanders, and I left Bim in charge while we are away. I hope it doesn’t come to a war, but if it does we’ll be ready for it. Now with Aidan being gone the Lycan may or may not be allies, but either way we’ll figure it out.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?”

“You wouldn’t be dealing with all of this if it wasn’t for me. I’m the reason all of this is happening, and you killed Aidan because of me and—”

“I’m going to stop you there. You need to quit apologizing for things that are out of your control. You didn’t cause any of this, and the only regret I have about killing that fucker is the fact that I didn’t do it slower. Don’t be sorry about that—ever.”

I turn to face him, finally meeting his gaze. His eyes soften when they meet mine, and he pulls me to his chest, kissing the top of my head.

“Everything’s going to be okay. I promise.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

“Just because you’re king of the Faery Realm doesn’t mean you know everything. I’m sure there are many things the Sorcerers have kept secret from your kind,” Athalda says, giving Nyx a stern look.

Athalda and Nyx have been arguing about how we should get to the Lamia Realm. I just sit back on the couch watching this unfold, stroking Chepi, who’s awake now and sitting in my lap.

“If there are hidden portals in Cloudrum planted by the Sorcerers, I don’t trust them. It’s too risky putting Lyra through a portal right now. She doesn’t even have her Sorcerer magic,” Nyx argues back.

“It’ll take you too long to get to the Lamia Realm without using a portal. Not to mention you’ll have to travel across the entire Sorcerer Realm to get there. Who knows what traps Samael may have set or what monsters you’ll have to battle along the way. Look at her. She’s still injured. You’ll never make it in time,” Athalda scoffs.

Nyx growls. “I want to let Lyra decide. It should be her choice.”

They both turn and focus on me. I’ve never traveled through a portal before, but I don’t like the idea of spending the next three days traveling through my realm not knowing what we might have to face. I have no idea how many more of those Monstrauths are out there, and the thought sends goosebumps down my arms.

“I want us to go through the portal. Where is it and where will it take us?”

Nyx lets out a sigh. I think he was hoping I wouldn’t choose the portal.

Athalda smirks. “The portal’s not too far from here, a short hike. It’ll take us to the edge of the Sorcerer Realm past the black forest. Then we can take a boat the rest of the way.”

I’ve never had the opportunity to visit the Lamia Realm. My knowledge of this place is limited to what I’ve read in books and seen in paintings of the Mad Territories. Despite my concerns, I must admit that a small part of me is eager to finally see the Lamia Realm with my own eyes. It’s always been depicted as a dark and somewhat ominous place, where the sun never shines and the atmosphere is always moody. This has always piqued my interest.

According to what I’ve heard, there’s a castle there, but it’s only for show, and below it the floors stretch on endlessly into the underground realm where the Lamias reside. The idea of exploring such a mysterious and intriguing place is truly exhilarating.

“We leave at first light,” Nyx says, getting to his feet and extending his hand for me to take.

“That’s in just a few hours. You’ll have barely any time to rest,” Athalda says.