Page 64 of What Beats Within the Tunnels

“It’s... I’ll miss this place,” she admits.

“But aren’t you eager to see your home again?” I prompt.

“Tempest Moon hasn’t felt like home in a long time. But Lili... If she’s still there, I’m excited to see her,” she says, sounding vulnerable. I sense her trepidation, probably old memories associated with Samael resurfacing. I might not know the depths of it, but the glimpses I’ve gotten are enough to tell me it was bad.

Gently, I cradle her face, pushing away those tousled waves. “Listen to me,” I say, locking onto those entrancing eyes, “I swear, I won’t let anything harm you.”

She bridges the distance, her lips meeting mine with a tender kiss. Every part of me wants to lay her down and lose myself in her, but I resist. This isn’t the time for that.

When she pulls away, a void instantly forms, reminding me how addictive her presence has become – her scent, her essence. “Is it time to go?” she asks, her fingers unconsciously tracing the outline of her necklace. It’s a subtle tell; she twiddles with it whenever anxiety looms.

Perhaps she’s wondering whether Nyx will make an appearance. While I’m certain he will, I don’t disclose that. Not from a desire to hide anything but to shield her from potential disappointment. I’m well aware she sees Nyx as an ally, essential to our mission’s success. I only hope that’s the sole reason she wishes for his presence. Their past hangs heavy on my mind.

“Yes,” I reply, my voice firm, “it’s time.”

She moves out of my hold to fetch Chepi. As I heft our pack onto my shoulder, I pull her close, her arm wrapped around Chepi. In a breath, we channel.

We touch down on the dock, and Lyra immediately heads for the ship, a hint of excitement evident in her stride. I follow her up the ramp to the deck where Drew and Adira await, accompanied by several mortal crewmen. I see Lyra’s gaze sweep over the deck, searching. It doesn’t take a genius to know who she’s looking for, and I’m aware he hasn’t arrived.

Catching Drew’s eye, she raises an eyebrow questioningly. I nod slightly, confirming my unspoken promise.

Drew clears her throat. “Shall I show you both to your rooms? Or would one suffice?”

Before I can voice my preference, Lyra speaks up, “Separate rooms, please.” I reel from her sudden declaration, my mind bursting with questions. But now isn’t the time nor the place, so I put on a façade of indifference.

“I’m glad you’re both aboard,” Drew says, genuine warmth in her voice. “This is the right choice.”

A familiar, unsettling aura reaches me before the voice does. “Indeed, the correct choice,” Nyx drawls from behind.

Lyra’s reaction to him is almost imperceptible: a quick turn of her head, her breath hitching momentarily. But to me, it’s a blazing flare of jealousy.

“Good of you to grace us with your presence, King Onyx,” Lyra says, her voice steady.

Biting back a retort, I silently fume.

Drew intervenes, “I’ll lead you all to your quarters. We’ll be underway shortly.”

She glides inside and descends a set of steps, with Nyx quick on her heels. I gesture for Lyra to go ahead, and she complies, her lips set in a tight line. Staying close behind her, I’m hyper-aware of every subtle shift and sound around us. The briny scent of the sea is pervasive, blending seamlessly with the aroma of freshly polished wood. The ship’s gentle movement causes Lyra’s hair to dance in the breeze that wafts through the small windows. The realization that we won’t be sharing a room tonight stings, but I respect her wishes, even if they remain unspoken. The atmosphere feels thick, charged with unspoken words and lingering emotions.

Drew addresses Nyx first. “We have the captain’s quarters for you,” she states, indicating a grand door adorned with golden details. She then turns to Lyra and me, pointing to two rooms side by side. “For the two of you, the finest guest rooms on board.”

I can feel the weight of Nyx’s gaze as Drew speaks. It’s clear he’s surveying the arrangements, perhaps weighing the implications of our separate rooms or assessing the quality of his own quarters. But my focus remains on Lyra.

She hesitates momentarily before her room, taking a moment to absorb its facade. I can only imagine the thoughts swirling inside her head, especially with all that has transpired.

“I hope none of you get seasick. Have a good night,” Drew says, smiling. Her red eyes linger on mine for a moment, and I narrow my eyes at her. I’m sure she’s picking up on the complexities of the situation. I wait for Lyra to enter her room, closing the door. I glance over at Nyx and push into my own quarters.

The room is adequate. I’ve never been one for fussing over sleeping quarters. Throwing my bag onto the desk, I let myself collapse onto the bed. The weight of my emotions threatens to sink me into its depths. Falling for Lyra? It seems I might be falling deeper than anticipated. The boundary I swore not to cross, I’ve overstepped, and now I’m neck-deep in the aftermath.

She isn’t truly mine. We’ve never defined what we are. It evolved from a genuine friendship into something more intimate. But now, damn it all, I fear I’m falling in love with her. Her request for separate rooms blindsided me, fucking gutted me. Sure, I have called her mine, but I don’t know if that’s truly what she wants, and if she were to change her mind and find her way back to Nyx, I couldn’t hate her for it.

Above all, I want her to find happiness. If that means she’s going to be with me, then I’ll cherish her and guard her with my life. But if Nyx really is her person, this light that can save her, then I’ll find the strength to bear it, as long as she finds her happiness.

Chapter 24

Lyra

Ilean against the wall, staring out of the porthole window in my room, mesmerized by the waning hues of orange and pink as they merge with the deepening blue of the sea. My room, though dripping in luxury, feels almost too grand for my current mood. Polished wooden panels line the walls, and there’s a spacious bed in the center, its deep-blue sheets reminding me of the vast ocean outside. Soft, silken pillows invite me to rest, but I feel restless. I change into a nightgown to try and get more comfortable.