Page 23 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

I try not to let the utter disdain for Samael show on my face. “Don’t make excuses for him, Lili. Samael is vile and evil. I don’t trust a damn thing about him.”

“Lyra, I know you’re upset, but you can’t speak about him like that. He’s your king now. You must show him respect, no matter how you might feel. We’ll figure all of this out about Zomea, your father, the nightmare. I promise I’ll help you, but in the meantime just obey Samael and stay out of trouble please.” She touches my cheek as if to soothe me, but I flinch. “I’m sorry, Lyra.” She gives me a pleading smile. “It may cheer you up to know the good-looking man you had dinner with a few weeks back is here for the funeral.”

My heart jumps for a split second. I’d almost forgotten about Nyx with everything that’s happened. It feels like a lifetime ago that I was swooning over that dreamy man. A fluttering sensation returns to my chest at the mere mention of his name. I don’t know what it is, but something on a cellular level draws me to him. Probably something I should be more afraid of. But my heart warms at the thought of seeing him again. I don’t know why.

“You mean Nyx?” I asked.

“I don’t know his name, but if that’s the name of the gentleman you attended dinner with before your training with Aidan began, then yes. Now try to rest for a bit and take a bath. I’ll be back in a few hours to help you get ready for the funeral.” Lili gives me a small smile and leaves.

I hear the lock click on my door behind her. Even Lili is drinking up whatever shit Samael is filling her head with. She may be trying to help me, but in the end I know she’ll always put her duty to the king first. Even if he’s despicable.

I take a bath and wash my hair, then I wrap my big white comforter around myself to keep warm and go sit on the balcony. It may be freezing outside, but it's better than being caged in my room all day.

I am consumed by thoughts of the mysterious old Sorceress. I long to know her name, and I can’t shake the feeling that she is familiar to me in some way. I wonder how she could have known about Samael and what the disturbing ceremony with the Lycans might mean for me. Every time I think about it, I feel a mix of sadness and fear. I am heartbroken for the Lycans who were senselessly murdered, but I am also filled with dread about the unknown power that now possibly courses through my veins. I can’t shake the feeling that there is some truth to the prophecy written by my father, and the idea that it might be about me is both bewildering and terrifying. With my parents gone, I can’t help but wonder who else might know about it.

A woman in the gardens catches my attention. She is tall, slender, and wearing a long, flowing black gown. Even though her face is shrouded by a black veil, I can sense that she is not human. Her movements are unnaturally graceful, like she is gliding across the ground without taking any steps. I try to get a better look at her, but when she turns to face me I freeze. Her red eyes glow ominously under the veil, and I feel a cold shiver run down my spine. I stumble back into my room, the sound of the balcony door slamming shut behind me echoing through the chamber. It is then that I realize what she is— a Lamia.

This Lamia must be one of the higher-ups to come here for my parents’ funeral. It’s possible that she is even Drew, the feared head of the Lamia Realm. Although I’ve never met her, rumors of her cruelty have reached my ears. The thought of Chepi flying among these unknown creatures fills me with unease. I can only wonder what other creatures have come to pay their respects and may be lurking around the castle grounds.

It's getting late, and Lili should be here by now to help me get ready. I feel a little anxious. What could be keeping her? I pace my room and try to calm my anxiety when a knock sounds at my door. It’s followed by another knock. Why are they not just coming in?

“Hello, Princess Lyra, are you there?” It’s the muffled voice of a woman, one I can’t quite place.

“Yes, you may come in,” I reply, slightly annoyed.

“Sorry, Princess, but I don’t have the key. I was only sent to tell you that your presence will not be required at the ceremony today,” she says, sheepishly.

“What?” I hurry to the door, banging on it.

“I’m sorry, Princess. I do not wish to upset you. Please forgive me.” Her voice is merely a whisper now.

“Please get the key. You must let me out. I have to attend the funeral. Get Lili please. She’ll let me out.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispers then hurries away. Her steps grow quieter as she leaves.

There must be a guard outside my room. Samael wouldn’t leave me locked in here unattended. I bang on the door over and over, pleading with whomever is out there to open the door, but no one responds. Eventually I exhaust myself and sink to the floor crying. Samael can’t keep me locked in here forever. I am already going stir crazy.

I cry until my eyes burn and my face feels puffy. I have no one. The realization of this really sets in over the next few hours while I just lie here on the floor. Samael is evil, and everyone here will follow him blindly. Lili’s not on my side. Aidan’s no friend of mine. My parents are dead. I have no one. Chepi is all I have, and he can’t even talk back to me. I don’t know what Samael is going to do with me, but I know it can’t be anything good. Maybe he knows about the Lycan ceremony and plans to use me somehow like the Sorceress had said. Maybe she’ll free me from this place. My thoughts go from desperate to hopeless until I fall asleep on the ground.

A gray wolf is all of a sudden on top of me, licking my face. His pale-blue eyes glow into mine. Then it's no longer a wolf on top of me—it's Luke. He’s shaking me.

“Wake up, Lyra. Wake up!” he pleads. I stare at him in confusion because I am awake. “Wake up now, Lyra. Leave the castle. You must hurry.” Luke sounds panicked. He shakes me again. “Run.”

I open my eyes to find I’m still lying on the floor in front of my bedroom door with my cheek pressed to the hardwood. That was an odd dream. Luke was here, and it felt so vivid. I wonder how long I was out for. It’s dark outside, so it must be late. Shit. I fell asleep without leaving the window open for Chepi. I jump up to open it when my door flies open, just missing me. I turn to come face-to-face with Samael.

“How dare you lock me in here all week. How dare you forbid me from going to our parent’s funeral!” I yell into his face. His eyes glow black with fury. I’ve never spoken against him before, and I regret my words immediately when his eyes land on mine.

Samael backhands me so hard I fall back and hit the ground. I bring my hands to my face in shock. He follows me down to the ground, and before I can block him he brings his fist down on my face again. This time I taste blood, and then I see black.

Chapter Thirteen

I open my eyes, and I’m still in my room, but my hands are bound behind my back with rope. My shirt is ripped open, and I’m on full display. Samael is sitting next to me looking down at me, stroking my hair.

“Oh, sweet Lyra, I’m glad you’re finally awake. I didn’t want you to miss anything.” His voice is toneless.

“What are you doing, Samael? Untie me please.” My voice quivers, and my head aches.

“Untie you? Now why would I do that, my little bird?” Samael clicks his tongue.