Page 24 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

“Please,” I plead. “What do you want from me?” My voice is hoarse. I feel something smooth gliding up my leg and look down to find a giant black snake slithering up my body. He comes all the way up until he’s resting on my chest. “No, please. You don’t have to do this. I’ll do whatever you want.”

Samael continues to pet my hair like I’m a dog. “Don’t fret, little sister. His bite will only make it so you can’t fight me. You’ll still feel everything I do to you.” He speaks gently like he’s soothing a child. I look him in the eye and spit in his face. A mix of saliva and blood splatters his cheeks. He uncovers a handkerchief from his jacket and wipes the moisture from his face with a deliberate gesture. His eyes fix upon me, radiating an evil that could plunge the world into darkness.

“That you’ll regret. I’ll make sure of it. You have a little bit of fight in you tonight, Lyra. What’s gotten into you? I thought you enjoyed our nights together. Has the Lycan blood already started taking effect?” he asks. His voice sounds more collected now.

“What Lycan blood?” I try to keep stoic.

“Tsk, tsk, little sister. You think I don’t know what that bitch of a Sorceress is trying to do.” His voice is calm, but his eyes are vicious. “Enough small talk. Bite her.”

Before I can even squirm on the floor, the snake strikes. His fangs sink into my chest, then release, but the damage is done. His venom wreaks havoc on my body. I can feel blisters forming where his fangs penetrated my skin, and my entire chest is burning. My limbs feel heavy, and I feel like my body is on fire, but I can’t move.

“Don’t worry, Lyra. It won't be long now.” Samael pats my head.

I try to say something back, but a slurred sound escapes my lips, and he gives me a pitying look.

“Shh, don’t try to speak. It’ll only make it worse.” He puts a finger to my lips in emphasis. “I know you let that Lycan filth fuck you. Now you must be cleansed, and you must be punished.” He lets his façade slip a bit, and anger shows through in his sharp tone.

He runs his hand across my left breast, pinching my nipple. He whispers something under his breath, and his fingers pulse with electricity and shock my flesh. I try to squirm, but my body betrays me. I don’t even flinch at the pain. The snake’s venom has taken full effect.

“Yep, you’re ready,” he says while getting to his feet. Once he’s standing over me, he gives me a wicked smile then kicks me hard in the ribs. All I can do is suck in a sharp breath and stare at him. He kicks me again in the same spot, and a gargled scream starts in my throat, but it dies before it can leave my mouth. I feel tears running down my cheeks. I know he’s broken a rib, but I can’t do anything. I close my eyes and try to imagine being anywhere but here.

“No, you don’t. I want you to look at me when I fuck you. I want you to remember who you belong to. No one else is ever going to touch you again.” He crouches over me and brings his knee up between my legs, spreading me open. “There’s no one to stop me now, Lyra. No one to protect you.” He leans down and runs his tongue across my mouth. “You filthy little bitch,” he whispers in my ear and brings his knee up hard between my legs, stinging my core.

He walks out of the room, and just when I think he’s going to leave me alone he returns with a lit candle stick. He pauses above me and lets the candle drip hot wax across my stomach. It burns and sizzles when it meets my flesh, but once again I can’t react. This is the worst form of torture. I’ve never felt so exposed and defenseless in my life. I just want it to end, and if he’s going to kill me I just want to get it over with. I can’t take anything else.

I try to imagine being in the gardens with Chepi. I try to imagine being happy again. I try to imagine anything good and serene, but I fail as Samael continues making a trail of liquid fire across my stomach like he’s a child drawing a picture.

“Should I fuck you with this candlestick? I bet it would feel better than that prick Lycan.”

A sudden knock sounds at my door, drawing both of our attentions, only I can’t even look at the door.

“Not now,” Samael says in a sharp tone that would most definitely deter any of the servants.

The knock sounds again, but no one speaks.

“This better be good,” Samael says while pulling the door open. I can’t see who is at the door, but I hear commotion, and then Samael falls flat on his face next to me. He’s completely limp.

Chepi runs up to my face and starts licking the tears off my cheeks, which only causes more tears to fall. I try to speak, but nothing comes out. I hear heavy footsteps, and a large blanket is placed over me. Nyx comes into view.

“It’s going to be okay, Lyra,” he says, but his jaw is set hard, and his face is stern.

He picks me up, cradling me in his arms as my head flops back, limp. He cups my neck with his hand and presses my face against his firm chest. Chepi flies up and lands on my chest, snuggling into the blanket I’m wrapped up in. I hear more footsteps and people talking. I think I hear Lili’s voice at some point, but Nyx places his hand on my forehead, and it's the last thing I remember.

Chapter Fourteen

I wake to find I’m in bed, but I’m not in my bed. I don’t think I’m in the castle at all. My body is cradled by pillows on either side of me, and smooth black silk sheets hug my skin. I’m naked and alone. I sit up and hiss through my teeth at the pain in my side.

The room is shrouded in darkness, except for the soft orange light of the crackling hearth beside the bed. The flames dance and flicker, casting ethereal shadows on the wall, making the gothic grandeur of the room come to life. The vaulted ceilings soar high above, decorated with intricate gold and cherry wood beams that seem to shimmer in the firelight. The floor is made of a magnificent cherry wood that glows in the dark, adorned with large black fur. A wooden table sits to my left, surrounded by black leather chairs, and a black and gold ornate chandelier hangs above it, twinkling like a thousand stars. Through the sheer black curtains that cover the windows, I sense the darkness outside, the stillness of the night, and the mystery that surrounds this place. The air smells of cedar with hints of sweet mango, the aroma wrapping me in a sense of tranquility and calmness. The only sound that echoes through the silence is the gentle crackle of the fire, whispering promises of warmth and comfort.

I hear heavy footsteps outside the door. I quickly settle back down into bed, pull the sheets up high, and close my eyes like I’m sleeping.

“She’s been like this for three days.” Nyx sounds stressed, like he actually cares what happens to me. I know it's him immediately because my nose smells his sweet musky scent.

“Her fever broke a few hours ago. I think she’ll wake by morning,” says a woman’s voice.

I hear more footsteps enter the room, then another man speaks. “You need rest. You’ve barely slept the last few days. Flora is the best healer. Lyra is in the best hands.”

“Thank you, Bim. He’s right, Nyx, I’ve done all I can for her. I promise you she’ll wake soon.” Flora’s voice comes out soft and soothing. It’s silent for a moment, and then I hear footsteps leave and the bedroom door close again.