Page 29 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

I may have frowned a bit, causing him to pause.

“What’s wrong? Are you not hungry?”

“No, I’m hungry. Nothing’s wrong. That sounds great.” I smile a bit so he’ll believe me. It seems to do the trick, and he leaves.

I am hungry. I just can't help but wonder what I’m doing here. Is Samael alive? What’s happening in Tempest Moon? What happened to my parents? Am I a prisoner here? My list of questions is long and exhausting. I also wonder why he’s having me eat all my meals in my room. Does no one else live here? I may not have seen Flora and Bim, but I know they were here late last night. I wonder who they are and if they live here. I wonder if he'll introduce me to anyone. I don’t want to escape one prison just to live in another. I hope he doesn’t plan to have me stay in the room and not socialize with anyone else like how I lived back home. I don’t get the feeling Nyx is like that. He let me roam the castle and grounds alone all day today. I didn’t even see any guards watching me. I try not to make too many bad assumptions and wander into the bathroom to clean up. I’ll file my questions away for later.

My hair is a little messy from the flying, and it’s extra wavy today. I try to tame it a bit with my fingers and tuck it behind my ears. I wash my hands and wander over to the closet. I was planning on putting on the oversized black silk pants and top I wore last night, but it appears while I was gone today someone stocked my closet full of clothes. There are several dresses and an assortment of tops and tights. In the drawers I find several long and short chemises along with various other clothing options. I grab a black chemise and slip it over my head. It’s silky and feels soft against my skin. It has tiny lace straps and falls just above the knee. It hugs my body perfectly, and I wonder how Nyx knew my size.

I go stand by the fire and wait for Nyx to return. The heat feels good on my back. I’ve always loved having a fire going too. It makes everything feel cozier. Before long Nyx knocks then comes in with a tray in hand. As soon as he sees me, his eyes trail up my body slowly from my feet. He smiles when he meets my eyes.

“You are so beautiful, Lyra.” He places the tray on the table and walks over to the fire to stand in front of me.

I feel a strange sensation every time he's near me — my heart races, and my stomach fills with a nervous flutter. It's an odd feeling that I can't quite explain. His scent is alluring, and his eyes seem to peer into me. Unlike Aidan or Samael, he doesn't look at me as if I'm something to be possessed.

“Thank you.” I can feel my cheeks flush from his words. “So what are we having tonight?” I ask, heading over to the table and taking a seat.

“I bring you fish curry and wild rice. Will this be ok? If not, I can ask the cook to make you something different.” He sits across from me, lifting the lids off our plates.

“No, this is perfect. Thank you,” I say before I start eating.

Everything tastes delicious, and I find myself almost devouring my plate when Nyx clears his throat. I remember he’s across from me.

“I’m sorry. I have been really hungry today,” I say, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“Don’t be. It pleases me to see you have an appetite.” He laughs, gesturing to my plate.

I feel my cheeks warm and try to change the subject. “Why did you call me Lewis earlier?”

“Lewis is your last name. Is it not?” He looks perplexed by my question. He’s right that it is my last name, but most people who were friends with my mother and Silas would call me by my mother’s maiden name, Moon, or Silas’s last name, Sellar. I like hearing him call me Lewis. It makes me think of my father.

“Forget it. I assume it was just you trying to be charming.” I realize I actually don’t even know if Nyx was friends with my mother or Silas. He visited once for dinner, and there were plenty of reasons for his visit. I’m sure friendship was not one of them. Once I’m finished eating, Nyx snaps his fingers and our plates disappear. A bottle of wine with two glasses take their place on the table. He fills two glasses then extends one to me.

“May I offer you some wine?”

“Yes.” I take the glass and go sit on the fur rug in front of the fireplace. I take a few sips. It tastes light and slightly sweet with hints of strawberry.

“Do you like wine?” Nyx asks, coming to sit beside me.

“I’ve never had it before now, but it tastes divine.” I take another sip.

“How have you never tasted wine before now? You’re a princess. You grew up in a castle. I’m sure you attended many dinner parties, did you not?”

“I only ever attended dinner when my parents wanted me to for appearances. I was never allowed to attend any parties. I was only allowed water, and I ate most meals in my room.” What’s the point in lying?

“Your parents don’t sound very nice. I only met them a handful of times, but I could sense they were not good people.”

“You can sense emotions?”

“Not exactly. I can sense emotions if what someone is feeling is really intense, but other than that I can see everyone’s auras and get a good sense of what kind of person they are deep down.”

“What do you see when you look at me?” I ask nervously, turning my head to meet his gaze.

“I see a girl who has been through so much pain and hurt. You carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, and you’ve been forced to suppress your true self. But I want you to know that you are so much more than what you've been made to believe. I see strength and beauty that shine from deep within you.” Nyx’s words are soft and gentle, and I feel a warmth spreading through me that I haven’t felt in a long time. I take a sip of my wine, feeling a bit lightheaded, and turn to face him. His hand reaches up to touch my cheek, and for a moment I flinch. But as his fingers brush against my skin, I feel a sense of calm wash over me.

“What did Samael do to you?” he asks softly.

“Is he dead?”