Page 31 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

“Okay, I’ll leave you to go back to sleep now that I know you’re well.”

He starts toward the door, but I can’t help grabbing his hand to stop him. “Wait.”

He turns to me, a surprised look in his eye.

“Would you stay with me? Please?” My voice comes out wobbly. He stares at me as if he’s having some inner debate.

Just when I think he’s going to leave, he says, “Okay.” He pulls a chair in front of the fire and takes a seat.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m staying with you so you can sleep.” His voice is soft, but his eyes still look worried in the glow of the fire.

“I want you to sleep next to me.”

He seems to mull it over for a minute then comes to the bed. I pull the covers back for him and slide over. He lies down on his back next to me, careful not to touch me in the process.

We both stare at the ceiling in awkward silence for a while until he asks, “What was your nightmare about?”

I can’t bring myself to talk about Aidan. I feel too ashamed and just uncomfortable. I’m not ready for him to know what happened to me. I feel a lump forming in my throat, and I can’t help the tears that run down my face. He turns onto his side so he’s facing me now. “Tell me, Lyra, please?”

I do. I tell him about everything except Aidan forcing himself on me. I tell him about the ceremony and about Luke, the old Sorceress, the other Lycans who died because of me. I sob and tell him I don’t know what any of it means and that I can’t get their faces out of my head sometimes. He doesn’t ask any questions. He just listens to me quietly, and every now and then I see his jaw tick. That’s the only sign I get that tells me he’s upset. He brings his hand up and wipes my tears.

“Is this okay? Can I touch you?” he asks softly.

I nod, and he pulls me to him. I curl my body against his and cry into his chest. He just holds me platonically and rubs the back of my head whispering into my hair. “You’re okay now, Lyra. I’m not going anywhere.”

It's the last thing I remember before I fall asleep.

I wake up some hours later still held by Nyx, my face pressed to his chest. I listen to the slow rise and fall of his chest as he breathes. I don’t want him to wake. I don’t want to leave this spot. I feel so oddly at home in his arms, and it warms my chest and sends nervous sensations through my stomach. His arms tighten around me, and I tilt my head back to look up at him, finding his gray eyes looking down at me.

“How long have you been awake?” I’m surprised to find him staring at me.

“Not long.” He runs his fingers through my hair, playing with the curly pieces.

“I’m sorry for last night. I didn’t mean to be so emotional and to sleep on you all night,” I mutter into his chest, feeling a little shy.

“Don’t be sorry. I slept well, and I like having you close to me.” He moves his hand in slow circles on my lower back, but he never tries to grope me. “Lyra,” he says quietly into my hair.

“Yes?” My voice is still heavy from sleep.

“I want us to talk about what happened to you, about the ceremony, about everything. Maybe after breakfast if you’re feeling up to it,” he says gently, still teasing my lower back with his fingers.

“Okay…but for now can you hold me a little while longer?” I ask, feeling vulnerable and in need of comfort. I nestle my face against his chest, breathing in his soothing scent. His arms encircle me tightly, and I feel a sense of safety wash over me. “I never want you to let me go.” My voice is barely audible.

“As long as you need,” he replies, his embrace growing even stronger. I must have drifted off to sleep again, because I awaken to the feeling of Chepi’s wet tongue on my toes, causing me to laugh.

Nyx laughs too before saying, “What would you like to do this morning?”

“What are my options?”

“Well, we could get cleaned up and have breakfast here or have Twig pack us breakfast to go. We can have a bath in the hot springs not far from here.” He smiles down at me, and something about him looks so happy and genuine.

"Um, definitely hot springs," I say, giggling a little. "Just let me brush my teeth quickly. Should I change?"

“You can wear whatever you’d like.” He slides out of bed, holding his hand out to help me up. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Take your time. We’ll leave when you’re ready,” he says before disappearing out the door.

He says I can wear whatever I’d like. I’m not used to someone not dictating my appearance. It’s feels oddly empowering. I skim through the clothes in the closet and decide to slip on a light-pink dress with puffy off-the-shoulder sleeves and an extra-wide brown belt laced up the front.