Page 45 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

Shit. I haven’t really told him about my nightmares or premonitions, whatever they are. If I want Nyx to trust me, then I need to trust him too. I’ve never really shared them with anyone other than Lili. I guess that’s only because I’ve never really had any other friends to share them with.

“Not a dream exactly. I have nightmares on occasion, and sometimes they’re just that— nightmares. But sometimes they’re something else, something more. Lili always called them premonitions because sometimes what haunts me in my sleep becomes a reality in the future.”

“When did this start happening, the nightmares that were really premonitions?”

“Not long after my father died.” I swallow hard because I think I know where his thoughts are heading, and I don’t want to accept it. I haven’t let myself consider it.

“And this nightmare you’ve had before, someone has told you you’re the key?” Nyx asks, rubbing his forehead.

“Yes, I think it was an old woman, but her face was hidden by a hood. I’ve seen her several times now. She tells me I’m the key and that I have all the power. I just need to unlock it. She also tells me I’m running out of time and I need to choose or it’ll be decided for me, and I will destroy us all . . .”

“That’s a bit ominous,” Nyx says, and a laugh bursts out of me.

“You think?” I slap his shoulder. “What do you think it means?”

“What does it look like when you’re in this dream? What are your surroundings?”

“I’m in a forest, only it doesn’t look like any of the forests I’ve ever seen, and it’s on fire. It's on fire, and the trees are black and—bleeding.”

“Lyra, I don’t know what your dream means, but I think I know where you’re going and why it's happening.” Nyx places his hand to my back, urging me to start walking with him again. “You have midnight mind.”

“I thought you said midnight mind died out. You also said it made people go crazy.” I start walking faster, feeling anxious now. I knew this was coming. It’s the only thing that makes sense. It’s the reason I didn’t start having the premonitions until after my father passed. I just was hoping it wasn’t the case.

“Your father had midnight mind. You’re half Fae. It makes perfect sense that he’d pass it on to you. Your dream where you don’t recognize the forest—I believe you’re visiting Zomea.” Nyx matches my pace. “Don’t worry. It’s not much further. Just around the bend ahead. We can finish discussing this when we get there. Bim and Flora may have some insight.”

“I’m not worried.”

“Glad to hear it. It just sounds like you’re breathing heavily, so I thought you might be.”

“No, it’s just hot. And yes, I’m a little freaked out. I just learned I’m half Fae and visiting the afterlife in my nightmares.”

Once around the bend, we stop outside a wooden gate. Nyx opens it, and we walk down a narrow path into a lovely little garden full of the most spectacular flowers.

“Does Bim garden?” I ask, a bit surprised.

“No, that’d be Flora. She grows different things for healing, and I think she just likes to garden. But I’ll be sure to tell Bim you thought he planted all these flowers. He'll be impressed you think so highly of his horticulture skills.” He laughs, plucking up a pink flower and tucking it behind my ear.

After zigzagging the gravel path through the gardens, we finally make it to Bim’s house. It’s a cute two-story cabin with white window panes and a red front door.

“Is he expecting us?” I ask as we climb up the steps to the front door.

“Nope. I thought after last night you’d like to surprise him.” Nyx smiles at me and gives the door a firm knock.

Chapter Twenty-One

Before I can hit Nyx on the shoulder for not warning me, Bim opens the door.

“Hey, what are you guys up to?” Bim asks, pulling the door open and extending an arm to invite us in.

“Lyra wanted to see you,” Nyx says, and I practically choke on my saliva.

“I bet she did.” Bim winks at me and closes the door behind us.

“Um . . . Yes, I want to apologize for my behavior last night.” I clear my throat.

“No need to apologize. I love feisty women.” Bim laughs, and Nyx elbows him.

Bim’s house is simple but cute, and there’s definitely a woman’s touch here. I assume that’s Flora. We go into the kitchen and sit down on a couple of bar stools. Bim hands us each a glass of beer then sits down across from us. The sun is shining through the window and sky lights overhead, but it’s nice and cool inside. It must be from magic as well.