Page 67 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

“Oh, it’s nothing. I’m fine.”

“Lyra, tell me please.”

I don’t want to lie to him, and I can’t tell him about Aidan.

“I was just thinking about how many women you must spend time with.”

His lips press into a flat line, and I mentally brace myself for his response.

“I have been with other women in the past, and I know that must be hard for you to hear. I know you’ve been with one other man, and the thought makes me want to disembowel whoever it was. But know this, Lyra, I’ve never felt the way I feel for you with another. I only have eyes for you.” He takes my hand in his and places a kiss atop it, easing the tightness in my chest.

“I want you to teach me how to defend myself. I know I’ll never be a great fighter or anything, but it’d be nice to at least be able to defend myself. I was foolish before. Growing up, I never wanted to learn physical combat.”

“As soon as we get back to Nighthold, I’ll teach you how to do more than just defend yourself. Your Fae magic will help you. You’ll start feeling it more in time. And when your birthday comes and you have your Sorceress magic, I know you’ll be powerful. But one should always know the basics of physical combat. You never know when you might need it.”

The time passes fast, and before I know it Onyx is going through our bags and leaving some stuff here so he can combine our things into one large backpack he can wear. Once he has everything arranged to his liking, he pulls on his boots, lacing them up tight, and I do the same. Once I stand and survey the room one last time to make sure we’re not forgetting anything, I file this place away in my memory. This is the place where I felt the intimacy grow between us. This place I gave a piece of myself to him.

He pulls me close, kissing me long and hard. “Are you ready to face the forest, Lewis?”

I nod, breathless from his kiss. We walk back down the hall, crawl up the ladder, and Nyx helps me to my feet. Chepi flies beside me. My eyes adjust to the moonlight as I look around. Nyx seals the door to the bunker and takes my hand. All I can hear in the distance is the hoot of an owl and the crush of snow under our feet as we leave behind our serenity.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“So how long has it been since you trekked through the Lycan Realm at night with a girl?” I ask to break the silence.

Nyx laughs. “I’d have to say this is a first for me. I’ve been through this territory before, but not like this and not with a woman.”

“Are you cold?” He rubs my shoulders while we walk.

“No, I feel okay right now. All the walking is keeping me warm. Well, except for my nose.” I bring my hands to my face and blow out warm air to warm my nose.

“I’ve traveled through here once before, but it was on horseback and along the river. Nothing looks familiar now. Maybe it’s being in the dark.” I try to keep my pace up with his.

“With Aidan?” he asks.

“Yes, with him. When he brought me to the ceremony. I plan to kill him.” My voice is stoic, and Nyx pauses for a moment to look at me.

“You plan to kill Aidan?”

“Yes.” I continue walking ahead.

“He’d deserve it, after the ceremony and everything he put you through.” He walks up behind me.

“Not today, but once I have all of my powers. Once I’m strong, I will kill him.” I open my mouth to speak again, but Nyx places his hand over my mouth, motioning me to be quiet.

My heart starts to race, and my eyes widen. He can see or sense something out here in the woods. He points to his ears then points to our left. I guess that means he heard something over there. I try to hold my breath and listen intently, but I don’t hear or see anything. Chepi is silent next to me but is also staring in the same direction, like he may have heard something too.

“I thought I heard something. Let’s keep going. Try to stay quiet for a bit and keep close to me.” Nyx reaches for my hand, but before he can take it something large slams into his back, knocking him to the ground.

I scream as a large black figure tumbles with Nyx down the hill. My body is frozen for a second. My heart’s about to beat out of my chest, then my mind catches up, and I start running down that hill after them. Chepi flies in front of me, growling. The echo of an animal’s snarl rings out into the cold air, and as I get closer I see a large black wolf circling Onyx in the dark. I grab Chepi and hold him close to me.

“Easy wolf, do you know who I am? I don’t want to have to kill you,” Onyx says in a calm voice, and the wolf just snarls louder. His eyes glow light blue, and his maw is dripping with frothy saliva. I take another step, and a branch cracks under my foot, causing both the wolf and Nyx to shoot their attention in my direction. Once the wolf's eyes meet mine, he tilts his head and softens his face for a moment.

“Rhett?” I whisper with a hand held out in front of me.

In a split second, he’s in his human form, charging toward me. He pulls me into a hug, lifting me off the ground. Chepi squeals between us, and I let him go so I can fully embrace Rhett’s hug.

“Lyra! I thought I’d never see you again.” He squeezes me tight.