Page 70 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

I press my cheek against his back, letting my head rest. I don’t like slowing the group down, but it's true they’re both in much better shape than I am. Now I’ve gone and screwed things up by hurting my ankle.

“I’m going to heal you once we get to Aidan.”

“No, you can’t risk the magic. I’ll be fine. I just need a day to rest.”

“Lyra, have you always been this clumsy? I don’t remember you tripping once when we went hiking to the swimming hole?” Rhett asks, and I feel flushed with embarrassment. Now that he brings it up though, I do feel kind of off. It’s hard to see out here at night, but something has felt strange. That unsettled feeling festering in my chest has grown since touching down in Cloudrum.

“Why do you ask?”

“It’s just—at the ceremony you drank a lot of Lycan blood. Have you noticed anything different?”

“I’m not sure. I guess since we’ve been back in the Lycan Realm I’ve been warmer.”

“Warmer?” Nyx asks.

“Yeah. I was going to mention it this morning, but we got distracted. When I was barefoot in the snow, it was cold but oddly tolerable.” I turn my head to meet Rhett’s gaze. “Our friend Flora back in Nighthold said I may run warmer, so I just assumed that was it.”

“It can yes, but it can also make you go crazy, lose coordination, become sick,” Rhett says, and I feel Nyx tense.

“She hasn’t exhibited anything negative yet. Wouldn’t that have happened a long time ago?”

“I’m not sure. It’s not a common occurrence for one to drink Lycan blood. It could be affecting you more now that you’re back in the Lycan Realm, or it could be nothing. Just be aware of it,” Rhett says.

“Tell me if you feel anything out of the ordinary. I don’t care how distracted we are, okay?” Nyx says.

“Okay.”

We do seem to make good time now that I’m not walking, and Nyx goes even faster with me on his back, which is crazy to me because I’m not dainty by any means. We walk along a half-frozen creek for a long time, then eventually the boys hop on rocks to cross it. Rhett finally stops at the top on an embankment, and Nyx slowly lowers me to the ground, keeping one arm out for me to brace myself.

“What’s up? Why’d we stop?” I ask Rhett.

“We’re close now. Just follow this hill down and keep going straight until you see a narrow dirt road. It’ll take you partly through the village, then you’ll see Aidan’s driveway. You remember what it looks like, right?”

“Uh, yes, I do.”

“Okay this is where I’ll leave you two. I don’t really care to see Aidan. But I wish you guys the best. I hope you find what you’re looking for. And if you start feeling weird, get as far away from the Lycan Realm as possible, fast.”

I embrace him in a hug. I don’t know when I’ll see him again, so I hug him tight. “It was really good seeing you, Rhett. I’m going to miss you.”

“It was good seeing you too, blondie. Don’t be a stranger. Onyx, you better take good care of her, and don’t leave her alone with that prick Aidan no matter what.”

“Don’t worry. She’s in good hands.” Nyx extends his hand for Rhett to shake.

“Good meeting you too,” Rhett says, petting Chepi on the head. Chepi flies in close, licking his face, and Rhett chuckles.

I watch Rhett walk away, feeling a bit sad to see him go. He shifts into his wolf form, looking back at us one more time, then takes off running into the forest until he blends into the night.

“I think I can manage walking the rest of the way, so long as we take our time,” I tell Nyx, shifting on my feet.

“Not a chance, hop on,” he says, kneeling in front of me.

I hesitate for a moment then hop on his back again. Nyx and I continue walking in silence for a few minutes after our conversation about Rhett. I feel awkward and unsure of what to say, but Nyx breaks the silence, his voice soft and gentle.

“So ‘old friends,’ huh?” he says, and I can hear the teasing undertone in his voice.

I cringe at my own awkwardness. “I knew you heard that,” I murmur, mentally berating myself for my lack of composure.

“Is that what you want, Lyra, to be friends?” Nyx asks, his voice gentle but probing. “I didn't get that feeling in bed earlier.”