Page 78 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

He kisses my neck, leaving trails of heat in its wake. I can feel my body responding to his touch, and I moan in pleasure. He takes my breasts in his hands and pinches my nipples, sending jolts of electricity throughout my body. The coiling heat inside me is unbearable, and I can barely catch my breath.

As he picks up the pace, I dig my nails into his back, arching my hips to meet his every thrust. He’s hitting all the right spots inside me, and I can feel myself on the edge of a precipice. The tension is unbearable, and I need release.

“Nyx, harder,” I gasp, unable to form a proper sentence.

He grunts in response and drives into me with even more force, sending me over the edge. I cry out in ecstasy as my body convulses around him, and he follows soon after, his release pulsing through him as he collapses on top of me.

We lie there in a heap, breathing heavily, the only sound in the room the thumping of our hearts. Our skin is slick with sweat, and the air is heavy with the scent of sex.

After a few moments, Nyx rolls off me and pulls me to his side, tucking me under his arm. I snuggle into his chest, feeling content and sated. The world around us fades away, and all that exists is the two of us, wrapped in each other's arms.

It's moments like these that I cherish the most — the moments where I can forget about the world and just be with Nyx. I feel calm and at ease in his arms, and I never want to leave.

“I thought of something I needed to ask you today,” I say, moving to pull the blankets over us.

“Oh yeah? What’s that?” he asks, rolling on his side so we’re facing each other.

“What’s your last name? I don’t know how I don’t know it already.”

Nyx laughs and trails his fingers down my face, pulling all the stray hairs away and tucking them behind my ear.

“That is incredibly random, but my last name is Cadeerie.”

“Onyx Cadeerie. Nyx Cadeerie . . . I like the way it sounds.” I smile at him, letting the name roll off my tongue.

“I’m glad you like it,” he says, pulling me close.

“This was a nice distraction, but we need to finish our conversation from earlier,” he says while trailing his fingers up and down my side.

“Are you afraid of me?” I ask, and Nyx chuckles.

“Do I look like I’m afraid of you, Princess?”

“No, but what your father says—I’m going to destroy you— destroy everyone. What does it mean? Do you think I’m going to inherit dark magic on my birthday?” I rest my head on his chest and listen to the sound of his heartbeat. The sound is soothing and helps calm the growing anxiety in my chest.

“Lyra, my father was paranoid. He was always obsessing over the future. I don’t know if there is any truth to what’s in the journal, but when we get back to Nighthold I’m going to have words with Colton. I’m also going to find out if there’s another journal after this one that may shed some light on what he’s talking about.”

“Remember I told you I thought Samael was looking for the Moon Grimoire because there’s always been whispers that someone in my lineage used to have dark magic?”

“Yes.”

“What if it’s true? What if I’m to be the first Sorceress in over a hundred years to inherit dark magic? Is it even possible? I get excited about my magic, and a part of me can’t wait for my birthday, but then Nyx—there’s a part of me that’s afraid. What if this uneasy feeling festering in my chest is a sign.” I sit up, pulling the blankets up to my chin.

“Lyra, there’s not a dark bone in your body.” Nyx sits up, touching the bare skin on my back. His cool fingers trail down my skin, causing a chill to work its way up my spine.

“That’s where you’re wrong. I do have dark thoughts. I want to kill Samael. I don’t just want to kill Samael. I want him to suffer.”

“Lyra, that’s understandable. Samael is an evil piece of shit, and I’d think something was wrong with you if you didn’t want to make him suffer. That doesn’t make you bad. That doesn’t mean you are destined to inherit dark magic, and even if you do you can use your dark magic for good, just like Samael uses his light magic to do bad things.”

“I don’t know if that’s how it works. Not enough is known about dark magic because it’s so rarely seen.”

“We have a lot going on right now. Let’s just focus on finding Athalda and figuring out if we need to open a bridge to Zomea or not. Your life is more important than stressing about what kind of magic you are going to inherit months from now.” Nyx pulls me back down, and I let myself relax next to him again.

“You’re right. One thing at a time.” I take in a deep breath and tell myself I’ll worry about Callum's journal and my magic later . . . if there is a later. For all I know we could fail at completing the ceremony, and the key could kill me in a matter of days. Calm. Breathe.

“Chepi!” I yell, and he comes running down the hall fast, jumping on the bed. I know he was just lying out there on the couch waiting for us to be done doing our thing in here. He crawls under the covers and cuddles up next to my feet. I relax up against Nyx’s body, breathing in his scent and stealing his warmth.

“Are you tired, Onyx Cadeerie?”