Page 81 of What Lies Beyond the Realms

“Well, you heard the howls break out. They know Aidan is dead. I’m sure it was felt across the Lycan Realm. Most of the Lycan will be pleased, but some will be upset. What they do next will all depend on who takes over as leader of the Lycans.”

“How is that decided? Who do you think will take over?”

“The moon magic that runs through the lands in the Lycan Realm will choose two Lycan. I don’t know all the logistics behind it, but I know the two chosen will feel it. Then one of them can choose to become the leader, while the other submits peacefully, or they fight until one submits or dies.”

“How do you think the moon magic picks?”

“Like all magic, there’s always a balance. The lands will probably choose a Lycan with a pure heart and a Lycan with a more corrupted heart. Then they’ll let fate decide the rest.”

“Were you around when Aidan became pack leader?”

“No, I wasn’t, but I bet you can guess where his heart fell.” I swallow hard, thinking about the Lycans and Rhett.

“I hope a Lycan pure of heart takes over as pack leader.”

“So do I, Princess. If they don’t and we find ourselves caught in a war with Samael, a war with Cloudrum, we may have just lost the Lycans as allies.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, feeling responsible for the fallout of all this.

“No, Lyra, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for not realizing sooner what that prick did to you. How could you even stand to be near him? Why didn’t you just tell me?”

“I couldn’t. I was afraid you’d look at me differently, afraid what you might do if you knew,” I murmur.

“I wish I had midnight mind so I could go to Zomea and kill that fucker all over again. Slower next time. I’ll never look at you differently, Lyra. Please never be afraid to tell me anything ever again, and once we get out of this mess we’re going to talk more about this.” His words send a warm feeling through my chest, and I lean back into him, wanting to feel closer to him.

“Okay,” is all I say.

“Samael will for sure have felt the magic I used to kill Aidan. The Monstrauths will have felt it to and are probably already trailing us. Once in the Shifting Forest, I’ll try not to use anymore magic than necessary to make us more difficult to track. We need to find Athalda and speak to her before Samael has a chance to find us. Then we need to either get the hell out of here and go back to Nighthold or plan a visit to the Lamia Realm to open the bridge and finish this before the key can harm you.”

“Do you think Athalda will have the answers we are looking for? Do you think she will even tell us?”

“She knew Euric, and by the sounds of it she orchestrated the ceremony that put all of this into motion. She knows about you and the key. If she doesn’t give us answers willingly, I’ll force them out of her.”

Geri comes to an abrupt stop, rearing up slightly. Nyx hops off and reaches up to help me down. I release Chepi so he can fly next to us.

“Will Geri be alright?” I ask, petting the horse.

“Yeah, he knows his way home,” Nyx says patting Geri before he starts trotting away. “How’s your ankle feeling?”

“Good, practically back to normal. Whatever Hilda and the moon magic running through the Lycan Realm did, it worked.”

“Good. Take my hand. Stay close.” I grip his hand, letting my fingers intertwine with his. Stepping into the Shifting Forest brings about an unusual feeling. It feels colder than the rest of the Lycan Realm, and something about it feels more magical, eerily so. It makes my skin crawl.

Chapter Thirty-One

As I trudge through the frigid, snow-covered earth, I struggle to keep my body warm. The only thing keeping me from freezing is the heat of the Lycan blood coursing through my veins. I huddle close, attempting to warm my nose with my breath as it billows out in puffs of smoke. The thick, low-lying fog permeates the air, carrying with it the noxious scent of rotting earth. I gingerly step around the spiky plants that litter the ground. The towering trees that surround us are some of the tallest I’ve ever laid eyes on. Their skinny, barren trunks only come to life up high, where midnight-blue leaves cling to branches that hang low, creating a creepy tunnel around us.

“Do you know where we’re going?” I ask quietly.

“Yes, I looked at the map Aidan had, and I don’t believe he was lying when he showed me how to find Athalda's place.” Nyx pulls me close to him, wrapping an arm around me to warm me. “If we run into anything dangerous in this forest, I want you to grab Chepi and use his power to make both of you invisible for as long as you can then hide. Do you understand?”

I stop suddenly, turning to face Nyx. “How did you know Chepi could make me invisible? I don’t recall ever telling you that.”

“Chepi is a Glyphie from the dream forest, which is in the Faery Realm where I’m the king. Of course I know what he is and what he can do. Maybe most in Cloudrum don’t, but most of all the Fae will know,” Nyx says then chuckles softly, pulling me back to his side. I guess it never really crossed my mind that the Fae would know what Chepi can do, but it makes sense.

“I’m not leaving you. If something comes, I want to help. I’ve felt my magic now several different times, and maybe if I’m put in a situation where I really need it, I could fight. I could help you.”

“Lyra, I know you want to help, but I’d rather know you’re safe. It’ll be easier for me to fight if I know you and Chepi are okay. So please, just this time, will you listen to me? When we get back to Nighthold, I promise I’ll teach you to fight and help you wield your magic, but until then I need you to stay out of danger. That means hiding if we get attacked.”