Now, I’m transported inside what appears to be Nyx’s home, altered subtly to reflect our joint existence. I follow the sound of a lullaby to the balcony where I find myself humming, gazing out over a serene, starlit jungle. Nyx’s arms encircle me from behind, his hands gently resting on my swollen belly—oh gods. We are a picture of peace, yet an unnerving silence pervades, and I find myself wondering where Chepi is.
The tranquility shatters without warning. I’m thrust back to the terrace, now a scene of chaos. Guests scream and scatter as shadows, like ink spilled across parchment, spread and twist around the pillars. The ground under us convulses violently. I search for Nyx amidst my panic. Our eyes meet, his usually soft gray eyes now blazing an intense, almost supernatural white.
The vision disintegrates, and I am expelled from theechosphere’s embrace. I tumble backward, landing hard on the cold library floor. My senses reel, the tang of the sea and the cries of terror still ringing in my ears as I blink against the dim light of the library, struggling to piece together the fragmented visions of a possible future.
I scramble to my feet, battling the urge to grab and hurl the echosphere across the room. Instead, I unleash my frustration on it. “Why does everything have to be so fucking vexing? Can’t anything be straightforward? I’m fucking tired of these endless prophecies, secrets, and cryptic messages.”
I clench my fists, taking a deep breath to calm myself as I feel my agitation simmering, my magic stirring restlessly beneath the surface.
Nyx is my light, the one I am meant to be with, and that vision must have been our wedding day. I can only assume his white eyes signified that he is the light and that we defeated the darkness on that day, going on to start a family. That’s the conclusion my logical mind reaches from the vision.
But then I start to wonder—where was Colton during all of this? Why couldn’t I make out anyone’s face in the crowd? Where was Chepi, and why did something feel off about Nyx’s home?
Perhaps my reluctance stems from the fact that I’m in love with Colton. My feelings for him are undeniable, and when Drew revealed the truth about their brotherhood, my heart surged at the thought that Colton could be the one destined for me. Yet the vision I witnessed challenges this hope, suggesting that Nyx might be the key to saving the realms. If aligning with Nyx could safeguard my people, then despite my feelings for Colton, I might need to consider the greater good.
While life with Nyx wouldn’t be undesirable—I genuinely care for him and respect most of his qualities as a king—the thought of not following my heart doesn’t sit well with me.
With a heavy sigh, I decide to put these considerations aside and retreat to my room for a change of attire. I braid my hair neatly, letting it fall over my shoulder, and choose an ensemble fit for stealth and mobility: black tights paired with a dark top accentuated by a leather bodice.
Before I depart, I pen a brief note on a piece of parchment, “I need some time. Don’t come looking for me.” I leave it prominently on my bed. With the note placed, I take a deep breath, fortifying my resolve. It’s time to clear my head and get Chepi back.
Being on my own will also give me the space to contemplate my next steps without the immediate pressure of choosing between Nyx and Colton.
I pull a cloak from the closet, drape it over my shoulders, and tug the hood up over my head, securing the tie at the front. After how the meeting with the Luminary Council went, I’m uncertain about the reception I’ll receive from Kaine and Sybil in the Sorcerer Realm. Kaine, taking his role as regent far too seriously, didn’t even defend me during the meeting, even though I am supposed to be his future queen. Both he and his wife seem nothing more than power-hungry, which infuriates me, especially given that they now reside in my childhood home—a place that, though not particularly warm toward the end, still holds significance for me. It’s painfully clear he’s not on my side and was even looking for ways to strip me of my dark magic.
My shadows begin to stir, slithering within me, and I forcefully shake off the unsettling sensation. Right now, all I want is to retrieve Chepi, speak with Lili, and find out what transpired after Kaine cowardly fled the meeting. Even if I’m not ready to be queen, I still want to make sure my people are alright. They’ve suffered enough at the hands of power hungry rulersalready.
The Sorcerer Realmis breathtakingly beautiful in spring. The morning air is crisp, filled with the harmonious singing of birds and the mingled scents of fresh pine and wildflowers carried by a cool, damp breeze. I pause for a moment, closing my eyes to savor the freshness, letting the serene environment wash over me.
Having chosen to channel outside the castle, near Lili’s quarters, I avoid a potential encounter with Kaine—I’m not in the mood to deal with his machinations. It’s better to remain unseen. I soak up the warmth of the sun on my face for a minute longer, basking in the peace of the early morning.
Then, with a thought, I channel directly into Lili’s room. It’s early, but she’s already up, as usual, dressed in one of her simple yet elegant gowns, meticulously making her bed. The sight of her, so composed and serene, brings a smile to my face.
“Lyra,” she practically squeals, her voice filled with delight. At the same time, Chepi leaps into my arms. His wet nose nudges against my neck as he showers me with affectionate licks and excited yips.
I settle onto the edge of Lili’s bed, gently placing Chepi down beside me. Intrigued by the new changes in his appearance, I examine him closely. “What are these?” I inquire, eyeing the peculiar little horns made of a dark, smoky substance that seems much like my own shadows. They seem to ebb and flow with a life of their own.
“They simply appeared,” Lili explains with a note of bewilderment in her voice. “One minute he was normal, and the next he had these horns.”
That confirms what Ryella mentioned about Chepi sharing some of my gifts. This unexpected development makes mecurious about what other powers he might have acquired. “Do you like your new horns, squish?” I ask him playfully, but Chepi flops onto his back in response, his tongue lolling out happily. I chuckle and indulge him with a belly rub.
Lili walks over, locks her door, and then draws the blinds closed, creating a private sanctuary within the room. She sits down on the bed beside me and pulls me into a tight hug, the warmth of her embrace reminiscent of days long past.
“Now, tell me everything,” she says, her voice comforting me.
I don’t dive into the minute details but provide her with a rundown of everything that has transpired since we last met. She listens intently, nodding occasionally and pursing her lips in thought.
I decide to omit the details about the existence of other realms within Zomea. Some things, I feel, are better left unknown, especially when they could only add to her worries. However, I do share the troubling events surrounding the Luminary Council—how they wanted to either kill me or strip me of all my power. I recount how the meeting ended with me unleashing my darkness, resulting in the death of half the council members.
As I divulge these events, Lili’s eyes widen in response to the gravity of the situation, but her expression remains compassionate and understanding. There’s no hint of judgment in her gaze, only concern and a deep-seated empathy that reminds me why I have always felt safe confiding in her.
“That explains a lot,” Lili says, her voice carrying a hint of understanding that piques my curiosity.
“What do you mean?”
Lili rises from the bed and moves to her desk, where she begins rifling through various papers and documents. After a moment, she retrieves a piece of parchment andbrings it over to me. “Kaine had these made, put up, and handed out all across the Sorcerer Realm right after he got back from the meeting you speak of,” she explains.
I take the parchment from her, my hands slightly trembling as I unfold it to see what Kaine had distributed.
