6. Lyra
Chapter 6
Lyra
It must be close to morning now, and given the scant sleep I’ve managed over the last few days, it’s a wonder I can still walk, let alone think straight. I don’t channel back to my room. Instead, I take my time walking through the quiet halls. Through the tether, I can sense Colton is in his bedchamber. As I pass by, the urge to see him, to confront him is strong, but I stifle it.
He’s been hiding the fact that he and Nyx are brothers from me all this time. He knew about my internal struggles, understood that my hesitation stemmed from not knowing if Nyx was the one I was destined to be with—the one destined to save me from myself. How could he keep this from me?
I want to confront him, to hear his explanation, but the pain is too sharp, the betrayal too deep. After everything we’ve been through, after all the nights he held me while I cried over Nyx’s lies, to discover he harbored his own secrets cuts deeply. My heart aches with the realization.
I pass by Nyx’s room next, and although I’m furious with him too, part of me is curious about how he’s handling these revelations about his father, considering Colton has been deceiving him as much as me. My pace quickens, fueled by a mix of anger and a desperate need for answers.
I need to see whatever the echosphere is going to show me. If I wait and think about it for too long, I might have second thoughts. I head down the staircase to the ancient library, where a familiar red glow hums through the room, confirming the orb’s presence. I follow the light source and find the echosphere sitting on one of the dusty bookshelves in the back of the room. Its inner light pulses slightly, and I feel the urge to touch it.
I think about the last time I was here and what the orb showed me—my dark eyes and shadow magic that I wasn’t ready to accept then. I check my shields and completely block Colton out. He doesn’t need to know what I’m doing or what I’m feeling when I touch this thing. I don’t need him to save me from the orb this time.
I extend my hand toward the crimson glow and swear the room darkens in anticipation of my touch. This time, I don’t bother grazing my fingers against it and eagerly grasp the orb with both hands. As the chill spreads up my arms and everything goes black, I let it take me.
I feel myself dissolving into the void, enveloped by an abyss so deep and dark it consumes me entirely, leaving nothing but the sound of my own heart thundering in my chest. I command my racing heart to steady as the darkness shifts, morphing into a scene of…beauty. I find myself—or rather, a spectral version of myself—standing on a grand terrace that seems woven from the stuff of dreams.
The terrace stretches vast and splendid before me, lined with towering marble pillars that gleam under a celestial sky. Below, the relentless sea crashes against jagged cliffs, sending sprays of white foam into the air, as if applauding the scene above. All around me, a crowd of figures clad in exquisite garments of velvet and silk, their faces indistinct and blurred as though veiled by mist, sit in rapt attention.
As I drift closer, the focus sharpens on me and Nyx at the center of the terrace on a stage. We are in the midst of completing our bonding ceremony. The air is thick with the scent of salt and blooming nightflowers, mingling with the subtle perfume of incense. I observe our expressions—there’s genuine joy, a radiant happiness that lights up Nyx’s features and mirrors my own. But my spirit feels restless, my eyes roving over the sea of faces for a glimpse of Colton, seeking any touchstone of familiarity in the blur. My search is futile. The figures remain elusive, their features shifting so I can’t make anyone out.
Suddenly, the earth trembles beneath my feet—a low, menacing rumble that escalates into a deafening roar. A pillar beside us fractures with a sharp crack, its fragments tumbling toward the ground in slow motion. As I panic, the scene shifts abruptly.
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 the echosphere’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 rulers already.
The Sorcerer Realm is 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 me curious 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 and brings 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.
The flyer is stark, its message as chilling as it is clear. At the top, in large bold letters, it declares, “BEWARE THE SHADOW QUEEN!” Below is an ominous warning.
“Protect our realms from the dark enchantress, Lyra Lewis. Do not be deceived by her guise of nobility. Underneath lies a heart governed by dark magic that seeks to dominate and destroy. She has already unleashed her terrifying power upon the Luminary Council, proving her willingness to slaughter those who stand in her way. We must act now to preserve our heritage and safeguard our future. Stand united against the tyranny of dark magic. Reject Lyra Lewis as queen. Protect our realm, protect our traditions!”
Beneath the inflammatory text, there’s a detailed sketch of my face wreathed in shadows, the borders traced to make the image appear even more menacing. My hand trembles uncontrollably as I take deep breaths, trying to calm the magic stirring within me, urging me to find Kaine and unleash my wrath upon him.
“What the fuck?” I utter as I read the flyer again, my gaze fixating on the sketch.
Given that few know what I look like due to my years secluded in the castle, Kaine’s actions aren’t merely inciting an uprising. He’s ensuring that everyone can identify me on sight.