He smiles at me and then pulls me into another hug. Sahariel walks up to the door and starts speaking in an odd language that makes my skin prickle. He lifts his hand and draws an invisible symbol. I follow Sahariel out into the abyss, looking back to see the sadness in my dad’s eyes.
“So,” I try and shove my heart back down into my chest, “how do we get to the elf world?”
“We’re already there,” he says as he looks straight ahead.
“What?”
We’re not in the front yard or the driveway. My car is nowhere to be found, and as I look around, the house has gone too. It’s now mid-afternoon, the sun high in the sky, replacing the moon. We’re standing on a dirt path in a field by a forest, a place I’ve never been.
“Where are we?” I ask.
“We’re in your kingdom,” he says, “well, not quite. It will be a day or so before we get there. We’d better start walking.”
And we do. I follow Sahariel for what seems like forever. I had had a long day and now I had to wait another before resting. I watch as the sun begins to set in the distance and the sky turns deep blue to red, orange and purple.
“We’re almost there, a few more hours,” he says, but seeing me yawn, changes his mind, “but we’re going to stop and make camp. You’re exhausted. We will finish tomorrow.”
“Oh, thank god,” I say
I drop my bag and practically crumpling to the ground.
Sahariel smiles down at me and shakes his head, setting up camp for the night. The sun sets and a cool breeze washes over me, causing me to shiver just as Sahariel starts the fire.
“Get over here before you start to freeze,” he says, poking the fire with a stick, embers floating up into the sky like fireflies, “or do I need to come over there and pick you up?”
“No,” I groan, making no motion to stand, “maybe? I don’t know.”
I hear him chuckle and he gets up from his seat and walks over. He kneels down and offers his hand which I don’t hesitate to take. I use his strength to stand and his support to get me closer to the fire. He leaves me next to the fire and retrieves my bag and sets it down next to me.
“Before I forget,” he says, “you’re going to need to change into these,” he pulls out a heap of rough looking cloth and hands them to me, a belt wrapped around the bundle.
Opening up the bundle and holding them up in front of myself I say, “Why are you giving these to me? I have clothes already.”
“About that,” he says, “I don’t know why I let you pack those. They’re not going to last much longer.”
“What do you mean?”
“Things from the human world don’t work here. Electronics don’t work, mainly because here, electricity is a highly magical force, one that cannot be harnessed. In a few days your clothes will unravel completely. Anything made from industry won’t work. Also, I figured you’d want to fit in as well.”
“Oh,” I say, “what about my pills?”
“I don't know,” Sahariel says, “I don't think you'll need them here simply because we have healers.”
I frown at the tunic and pants in my lap and question whether I want to change now or risk completely unraveling later. I sigh and push myself off the ground, staggering slightly once my feet are under myself.
“I’m going to go change now I guess,” I mumble and look around for a place close by to change, then spot a place about twenty feet away.
“Are you going to be alright?” Sahariel asks me as I walk away.
“I’m sure you’ll know if anything bad happens,” I walk away, “I promise to scream really loud right before my heart gives out, just in case, okay?” Sahariel frowns at me as I disappear behind a clump of tall bushes.
Changing quickly, I look at my jeans and notice the threading has begun to come apart. My cell phone drops from the pocket, dead as can be. I frown at the useless hunk of plastic and decide to keep it even though it doesn’t work, and hope that it does once I’m able to visit.
I walk from behind my changing area and Sahariel looks at me, a smile creeping up on his lips and he tries to stifle a laugh.
“What?”
I don’t like being laughed at. Did I forget a crucial element, like pants? I look down. Pants are there.
“I’m sorry. Excuse me, milady, but your tunic is backward,” he stands up and walks over to me.
“Really?” I say, “How am I supposed to know? I’ve never worn a tunic before.”
“I’ll fix it, hold on,”
Sahariel reaches for the tunic and I stand completely still.
“Alright, as long as I don’t look stupid,” I frown down at myself, “this is sad.”
“What is?” Sahariel stops tugging on the tunic.
“I can’t even dress myself anymore.”
Sahariel just chuckles and shakes his head, “Alright, pull your arms in.”
I do. I watch as he moves his fingers from the hem to the belt that’s keeping the tunic where it belongs.
I freeze.
Sahariel’s fingers begin to undo the belt, and I almost feel as if it’s happening in slow motion. But before I can react, the belt is off and he already has the garment facing the right way. He tugs it down and belts it quickly.
“There,” he says, patting down the tunic while I slowly extend my arms, “now that looks better.”
I look up at him, the butterflies in my stomach still freaking out, not sure what I should say.
“Thanks,” I say, hoping he doesn’t notices how breathless it sounds.
I look up into his eyes and his fingers play with the belt. He smiles as me and I smile back. Before I can say or do anything that might embarrass me, I pull away and smooth out my pants.
“Alright,” I say, “now what?”
“We eat.”
He leads me over to the fire where he has somehow managed to put together a decent meal. We sit together in silence and eat. Soon I find myself dozing off.
“You’re tired,” Sahariel says.
“Yep.”
“Why don’t you lie down while I keep watch,” Sahariel makes the suggestion and I take it.
I slide to the ground at his feet and fall asleep quickly, not caring how hard the ground is.
Chapter Fourteen
I stretch and smack my head.
“Ow,” I rub the back of my head as I sit up, my back aching from lying on the hard ground the whole night.
“You’ve woken up,” Sahariel walks over from, I assume, his watch post, “How did you sleep, milady?”
“I slept like a rock,” I say and stretch again, “what’s with this ‘milady’ thing all of the sudden?”
“It’s what I have to say.”
“What? You’re joking right?”
“Nope.”
“Great,” I frown. I frown a lot lately.
“I figured you’d like it more than your highness and my queen,” he says, “anyway, let’s head out.”
I groan and try not to think of food. I’m starving, and to prove my point, my stomach growls. In embarrassment, I cover my stomach with my hands and hope Sahariel didn’t hear.
“We will be there soon,” he says reassuringly, “there will be food and a hot bath waiting.”
“Thank god,” I say. I manage to gather enough strength to stumble along behind him.
We walk under an arch and Sahariel's stride lengthens. He walks quicker and I feel like I'm struggling to keep up.
“Sahariel,” I say, “why are you walking so fast?”
“Because,” he says. He turns around and walks backward, “Welcome to Sundaria, Eden. Welcome home.”
We crest the hill and that's when I see it. Everything. The kingdom, the castle; my kingdom, my castle. The realization hits me finally and I stop dead in my tracks.
I have a kingdom. I'm a queen. What the hell happened?
“Your highness,” Sahariel says. I can't speak. I'm having a freak out moment.
“Milady,” he says, “Eden!”<
br />
I snap out of it and I look up into his worried eyes.
“This is my kingdom,” I say. I point, “My castle.”
“Yes.” He exhales now that I'm finally speaking.
“How is that possible? I'm only seventeen.”
I look at Sahariel who is looking at me with a worried expression. He's frowning. I'm making him frown a lot.
Great. Good job, Eden.
“Are you going to be okay?” He asks.
“Yeah,” I say, “I'm fine. I'm sorry. It's all sort of hitting me at once.”
He smiles and nods, then continues to lead the way. Each step closer makes the walls around the kingdom seem really imposing. Makes the castle seem larger. We walk through the main gate and two guards nod at us, but do nothing else. I feel like I've been sucked back in time. Wooden stalls with vendors are everywhere on the cobblestone roads. People are buying, trading, bartering. I really want to look around, but I don't know if I can.
“I have to go take care of something real quick,” he says, “are you going to be okay to look around for a while?”
“Sure,” I say and smile.
Sahariel smiles at me and rushes off into the crowd. I can't see him, but I know if I ever needed to find him, I could. I take a deep breath and smile, happy that I have a chance to relax before my world really does completely change.
I slowly walk around, feeling extremely at ease with myself for once in my life. The colors here are more subdued, but more intricate. But for once in my life I can finally look at peoples faced, see their eyes, without crying. My eyes find those around me and I'm not shunned. They smile at me.
I stop at an empty booth, the necklaces catching my eye. My fingers brush over a necklace made of a small delicate gold chain that has an amazingly cut emerald hanging off it.
“Beautiful, isn't she?” a voice asks from behind a small screen inside the booth.
“Yes, it is,” I say. I smile at the man when he walks from behind the screen.
“Made her just the other day.” He says.
“You made this?” I ask, “I'm surprised someone hasn't purchased it already.”
“That's the thing, young lady,” he says and chuckles, “my wears don't go to just anyone. Each piece is made for a specific person.”
“Oh,” I say and stop brushing the necklace with my fingertips.
“All I have to do is wait for them to show up,” the man picks up the necklace and inspects the gem in the sun, “I believe this is yours.”
He holds the necklace out to me.
“Oh, no, I couldn't,” I say, “I don't have the money to pay for it.”
“I didn't say anything about money,” he says, “I just make the pieces and hand them over once the owner arrives.”
“You don't get paid?” I ask.
“Nope.”
“Why not?”
“Because happiness, my dear, isn't always about money,” he places the necklace carefully in my palm and curls my fingers around it.
“Thank you,” I say to the man.
“Thank you for coming and getting it so early,” he looks down at his table, “some of these have been here for years.”
“That's a shame,” I say, “You do beautiful work.”
The man shrugs, “I'm sure they'll be picked up soon. Also, I believe your friend is looking for you.”
I look behind myself and see Sahariel looking around for me. Too distracted by the conversation, I must have not sensed he was close.
“Looks like it's important,” he says, “you'd best be on your way.”
I thank him again and run over to Sahariel, clasping the necklace on as I run.
“Finally,” he grabs my arm, “took you long enough.”
“Why didn't you just come and get me?”
“Because everyone knows I'm a royal guard,” he whispers, “and if I walk up to you then people would know who you are.”
“Not like they won't ever know.”
“That's not the point, Eden,” he sounds frustrated, “I can't protect you in a crowded area in public by myself.”
“Oh,” I say.
“Oh, is right.”
He runs his hand through his hair.
“Alright,” he says after a few moments, “let's head inside.”
“Alright,” I say, drawing the first syllable out and marching after him.
“Hey, Sahariel,” one of the guards sneers, “haven't seen you in a while. Come back to try and make up for your mistake?”
“Just let me pass,” Sahariel says in exasperation.
“Why?” The other guard as the doorway asks.
“Let me pass.”
“Come back to grovel, I suppose,” one guard comments to the other.
I look at Sahariel and he's angry. The chord is plucked and I feel the second hand emotion along with something else. What is the minor key? Guilt? Sadness?
“Just shut up and let me pass,” his voice is quiet. He pushes past the guards and I follow behind him with tentative steps.
“Her death was your fault, you know.” One of the guards voices follows us as the door closes, echoing down the empty hallway with our footsteps.
I catch up to Sahariel and I can feel his tension.
“You know,” I say, “just because you don't have any colors doesn't mean I can't tell what you're feeling.”
“I'm sorry. I just haven't been here for a while. I thought it'd be easier.”
After a few moments I ask, “So, who were they talking about?”
He stops in the middle of the hallway and I stop with him. He turns to me, revealing his cloudy expression.
“They were talking about your mother.”
“But,” I study his face, “why would they say her death was your fault?”
“Because I was her guard. I was supposed to protect her.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, “Are you saying you could have saved her?”
“There's a chance.”
“What!?”
My mind reels and my brain stops amidst the whirlpool of emotions on that of general hysteria.
“You could have saved her? Why weren't you with her?”
“I was doing something else,” he admits, “something I felt was more important.”
“Nothing could have been more important than saving my mother’s life.”
I glare at him.
“I doubt you'd agree if you knew,” he looks me in the eyes, then his eyes slide down and rest on my scar.
I stare at him for a long time. How am I supposed to react to this? I'm pissed but part of me feels my heart breaking at the sight of his sadness. I reach for him, my non-pissed side winning, wanting to comfort him. His head snaps up and he looks down the hallway.
“We need to go,” he says, the emotions gone.
My hand falls to my side. The connection tells me nothing as I watch him stalk off, shutting down all of his emotions. I follow him around the corner and right into his back.
“Ow,” I say and rub my nose.
“Perul, Samir,” Sahariel says.
I peek around Sahariel's back and see two men standing in front of us. They're twins.
“You brought her?” One of them says.
“Yes, I have,” he turns and pulls me out from behind him.
The twins look at me and I feel like I'm being thoroughly inspected, like some dog at a dog show.
“You are Narah's daughter,” the other twin says as if it's a confirmation, “what is your name?”
“Eden,” I say.
“Eden,” the man says, “well then, let's get you cleaned up and fed, shall we?”
The twins then lead me though the castle, down hallways that I cannot keep track of. Soon I find myself forgetting lefts and rights.
“Here we are,” a twin says, perhaps Samir.
I look up at Sahariel.
“We are at your room” Sahariel says, go in. A bath and fresh clothes are waiting.”
He pushes open
the door and all I can see is the four post canopy bed that sits in the center of the room like a centerpiece during a feast.
“Holy crap.”
I hear someone laugh behind myself, but I don't care. I walk into the room, my fingers brushing over the thick heavily embroidered blanket on the bed.
“The washroom is to your left,” one of the twins motions, “get yourself cleaned up. There will be a change of clothing waiting for you and food shall be served shortly after.”
The door is closed and for a few moments I stand and look around the room in amazement. Slowly I make my way to the washroom where a huge tub, which sits down into the floor, mirrors the appearance of the bed in the bedroom.
I stare at the tub. I don't know how the rub is supposed to work. There are no knobs or pulleys anywhere. I stand at the edge of the tub with my hands on my hips.
“Well, I'd like to take a hot bath at some point.”
The bathroom hisses and creaks around me. The sound of rushing water fills the room and I look around for the source. I look in the tub and like a small fountain, water is bubbling into it.
The tub fills and I stick my hand in, snatching it back as soon as it enters. The water is scalding hot.
“Too hot,” I say.
I hear the sound of rushing water again. A test finger confirms that cool water has been thrown into the mix. I smile, somehow knowing that magic is the reason why. I strip my clothes off, grateful that the rough material is no longer on my skin. I lower myself into the tub, sighing as the water brushes my earlobes.
Once my fingers resemble raisins, I pull myself out and dry off. I walk out to the bed and notice someone has placed some clothes out on the end of the bed. I finish drying off and pick up the dress. It's heavy, but soft, like thick cotton. I pull the dress over my head and straighten out the many layers.
I slip my feet into the matching deep green slippers and finger the necklace around my neck, realizing, incidentally, that the necklace and gown match. I open the door and nearly bump into one of the twins.
“Oh,” I say, “I'm sorry.”
He looks at me after regaining his footing and I automatically overt my eyes.
“Your Highness,” he says, “it is I who should be sorry. I shouldn't have been standing in a place that you would need to walk.”
He bows and I fidget.
Finding Eden Page 8
