by Lora Darc
When Danielle looked, Prince Morgin slipped his hand into the pocket of his robe and, from it he took out the key orb which glowed brilliantly. At its very center shined a bright star.
“When we thought we would lose you,” began Prince Xaris. “We feared that the Nightlands might be the cause for your illness... not your power, at first. We thought this place was what might be affecting you.”
“When we learned you had been trying to remake the key to return home,” said Prince Cyre, “we wondered if perhaps finding your way back would make you well again.”
“This was after we forgave you for taking our energies, to try to leave us,” said Prince Sethris.
“So, in desperation, we planned to remake the key and take you back, not even knowing if it would work,” said Prince Morgin.
“And when we learned you were ill,” said Lord Tyris behind her, “and that you might die. We agreed to help.”
“I believe that’s where I come in,” said Hydric who stepped over to her. “I decided more than a few moons ago to return to the palace. I had not seen you yet, but I knew you were around and I had hoped to find you again. Of course, before I could, you fell into your illness and a few nights later I heard about the princes remaking the key. As I had said to you back in the mountain, I warned the princes as well: that the key would be faulty. It was then I took the risk to mention my experiment creating the key star. I showed them the new one I made for myself and Prince Morgin recognized it as the very same one connected to your necklace. He quickly found the key in his library and, with my help, we fused the keys together.”
“And connecting the two created a final key that was stable, ensuring we could return if you didn’t get better,” Prince Morgin finished.
Danielle stared at the key and clasped her hands together, almost laughing. Now that it was finally before her, ready to take her home, Danielle had no wish to use it for such a purpose as to leave her princes or the Nightlands behind.
This is my place now. Even so... if what they say is true.
Cautiously, Danielle stepped closer until she was before Prince Morgin and held out her hand. “The key…”
She caught a flash of uncertainty pass over Prince Morgin’s features but it quickly disappeared and he laid the key orb in her hands.
Danielle turned the key in her hands and saw the carved in lines around its circumference. She knew all she had to do was twist it.
She looked over to the Night Lords and over to her princes and smiled devilishly.
“I think, I would like to see my old world again…”
“You would leave us?” said Prince Xaris. The princes shifted uncomfortably, hurt beginning to show in their eyes.
Danielle shook her head. “No. Never... We shall go together. And show the world what they’ve been missing.”
The princes grew still. Then, as if finally understanding, they too smiled wickedly.
“So we shall,” said Prince Morgin and he began to laugh.
With that, Danielle grabbed hold of both ends of the key and twisted. The key sparked brightly and, unlike the old key, fiery Magik sprung from it and swirled before them. Then, like lightning, the Magikal energy shot to the ground and a portal opened. A wind blew through from the other side and bolts of electricity sparked in the air ready to strike any who came near. But Danielle wasn’t afraid; she didn’t think she could ever be afraid again.
Before she walked through, Danielle beckoned for the Night Lords to join her. “You come too.”
Without hesitation, the Night Lords fell beside her as did the Night Princes and, following Danielle, they walked together into the chaotic doorway, back into the human world.
Let’s play.
Other stories by Lora
The Nightlands series:
Prisoner of the Night Princes
Servant of the Night Lords
Shivers series:
Haunting Grace
About the Author
Lora Darc is a sweet, innocent looking woman on the surface, but deep down she craves the darker side, where nightmares and dreams collide. Where fairytales become twisted. Where the beast doesn't turn back into a handsome prince, and Beauty doesn’t mind.
When Lora isn't watching movies or reading books in her favorite genres (fantasy and horror of course) she writes horror and fantasy erotica and dark romance.
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