The trail we’d been walking on opened up to a larger road as we came into a clearing. We passed walkers, riders, carts, and carriages. They were all coming or going from the gigantic white castle that loomed ahead.
Guards with grey tunics stood perfectly still outside the gatehouse, watching us approach. Each of them had a spear in hand and a green shield bearing the sigil of the gods.
They nodded to Galen as we crossed the stone bridge that led into the castle. A river rushed below us, while a sea of people mingled within the fortified walls ahead of us. It was a well-guarded fortress; it would be difficult, if not impossible, to escape. At least out the front door. I prayed it wouldn’t come to that.
Several narrow towers shot up to the sky. I had to tilt my head all the way up to see them, and even then, couldn't see the tops of the pinnacles. I stared in awe at the marvel of architecture—so much larger and grander than Aurelius Castle. It must’ve taken centuries to build. If this was Galen's home, maybe he really was a prince.
I screamed when a large tawny-haired grizzly bear came barreling past us. In an act of self-preservation, I leaned back into Galen’s chest, clinging to him. It showed no interest, just a tilt of the head in acknowledgement. I tracked it as it continued on, not believing my eyes.
“A bear! You keepbearsas pets here?” I stammered.
Galen chuckled. “It’s a good thing he didn’t hear you call him a pet. All will be explained soon enough. Just stay close to me.”
I believed for the first time that I was far from home. Men wore tunics that had been out of fashion for hundreds of years. Most women wore simple cotton dresses—no petticoats or corsets in sight. I must’ve looked ridiculous to them, buried beneath layers of tulle and lace.
A woman passed us wearing a tunic, leggings and a leather scabbard on her belt. “Women, they’re wearing pants—carrying weapons. Is this typical in your Kingdom?”
“Yes, of course… It’s not the same in Erador?”
I turned around to glare at him. “Why do you continue to speak of Erador as if we’re somewhere else.That’s impossible. Where are we? Who are you, really?” I demanded.
My chest tightened and I felt a wave of nausea roll through me. The stress of today had taken its toll… I was close to completely crumbling. My survival-instincts were hysterical—telling me todo something.
Galen stopped abruptly. We were past the gates now, inside the castle courtyard. He dismounted and took my hand, concern etched across his face. “What I’m about to tell you is the truth… as far-fetched as you may find it.”
I followed his lead, carefully shifting in my heavy gown and sliding off his horse. Gripping my hips, he supported me as I landed on the ground with a soft thud. He handed the reins to a guard that had appeared out of nowhere. And then it was just us.
His mouth was set in a grim line as I fidgeted under his intense gaze. “My people used to live in Erador, but now we live here..." A deep v formed between my brows as I tried to comprehend what he was saying. "Our ancestors were led here by a world walker. She tricked us into coming to this land. She returned to Erador before closing the portal door on us. We’re in a new world—we call it Nymera.”
He took my hands in his as he continued, “I’m nearly positive you’re telling the truth—about being from Erador. And I think you came through the door that we’ve been trying to access for hundreds of years. So I need to know; did you get help from a world walker… or areyouthe world walker?”
My mouth hung open, before I snapped it shut. I couldn’t seem to get enough air. I inhaled in short, shallow gasps, like a fish out of water. Black spots appeared in my vision. I was about to faint.
“Breathe…” Galen murmured, rubbing gentle circles on my palms, while I broke into a cold sweat. “I need to know—are you our enemy? A spy?Can I trust you?”
“No. I mean…yes!You can trust me. I’m not a spy. I- I don’t know how, but I fell asleep in my garden—in Aurelius… and woke uphere. I don’t know what a world walker is. I mean you no harm, I promise.” Panic caused me to trip over my words.
“It’s alright. I believe you. I'm going to need you to keep breathing though… Oxygen is still a requirement in this world.” He grinned, gently holding me by my shoulders.
I felt small and insignificant in his arms—in this universe.How?How was any of this real?
“You’re going to be a person of interest to my mother—to all of our people. The Queen is… quick to form opinions and slow to change them. It’s imperative you get off on the right foot. If she finds you to be a threat, she’ll lock you up and ask questions later.”
I nodded solemnly. A single tear fell down my cheek and I wiped it away. I couldn’t break yet. I steadied myself and took a deep breath.
He tenderly cupped my cheek in his hand as he said, “There’s more, of course, but it can wait. For now, we’ll tell my mother we rescued you in the woods—that you have amnesia after hitting your head and don’t know how you ended up in our forest. Once you’ve had some time to rest, we’ll tell her the truth.” He lifted my chin with his pointer finger until I was looking into his eyes. The smile he gave me made me feel a little less alone.
“Why are you helping me?” I asked. Fire blazed behind his eyes and it scared me.
“You told me you’re the woman of my dreams… and I’d like to find out if that’s true,” he said with a wink. “Welcome to Monrovia Castle.”
six
Iam in a different world,I said to myself over and over, trying to comprehend the impossible. We entered the interior of the castle, but it was as if the outdoors had followed us in.
Large glass windows and skylights flooded the entryway with light, bouncing off pure white stone. Climbing plants scaled the walls, forming a labyrinth of vines and flowers. Stained-glass windows created a rainbow light-effect on our skin as we passed under them. There was a gentle buzzing in the air that made me feel awake, giddy… intoxicated. One word came to mind:Magic.
Trees flanked us on either side, growing right out of terra-cotta stone floors. They stretched towards the high ceilings, making it feel like we were in the middle of a bright and airy forest. Birds sailed overhead, flying back and forth between the trees. Their songs floated through the air together in harmony. And their feathers… they shimmered with every color of the rainbow as they flitted around us: Teal parrots with bright yellow chests, white ones with pink crests on their head, and a large red bird that looked like it was made of flame.
