But to her surprise Sky was sitting on her doorstep.
He stepped in, not waiting for an invitation. “Are you ready for breakfast?” he asked, not turning around.
Niv shut the door. “Almost.”
Sky paced around. “What was Axel doing in here?”
Niv froze, then moved closer to the cambriar, kneeling beside him. “Sky, you can’t mention that to anyone.”
“I think he’d make a better match than Blake.” Sky raised an eyebrow and gave her half a grin.
She shoved him. “It’s not going to happen.”
“Well it’s to your detriment; you could do so much better,” Sky replied sullenly.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a big hug, then a peck on top of the head. “I love you Sky. You are so sweet, always looking out for me. But give me your word that you won’t mention Axel being here to anyone, even Leif.”
He waited a moment. “Fine,” he huffed. “But I’d do a better job of being sneaky next time. I saw Axel when he turned the corner and he about jumped out of his skin when he saw me. He isn’t the type that can carry on a secret rendezvous without being caught,” Sky warned.
“It was a one-time visit. It’s not like that, I promise.” She ruffled the fur on the top of his head. “Now let’s go find something to eat.”
Sky had already explored the two upper floors, so he led Niv to the dining area.
There was a large square table in the center of the room. Torches lined the walls and there were several candelabras on the table.
Niv heard a commotion coming from one of the doors. She moved to see who was coming and something started to slide under the door.
Niv jumped as a flat creature slid in and then slowly began to get bigger and bigger.
“It’s okay,” Sky assured her. “It’s a deflater. Axel mentioned there was one in the tower.”
The deflater appeared almost human, but had a long tail and longer, pointier ears. Niv realized that she was female, once the creature was back to her original size.
She was beautiful and had long black hair with a light wave to it. Her eyes were a turquoise blue. She wore a lavender blouse with black pants.
“My apologies,” the deflater said, covering her mouth. “I forgot how odd that seems to someone who’s not from here. Axel reacted the same way the first time he witnessed it. Of course, now he’s used to it.” She stuck her hand out. “I’m Sinda.”
Niv shook her hand. “I’m Nivara.”
“Did I do it right?” she asked excitedly. “The shaking of the hand, I mean.”
Niv laughed. “Yes. You were perfect.”
Axel and the Prince strode in together.
Axel walked over to Sinda, kissed her on the cheek, and wrapped his arm around her waist.
“I see you’ve already met my wife, Sinda,” Axel beamed.
Niv’s eyes widened.
The Prince’s mouth gaped open for a split second before he recovered and stepped forward, the picture of a diplomat. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Two more deflaters slid under a door. They were much smaller looking than Sinda had been in her flattened state. Niv watched curiously as they re-inflated themselves.
One was a little girl with dark brown hair and brown eyes, and the second was a boy with short black hair and turquoise eyes.
The girl appeared to be about three. The boy was older, possibly six. Their ears weren’t pointy like Sinda’s but they both had long tails.
Axel pointed to them. “These are our children, Edwin and Veda.”
“Wow,” Niv said. She glanced down, embarrassed, not meaning to have spoken that out loud.
Axel pulled out a chair for his wife. “It has been ten years, Niv.”
She turned red. “It’s only been two for us,” she reminded him. “It’s so shocking to see you have a child older than the time that has passed.” Then she looked to Sinda. “You are absolutely beautiful, as are your children. I meant no disrespect.”
Sinda smiled back an easy, genuine smile. “It’s fine. I have made plenty of gaffes trying to learn about his culture. When you have two worlds blending there are bound to be a few bumps.” She squeezed Axel’s hand.
“She is being too generous,” he disagreed, sitting beside her. “All the gaffes were on my part.”
He waved to his children. “Edwin, Veda, bring out the food please.”
The kids rushed out of the room and returned a few minutes later carrying two large trays each. Niv moved to help them, but Axel stopped her.
“They are much stronger than we are, and have exceptional balance.” He smiled proudly.
Edwin set a platter of fruit on the table, as well as one filled with purple- and black-spotted fried eggs. Veda brought a tray of breads along with a tray of cheeses.
The boy raced back to the kitchen and returned with two pitchers. One was filled with something green and the other was held an orange liquid with blue speckles.
Niv eyed them both speculatively.
“The green is an acquired taste,” Axel winked. “I’d go with the orange. It’s very light and sweet.”
She poured the juice Axel had suggested in her goblet and then scooped a little of everything onto her plate.
Leif arrived last. “Sorry, I did not realize everyone was already down here.”
“Take a seat.” Axel gestured to an empty chair on the right of Nivara.
The elf sat down and began to serve himself.
“Oh, and Niv, they have no concept of spicy here. Don’t eat anything the red liquid from the egg touches.”
Not seeing any liquid, she assumed the eggs were similar to those back home, and avoided puncturing the center.
She wondered if he was just teasing her because everyone else seemed to devour the eggs without the slightest hesitation. However, since everything her had told her thus far seemed accurate she decided not to press her luck.
After everyone was mostly through eating, Axel pushed his plate back. “Your Highness, I was wondering, where did you come through the portal?”
He finished chewing what was in his mouth. “Just Blake, please. I have no authority here.”
“You’re still my Prince. I swore an oath,” Axel reminded him.
Prince Blake rolled his eyes. “Then consider it a royal command.”
“Blake,” he said awkwardly, “where did you come out?”
He leaned back in his chair. “I’m not sure exactly…some sort of desert.”
Axel gave a quick look to Niv.
Sky polished off several plates of food, and then loaded another one.
Niv pulled his plate away. “How can you eat so much?” she asked in dismay.
He pulled the tray back. “This is for Squeak,” he claimed. “Now will you kindly help me carry it up to him?”
Niv felt bad that she hadn’t even given a thought as to where Squeak was. Of course, he was too big to fit down here.
“Certainly.” She picked up the tray only to realize it was quite heavy. Sky had piled it high. After seeing how much he had put away in his tiny body, she wondered if this would even make a dent in his brother’s hunger.
Trying not to appear the weak little female, she hefted the tray as high as she could.
“I shall come too,” Leif offered.
Prince Blake started to stand.
“Blake, tell me. What is it like to rule so many people and have their lives in your hands?” Sinda asked. “Axel has tried to explain to me about royalty, but I still do not understand why one person should get to make the choices for everyone.”
He sat back down and smiled at Sinda.
Niv made it through the doors and thought her arms were going to break. When the door shut behind them, Leif cocked one of his eyebrows up.
“Heavy?” he guessed, smiling widely.
“Oh heavens, yes.”
He took the tray from her quickly. She moved her arms up and down, trying to restore the feeling in them.<
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He laughed. “Just curious, how far do you imagine you would have made it?”
Niv shoved him playfully. “Honestly, it would have been a miracle if I made it a few more steps. I can’t believe Edwin carried two of these with ease. Axel wasn’t exaggerating his ability.”
Sky watched them impatiently, tapping his paw on the ground. “My brother has yet to eat. But go ahead, keep talking,” he said sarcastically.
“Sorry Sky,” Niv apologized, pouting sufficiently.
“It’s fine. But hurry,” Sky said, scampering ahead impatiently.
Two long flights of stairs took them out to the dragon on the roof. Niv shook her head to herself. She didn’t know what she had been thinking trying to carry the platter all by herself.
Squeak turned around at the sound of them approaching.
“I’m famished.” He pointed away from the entryway. “Can you set the platter over here? For some reason, in this body I enjoy my food well done.”
Leif set the tray down and stepped back, holding his arm out in front of Nivara in a protective stance.
“I knew you’d be hungry,” Sky said, scooting back to stand next to Nivara.
The dragon arched his head back and threw a giant flame over his plate. It only lasted a few seconds but when he was finished, the meal before him was completely charred black.
“Delicious,” Squeak complimented in between bites.
“Would you like some more?” Niv asked when he had finished
The dragon shook his head. “No, thank you. This hit the spot.”
Nivara laughed, pointing to the hoosula. “How can a big dragon be full after one platter, and you ate three times as much?”
Sky climbed up the dragon’s back. He looked at Squeak. “Are you sure you’re my brother?”
The dragon shook his back, knocking his brother off. “Some of us have manners,” he smiled.
Nivara walked over to the railing and gazed across at the other castle. She wondered who lived there. Could Ajax be there? Could it be that simple?
Another hand appeared on the railing. “So where do we go from here?”
She looked up at Leif and sighed. “Doesn’t Axel know anything?”
“I have not asked, but I doubt it,” he said, shaking his head. “He took a wife, started a family. It seems to me that he gave up on ever returning.”
A tear ran down her face. “So that’s it. I’m stuck here for good.”
He reached his hand up and wiped her tear. “You are leaking,” he noted, looking at the wetness on his finger.
Niv sniffed. “It’s a tear. It happens sometimes when I’m—”
“Sad,” he finished.
She nodded.
“We could still look for the seer. He can see into the future. Perhaps he knows something.”
Niv gave him a small smile. It was sweet that he would try. “Do you know where we’d start?”
There was a long pause as Leif fidgeted with his shirt hem. “I am not sure,” he answered honestly. “I heard his people came from the mountains. I would suggest we start there.”
“Okay,” she agreed. She moved to head back inside, but he reached out and stopped her.
“Nivara, I do not want to give you false hope. This would be a shot in the dark.”
She patted the hand that had grasped her arm. “I know, but any hope is better than none.”
She went back down the stairs and found the others had moved to a bigger sitting room.
“The other tower is deserted,” Axel was explaining.
“We will have to explore it tomorrow,” the Prince said, nodding. He smiled as Nivara walked over and sat on the sofa beside him.
“I think I’ve found us a home,” Blake said enthusiastically.
Niv spun around quickly. “What do you mean, a home?” She stood up and turned towards Axel. “We have a home.”
Blake stood, and tried to calm her. “I understand how upsetting this is. I want to return to our world too, but Axel tells me there is no way.”
“I refuse to believe that. We can’t just give up,” Niv contended, looking between Axel and the Prince.
Leif entered through the doorway and took a seat in the corner.
The room fell silent. The elf looked around, wondering what he had intruded on.
Blake took Nivara’s hand in his. “It’s not giving up. It’s moving on.” He gestured towards Axel. “Axel investigated for years and never found anything.”
“But what about Ajax?” Niv exclaimed.
The Prince stepped back. “What about him? He is back safely in Rastella.”
“We all came out of the portal in different places. Ajax would have come after us. I know it,” she said, emphasizing the last three words. “He must be here somewhere. We need to find him.”
The Prince paused a moment before shaking his head. “He’s not here.”
“He is,” Niv argued defiantly.
“No, he’s not,” the Prince spoke softly. “I know you want to have faith in him, to trust that your neighbor was loyal and brave, but he is not here. Ask the elf.”
Niv turned to Leif.
He put up his hands. “I do not know what he is talking about.”
“Squeak mentioned that Leif’s father has something that tells him when the portal is breached. He said it only lit up on two occasions.” Blake placed his hand on her shoulder. “Two times, Nivara. Not three. Ajax was a cowardly boy who committed treason.”
Axel stood. “That’s a lie! Ajax was brave. He would have come through.”
The Prince seemed shocked at the outburst. “Tell them, Leif.”
The room was silent; all eyes fell on the elf. He squirmed in his seat. “I do not know Ajax. But I am sure if Niv believes he was a stand-up man, then he was. But yes,” he looked away, “my father has such a device. I do not know exactly how it works. He kept it hidden from most elves. I just know it somehow notifies him if the portal is used.”
Blake pulled Nivara into a corner of the room. “I’m sorry. I know he was your friend. But we are stuck here. I don’t want to be, but if this is our reality then I think we should start living it.”
Niv stepped back and gasped. “I am not moving into the castle with you. We are not supposed to be wed for four years.”
He looked strangely at Niv. “I am not saying that we get married today. Only that we start planning. Here I could actually court you like a normal person. I know, I’m not a Prince here,” he explained. “Our life would be different. I can’t offer you much. But it’s what our parents wanted,” Blake said earnestly. “Shouldn’t we see where this takes us? Does being here change things for you?” he prodded.
“Alright. As long as we still take our time.” She tried to smile.
“Good. So tomorrow Axel will take us to explore our future home. Then we can start really getting to know each other. We can stay here and never leave again. We will be safe in the other tower, just as Sinda and Axel have been,” the Prince announced, looking toward the Maxwell son.
Axel gave a small bow. “Of course, Your Highness.”
Niv stepped back. “Tomorrow?”
“Yes. Why wait?”
“I can’t tomorrow. I want to find the seer. I want to give it this last try to see if there is a way to get home,” she announced loudly. “I am not ready to give up yet.”
“But we don’t even know where to start,” Blake explained.
“Leif does,” Niv smiled, motioning him over.
The elf stood up awkwardly. “Um, yes. I have an idea of where to look.”
“We’re leaving tomorrow,” Niv said, grabbing Leif and pulling him over next to her.
“Tomorrow?” The Prince regarded the elf unhappily.
Leif looked at Niv—her eyes seemed to be urging him to agree. “Yes. Tomorrow is the best time to depart. We need to get to the mountains before the stormy season comes.”
“Fine. I understand if you need to do this one last thing. Axel, pack up some
supplies for me. I will go see what clothing I want to bring.”
“You do not have to come. Stay here and relax,” Leif insisted.
The Prince gave him a look full of disdain. “I am coming.”
Sky slipped in as the Prince stormed off.
“What did I miss?” he asked.
“Apparently we are leaving tomorrow. We are heading to the Mountains of Rafa,” Leif explained, looking at Niv, waiting for a reason that made sense.
“We barely got here,” Sky complained. “Why not rest a while?”
Leif looked at Nivara expectantly.
“Well, I’m going to go take a nap. I’m exhausted,” Niv replied, excusing herself.
The elf watched her leave and shook his head.
Axel strode over. “What was all that about?”
Leif shrugged. “I do not know.”
“If you are leaving tomorrow, I shall accompany you. The mountains are dangerous.”
“And your wife and children?”
He shook his head. “They shall remain here.”
“I must go pack,” Leif excused himself. Sky followed him.
Instead of returning to his own room, the elf strode straight to Nivara’s room and knocked on the door.
The door flung open, startling Leif. Niv looked down the hallway, making sure the coast was clear, and grabbed the front of the elf’s shirt, hauled him quickly into the room and shut the door behind her.
Sky barely managed to dash in also without getting his tail smashed.
Chapter XVII
Ajax slept like the dead. He wondered if it had something to do with all the time that seemed to have passed, but didn’t actually pass, in the cave. He woke up, feeling a gentle shaking. Ajax opened his eyes, but didn’t see anyone near him.
“Don’t tell me you’re invisible too,” Ajax yawned, unimpressed.
Spots flew over. “Who are you talking to?”
“No one,” he answered quickly; he had thought for a second that the dragon was playing a game with him.
It was already bright outside. Neely and Niko were off in the distance playing with sticks. As Ajax observed them for a moment, he realized the rhino was teaching Neely how to fight. He rubbed his eyes and then set his palm face down on the ground as he leaned back. He felt a slight tremble beneath his hand.
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