Zarin

by Sarah J. Stone

  “Oh,” she said, leaning back. “So, they don't know about me?”

  “I didn't mention it,” he replied. “I thought...I thought they would think I'm crazy. But so much is changing. I think it's finally time.”

  He didn't mention the sense of urgency that he had, the sense of impending doom, and the clock running out of time. She accepted this answer, leaning her head against his shoulder and closing her eyes. The train bumped along, and he closed his eyes as well, perfectly content to simply be by her side. Whatever was coming, they could figure it out now that they were together again.

  Chapter 5

  When the train finally reached the spot where Spencer knew there was a vortex, they had to shake themselves awake. It was a scramble to grab the bags and rush off the train before the doors closed. Katianna gave him a grin as they half stumbled onto the grass.

  “Are you all right, all powerful dragon lord?”

  “My love,” he said as they got some strange looks by other people exiting the train. “As much as I love you, you might want to keep your voice down.”

  “Right,” she said. “Sorry. Slip of the tongue.”

  “In a few moments, you won't have to worry about that at all,” he assured her. He took her by the hand, bringing her toward the back of the train station. “On Umora, you will be the one that stands out.”

  “People have always said I stood out,” she said, touching her face. “My eyes are unique, too, remember?”

  “Your eyes are how I find you,” he said. “I would never change them, not for a moment. I think they're beautiful.”

  She smiled, leaning in for a kiss. No one had ever told her that her eyes were beautiful. They told her that they were unique or interesting, but Spencer made her feel like the prettiest woman in the world. He never so much as looked at another woman, his gaze constantly on her. She felt so much stronger, so much more powerful when he was by her side. It was as if the world was her oyster.

  It also explained how she felt drawn to the TV when a dragon had appeared on Earth a few years ago. The media covered it up as a prank, but she always knew that something wasn't right. It was too real to be a doctored video, and people had died. They had quickly covered that up as well, but she had spent far too much time googling it. She had always been interested in sci-fi and the paranormal, although she had never told anyone just how obsessed she was. This was a dream come true.

  “What do we do?” she asked, resisting the urge to kiss him again.

  “Take my hand,” he replied, making sure that there was no one else around. He squeezed her hand, and then took the other one. “It's going to be jarring. You are going to feel the magic and then a whoosh of blackness. I'll do my best to hold you up, but you are probably going to end up on the throne room floor.”

  “Oh,” she shrugged. “All right. Sounds easy enough.”

  “It's jarring at first, but you'll get used to it. I hope,” he squeezed her hand. “Close your eyes.”

  She did as she was told, trembling half with excitement and half with fear. She felt it exactly as he told her she would. First, it was warm, and then it was a bit concerning. She felt dizzy, like she was floating.

  She was about to open her mouth to ask him if it was all right. But when she did, she nearly passed out. The world around her was swirling, and then it went black.

  She crashed onto the hard, marble floor with a yelp, falling against Spencer's arms. He reached his arms out to hold her, trying to soothe her.

  “It's okay, Katianna. It's all right.”

  She was not used to that name, and she almost felt like correcting it. But she had no time to as she quickly found that they were not alone.

  She looked up to see who she recognized as Cole standing in front of them. He said something, but she did not recognize the language.

  He was taller than she had thought, long and lean, and with the flash of yellow in his eyes that she now recognized as dragon. He looked slightly different, with a shorter neck, and more human features. She remembered that he wasn't fully dragon, and wondered if he could transform just as easily.

  It was amazing what facts she was accepting. Two weeks ago, she was a student who planned to run the family hotel the rest of her life.

  Spencer responded in the same language, and she quickly realized that this was what he had been referring to when he said English wasn't his first language.

  “Mmm,” Cole responded, before his eyes turned to her. She smiled, holding out her hand. Her parents had taught her to always be friendly.

  “Hello, my name is…uh…” She turned to Spencer. “Bethany.”

  He spoke at the same time. “Katianna,” he said.

  Cole raised an eyebrow and switched to English.

  “No,” he said, looking between the two of them. “It isn't.”

  “It is,” Spencer replied, turning to his prince. “And it's a long story.”

  “I've heard a lot of long stories around here,” Cole replied, looking at her closely. “Katianna as in your wife, correct?” He seemed to recognize her multi-colored eyes and cocked his head. “Huh.”

  “Do we know each other?” she asked. Cole grinned.

  “If you are her, then we know each other,” he said. “But I'm not sure what your crazy boyfriend is talking about, so let's sort that out, hmm? Spencer? Nicholas summoned you, correct?”

  “Yes,” Spencer replied. “And I have returned, as a loyal lord does.”

  “I see that,” Cole said. “With an enigma. Should I take our enigma to a room to take it all in while you meet with my brother?”

  “Would you like to rest, Katianna ?” Spencer turned to her. “I imagine this is all a bit much.”

  “Sure,” she shrugged. She was more curious than she was afraid, and Spencer had said that this was safe. “I can do that.”

  “Are you from Earth?” Cole asked her. She nodded. “When my wife first came here, she was grateful for a soft bed. To your room, Spencer?”

  “No,” Spencer replied, sharply. “We aren't married.”

  Cole quirked an eyebrow.

  “You were,” he said, shaking his head. “I don't have a lot of time on my hands to question what is going on here. Come with me,” he said to her, and she picked up her bag. She turned back to Spencer, who nodded, and she followed Cole out, scampering to keep up with him. “Thank you for having me. It's very kind.”

  “I don't see how you can be Katianna,” he said. “She died nearly twenty years ago. I was barely a teenager when–”

  “Eighty,” she said, and he turned to her in surprise.

  “What?”

  “The first time I died was eighty years ago,” she said. “At least, that's what Spencer said.”

  “Oh, what Spencer said,” he replied. “And what do you say?”

  “I am learning,” she replied. “Look, I know it sounds crazy. It sounds crazy to me, too. But I can't deny my feelings for him, and I can't deny that I remember things from long ago.”

  “Really?” Cole stopped her in the hallway. “What do you remember about here?”

  She stopped, taking in the hallway. The ceilings were high, and there were white, marble colors with gilded-gold paint that was straight out of a story book. It was breathtaking. She squinted at the paint and the swirls in the plaster for a moment.

  “My grave has those,” she said, pointing to the corners. “Those wings.”

  “Your grave?” Cole said. “He's buried you and thinks you've returned without so much as a disturbed plant?”

  “Yes?” Katianna replied. “I think that is where he must have gotten inspiration, from your palace.”

  “Right,” Cole looked doubtful. “And how long, pray tell, have you known Spencer this time around?”

  “A couple weeks?” she shrugged.

  “Oh I see.” Cole smirked. She realized he didn't believe her, and it put a shadow of doubt into her as well. What Spencer had said made sense to her when they were the only two on Earth that wer
e let into the secret. But now, there was more than just their two infatuated minds involved. She switched topics, trying to be polite. She ignored the growing feeling of dread in her stomach.

  “Your English is very good,” she said. “Were you taught it in school?”

  “Not really,” he answered, and they began walking again. “My wife is from Earth, and she is a translator, a linguist.”

  “Oh, that's neat,” she answered. “So, that's where you learned most of it?”

  “Indeed,” he said. “I can get her if there is something you need. Whether or not you are Katianna, this must be confusing.”

  “It's all right,” she replied. “To tell you the truth, I've never been out of my hometown, so this is what I imagine every other place but home looks like.”

  He smirked at that as he pushed open a door. She gasped.

  The bedroom looked like it belonged in the sixteenth century, with a four-poster bed and furniture that was fit for a king. There was mahogany furniture and a warm bedspread with tapestries on the wall.

  The tapestries were what caught her eye the most. In beautiful woven fabrics, she saw Earth and majestic dragons circling it. There were other planets surrounding it, planets she didn't recognize. She was as good at science as the next person, but these planets were not something they had taught her in high school science.

  “The rest of the galaxy,” Cole said, following her gaze. “Did you think your solar system was the only thing around?”

  “It was the only thing we knew,” she said, looking up. “Why? Did your wife know what they were?”

  “No,” he checked himself, realizing how mean he was being. “She was a lot more baffled than you, actually, come to think of it. And it certainly took longer than two weeks to get her to trust me.”

  “Could it be,” Katianna turned around with a smile, “because I've done this before?”

  “Checkmate to you,” he said, handing her a giant key. “The room is yours. If you want to see your boyfriend, ask any servant in the hallway, and I'm sure they can tell you where he's at. If he's talking to my brother, it might be a long time.”

  “I hope nothing serious is wrong?” Katianna answered.

  “Just the usual chaos and destruction,” Cole replied. “Enjoy your stay. Oh,” he reached out his hand, “you're from Earth. You'll want Wi-Fi.”

  She handed over her phone, slightly shocked that this magical place had access to technology as well. Cole pushed a few buttons and then handed it back.

  “Enjoy a Wi-Fi speed like you've never seen before,” he said with a smile.

  He closed the door behind him, leaving her to spin around in awe.

  She certainly wasn't at home anymore.

  She threw herself on the soft bed, dropping her bag by her feet. Staring at the ceiling, she closed her eyes. That transport had been exhausting, and she felt like it was catching up to her now. She took out her phone as it beeped.

  Where is it you are going again? came a text from her mother.

  None of this had really unsettled her until she saw that text. Suddenly, everything came crashing back to her. She was a reincarnation of a girl who died nearly eighty years ago. The supposed love of her life was a dragon, and he had transported her onto a planet hundreds of thousands of miles away. She was in the dragon palace, and everything the story books said was real.

  “Oh my god,” she said to herself. “What is happening to me?”

  Chapter 6

  It was an hour before Spencer came back to see her. She didn't really mind or notice as her thoughts swirled. But when he entered the room, she sat up with a start, her arms out.

  “I missed you,” she said, and he chuckled, kissing the top of her head.

  “Was it that long?” he asked.

  “No,” she laid her head on his chest, “but it felt like an eternity.”

  “It felt like an eternity in the meeting, as well,” he answered. “Nicholas has an endless supply of problems and not enough agents to deal with them.”

  “Like what?” she sat back, feeling calmer now that he was back with her. She brushed the hair out of her eyes, settling back against the pillows.

  “Don't worry yourself about it,” he said. “We will take care of it. In the meantime, they have invited you to stay the night, and for dinner.”

  “Oh,” she said. “That's very kind. I had thought we'd just go grab food.”

  He raised an eyebrow, and she realized that she had probably said something wrong.

  “That's not a thing people do, is it?”

  “Not here,” he answered. “Here, they follow the rules of old. They dress for dinner.”

  “Like, fancy?” she glanced at her backpack. “I did not bring fancy. The nicest thing I brought is a decent pair of jeans.”

  “I'm sure you'll look lovely either way,” he replied. “But if you are in need of a dress, I can certainly ask if you can borrow one. Nicholas' wife is about your size. I'm sure she has a few.”

  “I wouldn't want to be a burden when we just got here,” she said, but he rose.

  “It's no burden,” he said, looking around the room. “I think we stayed in this room before.”

  “My grave,” she said. “I saw the corners of the palace in the hallway. Is that where you got the inspiration for my grave?”

  He turned back to her, a smile on his face.

  “Do you like them?” he asked.

  “Yes, they are beautiful,” she said, searching her mind. “I liked them before, didn't I?”

  “You did,” he said. “You always admired them, no matter how many times we came here. So, when the opportunity came to customize your grave, I thought it was appropriate.”

  “That's nice of you,” she said. “Although the idea of a grave scares me.”

  “Why?” his brow furrowed. “You've always had a beautiful, well attended funeral, with–”

  “No, not that part,” she said. “Just the idea of staying in one place forever. I always thought that I would be cremated and scattered.”

  “Oh, my love,” he said with a smile, “you aren't exactly staying in one place forever, are you?”

  She paused. “I guess not,” she said with a grin. “So perhaps that explains such a fear.”

  “Give yourself time,” he tried to reassure her. “Things will come back into focus. You will soon feel more like yourself.”

  “Am I different?” she asked, and he let out a breath.

  “A little,” he admitted. “But I'm sure it's just the times. Now, I'll see about that dress.”

  “Thank you,” she said as she reached to undo her hair. “I'll just attempt to make myself pretty while you're gone.”

  “You are always pretty,” he said, as he went to the door. “I'll see you soon.”

  She blew him a kiss and then got off the bed, heading to the vanity.

  Her reflection stared back at her, young and lean, with an oval-shaped face. Her eyes stood out more in the sunlight, making her face asymmetrical. She cocked her head, closing one eye.

  It made her feel almost normal to only see one color. It changed the way she looked – from unique to standard. She had never felt she was beautiful, but then again, she had never thought much about her looks. Her parents had told her it was school that mattered, along with a career and a friendly smile.

  And yet, her eyes were changing her life.

  When Spencer returned, it was with a beautiful, purple dress that took her breath away. It had long sleeves and a full-length skirt that came with layers of tulle underneath it. She could tell by the touch of the fabric that it was more expensive than anything she had ever owned.

  “Oh my,” she said, taking it. “Thank you. This is beautiful. Although, these sleeves...”

  Normally, a dress with a full skirt would be sleeveless. He cleared his throat as she fingered them. “The women here are more conservative than on Earth,” he said.

  “Old fashioned,” she said, and he shook his head.

&n
bsp; “It's more about equality. Women are equal to men here in all respects. When Peter was king and he had no wife, it was Ariel by default. The queen owns fifty percent of the kingdom and has equal opinion on all matters. The women do not use any tactics of beauty here; it's unnecessary. Beauty comes in the mind and in the smile.”

  “That's what my parents taught me,” she said. “I was just thinking about that.”

  “That and dragon women are stunning, always,” he said, stepping closer to her. “Almost as stunning as you.”

  “Mmm,” she relaxed in his arms. “Did you want to help me dress?”

  She thought that she was teasing him, but he looked away, stepping back.

  “One day, my love. One day. But for now, I'd rather wait to perverse your modesty.”

  “My reputation,” she said. “It's clashing values, don't you think?”

  “No,” he said, looking up. “I respect you for so much more than what your body can offer. When we are married, we will enjoy all of those pleasures, and it will be worth the wait.”

  “All right,” she smiled, accepting this reason. It was refreshing compared to Earth views, and she found that she enjoyed it. Perhaps it was her upbringing, or perhaps it was just happiness at a change of pace. Either way, she was grateful. “Thank you.”

  “Get changed, and I'll be waiting outside,” he said. “I will escort you to the dining room, where you meet the rest of the royal family.”

  “But no pressure,” she replied, turning back to the mirror and holding the dress up to her neck. “I'll see you in a moment.”

  “Do you need me to send in a maid to assist you?”

  “No, I've got it.” She smiled at him in the mirror. “I've been dressing myself for quite a while. I'll figure it out.”

  “As you wish.” He bowed his head and left.

  As soon as he was gone, she stripped down, stepping into the dress.

  It proved harder than she thought. There weren't any zippers; it was all ties and buttons. She sucked in her small stomach, spinning the dress around to button up the front before turning it around to the back and struggling into the sleeves. She felt the sweat drip down her back and briefly considered getting the maid. But she told herself that she was a strong, independent woman, and she could dress herself.