Chapter Five

Eldrida

3:00pm

Sarah steps through the gate into the otherworld, flanked by Jason and Lukas.

The transition was seamless.

There were men who were obviously waiting for them there, ten of them. They flanked them immediately.

She is still trying to wrap her head around the fact that the portal between the two worlds was right in the town's library.

As soon as she sets foot on the other side, Sarah is struck by the stark contrast between this world and her own.

The buildings are taller, sleeker, and more modern than anything she'd ever seen in the firstworld. But there is still a balance between nature and science, as lush greenery and blooming flowers adorn every corner.

She still can't believe the gate to the otherworld was right in the city library.

"Why are they doing that?" she asks Jason.

"Doing what?"

"The thing with their fists," she points out and sure enough, everyone who is standing outside is doing it with their left hand fisted and placed on their chest.

"That's how we show respect to our king" Lukas answers her.

"Oh, am I-"

"No" Lukas says at the same time Jason says "never!"

They obviously know what she was going to ask. She smiles at the look on their faces.

They both look at her like she just committed an act worthy of death.

"Okay then" she mumbles.

Children run up to the group, waving and shouting greetings at the king. Sarah can't help but feel a twinge of jealousy at the love and respect the citizens of Eldrida have for their king.

Finally, they arrive at a car parked in the center of four other cars. The soldiers who had escorted them through the city open the door for them, and they settle into the backseat, Lukas seating at the front.

As the car pulls away, Sarah gazes out the window at the stunning cityscape, marveling at the sight of flying cars zooming through the air.

"Your world is beautiful" she mutters.

"Yeah, it is" Jason mutters back and she looks at him to see he's staring at her.

She suddenly feels shy.

She can feel how peaceful he's gotten in the few minutes they've been there.

After a short drive, they arrive at the palace, a sprawling castle that leaves Sarah awestruck. The guards at the entrance are wearing sparkling white uniforms and stand at attention as Jason and his group approach.

When they pass the soldiers, she hears Lukas' whispered "at ease."

She notices that they don't place their fists on their chest.

A man and woman open the front door and both immediately bow.

"You may rise," Jason says.

He turns to her and takes her hand while he introduces her to them.

"This is Sarah, she is mine," he says.

They both widen their eyes at the word 'mine' and she feels something weird coming from the woman. It feels like relief and happiness mixed together.

They also give her a slight bow.

"Sarah, these are members of my staff. Alice is the matron, she oversees the kitchen and overall running of the house. Edwin is the chief of staff."

She removes her hand from his and extends it as she moves to them, Alice first.

"My boss also bears your name. I never knew my mother but she was like a mother to me. It's a pleasure to meet you Alice," she says to the woman who now has a soft look on her face as she takes her hand.

"The pleasure is mine," she says with the sweetest smile.

Sarah turns to Edwin to give him a shake.

"Nice to meet you sir," she says to him.

"No heartwarming Edwin stories for me?" he asks her.

"Hmm…maybe I'll be telling the next Edwin I meet about you," she replies and he gives her a smile that looks like a reward.

"I hope you will. It's a pleasure to meet you child," he says as he kisses her palm.

Jason reclaims her hand as he says, "you both have been more of parents to me than staff."

"Your Grace," they both say with so much feeling her heart melts.

"Sarah must be tired, please show her to her room," he says, like he didn't just say something so beautiful.

"Of course, come dear, I'll take you to your room," Alice says.

Jason bends to her ears and whispers, "I'll see you later and, if it's too late, tomorrow morning. I've been gone for too long, I have so much to do."

She nods and moves towards Alice who leads her away.

***********************************

Sarah is shown to her room, which was grander than any she had ever seen. It had a breathtaking view of the city below, and she can't help but feel grateful for the luxury and comfort that has been bestowed upon her.

As she stands at the window, lost in thought, she feels Jason enter the room.

"You didn't close the door."

"I know," she says to the window.

"Why?"

"I don't know. It's too lonely here, I don't feel like I belong here."

"This is your home though, you were born here. You belong here."

"I know that, trust me, I do," she says and turns her head to look at him, "I just don't feel it," she mutters.

He walks to her and turns her around with his hands on her shoulders.

"You're no ordinary person, Sarah. You're bold and brave. Did I mention beautiful? That should be at the top of the list of how amazing you are," he says which earns him a small smile.

"Now with that smile, there is no word to describe how beautiful you are."

She rolls her eyes but the small pink on her cheeks gives her away.

"Don't try to butter me up, I'm being serious here."

"I am too. On our way here, I thought of it. What would I do if I was in your shoes? Growing up all alone in a world that wasn't mine with abilities that would label me weird? I don't think I'd have survived the way you did."

"You're the king Jace, of course you would."

"I'm a person before I'm a king. It takes extra courage, a lot of boldness and a great deal of strength to be able to do what you did. You grew up beautifully, I'm super proud of you," he says and a tear drops from her eyes.

"You're making me cry, I'm not a crier," she says.

"That was because there was no one to help you wipe your tears, now you have me, you can cry all you want," he says and that is like a trigger as she bursts into full sobs.

He pulls her into his arms and strokes her hair as she buries her face in his neck.

"You survived in a world you don't belong and you did that beautifully. You're now in a world where you belong, that simply means you'll survive, just that you'd do it more beautifully."

She just keeps sobbing.

"I'm here for you, always, okay?" he asks and she nods.

They remain like that for what seems like hours but is just minutes until the tears stop.

She pulls her face out of his neck and sniffs.

"I don't even want to see my face right now. It's got to be a mess."

Jason wipes her tear streak and shows her the smudge of mascara.

"I should have at least used waterproof mascara, how on earth was I so stupid?" she asks and he bursts into laughter in reply.

This time around, he buried his face in her neck as he wraps his arms around her.

"Yeah, I was right," he says, "you're going to be amazing."