Page 145 of Hidden Kingdoms

“Changed how?”

“They became real, like I was actually somewhere else. Just before I was brought here. I could feel everything, see it all play out around me, the flames—” The fiery meadow invaded my mind until I was sure they would see fire lighting behind my eyes.

“Flames?”

“Yeah. They… burned. I could feel it on my skin when I woke up, the heat. I couldn’t break free, I just burned and burned until… until Kaius found me.” I swallowed past the tightness in my throat, rubbing my hands over the phantom heat that spread across my arms.

“He pulled you out?” Alouette asked, her soft voice no longer taunting.

“I was stuck, I couldn’t move, could only watch as they... but then Kaius came, and I was free.” My fingers run along the pendant that was tucked beneath my dress. “I haven’t had that dream for a while now, though.”

And I’d been sleeping very much alone.

Another sweep of smoke billowed between us. I inhaled its sweetness, grateful for the way it soothed me as I fought with the memories of watching my family burn alive.

“Is that the only thing that’s changed?” Arden asked gently over the sound of Alouette’s chewing.

“No,” I replied instantly, more than willing to move onto another subject. “Honestly, it’s hard to explain, but I’ve been sort of... projecting my mind. It’s not something I’m making a conscious decision to do—it just happens. I can see things happening somewhere else, but in the same moment. Like looking through a window at another place.”

“Is that what happened this morning? Before we left the room?” Alouette asked, her toes bouncing slightly as I nodded.

“Well, what did you see?” She pressed.

“Nothing much,” I said, scrambling for an answer I was prepared to share. “Just Bastian and Kaius talking. Something about an old lady fighting with squirrels?”

Arden’s laughter rang loudly through the room, and we both looked at him in surprise as amusement forced lines deeper into his skin.

“Ah yes, Gisella was a character.” A fond smile lit his face. “So, what you’re seeing, Elodie, is in the same moment you are. Not a different point in time.”

“I mean, I have no way to know for sure, but yeah, that’s what it feels like. Like I’ve been dropped somewhere else that’s happening at the same time as whatever it is I was doing.”

“She didn’t go anywhere earlier, she just froze. Wherever her mind went, her body was still very much next to me.Creeping me out,” Alouette added, and it was my turn to roll my eyes at her.

“Was that the first time?”

“No, it’s happened a few other times. All to different places.”

“Well, it would seem I must ensure to never speak behind your back, Elodie, for who knows when you may be listening.” He smiled at me, and I couldn’t help returning it. They were both sitting there completely at ease as I told them about the crazy things that had been happening to me; they accepted it with no question.

There was no sly side eye to make me feel crazy, or any leading questions trying to trip me up. They just listened—listened and believed.

“Coming back to this realm has indeed boosted your magik, and I’m sure it will continue to do so as time goes on and you find your powers growing. I hesitate to ask, but other than themind jumping, shall we call it, is there anything else?”

I thought for a moment, sifting through the whirlwind of events that had occurred since Kaius and Bastian had appeared in my room. As I was about to shake my head at his question, a memory that seemed like a million years ago filtered through.

“The library! I could see what the books were about once I touched their cover. Well, with most of them.” I watched the small frown cross Arden’s face and decided to backtrack.

“But it was a magik library, so maybe anyone can do that?” Considering all that came after I found that new talent, it was no surprise it had slipped my mind, thoughts of my skin being torn apart and Kaius’ tongue in my mouth taking precedence.

“You went to the Royal Chamber of Knowledge?”

“Yes,” I said, eyes flicking to Alouette who was now eating pastries that I could have sworn were already gone.

“Goddess above.” He sank back in his chair, eyes closing as he drew a pull of smoke from his pipe.

“Bastian sent her?” He breathed out the smoke as Alouette replied with a ‘yep’.

“That boy,” he murmured, rubbing at the bridge of his nose before looking at me. “Considering you are sitting here in front of me, I can only assume the Keeper deemed you worthy, though what he was thinking in taking that risk, I don’t know.”

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