Page 22 of When Storms Ruin

A muscle feathered in Nik’s jaw as he glared at Puck’s hand against his chest.

“Thinkfor once, will you?” Puck gave Nik a slight push. “Donika’s spies are everywhere. We can’t risk her finding Diana’s location…again.”

Nik swallowed hard, his gaze darting from the staircase back to Puck. Finally, he nodded, his eyes landing on me.

“I’m sure we’ll see him again,” he said resolutely as he rejoined us. “And I won’t waste a second opportunity.”

“I’m sure,” Puck replied, rolling his eyes at Nik’s back.

Tess let out a soft giggle which made Puck’s smile grow even wider. It was my turn to roll my eyes at them as I turned to rejoin Liss.

The journey through this part of Prins to the portal was much shorter than the first leg of our journey. Before I knew it, we were passing through the two stone pillars that reached into the sky so high they disappeared into the clouds. We crossed over the glamour and onto the empty plains that would lead to Siraleth, and the portal back to the mortal realm.

By the time we reached the portal I was out of breath, resting my hands on my knees and trying my hardest to fill my lungs with air. Despite the skin spells I had gotten from Liss to accelerate the healing process, I still wasn’t back at my full strength.

I cringed internally as I had to grab Nik’s hand to travel through the portal. If we weren’t physically connected, there was a chance we would end up stuck in the in-between, not fully in Istmere or the mortal realm. I didn’t want to feel hisskin against mine, or for him to get the wrong idea after I had let my guard down in front of him the other night. After I had broken down in his arms.

It felt strange to be back in the mortal realm after having spent so much time in Istmere. The sun was setting on a beautiful spring day, the meadow filled with purple and white flowers. I was surprised to find that the car was exactly where we had left it months ago, at the end of the long, curving dirt path that lead to the portal.

We all squeezed inside, it was a tighter fit with the addition of Liss. She asked that we drop her off downtown before heading back home, and I didn’t blame her for wanting to be as far from the conversation I was about to have with my mother as possible. Nik and Puck had a few things to gather before returning to Istmere. We dropped Tess off first, and I gave her an encouraging smile as she closed the door, a slight shake in her hands.

This wouldn’t be fun for either of us.

When Nik and Puck dropped me at the curb, a lump formed in my throat that I couldn’t swallow. The lights were off on the porch of the old stone house, but my mom’s red SUV was parked in the driveway. The only light turned on was in the kitchen, the sun having recently set.

“Whatever she has to say, just listen. Maybe she has a good reason for keeping you in the dark,” Nik suggested as I rest my hand on the door handle.

I didn’t need, nor want his words of encouragement. I hoped he didn’t think we were on better terms now. I knew I would regret it the moment he had left my room that day. Inever should have let him see me like that. I met his eyes in the rearview mirror with a cold glare before getting out and slamming the door.

I steeled myself as I took the path to the front door.

I wasn’t sure what I was even going to say at this point. Where did she think I was these last few months? Did she report me missing and start a police investigation? One thing I knew for certain, I had to tell her about my magic, and I had to tell her that I was going back to Istmere. After finding out who I truly was…my place was no longer here, in this realm.

I tried the doorknob first, but it was locked. I swallowed hard and raised my first to knock, but the door swung open before my closed fist could make contact. My mother stood in the open doorway, her blonde hair pulled back in a messy bun. Her red eyes were rimmed with purple circles evident of many sleepless nights.

She paused, as if she couldn’t believe I was truly here, before sweeping me into her arms. She might not be my birth mother, but this was the woman that raised me. The woman who sacrificedeverythingso I could have the best life growing up. A hot tear trailed down my cheek as she held me, soft sobs escaping her. My arms came around her to pull her close, suddenly not wanting to ever let her go.

My questions about my lineage could wait.

For a moment it was as if I had never left. That my life still consisted of homework and college planning and annoying my little brother. Not escaping an evil queen, putting an end to a decades old war, and reclaiming my place as the rightful heir to the throne of another realm.

My entire life had turned upside down in merely a few months.

She held me at arm’s length to inspect me, shuffling her glasses back up onto her nose and wiping at her tears.

Her voice was small when she finally spoke. “Is it really you?”

“Hi, Mom.”

Jake had been excited to see me, but we had sent him upstairs when we curled up by the fireplace to talk, a mug of hot chocolate in my hands. This conversation wasn’t for his ears.

Waffles, the fat orange tabby, had wasted no time curling up on my lap by the fire, and I vowed I would come back for him once Istmere was safe.

We sat in silence for several long moments, the only sound the crackle of the fire in the grate. I wasn’t sure where to even begin, there were so many questions lingering in the back of my mind. I wanted to hear her side of the story, but I was also scared to hear it.

This conversation would change everything between us.

She had always written off my more fantastical side, calling me a daydreamer and never taking me too seriously. I had always been drawn to the paranormal…and now I knew why. I couldn’t help but feel hurt that she had known this entiretime, but instead of being honest with me had made me think I was crazy.

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