Page 10 of Unbound By Shadows
“No matter. Please continue.”
Selene looked at her uncertainly but continued, recounting her story of the hum, her headache, and the puddle. Then how Arkaya had stumbled upon her in the strange forest. When she finished her story, Selene tried not to sound desperate when she asked, “Do you know how I got here? And how I can get home?”
The queen tilted her head. “You came through one of my portals. I was injured in your world and must have failed to close the gateway behind me properly. It was careless of me. Foolish.”
“Nonsense! You are never foolish,” Arkaya argued.
“No, no. I was,” Queen Thema said. “But what’s done is done. Selene, my sisters and I have been given a sacred duty. We guard the portals between planes. It’s very unusual for someone like you to travel to our world and survive. But now that you’re here, fear not. You are welcome and safe.”
“I appreciate that, but how do I—” Selene’s question was cut off by a loud crash at the bedroom doorway.
She turned to watch as a young Malkina woman with long chestnut-colored hair tumbled into the room with an armful of dresses. Arkaya came toward her, looking irritated, to help gather the fallen dresses from the floor.
“Sorry, Arkaya. Damn, I keep tripping on the belt of this pink one, and I… oh!” The young woman looked startled as she stared at Selene. “Wow! She really is human, isn’t she?”
A hot blush settled over Selene’s face as the young woman gawked at her like she was an alien. She had the same pointed chin and large eyes as Thema and Arkaya, her wide mouth set into an “O” of surprise.
When her gaze shifted from Selene to Queen Thema, her face changed to panicked. “My queen, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you were in here. I’ll come back later.”
Queen Thema stood, waving her hand. “It’s fine, Hollen. We aredone here for now.”
Selene leapt to her feet. “But wait! When can you take me home?”
Thema’s dress rustled as she turned back. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”
Selene blanched. “Why?”
“Your world is a harbor realm. This means creatures from different worlds can visit and leave as they please. But Aurelia is closed. What comes in cannot go out again. My sisters and I are the only ones who can breach the veil.”
Selene shook her head. “That can’t be right. If I came through one way, I’ll just go back through the other.”
“It doesn’t work that way.”
“Why not?” She could hardly recognize the tinny, pleading tone of her voice. “I can’t stay here! I have a family and a boyfriend and a job. They will all be wondering what happened to me. I left my sister alone in a forest, and she’s probably freaking out. The rest of my family is a mess, and at the office they need me to—”
“Hush now. It is the way of things,” Queen Thema interrupted. She turned thoughtful for a moment, then snapped her fingers. “Ah, but I may know of someone who can help you get back. Give me a few days to make some plans. I’ll know more soon, I promise.”
“A few days? I don’t want to seem ungrateful, but I need to get back now. There’s probably a search party out looking for me, and my mom doesn’t cope well with stress. She’ll be an absolute monster to my siblings and I… ” Selene’s voice broke as tears filled her eyes at the thought of all the ways her mother might be self-medicating her feelings.
Queen Thema raised her eyebrows. “Calm yourself, human. Perhaps a ball would cheer you? Yes, let’s hold a ball tonight! To welcome our lovely visitor and show her all the wonders of our realm. Arkaya, make the arrangements, will you? Guests and staff of the castle only, no outsiders.”
“Certainly,” Arkaya said. Hollen had retreated to one corner, but a wide grin spread across her face.
“We’ll be off now. Hollen will help you with whatever you need. Enjoy your day, precious Selene,” the queen said, turning to walk away.
Selene watched Arkaya and the orange cat follow the queen out the door. Before she could even begin to process the conversation she just had, she was tackled by a hug from the woman with the dresses.
“Welcome! I’m sorry I stared before, but you’re just so amazing. Did you actually come through our queen’s own portal? Have you been to other realms besides ours? Is Aurelia your favorite? Can I see your round ears? Tell me everything about humans.”
Selene leaned back to take in Hollen’s frenetic energy. She looked to be about twenty years old, but her face was as excited as a child’s.
Hollen continued, “Am I talking too much? Sit and enjoy your breakfast. I’ll hang up these clothes Arkaya pulled for you. When she told me last night there was a human living among us, andIwas to be her lady’s maid, I didn’t get a wink of sleep. Arkaya said I was to help you with anything else you need. What else do you need?”
“Um… I’m not sure. Did Queen Thema say she wants to throw a ball?”
“Yes! Can you believe it? We just had one last night when the Nereid arrived, but this one will be even better! I’ll help you get ready. What sort of dress do you want to wear? I think pink would suit you. Would you like me to show you around the castle? We can get snacks from the kitchens, lounge in the courtyard, play in the game room, visit the library, take a nap… ”
“There’s a library?”
