Page 128 of Quest for her Knights
I grab the handle and take a deep breath. “Here goes nothing.”
I pull it open to find the inside of a tent, not a camping tent, but a medieval one. Blankets and fabric are strewn everywhere. Bundles of what look like dresses go flying across the room as someone growls in frustration.
“Ah! It’s not fair! I just want—” The frustrated woman stands and notices me. Her eyes go wide in shock. “What on earth…” she whispers, turning to face me. Her gaze moves past me and lands on Willow. She gasps.
It would be surprising to see your exact look-alike suddenly appear in a magical doorway, because that’s what she is. Willow’s doppelgänger.
This has never happened in reverse before, but clearly, Willow was led here for a reason.
“You want to get out of there?” I ask the new Willow, stepping aside and gesturing into the Enchanted Veil.
Loud voices outside her tent make her flinch.
“Sounds like you don’t have much time to decide.” I turn to the Willow behind me. “You ready to go somewhere far away from here?”
They both stare at each other for a few seconds before the new Willow moves forward, slowly stepping through the door.Her body shudders, then her shoulders slump, the tension easing from her frame.
“Willow?” I say, glancing at the bruised girl still watching the doorway nervously. “I’m sorry, I don’t have time to explain. Just know, this isn’t the first time I’ve done this, and it’s always worked out for the women I’ve sent there.”
The other Willow snorts, and I shoot her a quick glare, silently telling her to stay quiet. This is a delicate balance, both girls clearly want out of their situations, but stepping into something unknown is never easy.
Still, I know Dyconia is the safest place for Willow. It’s my job to help the woman who belongs there cross through.
Willow steps up to the door and takes a shaky breath. Turning to me, she whispers, “Thank you.” Then she steps through into Dyconia.
I close the door behind her, relief flooding me. That swap went smoother than I expected. In fact, it was the quickest exchange I've ever done.
Turning to the new Willow, I find her gazing around the room curiously.
“I’m sorry you’re not walking into a great situation here. Her father was abusing her and trying to force her to marry an older man.”
She waves a hand in dismissal. “I can handle that. As long as I don’t have to participate in some stupid, archaic mating hunt, then I’m happy to be here.”
“Mating hunt?” I echo, stunned.
My gaze flies back to the door I just sent Willow through as worry and doubt creep in.
Heavens above… What have I sent her into?
