Page 21 of Their Crowned Mate
I stopped at the doorway, hesitating as I looked in on the comfortable looking room with a bed and a fireplace. "What if it doesn't work and I can't get back here?" I asked warily.
Joram turned to face me, smiling. "You know, Lavinia, it's quite clear that no matter how much Alexander or I try to prevent it, this realm isn't finished with you. Something guided you here. And I think when the time is right, it will guide you exactly to where you're meant to be."
"Yeah," I murmured, smiling back. "Let's hope so."
CHAPTER12
LAVINIA
Iwasn't sure how long I had been asleep for, but when I found myself back in the forest, staring down another shimmering portal, I knew it had worked.
Now I just had to hope I could get back home, and then back to the fae realm. No big deal, right?
I took a deep breath, stifling my doubts as I stepped forward. The portal shimmered and pulsed around me like an inviting embrace, the light so bright I could barely make out what was on the other side. Taking in a deep breath, I closed my eyes and stepped through.
When I opened them again, I was laying in a large four-poster bed. I had woken up in Alexander's mansion. The bed was empty, but I had found my way home after all. Relief washed over me, but when I got up, my head spun, so I decided to take it slow. Portal sickness was a real thing, even when I was traveling in my dreams, it seemed.
Now to find the guys.
I stepped out of the room, wondering what time it was, considering there were few windows in this part of the mansion. Vampires and sunlight really didn't mix well.
I could hear voices downstairs and an array of unfamiliar scents hit my nostrils. When I followed the familiar cadence of Alexander's voice into the grand hall and saw him, Cole, Marcus, and Aurelius surrounded by a whole host of vampire soldiers clad in leather with firearms strapped to their sides, I froze.
So did Alexander.
"Lavinia?" he choked out in shock, turning to stare at me. When he moved, the soldiers in front of him parted to make room. He reached me first, but Cole and Marcus were soon to follow, and soon, I was swarmed with hugs, kisses, and alternating declarations of panic and relief.
Once the chaos calmed down enough for me to explain what had happened, I realized explaining that I had to go back was easier said than done.
"It wasn't on purpose," I said, since I could tell they were all looking at me suspiciously. "It just happened. And I still don't even knowwhathappened."
"Yeah, join the club," Cole said. "One minute, you were there, then you were gone."
"I know." I sighed, leaning in to hug him. "I'm sorry I scared you. But... what is all this?" I asked, looking around at the soldiers who were just standing around awkwardly, and Aurelius, who seemed like he wanted to approach but wasn't sure how.
"This is a rescue mission," said Marcus, gesturing around the room at all the staring soldiers, who looked like they had no idea what to do with themselves.
"You rallied the pack?" I asked in disbelief, staring at Aurelius.
He nodded. "Wasn't easy, but yeah. When they found out what happened to you, Damon and Jax were pretty easy to get on board."
I wasn't sure what to think about that. I was still fucking pissed, but a little less so if they were on good behavior. Though I was sure it wouldn’t last. "Well, that's good," I said, looking at all of them. "Because I'm going to need that army."
Alexander and the others were watching me warily. "What do you mean?" the vampire asked.
"I need to go back," I said, feeling a little sick even as I said it. "I'm not sure how, but I need to go back to that world, finish what I started, and take the emperor down. I found Joram while I was there. He said he'd help."
"Of course he did," Cole muttered.
"I'm not a little girl, Cole," I said, giving him a scolding look. "I have to do this. The emperor isn't just going to stop at the realm of the fae. He's going to come for our world, too."
"We could close the portal," said Aurelius, like he wasn't already on paper thin ice. "Make sure nothing else comes through."
"Even if that were possible, it would trap Joram and everyone else on the other side with the emperor," I protested.
"It's not possible," said Alexander. "And even if it was, we don't know what it would do to Lavinia, considering she was made to be a key to the portals."
Aurelius fell silent, and he seemed to be considering his words.
