Eldrida
3:00pmSarah steps through the gate into the otherworld, flanked by Jason and Lukas.The transition was seamless.There were men who were obviously waiting for them there, ten of them. They flanked them immediately.She is still trying to wrap her head around the fact that the portal between the two worlds was right in the town's library.As soon as she sets foot on the other side, Sarah is struck by the stark contrast between this world and her own.The buildings are taller, sleeker, and more modern than anything she'd ever seen in the firstworld. But there is still a balance between nature and science, as lush greenery and blooming flowers adorn every corner.She still can't believe the gate to the otherworld was right in the city library."Why are they doing that?" she asks Jason."Doing what?""The thing with their fists," she points out and sure enough, everyone who is standing outside is doing it with their left hand fisted and placed on their chest."That's how we show respect to our king" Lukas answers her."Oh, am I-""No" Lukas says at the same time Jason says "never!"They obviously know what she was going to ask. She smiles at the look on their faces.They both look at her like she just committed an act worthy of death."Okay then" she mumbles.Children run up to the group, waving and shouting greetings at the king. Sarah can't help but feel a twinge of jealousy at the love and respect the citizens of Eldrida have for their king.Finally, they arrive at a car parked in the center of four other cars. The soldiers who had escorted them through the city open the door for them, and they settle into the backseat, Lukas seating at the front.As the car pulls away, Sarah gazes out the window at the stunning cityscape, marveling at the sight of flying cars zooming through the air."Your world is beautiful" she mutters."Yeah, it is" Jason mutters back and she looks at him to see he's staring at her.She suddenly feels shy.She can feel how peaceful he's gotten in the few minutes they've been there.After a short drive, they arrive at the palace, a sprawling castle that leaves Sarah awestruck. The guards at the entrance are wearing sparkling white uniforms and stand at attention as Jason and his group approach.When they pass the soldiers, she hears Lukas' whispered "at ease."She notices that they don't place their fists on their chest.A man and woman open the front door and both immediately bow."You may rise," Jason says.He turns to her and takes her hand while he introduces her to them."This is Sarah, she is mine," he says.They both widen their eyes at the word 'mine' and she feels something weird coming from the woman. It feels like relief and happiness mixed together.They also give her a slight bow."Sarah, these are members of my staff. Alice is the matron, she oversees the kitchen and overall running of the house. Edwin is the chief of staff."She removes her hand from his and extends it as she moves to them, Alice first."My boss also bears your name. I never knew my mother but she was like a mother to me. It's a pleasure to meet you Alice," she says to the woman who now has a soft look on her face as she takes her hand."The pleasure is mine," she says with the sweetest smile.Sarah turns to Edwin to give him a shake."Nice to meet you sir," she says to him."No heartwarming Edwin stories for me?" he asks her."Hmm…maybe I'll be telling the next Edwin I meet about you," she replies and he gives her a smile that looks like a reward."I hope you will. It's a pleasure to meet you child," he says as he kisses her palm.Jason reclaims her hand as he says, "you both have been more of parents to me than staff.""Your Grace," they both say with so much feeling her heart melts."Sarah must be tired, please show her to her room," he says, like he didn't just say something so beautiful."Of course, come dear, I'll take you to your room," Alice says.Jason bends to her ears and whispers, "I'll see you later and, if it's too late, tomorrow morning. I've been gone for too long, I have so much to do."She nods and moves towards Alice who leads her away. ***********************************Sarah is shown to her room, which was grander than any she had ever seen. It had a breathtaking view of the city below, and she can't help but feel grateful for the luxury and comfort that has been bestowed upon her.As she stands at the window, lost in thought, she feels Jason enter the room."You didn't close the door.""I know," she says to the window."Why?""I don't know. It's too lonely here, I don't feel like I belong here.""This is your home though, you were born here. You belong here.""I know that, trust me, I do," she says and turns her head to look at him, "I just don't feel it," she mutters.He walks to her and turns her around with his hands on her shoulders."You're no ordinary person, Sarah. You're bold and brave. Did I mention beautiful? That should be at the top of the list of how amazing you are," he says which earns him a small smile."Now with that smile, there is no word to describe how beautiful you are."She rolls her eyes but the small pink on her cheeks gives her away."Don't try to butter me up, I'm being serious here.""I am too. On our way here, I thought of it. What would I do if I was in your shoes? Growing up all alone in a world that wasn't mine with abilities that would label me weird? I don't think I'd have survived the way you did.""You're the king Jace, of course you would.""I'm a person before I'm a king. It takes extra courage, a lot of boldness and a great deal of strength to be able to do what you did. You grew up beautifully, I'm super proud of you," he says and a tear drops from her eyes."You're making me cry, I'm not a crier," she says."That was because there was no one to help you wipe your tears, now you have me, you can cry all you want," he says and that is like a trigger as she bursts into full sobs.He pulls her into his arms and strokes her hair as she buries her face in his neck."You survived in a world you don't belong and you did that beautifully. You're now in a world where you belong, that simply means you'll survive, just that you'd do it more beautifully."She just keeps sobbing."I'm here for you, always, okay?" he asks and she nods.They remain like that for what seems like hours but is just minutes until the tears stop.She pulls her face out of his neck and sniffs."I don't even want to see my face right now. It's got to be a mess."Jason wipes her tear streak and shows her the smudge of mascara."I should have at least used waterproof mascara, how on earth was I so stupid?" she asks and he bursts into laughter in reply.This time around, he buried his face in her neck as he wraps his arms around her."Yeah, I was right," he says, "you're going to be amazing."Sarah wakes up with a jolt, gasping for breath as she sits up in bed. Something is wrong. The room around her is unfamiliar, and for a moment, she is disoriented. Then she remembers - she isn't in her room back at home, this is the palace. That's not it though, why do I feel weird?She lifts her palms and doesn't notice anything strange, she lifts her gown to look at her feet but they're still the way they were last night.She can feel heat in her body though, unfamiliar heat. She makes her way to the bathroom.She was too tired to check out the bathroom last night but she rectifies that immediately. The bathroom is a dream - even better than.As soon as she enters the bathroom, the opulence and extravagance of the room overwhelms her senses. The marble flooring gleams under the soft golden lighting, and the walls are covered in shimmering mosaics that seem to change color as she moves. In the center of the room is a massive sunken bathtub, carved from a single piece of polishe
"Where in the world is the dining room then?" Sarah asks in frustration.She's been going around in circles and this is her third time in the exact spot. I was told to go have breakfast with Jason in the dining room but the place is so fucking huge."My Supreme".She turns around and there is Katrina. The people in this world are really beautiful. The girls in my world would kill to have that shape."Hey Katie, what's up?""Huh…what's where?" she asks like Sarah just spoke in tongues."What's up?" she repeats and Katie looks up like she's searching for something. Sarah realizes what's happening and giggles."I don't mean what's up like on the ceiling, it's just a way of greeting in my world," Sarah explains to her. She still looks confused."In my world, when we say 'what's up' it literally means, how are you?""How in the world are they related?""I wouldn't know the answer to that, I don't think anyone knows the answer to that."Katie looks at her like she's crazy and says "weird"
Sarah's POV.Sarah doesn't know how she does it, but the respect she has for him as king is obvious in her reply.She's now alone with Katie."Where do we start from?" Sarah asks her."I really don't know. I don't know if saying yes was the right thing.""How about the very beginning? It's a very good place to start."She looks at Sarah with a confused face and seems to think about it. She suddenly smiles, "the very beginning it is then," she says.She drops her cutlery and cleans her mouth while standing up. Sarah can feel her excitement bloom so she also stands up."Let's go pick your Petals of Power," Katie says as she waits for Sarah who is finishing up in a much slower pace.Her words make Sarah look up, "my what of what?""Petals of power" she repeats. Sarah looks confused so she goes on to explain."The Petals of Power is a flower every witch possesses. It's the first thing you select as a witch or should I say, it chooses you.""Chooses you?""Yes, you'll understand when we ge
"Please tell me this is a joke," Jason asks the moment Sarah steps into the dining room that evening."What is supposed to be a joke?" she asks in obvious confusion."How am I supposed to think straight with you in a gown like that?" he asks like he really doesn't know how.Sarah smiled as she does a little twirl."I'll take that to mean you like the dress.""Like? I don't like the dress, I love the dress, you look beautiful" he amends."Thank you."He stands as she makes her way to the table and pulls out her chair.He gives her a kiss on her cheek when she gets close."Thanks," she mumbled."I didn't know you can be romantic," she says as she looks around the room.The dining room is grand and elegant, with high ceilings and ornate moldings. The walls are painted a deep purple color, and the room is illuminated by dozens of flickering candles, casting a warm glow over everything. Soft classical music plays in the background, adding to the romantic atmosphere.Sarah notices that the
Sarah chokes on her food and starts coughing. Jason quickly pours her a glass of water then stands up and moves to her side of the table. He starts to pat her back as the cough subsides."Are you okay?" he asks when she's calm.She turns her head to look at him with her eyes almost as wide as eggs.She looks cute with her face like that."Did you just say you're two hundred and five years old? Two hundred and five?!""Well, yes. Werewolves are immortal, didn't you know that?""Of course not. How am I supposed to know if no one tells me?"He moves back to his seat."There are stories about werewolves and vampires, and witches, and mermaids, and dragons, and a whole lot of other creatures in your world though.""You think we believe those stories? They're just fantasies, I still don't know if this is just one of those fantasies acting out in my dreams or if this is reality," she says."It's real. Every single creature you read about us real.""So you're saying, there is a world where t
Sarah turns to Jason and asks, “him?”“Yes baby,” he says.She pulls out of his arms and is almost bouncing on her feet in excitement.“Can I come along?” she asks, turning from one man to the other. She clasps her hands like she wants to pray, "please say yes," she pleads."He actually wants to meet you so, that would be a yes," Lukas says which makes her emit a squeal.She turns happy eyes to Jason and like he hasn't been there all along, informs him."I'm allowed to go," she all but screams."Yes, you are. I guess you're getting your wish to see him granted early. Is that because you're the Witch Supreme?" he asks her, taking her had in his as he moves towards the door."Maybe," she shrugs."What do you think he's here for?" heads Lukas as they descend a flight of stairs.The stairs in this palace are just too many."I don't know, to be honest, I don't even wish to hear it. The last time he was here was about Sarah, I wonder what it would be this time," Lukas replies.His words do
Jason feels a clog in his chest and his throat closes at the look on The High's face. It's like he was handed a truckload of gold.He swallows to get himself."Just so you know Abel, she really wanted to meet you. She literally pleaded," he says which earns him a glare from her.The High lifts questioning brows at her and she hits his back."You just had to say that now.Like I've not embarrassed myself enough," she says to him. "I just wanted to know what a thousand years old man looks like," she explains."It's a good thing I didn't disappoint. Afterall I look super duper hot," The High says with a smirk.She buries her face in Jason's shoulder as the guys start to laugh again."You guys are never going to let me hear the end of that are you?" she asks them."No," The High says."Never," Jason says."Absolutely not," Lukas says. It's the first thing he's said since."Damn it!" she mutters. ****************************Jason bangs the table with his fist as he springs up. "Fu
SARAHSarah opens her palm again and a tiny flame comes out, but it dies immediately. She grunts in frustration."If you keep doing it like that, you're never going to get it," Katrina says to her."Your powers are not an external part of you, your powers are you. You shouldn't be so tense when you want to make use of them. You and your powers are one but,you're the onw in charge," she goes on."I'm trying, really trying to understand you. I'm just not getting it. I'm the Witch Supreme, shouldn't this be easier for me?" Sarah asks her."I wouldn't know about that," Katrina replies."You keep saying I'm in charge, I'm in control, so why can't I just do something as simple as this. I've been at it for days, hours unending, but nothing seems to be happening. The best I've done is emit fucking dumb flames that won't even stay. I'm just tired, tired of this world, tired of this witch business, I'M TIRED OF EVERYTHING," she ends on a scream."Sarah you're trying your best.""And it's obviou