Chapter 6

• I opened my eyes to see we were standing in a completely different room. I let go of Daxx and looked around. I wanted to jump up and down but managed to suppress it. Barely. “That was a ride.” I couldn’t help grin. I’d ported!
• “Uh,” Bethany looked over her shoulder at me. “Figures you’d think that.” She looked up at a tall redheaded man, “am I the only one that will never get used to it?”
• He gave her an understanding smile, “it just takes some longer, love.”
• “Maybe it’s your magic stuff making it harder for you.” The blonde woman that had drop-kicked that Nathas man came in. She stopped in front of me and looked me up and down. “Nice use of the surujin.”
• I smiled at her. “Nice kick you dropped that guy with.”
• Her smile left. “Yeah, well, dear old dad deserved that.”
• I had no words to offer her. He was her father?
• “He deserves a lot more than that, Autumn.” The woman with the short black hair came through the doorway. “If I have my way, I’m going to stop time around him for the rest of his life.”
• King Chase walked in. “When did Sarg become so dark?”
• A man with long black hair and grey eyes walked in behind her. “Don’t even go there, Chase or I might have to deck you.”
• Emil came in. “I see I’ve missed more mayhem.”
• Chase looked at him. “I thought you went to help Rena?”
• Emil shook his head, a hard look on his face. “She kicked me out.” He turned to look at Autumn. “How long does her—emotional flux last?”
• Autumn shrugged. “Like I’d know.” She went and sat down.
• “When my sister was carrying our kings, she actually stabbed your father with a salad fork in the middle of dinner.” A petite redheaded woman came in carrying a tray of sandwiches.
• Emil sat down beside Autumn. “Let’s hope this isn’t a sign she’s carrying twins.”
• Autumn’s head snapped around to the man with the black hair and scar on his face. “There could be two.” She said softly.
• He closed his eyes for a second, then opened them and gave Emil a hard look.
• “She has an ultrasound scheduled next week after she’s over here.” The woman that had been swinging the nun-chucks said as she walked in gracefully.
• Autumn nodded. “Two, three, whatever, as long as everyone is healthy, right?” She turned back to Emil.
• “Yes.” His look softened. “That’s the main thing.”
• I turned and looked around. Then stopped and gaped at the smooth, carved thrones sitting at the end of the room. I walked over slowly, in awe. “OMG.” I whispered under my breath. I was really in Alterealm.
• “Are you okay?” A short woman with sandy blonde hair stepped up beside me.
• I nodded slowly. “I can’t believe I’m here.”
• She bobbed her head. “I’m glad you are.” She looked at my hair, “and that your hair turns grey.” She leaned closer and looked at my eyes, “and that your eyes go black.” She nodded, “you are very important.” Giving me another smile, she turned and walked away.
• “What Crissy means is, she’s being seeing someone with grey hair for a few weeks and couldn’t figure out the connection.” Kara said with a knowing look. “Would you like anything to …”
• “I don’t know why I had to sit in the acclimation chambers.” The man with the dark eyes said in an annoyed tone as he came into the room with King Troy. “It’s not like I’ve never been to this realm.”
• “We prefer to take caution with a man from a royal family.” Troy told him, “There was nothing you could do until the Doctor finished.”
• I studied him. His eyes were dark as coal. He was one of those my mother had warned me to avoid. So Solrelm was not part of Alterealm.
• The prince from Solrelm waved his hand around. “How is the woman?”
• I realized he didn’t recognize me. My hair was brown again. I continued to stand beside the thrones, unmoving. I studied the two kings. Would they protect me if this prince of my father’s people wanted to take me?
• “She fares well.” King Chase said, without looking at me.
• “The resident we’re holding in the cells from your realm, is not a happy man.” A tall redheaded man came in through a different doorway. His expression and posture said not to mess with him. Usually someone like him would have black all around them, but oddly he didn’t.
• “Ah, yes.” The Prince crossed his arms over his chest. “He’ll be accompanying me back home.”
• “I’d like to know a few things before he goes.” Rafael came through behind the scary man.
• “Like?” The prince asked.
• “If there are more of yours helping Willis Hubert.” The man with the scar on his face crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall. “It would explain how they’re able to find so many with Alterealm blood in their veins.”
• The prince frowned. “It would. We can see even the slightest trace from generations ago.” He gave the other man an abrupt nod. “Rest assured we’ll get all information for you.”
• Seeing a person’s bloodline? “You can see things like that?” I blurted out before my mouth remembered I was trying to be unseen.
• “There you are.” The prince came rushing over to me. “Your hair…” He looked at me with great scrutiny. “I didn’t even notice you hiding beside the thrones.”
• “Bastian…” Troy came over.
• Bastian waved his hand at him. “I’m not going to steal her away—I just need to know how it is she exists.”
• He wasn’t taking me. “I-I don’t know what you mean.” I looked at Troy than back to him.
• Bastian got right in my face, his dark, serious eyes inches from mine. “I need to know how you came to be.”