Chapter 11
The prickling sensation on my arms lets me know a portal is opening, but as I look ahead and behind me, I don’t see any rays of light in the tunnel, which can only mean one thing – the portal is opening above us. I squeeze Jewel’s hand and then cover her mouth with my other hand, feeling her nod in response. Does she feel the portal’s magic, too? I sweep her up and cradle her and let out a low whistle, alerting Prince Timber, Paul, and Alfred to stop. Even without the Gift of Portal Sight, they should still be able to feel a little bit of magic seeping from the portal. I brace myself on the wall, feeling dirt fall onto my neck.
Just then, a horn sounds, alerting our kingdom that an inhabitant from outside our realm has entered. I squeeze Jewel closer to me and her body stiffens. I listen intently, hearing the sounds of our army running towards us on the ground above. Swords are being drawn, while other footsteps are becoming quieter. I can tell some are moving around, no longer coming from the same direction. They are circling the portal.
I make out Mack’s voice, who is second in command if Timber and Paul are not around. “You have reached the North Kingdom of the Troll Realm. What is your purpose here?” His voice comes out stern.
“I’m looking for my daughter,” the intruder answers, his voice velvety and smooth. “I heard she crossed into your realm. Can you tell me where she is?”
“The only person to come through is Jewel, from the Earth’s Realm,” Mack responds, but his voice no longer sounds as stern. He seems eager to please as he adds, “Her dad is John, designated Seeker of the Darkland Kingdom.”
Alarm bells go off in my head. Why would he communicate those details about Jewel to an intruder?
“I know where to find him,” the velvety voice purrs.
The prickling on my arm lets me know he’s walking back through the portal, and then I hear a whooshing, roaring sound seconds before someone shouts, “Fire!”
As if shaking himself from a daze, I hear Mack say, “What the hell just happened? Who was that?” closely followed by pounding footsteps, running to put out the fire. On the bright side, the commotion above will make so much noise, we won’t be heard when we exit the tunnel.
I start to walk forward again and bump into Timber, who starts moving as well. I give him a slight push, possibly more than is strictly required, so he knows to pick up the pace. I squeeze Jewel tighter and kiss the top of her head, and then I maneuver so she’s lying across my shoulder. We keep up our stride for several minutes before I hear Paul and Alfred’s footsteps slowing down. As I start to slow my pace, I feel Timber’s hand on my arm as we come to a stop. I want to sigh and tell him he doesn’t need to bother; I’ve got her, she’s mine and always will be, but I know I can’t disobey the Crown Prince. He has the ability to send me away. This thought is punctuated when he gives my arm a squeeze, reminding me who’s in charge.