Chapter 59 Irena
IRENA
“Now my dear, attend to me.” The Lady of Thornmere says gravely.
Today she is dressed in an exquisite pale blue gown that seems to be spun of spider webs.
It billows around her figure, clearly showing her breasts and sex.
But for once, she’s not concerned with pleasure.
We’ve left all three of her husbands outside the door to her “workroom” as she calls it and are standing together in front of the strange Door of Uncertainty.
We’re not completely without male companionship, however—Valen is by my side. Apparently he found this room on his tour yesterday, while I was taking a bath, and he absolutely refused to let me go inside without him.
“Valen, I’ll be fine,” I protested when he insisted on coming in to witness my first magic lesson.
“I know you will, because I’m coming with you,” was his growled response.
I was worried that the Sorceress might be angry with him, but she seemed amused instead.
“Very well, Master Drake, you may come,” she said with a smile. “But please—for your own safety—don’t touch anything. I practice magic that is drawn from the Divine Feminine—from the Goddess herself. Which means that, unfortunately, much of my equipment could be lethal to a male.”
I shivered when I heard that—for Valen had told me that he’d explored the whole room before he heard my cries and came to rescue me from the magical bathing flowers. Thank goodness he kept his hands to himself!
But now, here we are, standing in front of a black door edged with pale, purple light. I have to admit, it looks ominous, but I feel strongly drawn to it. It’s almost like it wants me to touch it—like it’s daring me to walk through it.
Which makes no sense, but that’s how I feel.
“What will I see—what’s going to happen to me if I go through the door?” I ask, looking at the Sorceress.
“You will see many things, my dear. Some are true and some are lies. You may see some things which have happened already…and some which may yet come to pass in the future,” she says mysteriously. “It will be up to you to decide whether the scene the door is showing you is true or not.”
“All right,” I say. I take a deep breath and lift my chin. “I’m ready.”
I reach for the doorknob, but Valen suddenly steps between me and the door.
“I don’t think so, Princess,” he growls. “You’re not going in there—at least, not alone.”
My heart jumps into my throat and I look up at him.
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m saying I’m going with you. And nobody is going to fucking stop me,” he adds and glares meaningfully at the Sorceress.
To my surprise, she takes no offense.
“Very well, Master Drake—you may enter the doorway with your Lady,” she says gravely. “However, do not suppose that the two of you will stay together. And you must be wary—you may see some things you do not wish to see.”
“I’ll take my chances and we will stay together because I’m not letting Irena out of my sight,” he says. Taking my hand, he laces our fingers together and gives me a firm squeeze.
“Thank you,” I whisper gratefully.
I admit, I was dreading going through the ominous door and now I can almost feel his courage pouring into me. It makes me feel so much better to know I won’t be alone in the strange other-land beyond the Door of Uncertainty.
“Very well then, I will await your return,” the Sorceress tells us. “But though you go together, you, my dear, must open the door.” And she nods at me.
“I will,” I say. Taking a deep breath, I step forward and Valen steps with me. I reach for the knob—it feels ice-cold in my hand—and turn it.
The door opens and radiant, pale purple light spills out.
I feel a cold chill rush down my spine as I squint into the brilliance.
What am I going to see in there? And how will I know if it’s the truth or a lie or something that happened in the past or something that hasn’t happened yet and might or might not happen in the future?
I have no answers—only more questions. But Valen’s hand is warm and strong in mine—it gives me courage.
Together, we step through the doorway.