Iwake to the gentle sound of tapping on my door. With a groan, I sit up and blink a few times, trying to get my bearings. I squint at the light pouring in through the windows and hear the birds chirping outside. I must have been more tired than I thought.
The sound of knocking echoes through the room again.
“Come in,” I call out, my voice croaky from sleep.
The door swings open, and Zaria enters. Today she’s in a plain silk sage dress with long sleeves, accentuating her graceful figure. The dress has a modest V-neckline, and the color beautifully complements her darker complexion, enhancing her natural radiance. With every step she takes, it gracefully flows around her, exuding an air of grace and poise. I watch as her lips press together, forming a tight line that conveys both concern and indignation.
I quickly stand up, my skin tingling with a sudden awareness. “What is it?”
She frowns at me but shakes her head, her attention quickly darting to the door behind her as she clasps her hands in front of her.
“You need to come with me,” she answers.
Okay, I don’t like the way she said that.
“Where are we going?” I ask as I reach for my boots.
Zaria’s face drops to the ground. “Queen Lavina wishes to see you.”
“Okay,” I reply cautiously. “Is that a bad thing?”
Without so much as a glance in my direction, Zaria turns toward the door. I quickly slip my boots on before following her out the room. As I step out into the hall, I see two men wearing sage-colored uniforms standing on either side of my door. The sight of their swords against their hips is jarring, as are the stern expressions on their faces. Their presence immediately sends a wave of goosebumps down my arms, and I can’t help but wonder who they are and why they’re stationed outside my door. Zaria seems unfazed by them, her gaze fixed ahead as she strides purposefully down the hall. I hurry to catch up with her, my mind racing with a flurry of questions.
What happened while I was asleep? Are these men a threat, or some kind of protection? I desperately need answers, but Zaria remains silent, which only adds to the mystery surrounding the situation.
I turn my head, noticing the guards trailing behind me. The glint of their armor catches my eye, adorned with a striking red and gold emblem depicting a majestic dragon. The sight joltsmy senses, a vivid reminder that I have crossed over into a realm beyond the mundane human world.
“This way,” Zaria’s words draw my attention.
Anxiety bubbles up inside me, and the air gets heavy with unease, as if it’s suffocating my every breath. The sound of my heartbeat echoes in my ears, a constant reminder of my racing thoughts.
I observe Zaria’s tense shoulders; her steps are hesitant, cautious, as if she’s navigating a treacherous path. I can almost feel the tension radiating off her, a palpable energy that adds to the suffocating atmosphere.
Up ahead, two more guards are stationed in front of the gigantic set of ornate wooden doors. I know that’s where we are heading, because the guards become alert at our approach. My heart is thundering in my chest, and a chill runs down my spine, causing the hairs on my arms to stand on end as we draw nearer to the doors. Zaria peers over her shoulder at me, her eyes flashing like lightning. I wonder if she can hear it—my heart, that is. I stare at her in desperation, silently pleading for her to tell me that everything is going to be alright. But she turns back around, her tail lashing in what I can only assume is frustration.
I have a feeling that even if she wanted to speak, she couldn’t. I am hyper-aware of the energy floating around me and it makes my limbs tingle with the need to run. Glancing past her to one of the guards, I am met with a menacing scowl that has my stomach lurching.
What did I do?
If I knew I’d be meeting the queen, I might have tidied myself up better. My palms are slick with sweat, so I wipe them on my pants. I’m sure I look like a homeless person,my hair a wild mess and my clothes wrinkled. I didn’t take the time to brush my unruly hair; instead, it’s still tied up in a haphazard bun. But after sleeping, part of it’s falling loose again. I slowly push some hair behind my ear and fidget on the spot.
Zaria turns to me and gives me a soft smile, but I can sense her worry and it doesn’t make me feel any better.
“You’ll be fine,” she whispers, knocking on the doors.
“Enter,” a stern but feminine voice calls from the other side.
The two guards behind me brush past to grab the handles, and Zaria steps closer, discreetly squeezing my hand. There is a warning in her eyes, as she leans in close to whisper in my ear quickly, “Don’t give her a reason to throw you in the dungeons.”
Startled, I jerk back, my eyes widening at the incredulous statement. Before I have a chance to question her, Zaria swiftly passes me, her presence fading down the hall.
“Come on,” one guard snaps, causing me to jump.
Taking a deep breath, I reluctantly step inside, my feet dragging as if weighed down by lead. Immediately, my gaze is drawn to the massive glass doors across the room, revealing a stunning garden beyond. My hands tremble, craving the sensation of running them over delicate flower petals. The intensity of this desire catches me off guard, and I pause, inhaling deeply in an attempt to steady myself. As I do, the most heavenly scent wafts in through the open doors, saturating the air. It is so potent that it almost feels tangible, as if I could taste it on my tongue. I don’t realize I have zoned out until I receive a hard shove in the back, sending me stumbling forward. I twist my neck, shooting the guard a dirty look.
“Don’t worry about him,” a sweet feminine voice startles me.
How did I forget I was here to see the queen?
