Chapter Two: Portals & Thrones
827 Words
"Amara! You can't go through the portal like that!"
"Like what?" My hair whipped my cheek as I spun around to face him.
Dad's nose crinkled in distaste, as if he didn't want the word to leave his tongue. "Clothed."
"Naked? I have to go through naked?" I screeched.
Dad's cheeks looked as if somebody had smeared a crimson rogue on them, he was absolutely flaming with embarrassment. "We."
"Honey, don't traumatize the poor girl." Mom's chartreuse eyes were dancing wickedly with mirth. I noticed that her generally tidy, chestnut tresses were unpinned and allowed to run rampant across her shoulders, playfully tickling her chin and collarbones. A lilac colored robe clutched at her slender frame and gently cascades off of her milky shoulders. It was tied carelessly, as if she knew it wouldn't be on long. Because it won't.
"I don't want you to see me naked!" I waved my arms around for emphasis. "And I definitely don't want to see you naked!"
"Oh, please. We cleaned your bottom after you messed on yourself. You used to bathe with us." Mom wasn't having it.
"But that's different-"
"You cannot portal anything other than yourself." Her eyes flashed dangerously, and I knew well enough not to further challenge my mother's say.
I sighed in resignation. "Fine. But cover your eyes."
She smiled brightly. "Good. Now let's go."
I begrudgingly peeled off my layers of clothes. I stared glumly at the muted pink and orange hues of the portal. They reminded me of vomit.
"You ladies go first. I will be right behind you." My dad said from behind his massive hands.
I giggled at the sight and reached for my mother's outstretched palm. The bangle on my right wrist jingled slightly as we moved together.
My heart sank as I realized that I was no longer clutching my mother's hand.
The sounds of my screams drowned out my father's call of warning.
An inferno of flame swirled around me. A white-hot, searing pain shot through me as the fire raised welts from my wrist up to my shoulder. Each new inch of skin that charred hurt more than the last. I was vaguely aware of a pitiful noise coming from my mouth, but all I noticed was the roar of the flames that were painfully engulfing me.
A last, dreadful thought plagued my mind. Every sacrifice my parents made for me was now in vain.
I let the fire take me.
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"What do you mean you lost her, Viv?" William slaps a hand to his forehead in disbelief.
Tears streamed down Vivian's cheeks. "I don't know. One minute we are walking through, the next she's screaming and gone. It's like she vanished."
Alberich, the Empire of Elves, watched them from his throne. His teal eyes were clouded in dark contemplation.
William's skin paled in horror. "The bracelet!"
Vivian cried out and thunder boomed ominously outside of the stone walls. "We have to find her!"
"She could be anywhere, Viv! You know portals are tricky." William paced restlessly back and forth along the polished marble floors.
"This could take years!" She wailed, a fresh wave of sobs racked her body as lighting broke across the thundering skies.
Alberich took a deep breath and sighed with impatience. "What material was the bracelet?"
William lowered his head in shame. "Silver."
Vivian howled pitifully and crumpled into the floor. William moved to comfort his wife as the storm she was causing continued to pummel the grounds outside of the castle.
Alberich was used to the Nymph's dramatic ways. He simply rolled his eyes and repositioned himself on his throne. "Obviously she's in Muspel."
Vivian sobbed harder into William's bare chest. He tried to stay strong for the both of them. He stared pleadingly at the Emperor, his eyes asking what his mouth dared not.
After a long, stoic stare, Alberich finally nodded. "I'll gather a caravan."
Vivian shot up from her husband's arms and flew to the foot of the throne. She bowed before the Emperor and tearfully rushed out a slew of words of wonder and appreciation.
William also stood and nodded at him. Alberich's pale lips stretched into a smile that looked more like a grimace. "The Nymph must stay. Muspel is much too fond of her kind."
Vivian looked as if she wanted to object. But one hard look from the Emperor and her shoulders slumped in defeat. She sniffled. "As you wish."
"Good. You will leave in 3 days. It is settled.." He rang a bell and a maid appeared at his side. "Amelia, please show them to their quarters."
The beautiful elf bowed in submission and began to walk to the massive double doors that led to the throne room. She motioned her head for them to follow.
"And please, for the love of all things good and just, find them some clothes."
Amelia nodded and scurried out of the room with her nude charges.
- Writer
