Asrai

Chapter 10: Finally showing up

The portal sealed behind us, and with it, any hope of knowing whether our loved ones were safe. No messages. No signs. No second gateway. Sometimes we wondered if Enchantica even existed anymore—or if it had been swallowed by war with the mist, lost to time and silence. Who Knows

As I approached Gran’s house, the warm glow of lights spilled through the front windows and across the veranda, a beacon in the quiet night. The steed slowed, stepping as close as he could before coming to a gentle halt, waiting patiently.Then it hit me—he couldn’t come inside with me. Still, the thought made my heart flutter. If only he could’ve walked me through the house, carried me up the stairs, and drop me onto my bed. A girl can dream, can’t she?

I swung my leg over and slid down, my knees buckling slightly beneath me. They felt like jelly, but I managed to steady myself. I walked to his front, placing a hand on his sleek neck, and whispered, “I underestimated you.”

“You’re a good horse,” I murmured, stroking his mane gently.

He responded with a soft, almost knowing neigh, then nudged me with his nose—a firm push, urging me toward the house. I smiled faintly, heart still heavy but grateful.

As I reached for the doorknob, the sound of anxious voices spilled through the walls. I sighed, bracing myself, and turned the knob.

The door creaked open, revealing a room full of tense faces. Gran and Mom stood near the entryway, their expressions etched with worry. Aunt Alexandria leaned against the wall, her face unreadable, and indifferent. And then there was Vianna—arms crossed, lips curled into a smirk, her eyes sharp with irritation.

“Oh look,” she sneered, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Look who finally decided to show up.”

Welcome home, I whispered to myself, the words settling in my chest like wood to a flame.

`

For a moment, silence hung heavy—thick and unmoving, like time itself had paused. Then Gran’s voice broke through, soft and familiar. “River, are you okay?” she asked, using the nickname I hadn’t heard in years. Her voice was warm, like honey melting over old wounds, and for a heartbeat, I nearly crumbled. I wanted to run into her arms, bury myself in the comfort I’d missed. But I held back.

It had been five long years. A lifetime in growth, in change. I wasn’t the same girl who left. The journey here had been brutal—nearly abducted, stalked by some dust-born creature or fae I couldn’t name, and then the chaos in the woods. I was drained, body and soul. I didn’t have the strength for heartfelt reunions or uncertain welcomes.

I straightened my spine, iron-willed. “I’m fine,” I said flatly. “Just a few bruises and bumps.” I glanced down—dirt smeared across my clothes, leaves tangled at the ends of my hair, twigs clinging to my cloak. With a sigh, I dropped my bag and began peeling the cloak off.

“You look like you rolled in a compost heap,” Vianna snorted, bursting into laughter.

I shot her a glance, unimpressed. “Good to see you too, Vianna,” I muttered, stepping into the room. Every muscle protested. My feet throbbed. My back screamed. I needed a hot bath—and silence.

“That’s enough, Vianna,” Gran snapped, her voice sharp with reprimand. “You can clearly see she’s been through God knows what, and yet you choose to be cruel.”

She turned to me, her tone softening. “Here, let me help you, River.”

But I raised a hand, halting her approach. “That’s quite alright, Gran,” I said, my voice firm. “I’d prefer to be excused. It’s been... a rough return. I need a shower.”

Gran’s expression shifted, her features solemn. “Of course, Asrai,” she murmured, her gaze lingering with quiet understanding.

I turned and began crossing the living room toward the stairs, each step stirring remembrance.—echoes of laughter, whispered reproach, and the honey sting of a childhood long gone.

"I will have cook bring you something to eat." gran called after me.

“How does she even know that room’s still hers?” Vianna muttered with a bitter chuckle, leaning toward my aunt—who hadn’t said a word since I arrived. Her gaze stayed fixed on me, sharp and unblinking, like a hawk sizing up its prey.

“Haven’t you heard?” my aunt replied, her tone dry and bitter. “The princess has returned.”

I didn’t respond. I kept trudging up the stairs, letting their words fall behind me like dust shaken from old memories.

At the top floor of the alpha suite. I didn’t bother going to my room—I headed straight for the bathroom. As I opened the door, I stepped into a pristine space, gleaming and clearly upgraded since I’d last seen it. The design was soft and luxurious, a blend of blush pink, creamy white, and shimmering rose gold.

In the center sat a graceful large white soaking tub, its curves inviting and serene. Off to the corner, a glass-enclosed shower sparkled under the spotlights. The countertop was neatly arranged with delicate pink soaps and fragrant sprays, each one placed with care. Floral artwork adorned the walls, which were painted a crisp white and trimmed with elegant strokes of rose gold and blush. It felt like stepping into a spa wrapped in a dream.

I passed the soaking tub without a second glance—relaxation was the last thing on my mind. I felt on edge like a storm was brewing in my body. I peeled off my clothes and let them fall beside my bag near the door, unwilling to let their grime touch anything clean. My focus was locked on the shower, the only place that might rinse away the tension clinging to me.

The moment the hot water touched my skin, a sigh nearly escaped my lips. I stood beneath the stream, letting it knead the tension from my weary muscles, each drop melting away the weight of the journey. The bathroom filled with steam. For a while, I didn’t move—just stood there, trying to convince myself I was truly back in Enchantsville.

A beautiful cage.

No one could enter, and I doubted I’d be able to leave again. I’d been found too quickly upon returning, and the veil—mysterious and fickle—might never open for me again.

I reached for the pineapple coconut body wash, its scent sweet and familiar, and lathered it onto a cloth. As I scrubbed away the grime of the woods, I poured a generous amount into my hair, massaging it through the strands, dislodging dirt and leaves tangled from my trek. Each motion felt like shedding the forest’s grip, one leaf at a time.

I stayed in the shower for a full thirty minutes, letting the water run while my mind remained numb—blank from everything that had happened. I knew I was in shock, floating somewhere between reality and disbelief. When I finally turned off the water and stepped out, I noticed something unexpected: my dirty clothes and bag were gone. In their place on the small bathroom tolly, lay a soft pink towel, a fresh two-piece night set, and undergarments, neatly folded.

I walked to the sink and caught my reflection in the mirror. I hadn’t looked when I first came in, but now, clean and scrubbed, I could see the toll etched into my face. My eyes—though no longer rimmed with dirt—held a haunted look, like they’d seen too much and hadn’t yet found a place to put it.

Tears welled up, blurring my vison to the point i could no longer see my dark blue eyes. My strength was nearly gone. Thoughts of Casey, Elias, and Lucas crept in—were they thinking of me now? Were they worried? Or had they already moved on, their lives unfolding without me? ;I miss Casey so much,’ I whispered to myself.

I suddenly regretted leaving my phone behind. Even if the veil would’ve most likely scrambled the signal, it held a million memories—photos, messages, fragments of a life I’d tried to leave behind. I had wanted a clean break, something that wouldn’t drag me into the depths of nostalgia and sadness. I didn’t want reminders of the freedom I once had, the safety of a world where danger didn’t lurk behind every shadow,where no one tried to barter me like a prize or claw my eyes out of insanity. Enchantsville was beautiful, yes—but its beauty masked dark secrets and twisted ambitions. The town was addicted to power, and its charm was nothing more than a well-polished lie. It was never a place I could truly call home.