Heart of Stone

Chapter 2

Patrice groaned as her body flopped against the metal armour, flung over Jarek's shoulder like a ragdoll.

Lifting up onto her hands, she looked around the area. The land that she'd once stood on seemed so far away. Around them were high walls of stone that closed in on them as they entered the cave.

It was not as dark as Patrice expected. Light shone from above. She turned to see the misty glow that felt like a soft veil as they passed through.

Realising that he was doing as he stated, Patrice began protesting again. Jarek ignored her and continued. Patrice's voice was raw from yelling at the giant. The other giants watched on with amusement, passing looks between themselves and sniggers as they followed. They didn't know how Jarek would get out of this predicament.

With a huff, Patrice gave up protesting. She looked at the one that had been nice to her, Armon.

"Where are we going?"

"The realms," he offered. "Well, the centre point between each of our realms, to be precise."

"You don't live on Earth?"

"No. We just watch over it and occasionally intervene."

"Usually when the humans can't get along with each other." the one beside him interrupted.

Sander smiled at her, tilting his head as he assessed the human.

"I'm Sander, king of the fae. Next to me is Zakiel, the werewolf king, and on the other side of Armon is Brogan, the shapeshifter king."

"I'm Patrice. So, why do you watch over us and intervene?"

"It's our duty." Brogan began. "The immortal kings are charged with the duty of caring for humans and their home. When tempers flare, we intervene."

"Well, you didn't intervene quickly enough." Patrice snapped. "I lost a loved one in the war."

Brogan tried to be sympathetic, but the elf king pulled her out from his shoulder where he'd put her. Patrice dangled in the air, frowning at the menace.

"Mind your tongue, human. You are speaking with kings. In this instance, we shall ignore it as you are unaware that time passes differently between your world and the realms. We do not laze about and wait for the opportune time to strike. Perhaps you should be grateful that we bothered at all."

Patrice's eyes narrowed to thin slits as she stared at the king. He was not fazed by it and returned her to his shoulder.

"Would you like an interesting fact about us?" Armon asked the human.

"Sure, why not?"

He smiled, gesturing to each of them as they decreased in size. Patrice lifted on her hands, noticing that Jarek was not as large as he'd once been.

"What's happening?"

"We are returning to our normal size. When we venture through the realm gate, our size increases to cross the land quickly. There is only one gate so often we need to walk great distances."

"So, how big are you normally?"

"We share the same frame and figures as humans. By the time we reach the plateau, our stature will return to normal."

"You will like it in Jarek's world," Zakiel said. "Perhaps he will be kind enough to show you around."

Jarek snorted a huff.

"And if not, then he will remember that civil kings are hospitable kings," Sander said in a firm tone. "Regardless of what is going on."

Jarek turned his head to Sander. Both had plain faces as they stared at each other until Jarek returned to the path ahead of him. Sander smiled at the human. He would happily play this game to ensure Jarek complied with his duties and the immortal kings' expectations.