The Realm Protectors

Chapter 39 - Nile

The heavy aroma of flowers and nature descends on us as soon as we step through the portal. Dunia has always been one of my favorite countries... besides Vesi, of course. The lights streams down between the leaves in a beautiful way that seems to make the clearing we've stepped into seem like the Ever.

"Wow," Ciana breathes. She reaches her hand up and plays with the strings of light in front of her. Faris watches in adoration as she weaves them into a braid, wrapping it around her head like a crown. I punch him on the arm and he jumps.

"Not cool," he grumbles as I laugh. Enya grabs onto my other arm, staring around in wonder.

"This place is beautiful," She smiles. Tucker nods.

"Now you see why I was so loathe to leave." He says.

"Ah, you've arrived." Senator Aita walks out from behind some tree trunks a few yards away. "Welcome to Jiji."

"It's a pleasure to be here, Senator." Enya grins, detaching herself from my arm. Senator Aita bows her head.

"The pleasure is mine, your Highnesses. Please follow me to where you'll be staying."

We all follow behind Senator Aita as she begins to lead us along a path lined with flowers blossoming with pinks and greens of every shade. Water on the edge of my sense makes my nerves tingle with anticipation. Dew rolls over the leaves in the boughs above us, and somewhere far along the path is a powerful water source.

"Jiji is one of the most beautiful cities in the Realm, if I do say so myself." Senator Aita says to Avani. Avani looks around in wonder, eyes wide. "I take it you haven't had the chance to spend much time in your element country, Arch Gipson?"

"I've been a little busy," Avani admits with a laugh. "Though I think if I came too much I might never leave." Senator Aita laughs.

"I can't decide which is more gorgeous," Enya whispers to me, hand clasped in mine. "This, or the sunset over Reflection Bay."

"Reflection Bay is beautiful," I smile, thinking of the large bay back home in Vesi. Enya and I used to have a picnic there at sunset every time I visited my family. "Although I'd say you're the most beautiful of all." Enya blushes, biting her lip to hide her growing smile. I kiss her on the temple.

The path narrows ahead of us, forcing us to walk two by two. Avani walks beside Senator Aita at the from, leaving Carter and Lyra to walk side by side behind them. They both stare in wonder at all the beautiful nature around them. Ciana and Faris walk in front of us, leaving Tucker and Nikolina to bring up the rear. Ciana smiles so wide her face must hurt as she plays with all the sparkling light around us. Faris keeps sneaking glances at her when he thinks no one's looking.

"He so totally likes her," Enya whispers to me.

"For sure,"

"How long do you think he'll wait before he says anything?"

"Considering the fact that he's staring at her like she's some kind of sun goddess, I'd say not long." I say. Faris hears me and coughs, red creeping up his neck.

Water pulses at the edge of my senses. I look around the group to try and find it. About thirty yards away is a bright blue lagoon with a rushing waterfall, shimmering in the sunlight. Breaths of awe surround me as I go still with wonder.

"Welcome to Uzima's Lagoon." Senator Aita smiles, leading us onto a bridge that extends over the lagoon. It's made of wood, and it takes me a minute to realize that the bridge is a live tree that grew over the lagoon.

"Who's Uzima?" Ciana asks.

"Uzima is our goddess of life." Senator Aita explains. "She is the protector of the sacred bond between earth and water. This is her finest temple here in Dunia."