The Realm Protectors

Chapter 49 - Enya

The rest of the week in Vesi was uneventful compared to the day of the attack. Carter and I went to check out the Vėnde Kūlū – Vesi's Water School – which was cool to see, but nothing incredibly exciting. Nile took us on a brief visit with his family yesterday. His mom was happy to see me, and Nile enjoyed getting to see his brother Jordan, and his two dogs. We all felt the grim cloud weighing over us, though – Ciana was still asleep, and there was no telling when she'd wake up.

The end of the week finally arrived, signaling the end of our Coronauguration tour. After two months of touring the Realm, you'd think that we'd all be happy to go back home and live a regular life again.

Well, as regular a life as one can live when they're barely an adult and ruling an entire Realm.

"Does everyone have everything?" Tucker asks for what feels like the millionth time.

"Yes, Tucker, we all have everything," Faris calls back, rolling his eyes. He's been especially prickly these past few days, what with Ciana being comatose. Nile said he talks in his sleep too – something about missing his chance.

Poor guy, I think to myself. Nile interrupts my thoughts, wrapping an arm around my waist and kissing me on the forehead.

"Ready to go home?" He asks.

I shrug. "I could use a few more days on a Vesi beach, but it's fine." I give a dramatic sigh, and Nile laughs softly. All of us have been solemn this week, and it hasn't been good for any of us. Even Lyra, who's normally nearly as bubbly as Ciana, has been subdued and quiet.

"Let's go," Tucker says. Lyra chops her hand through the air, opening a tunnel. Faris eyes it warily. Nile told me how green Faris had looked when he and Lyra got back from the Otherworld.

"Traveling between countries in the Realm will not be nearly as physically taxing as traveling between worlds was," Lyra tells him. Faris nods and takes a deep breath, stepping through the tunnel. Avani and Nikolina go next, followed by Carter and Tucker. Nile and I wait for the team of medics wheeling Ciana's bed and machines through the tunnel before we enter. Lyra comes through last, closing the tunnel behind her. We emerge in the lobby of the Center City hospital, where another team of medics is waiting. The Vesi medics trade-off, handing over Ciana and all her life-saving devices. The Center City medics take them with grim nods, wheeling Ciana off to wherever the High Arch Suite is.

"We'll come back later to check on Ciana," I tell the group. "For now, we need to get back to the Arch Residence and get settled in again. The public will be expecting a press conference."

"When do we have to go back to school?" Avani asks.

"Tomorrow," I tell her.

Avani groans. "Can we pretend we're like, jet-lagged or something? Weary from our travels?"

"I don't feel like going to school either," Faris agrees.

"You've already missed two months of in-person classes." Nile rolls his eyes. "Trust me, you'll be glad to get back into Physical Kinesis." Avani perks up.

"I forgot that was a thing," She mutters to herself.

"Tucker, get Officer Alexxi moving on that press conference," I say, turning to Tucker. "I want Realm-wide news crews." Tucker nods.

"Now let's go home," Nile turns to the doors. Lyra opens up another tunnel to the entrance of the Arch Residence. We all go through, Tucker keying in the code to let us in. A quick scan of my eye later, and we're finally home.

Everything is nice and clean, the cleaners having worked while we were gone. The floors were polished, everything dusted, and windows are cracked open to let in the mid-May breeze. I take a deep breath and sigh. After everything that's happened in the last few months, it feels good to be home. Everyone goes their separate ways, dragging bags of clothes into their rooms. The engravings of fire and sparks light up with a soft orange light when I grab the handle of my bedroom door. I smile softly before opening it and going inside. Tossing my bags into the corner of my room, I collapse on my bed, sighing deeply. I barely get settled before someone knocks on my door – three little taps.