The Portal

I 1.6 Damien

Island, 1133

The sky was beginning to grow pinker on the horizon. The sea was calm and there was no one in that corner of the beach. Serena walked to the end of the strip of sand and let the water get to her feet. She could already feel Damien's presence from afar. He was one of the few men who learned the arts of the Island. Many years ago, Raoul had forbidden masters to accept male apprentices. Only two have been accepted in the past 20 years. One of them was Damien.

- You woke up early.

Damien sat beside her on the sand. He wore only the pants that were a part of the Island's uniform. His fair skin drew attention at that time when it was still quite dark. His straight white hair shone. Serena knew that he ran on the beach every day before dawn. He slept no more than four hours a night. All his people were like that.

- Don't be silly, I was hoping to find you.

- I don't like goodbyes.

- It's only for six months - she took his hand. - I don't want anything to change.

- Less than six months, nothing more. I'll be able to visit, did you know?

What she knew was that it was not true. The Island's resources were limited. With them four in Shailaja, Damien would have a lot of work ahead of him. Raoul would not take a minute off. Not even now, they had no time. She was due to leave soon.

- Don't worry about me, Serena. I am well.

- Be honest with me.

- I can't believe we're going to talk about it again ...

- Did he try to talk to you? Did Luc look for you?

- No, Serena. He remains out on the mission to which he was sent. Shall we stop this distrust?

It was not mistrust. She believed in Damien, was sure of his loyalty, he would never betray the Island or Raoul. However, Luc was infinitely more powerful. They had lived the last few years almost as brothers, he was the only one who knew what Damien was going through, the only man.

- Fine, I'm sorry. I'll send you news when we arrive.

- Do you already know how you will communicate?

- We'll see the means when we're there. We'll find a way, of course.

- I'm going to miss you - Damien said, running his fingers through her blond hair. - Watch out for this Ceremony ...

- Are you jealous?

- Of course, I am - he said seriously. She touched his hand.

It would be the first time Serena left the Island for so long since it had become her home. She was only ten years old when she was taken to the Island. Her mother had woken her up in the middle of the night. The suitcase was ready. She brought her herself. At the time, she was told only that she was going to a fortress, that it was normal for ranis to grow up in a court, that she had to be heavily gifted. But her mother never came back to pick her up. For many years, the masters gave her hope that she would return home. They said that everything went well. She had no way of knowing. Many island residents didn't even know their own family, they were there since they were little.

When she turned 15, Serena was sure they would come back for her. She knew that this was the year she had to go to Shailaja with the other young women of the nobility. It was the most expected day of these girls' short lives. But no one came. She was still hopeful until she read the note about her sister in the Weekly. Along with other nobles, Sybilla's name was on Shailaja's freshman list. Why wasn't she there too?