The Princess & The Lord

Part 7

Nyx had winnowed Elena back to the River House, as she had learned the word they termed for the gift. It was intriguing how similar Nyx's winnowing powers were with Fenrys' abilities that Elena had picked up on.

Nyx had walked her back to her room and then retired to his own to get a few hours of sleep before the sun came up. Elena was too wired to sleep. The Valg were here. She needed to find a way to communicate with her family. She was able to use the wyrdmarks in Terrasen to see into different worlds, so it was likely the wyrdmarks could do the same here.

She drew the wyrdmark on the wall just as she'd done a million times. She focused on her home. On her mother & father hoping some way she could reach them.

The wyrdmark flashed with a light and the world before her became visible. There was a small light from a candle in the darkness. She could barely make out the shapes before her, but the portal became clearer.

She could see two figures seated in chairs near a window. The figures shifted toward the portal as if sensing her presence. The figures moved closer and Elena took a step back.

"Mother," Elena called out. "Father."

The figure raised a hand and a flame grew from its palm. From the light of the flame she could make out the faces of her parents and she stepped closer to the small portal.

"Elena," her mother's voice croaked as she and Rowan stepped closer to the portal. Their eyes were heavy with bags.

"Where are you? Are you safe?" Her father asked tears lining his eyes.

"Yes- Yes, I'm safe now. I got away," Elena smiled as a tear slide down her cheek. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen. I didn't want to leave-I just wanted space."

"Sweet girl, none of this is your fault," her mother said. "I'm sorry we didn't tell you the truth. We just wanted to keep you safe. We wanted to protect you, but we should have trusted you." The tears were streaming down Aelin's face.

"Where are you, Elena?" Her father asked again.

"It's another world. They call it Prythian. One of the lords found me and has given me a place to stay. His name is Rhys. He has purple eyes, like that fae male you told me about, mother, when you were falling through worlds. Purple eyes and wings." Elena answered.

Aelin laughed slightly, "He will keep you safe. Tell him about me. Maybe he'll remember."

Elena nodded, "It's Orcus. He's looking for the keys. He followed me here. He was able to put one of his Valg princes in a host here. He must be able to access the wyrdgates in this world."

"We will find you, Elena" her father said. "The wyrdgates are open. We've been looking through worlds, trying to find you. Now we have a better idea. We know what to look for."

"I can feel it in my blood, the traces of the wyrdkeys from locking the gate," Aelin said. "We think you have traces too, passed down. Yrene's best guess is when the locket was removed, your healing abilities reformed the keys, restoring their power and unlocking the wyrdgates."

"When I was trapped, I think I opened a portal to this world. That's how I was able to escape. I think Orcus knows too, that I have the wyrdkeys." Elena revealed.

The portal began to shrink. "We don't have much time, Elena." Her father said. "Be smart, remember what we taught you. Stay safe and stay put, we will find you."

"We love you, fireheart." Her mother said reaching her hand out trying to touch Elena.

"I love y-" and the portal closed.
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Nyx woke up early, barely able to sleep from the events of last night. He quickly got dressed and walked towards Elena's room. He knocked on her door.