Beyond

Guarded reality

Lysander stood by the window of their home, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. The weight of the day's events pressed heavily upon his shoulders. As Matilda entered the room, he turned to face her, his eyes a mixture of emotions––joy, concern, and a hint of melancholy. His mind occupied not with thoughts of future lectures but with his secret, his daughter, Piper, the child who knew him only as a professor.

"Matilda," he began, his voice soft yet filled with urgency. "I saw her today. Our Piper." Matilda's breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening with a mixture of longing and apprehension. "How... how is she?" she managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper.

His mind drifted back to the lecture hall. Piper's eager face, her probing questions, and the spark of curiosity in her eyes haunted him. She was so close to the truth, yet worlds away from understanding her true heritage. Lysander's expression softened, a proud smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "She's grown into a remarkable young woman, Matilda. So clever, so curious. She's studying language and literature, pursuing her dreams with such passion."

He moved closer to his wife, taking her hands in his. "But there's something that concerns me. During the lecture, her questions... they were about the portals, about the other world. It's as if, on some level, she knows, Matilda. As if the truth of her heritage is calling to her, even if she doesn't understand it yet."

Matilda's brow furrowed, worry etching lines across her forehead. "The prophecy," she murmured, her voice tinged with fear. "Do you think it's beginning to unfold? The veil between our worlds grows thinner each day."

Lysander nodded gravely. "I fear it might be. We've kept her safe for so long, protected her from the pull of our world. But now, with her moving into your old house in Stirling, she's closer to the truth than ever before." A moment of silence passed between them, heavy with the weight of their shared secret and the love for their daughter they had been forced to hide.

Matilda moved to the window, her gaze following the path Lysander's had taken moments before. "Tell me more about the lecture, Lysander. What exactly did she ask?" Lysander joined her, his voice low as he recounted the events. "She asked about the possibility of hidden portals in ancient Celtic sites. Her eyes, Matilda... they held such intensity. It was as if she could sense the truth lurking just beneath the surface of my words." He paused, running a hand through his hair. "And then, she inquired about the legends of people crossing between worlds. The way she phrased it... it was uncannily close to our own story."

Matilda turned to face him, her emerald eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Do you think she suspects? About us, about her true identity?" Lysander shook his head slowly. "No, I don't believe she suspects the truth about her parentage. But her instincts... they're leading her towards the reality of the other realm. It's in her blood, after all."

Lysander paced along the edge of the portal, his shoulders tense with the weight of their secret. "How would we tell her? How do we explain that her entire life has been built on a foundation of deception? That her 'aunt' never truly passed away, and that her professor is actually her father?" Matilda stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "With love, Lysander. We tell her with love and trust in her strength. She is our daughter, after all. She carries the blood of both realms within her veins."

For a moment, Lysander allowed himself to be lost in Matilda's gaze, finding solace in the shared burden of their choices. Then, with a deep breath, he straightened his posture, his resolve strengthening. "Right," he nodded, his voice gaining confidence. "We need to gather more information first. We need to know how close to the truth she is."

"We should have known this day would come," Matilda said softly, her voice a mixture of resignation and fear. "We've always known the prophecy would call to her eventually." Lysander wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "Yes, but I had hoped... I had hoped we'd have more time. That we could protect her just a little longer." Matilda leaned into his embrace, drawing strength from his presence. "We've protected her for nineteen years, my love. Perhaps it's time to trust in her strength, in the woman she's become."

Lysander nodded gravely. "We've kept her safe for so long, protected her from the pull of our world. But now, with her moving into your old house in Stirling, she's closer to the truth than ever before." A moment of silence passed between them, heavy with the weight of their shared secret and the love for their daughter they had been forced to hide.

"We need to speak with Connor," Matilda said finally, her voice gaining strength. "He's been keeping an eye on her for us. He might have more insights into what's happening." Lysander agreed, his expression resolute. "Yes, we'll contact Connor. We need to know everything he's observed since Piper moved to Stirling. If the prophecy is indeed stirring, we must be prepared for what's to come." Matilda nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "You're right. We need to focus on the present, on preparing for what's to come. Shall we contact Connor now?" Lysander glanced at the ornate clock on the wall, its hands pointing to an hour far past midnight. "It's late, but this can't wait."

The air in Lysander and Matilda's home crackled with tension as Lysander paced his study awaiting Connor's arrival. The room, filled with ancient tomes and ancient artefacts, seemed to hold its breath in anticipation of the news to come. A soft knock at the door announced Connor's presence. His amber eyes held a mixture of concern and excitement as he met Lysander's anxious gaze.

"Connor," Lysander greeted, his voice tight with barely contained emotion. "What news do you bring of Piper?" Connor took a deep breath, his broad shoulders rising and falling, his amber eyes glowed with an intensity that spoke volumes. "I've been watching her, as you asked," he replied, his voice low and tinged with an emotion Lysander couldn't quite place. "This morning, I saw her as she woke. She sensed my presence, though she doesn't understand what she's feeling yet. She's getting closer, Lysander."

Lysander's brow furrowed, his hand unconsciously reaching for the pendant that hung around his neck – a symbol of his connection to both worlds. "And the forest? Has she ventured there?" Connor nodded solemnly. "She has. I've been watching her during her walks and rides through the woods. She's drawn to it, Lysander. It's as if the forest itself is calling to her, guiding her towards the portal."

A sharp intake of breath from Lysander filled the room. "The tree," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Has she found it?" Connor's eyes met Lysander's, a flicker of apprehension passing between them. "She has. The ancient oak revealed itself to her today. Lysander, I fear it's only a matter of days before the portal opens for her. The veil between our worlds grows thinner with each passing moment."

Lysander's hands clenched at his sides, a storm of emotions playing across his features. "We're running out of time," he murmured, more to himself than to Connor. "We need to prepare. She can't stumble into this world without understanding the dangers, the responsibilities."

Connor stepped closer, his voice lowering as he shared one final piece of information. "There's something else, Lysander. When I'm near her, I feel... a pull. It's unlike anything I've ever experienced. It's as if our destinies are intertwined, drawn together by forces beyond our control."

Lysander's eyes widened at this revelation, understanding dawning on his face. "The prophecy," he breathed. "It's unfolding faster than we anticipated." A heavy silence fell between them, the weight of their shared knowledge pressing down upon their shoulders. The time for secrets was coming to an end, and the fate of both worlds hung in the balance.

Lysander moved to the window, his gaze fixed on the shimmering barrier that separated their realm from Piper's. "We must act quickly," he said, his voice regaining its strength and determination. "Matilda needs to know. We need to prepare for Piper's arrival and the challenges that will follow." Connor nodded, his posture straightening with resolve. "I'll continue to watch over her, Lysander. I swear to you, I'll do everything in my power to keep her safe until she's ready to cross over."

As Connor turned to leave, Lysander called out one last time, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you, Connor. For everything. And... when the time comes, when she learns the truth... be there for her. She'll need all the support she can get." With a final nod of understanding Connor departed, leaving Lysander alone with his thoughts and the looming reality of the impending reunion with his daughter.