The Chosen Realm

Prologue

A gasp of pain escapes my painted lips as I shift in my seat and the dark pencil slips into my eye. The maid hurries to apologize as she quickly and clumsily pulls the eyeliner away, causing it to drop and leave a mark on my ivory hand. I regain my composure and hand it back to her, assuring the poor thing that she has done no harm and that she will not be punished. I can only imagine how she must feel right now, making a mistake before me. At the moment, I am ranked second only the the royal family. Leader of a brave group of explorers about to set off into the unknown. Not exactly brave though, as we were given no choice.

At long last, she finishes the final touches, highlighting and contouring with skill so my face looks like that of a china doll. Rosy cheeks, long thick lashes, and pale white skin. The only part that doesn't match the dainty style is the asymmetrical bob that I had chosen to dye a dark purple. The king and queen hadn't been too pleased with that when they chose me to be part of the expedition, but I was one of the best candidates, so what could they do?

My sea blue eyes sparkle like sapphires— out of fear or excitement, I'm not sure. I stand up and turn to face the full length mirror, the maid hovering behind my shoulder in anticipation of my reaction to the full look.

The outfit I have donned is anything but dainty. The moment I see it with the makeup, my eyeliner seems blacker, my eyeshadow seems darker, and my face seems more angular. A leather jacket sits on top of a pristine white shirt. A black watch rests on my wrist. My eyes travel downwards to the practical ebony pants and the worn inky dark sneakers. More sophisticated than my everyday tee and jeans, but I still feel like Caylee Dira Aitason.

I turn back to the maid, whose eyes are filled with fear as she awaits my reaction. A tiny smile reaches my face and I pull her into a quick hug. She stumbles backwards a few steps in astonishment. I don't believe she usually got more than a simple nod from others she tended to. Afterall, she served the snobby lords and ladies in the royal court most days. That is, when thirteen teenagers aren't being sent off to a parallel universe. "Thank you," I tell her, trying to call up as much gratitude as is possible to make up for all the thanks she had never gotten. I search my mind for her name, before adding, "Ellea."

"You're quite welcome, Ms. Aitason." Ellea replies after her shock dissipates. "Would you like me to escort you to the king's hall? He will be expecting you there in fifteen minutes."

"No, I expect you have a lot to do. I can go there myself, I don't need help." What I did need was a few minutes to myself before I was catapulted into another dimension. "And please, call me Cai. It's what most of my friends call me."

A slight flush colors her skin and she tucks a lock of raven hair behind her ear with a small nod. Giving a small curtsy, she starts cleaning up the mess we had made getting me prepared.

I resist the urge to bite my nails from the nerves as I walk out the door of the bedroom that had been mine for the short period I was there. They were too pretty to ruin already. Ellea had spent almost an hour shaping and painting them. Instead, I twirl a strand of my boyish hair around my index finger, running over everything in my head. It felt like it had been only yesterday that a guard had knocked on the door of my home, telling me that my presence was required in the palace. Only yesterday that I had met the twelve other girls and boys who would be accompanying me on this quest. A quest to figure out what the scientists had discovered. A place like ours. But with magic.

I jump as I hear a footstep right behind me. I spin around to see a girl with auburn hair and warm hazel eyes. Of course. It was only Reyna. I let out a sigh of relief as I take in the familiar face. She wears the same clothes as I do, except on her wrist, she sports a midnight blue watch as opposed to my black one.