Beyond Worlds

Chapter Two

Before she knows it, Aibrean's mind is sucked back into the conscious world; her eyes open abruptly. She lays there, in a slight shock. Her mind begins to buzz with urgent questions.

"I know you probably have many questions..." the magician still sitting by her side on the stool begins, as if he can read her thoughts before he is interrupted by her harsh tone.

"And, I want answers. Give them to me straight, I don't want anything half-assed," she replies, her voice lowering.

"So demanding..." he mutters under his breath before he continues, "I am afraid that if you want proper responses, you shall have to discuss that with Lord Nightmare."

Her red eyes stare daggers at his orange ones, and she holds his gaze. Her jaw sets and her teeth grind a bit together. Light creases that have already been present on her face deepen, clearly showing she is not fond of his remark.

Before she can retort back, the energy flow around them changes into something all too familiar. To Aibrean it is comforting and soothes the irritation she felt only moments ago. On the other hand, the startled magician stands and bows to the large man standing only a few paces away.

"Your Majesty," he verbalizes as his head and upper body bends forward, his voice humble and almost meek sounding.

Lord Nightmare stares at his daughter, his eyes holding an intensity that most find intimidating even frightening. She, on the other hand, is quieted by them, allowing herself to breathe normally again and to let her tense muscles rest.

"My dear, come with me," he holds out a pale purple skinned hand, which she takes promptly. "We will be taking our leave for the night," he nods his head at the magician, picking Aibrean's armor up in one muscular arm and leading her out of the large room scented with rosemary candles.

He teleports for only a brief moment to set her armor down in her room and then returns back to her side. Wrapping an arm around her, he teleports both of them to the royal garden. It is filled with their own native plants, trees, and flowers but also some they had discovered from distant planets. The mix of fresh air and sweetness from the flowers stirs around inside of their noses'. It sends chills down Aibrean's spine.

"You are troubled. Was the mission I sent you on too difficult?" He asks, though knowing many things are the cause of her unusual irritated state.

She closes her eyes, letting out a sigh, "Papa, it is many things. I know you know this. I will discuss my mission tomorrow," eyes open now and turning to look at her father who only stands two inches taller than herself, she progresses, "Who is this human? Ana. What is so important about her and why do we need her?"

The King meets her gaze, his sharp, handsome features studying her face. He takes into consideration her tone and the urgency of her voice, knowing that keeping things from her will only bring her more distress.

"You may need to sit down for this, my dear," he expresses in a deep, steady voice.

His eyes glow brightly.

XX

"Honey, you gotta get up. You start work in an hour," Anastasia's mom rests a hand on her daughter's shoulder, shaking her lightly.

"Hmm...I just want to sleep," Ana groans a little and turns over, facing away from her mother.

"Anastasia, get your little tush out of bed," a firm voice sounds from her mom.

"Fine, fine. I'm up," she mumbles and turns onto her back, stretching her arms out overhead before she sits up.

She lets out a soft sigh as her mom walks out of the room, heading into the kitchen to finish the last of her coffee before she has to head to work. Ana shifts out of bed groggily, planting her feet down on the soft cream colored carpet of her room. Standing up, she heads to her desk chair that has a hoodie draped over it. She slips it on, then pulls socks on half asleep before she makes her way into the kitchen.