Beyond The Realms

Chapter 9

The sun is sinking in the sky as it casts dwindling of gold before starting its gradual descent behind the clouds .

Though I'm not a student of botany or geography - Those are  Naina's forte. I can't help but admire the scenery around me.

It's not like the djinn realm is full of unusual trees, so far the flora I  have come across  look similar to the ones in the human realm but still, everything here seems to be humming with power,as if they contain  their own small pockets of magic and wonder .

Though I'm a fan of the scenery I'm not so found of the huge sprawling roots that carpet the ground of the forest .

Each time I  nearly go tripping down the prince steadies me with a gentle hold on the elbow and silently withdraws his hand  . It never fails to make me feel embarrassed.

Maybe I shouldn't have been so lazy in the gym class.

When there is no sign of  the sun anymore and  darkness has completely taken over the sky prince Ruslan says we should stop for the night .

My aching feet and exhausted lungs weep in silent joy. We have been walking for hours together , non stop . If my math had been good enough I would have even calculated the miles we had walked.

" We will start on the way to your kingdom at day break " The prince says.

I eagerly nod in agreement . Given how horrible I'm at navigating this forest in the daylight   I'll probably give myself some serious  injury if I dare to do so in the dark. Yet I can't resist asking " Can djinns see in the dark ?"

" Our eyesight works just fine both in the day and night "

It makes me realize that he had stopped on my behalf . He doesn't even look like he  broke a sweat while I don't even want to think about how I appear ..... 

Bone weary , sleepy with leaves and twigs I have collected in  my hair .... did I mention exhausted ?

" Try to get some sleep, " He says, and while I would love to do exactly that the forest floor covered in huge roots hardly looks sleep-friendly.

" Too lumpy for me to---" Even before the  complete sentence  is out of my mouth the tress began moving . They start freaking moving away! Roots and all!

I rub my eyes wondering if I'm dreaming but  soon enough the troublesome roots  move away
leaving behind a nice clearing covered in soft grass. 

" Wow ! What just happened ?" I question when I manage to pick my surprised jaw up from the forest floor.

" The tress here are ancient creatures of power . They and every element of nature is capable of this and much more " He pats  the bark of a nearby tress his manner gentle as I stand in absolute awe,"They  greet you Princess "

I smile ," This is wonderful !  How do you communicate with them?  " 

He taps the side of his forehead " It  will require your time and practice to be able to connect with nature "

" Will it be difficult ?"

" It depends, princess " 

I shake my head " Stop calling me that  "

" What ?" His handsome face looks bewildered for a second.

" Princess " I reply " It's too ....weird.Just Amelia is fine " I state "Call  me Amelia  "