Two Worlds

Chapter Three - Aelin

Aelin scowled as she jumped through the portal and emerged in a forest clearing. 

"It didn't work," she said. "So why were you guys getting so worked up about it?" She turned around to find nobody there—the portal was closed. "Guys?" she asked. She willed her heart to slow once she realized that she was no longer in Terrasen. She debated staying in her Fae form after that, but decided against it. She wasn't going to call upon herself more attention than needed. Aelin scanned her surroundings. There was nothing out of the ordinary, but something about the forest sent a shiver down her spine. She shuddered, then decided that staying in one spot would do her no good. Wherever this portal had taken her, she needed to get back to her kingdom. 

Aelin knew she should feel a little guilty at leaving Terrasen, but a sense of joy bloomed in her chest. Adventure. This was an adventure, a break from the suffocating meetings and advisors that surrounded her back home. Besides, Rowan hadn't gone through the portal—he was still back in Terrasen. He could still handle it while she was away. 

Aelin snapped out of her thoughts and began walking North. She didn't know why, but South didn't seem ... friendly. It was an odd thought, but if her gut told her to stay away, she would. 

Rowan

His heart stopped as the portal closed. No. No, this couldn't be happening. She was gone. Fireheart. His Fireheart was gone. He didn't think the rest of the group was breathing. There was silence, then—

"What do we do now?" Elide asked. Rowan shook his head, trying to focus. 

"We need to figure out how to get that portal open again," he said. "Manon, what are the chances that portal went anywhere on Erilea?" There was a pause. 

"I don't know," she finally said. Everyone sucked in a breath. Rowan's head filled with rage, cruel and unreasonable. It took all of his control not to snap at the witch in front of him. Dorian must have sensed it, too, because he said,

"Relax, Rowan. Regardless of where she is, Aelin can take care of herself. She's proven that time and time again and again." The rest of the group nodded, and silence filled the clearing. Suddenly, Lorcan's head snapped up. 

"It's coming back," he said quietly. Rowan's power felt it then—nearly the same type of portal as before, only it was slightly different. It opened behind Lysandra. Rowan made a move to step through the portal, but a hand rested on his shoulder, holding him back. Dorian. 

"You and I need to stay here," he said quietly. "We have kingdoms to run." Rowan clenched his jaw at the truth the king of Adarlan spoke.

"Get her back," he said softly as Lysandra, then Lorcan, then Manon stepped through. Elide nodded. 

"We will," she said, then disappeared through the portal. The king's faces were grim as it closed.