Read Online Journey into the Realm: The Stolen Child (Journey into the Realm Series) by Markelle Grabo - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Markelle Grabo
Tags: Fiction / Fantasy - Epic
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ourselves out of this mess?
Nathan came to sit beside me, and although I was determined to keep my distance from him on this journey, I couldn’t help but find comfort in his presence. He didn’t touch me; he knew my moods too well to do so. But he was there…and that was enough.
We sat silently for many moments, contemplating our circumstances and trying hard not to admit how we both felt: hopeless.
***
Queen Naida didn’t return for hours. Nathan and I were the only ones awake when she swam to the prison bars, gliding gracefully through the water like it was air. I looked to where Aimee, Tavis, and Elvina lay on the floor and wondered if I should wake them. Before I could decide, Queen Naida cleared her throat, demanding attention.
I rose and progressed awkwardly to the front of my cell, my movements a struggle compared to the Queen’s innate fluidity. Her tail probably made underwater travel more suitable than my gangly legs.
She took my approach as encouragement to begin speaking. “The council has met and come to a decision. We require your presence in the highest level of the palace.”
Feeling nervous but determined not to show it, I said, “All right. Let us out so we can follow your instructions.”
Queen Naida smiled, and on an elf or even a fairy it would have been considered sympathetic. On the Mermaid Queen, it was just patronizing. “I am afraid you are mistaken. Your elf friends must remain here. You and your fairy companion are able to leave.”
“Why only us?” Elvina asked suddenly. I hadn’t even noticed her waking up.
“Answers will be provided by the council,” the Queen replied vaguely, with a smug sweetness that made anger bubble up inside me.
Nathan peered at me uncertainly. I didn’t know what to say to help our situation, so I tried to give him a reassuring smile and beckoned Elvina forward. Hesitating slightly, she joined me at the bars. The Queen removed a key practically out of nowhere; it was rough and probably fashioned out of coral. She inserted it into the lock on our cell and opened the small door to the right of us.
“Come now,” she instructed.
I bit my lip and considered the possibility of never returning to this cell, of never seeing Nathan or my friends again.
“Tell Aimee and Tavis what happened when they wake up,” I told Nathan, keeping my eyes trained ahead of me, on Queen Naida’s exotically beautiful face. I couldn’t look into his eyes. I would surely break down if I did. I was so frightened that I could barely keep my voice steady.
I didn’t want to leave, but I couldn’t ignore the Queen’s request, so I stopped wondering about the future and followed her robotically, leaving the prison cell and the trapped elves behind.
***
Passing through the palace was a huge blur. Everything was bright and loud, and after spending so much time in silence and close quarters, I wasn’t prepared for so much chaos. The palace was divided into multiple rising levels with large holes in the floors rather than stairs. Queen Naida had two of her attendants, the mermaid Arva and merman Latimer, guide us through each floor because Elvina and I weren’t used to traveling underwater. The trip made me dizzy. Arva swam incredibly fast for such a small creature. Her nimble movements disoriented me quickly, and I had to close my eyes until we reached the top where the council awaited our arrival.
When we reached the final level, Arva set me down gently and departed with Latimer. I stood with Elvina before an assembly of seven mermaids including the Queen. Each sat on a lavish throne decorated with jewels, coral, and undersea plants. Queen Naida took her place beside a dark-haired merman holding a scepter encrusted with pearls. I knew right away that he was King Almog. He exuded poise and royalty, his stature both impressive and intimidating. He wasn’t wearing a crown, but neither was Naida for that matter. I briefly speculated the possibility that they had hidden
Nathan came to sit beside me, and although I was determined to keep my distance from him on this journey, I couldn’t help but find comfort in his presence. He didn’t touch me; he knew my moods too well to do so. But he was there…and that was enough.
We sat silently for many moments, contemplating our circumstances and trying hard not to admit how we both felt: hopeless.
***
Queen Naida didn’t return for hours. Nathan and I were the only ones awake when she swam to the prison bars, gliding gracefully through the water like it was air. I looked to where Aimee, Tavis, and Elvina lay on the floor and wondered if I should wake them. Before I could decide, Queen Naida cleared her throat, demanding attention.
I rose and progressed awkwardly to the front of my cell, my movements a struggle compared to the Queen’s innate fluidity. Her tail probably made underwater travel more suitable than my gangly legs.
She took my approach as encouragement to begin speaking. “The council has met and come to a decision. We require your presence in the highest level of the palace.”
Feeling nervous but determined not to show it, I said, “All right. Let us out so we can follow your instructions.”
Queen Naida smiled, and on an elf or even a fairy it would have been considered sympathetic. On the Mermaid Queen, it was just patronizing. “I am afraid you are mistaken. Your elf friends must remain here. You and your fairy companion are able to leave.”
“Why only us?” Elvina asked suddenly. I hadn’t even noticed her waking up.
“Answers will be provided by the council,” the Queen replied vaguely, with a smug sweetness that made anger bubble up inside me.
Nathan peered at me uncertainly. I didn’t know what to say to help our situation, so I tried to give him a reassuring smile and beckoned Elvina forward. Hesitating slightly, she joined me at the bars. The Queen removed a key practically out of nowhere; it was rough and probably fashioned out of coral. She inserted it into the lock on our cell and opened the small door to the right of us.
“Come now,” she instructed.
I bit my lip and considered the possibility of never returning to this cell, of never seeing Nathan or my friends again.
“Tell Aimee and Tavis what happened when they wake up,” I told Nathan, keeping my eyes trained ahead of me, on Queen Naida’s exotically beautiful face. I couldn’t look into his eyes. I would surely break down if I did. I was so frightened that I could barely keep my voice steady.
I didn’t want to leave, but I couldn’t ignore the Queen’s request, so I stopped wondering about the future and followed her robotically, leaving the prison cell and the trapped elves behind.
***
Passing through the palace was a huge blur. Everything was bright and loud, and after spending so much time in silence and close quarters, I wasn’t prepared for so much chaos. The palace was divided into multiple rising levels with large holes in the floors rather than stairs. Queen Naida had two of her attendants, the mermaid Arva and merman Latimer, guide us through each floor because Elvina and I weren’t used to traveling underwater. The trip made me dizzy. Arva swam incredibly fast for such a small creature. Her nimble movements disoriented me quickly, and I had to close my eyes until we reached the top where the council awaited our arrival.
When we reached the final level, Arva set me down gently and departed with Latimer. I stood with Elvina before an assembly of seven mermaids including the Queen. Each sat on a lavish throne decorated with jewels, coral, and undersea plants. Queen Naida took her place beside a dark-haired merman holding a scepter encrusted with pearls. I knew right away that he was King Almog. He exuded poise and royalty, his stature both impressive and intimidating. He wasn’t wearing a crown, but neither was Naida for that matter. I briefly speculated the possibility that they had hidden
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