Haunted - 3

Read Chapter 2 before reading this.

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Citron’s POV

I look around even though I know it’s clear. I had to pull a lot of strings in order for me to get a single. One of them being allergic to a lot of things like dust and mold. I draw the rune on my wall and a portal opens up. I glance around one last time before stepping into the swirling blue, purple, and pink hole in the wall.

I’ve never liked portal travel as it always makes me feel nauseous, but it’s the only way to get from one world to another. I will myself to transform and feel the skin on my back opening up and my wings coming out. Although it is nice to stretch them out, I always tuck them back in so they don’t break when I’m not about to use them. Especially landing since I never know where my portals are going to open up. Opening my eyes a little, I see a hole getting bigger as I come closer. I brace myself for the landing and hit the ground. Hard. I clutch my shoulder as I end up rolling down a hill and into a pond.

I sit there drenched, covered in leaves, sticks, and grass. I groan and rotate my arm, trying to loosen it up. I know that a bruise will definitely form, if it hasn’t already. I stand up and start to walk back up the hill. I let my wings out and fly, heading straight for the palace.

Caseriel has been my home for close to one hundred and ninety years and I couldn’t have asked for a better home. As I fly closer, the castle of Caseriel comes into view. It’s a stunning palace and I’m thankful for the King and Queen for bringing me in when I was five.

“Take Citron. I’ll fight them off the best I can,” Papa said, fear in his eyes. He was over three hundred, but he barely looks over forty.

“What about you? We can’t-”

“Go! I’ll catch up with you.”

Mama looks at him, hesitating. She eventually grabs my hand and we start running. I look back and Papa mouths ‘I love you’ before I run to catch up to Mama. I stumble over branches and tree roots as we go up the hill. At the top, we run into the woods before we stop. I turn around and see the village starting to go in flames.

“Papa!” I cry out, knowing he’s going to make it. He has to. He promised he’d teach me how to be a man, how to do everything he does. I feel my mom’s arms wrap around me, pulling me to shelter as I burst into tears.

“Shh… It’s going to be okay. We’re going to get to the safe house your father set up for us and we’ll wait there for him,” Mama wipes my tears and when I’m ready, head out.

~

“Queen Solara.” I bow as I greet her, even though she has told me numerous times lately that I don’t have to be as formal with her.h

“Did you find her?” She stands up, part of her hoping I brought back good news.

“Not yet, my Queen. I do have some news, but I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

Queen Solara motions to me to follow as I talk and I do. I tell her the rumors I heard of the crow. I haven’t talked to Taylor or any of her friends yet to hear their side, but it sounds like the works of the Dark. This is what they do. Their symbol is a crow, so it isn’t a surprise. If anything, it’s a warning to the Light that they’re coming for the heir.

That just makes my job much more stressful of trying to find who she is. I have to get her to safety and bring her back here before anything happens to her. My only question is why target Taylor and her friends. I’ve hung out with her plenty of times and haven’t gotten a magical connection off her at all. Through every ing I have with her friends, none of them let off a connection either. It had to have been a coincidence that it landed outside her window, right?

“We’re running out of time, Citron. Please bring my baby back to me,” Queen Solara pleads. She looks at me with her piercing aqua eyes. I look at her for the first time since I got here and realize that the stress of finding her heir is taking a toll on her. She has dark circles under her eyes and I question how much sleep she’s gotten since the threats have gotten worse.

“I promise. I’d rather die bringing her here and knowing she’s safe than have her be out in the open, full of danger,” I bow my head. I made this promise sixteen years ago and I haven’t stopped looking since. The only difference is that now there’s a time stamp on it.

“I trust you. I just don’t trust them.” She places her hand on my shoulder and I wince. “What happened?”

“Fell on my shoulder after the portal opened up.” I crack a smile.

“You should’ve went to the infirmary wing as soon as you got here! Go, now. And that is a demand from your Queen,” she says.

I nod and start in the direction towards the wing.

~

The nurse places her hand on my shoulder and I can feel her magic going through me. The muscle stitching itself back together isn’t the most pleasant feeling I had to endure. I clench my jaw as I grip the bed with my free hand.

“Next time, don’t go falling on your shoulder. Here’s some nectar for the pain. Don’t overdo it the next few days.” She hands me a small bag with nectar leaves in it. I thank her and stick the bag in my pocket, hoping I won’t lose it.

As I leave the infirmary wing, I run into Queen Solara. She starts to lead me out so I can head back, since it’s getting late. Time here moves slow so a few hours here is a day on Earth. Queen Solara and I talk, almost as if we’re related by blood. It seems like that at times and class isn’t a problem. I might have been a lowlife villager, and I still am at heart, but part of me also feels like I belong here.

Queen Solara walks me to the edge of the garden and we bid farewell. I nod my head and lean backward, falling. My wings come out and I fly up to the edge that I just fell from. I salute Queen Solara as I fly back.

I fly low enough so I can see the ground, but high enough so I don’t get tangled up in the branches. I see the small safe house where Queen Solara found me, which hasn’t been used. The door’s locked and I have the only key to open it. Everytime I come to visit, I try to make it a stop when I leave. Either here or my childhood home which is in ruins.

I land on my feet and I go into my small pouch, pulling the key out. I open it and it’s as I left it. I pick up the frame that’s on the table.

You are the brightest light

No one can put your light out

You’re the only one with the power

That light is yours and yours alone

Mama and Papa

“Don’t worry. My light isn’t going out,” I place it down and blink back the tears. I close the door, making sure it’s locked, before I head on my way. I take off and continue on my way back to the hill so I can return. The sun is still bright in the sky, but not as bright compared to its highest point. I’d say that it’s somewhere from four to six. I wish I could stay to see the sunset, since it’s always been my favorite time, but I have to get back. The longer I’m away, the less time I have to find her.

I turn around when I land and look to the distance where I see the palace. I bow my head and make a silent promise that I’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back. I draw the rune and a portal opens up. Folding my wings in, I step in.

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What is happening?? Who's Citron? And a mysterious world? What about Queen Solara? What are your thoughts on this chapter?

I meant to get this up sooner, but I kept pushing it off thinking it wasn't the right time.

#curatorreview