The Bridge Between Worlds

Her entire being was on fire. She heard the voices around her, but she knew not what they were saying. Her body ached, her head feverish. She held her tongue, but oh she wished she could cry out in agony.

“Her temperature is rising.”

“But she’s cold to the touch.”

The same voices overlapped each other. Regina could not place who they belonged to. She was uncomfortable. She was surely sweating more than buckets on the wonderfully soft sheets.

“Please, make it stop,” she whimpered, scratching at the back of her shoulder blades. “Make it stop.”

Something was tearing into her skin. It felt like a knife.

“Turn her over.”

Regina felt herself being lifted. She was turned over and her hair moved out of the way.

“Are those what I believe they are?”

“Certainly appears to be.”

“Arcano may have a salve for the pain.”

“I’ll fetch him.”

“Fetch Kalib as well.”

“What will that do?”

“More than you believe. Go.”

* * *

Repetition seemed to be Regina’s new companion.

She awoke with a sharp intake of air. However, unlike many of the other times, she awoke face down. She pushed up onto her hands, preparing to get out of the bed.

“Easy.”

She froze when she heard the voice. Manly and calm. The scenario was familiar, with the exception of the “who” this particular voice belonged to this time around.

“My father, where is he?” she asked as she turned so she could dangle her legs over the edge of the bed. “Oh!”

Something pulled on her shoulder in the most uncomfortable way. Kalib shot forward and reached behind her. He nudged her to stand before returning her to a seated position.

“You’ll want to be aware,” he said with an apologetic gaze as he motioned behind her. “This is quite new, but I knew how to help your father and his wife.”

Regina twisted her head as far as it was able. And when her head wouldn’t turn anymore, she moved her eyes. She was shocked at what she saw.

“What is that?” she whispered.

“Those, my lady, would be your wings.”

“Wings?”

She stared for along moment. Purple feather with silver edges rippled with her every breath. Graceful and elegant.

“I have wings,” she said as the very wings seemed to close around her in a warm cocoon. “But . . . I thought Celestials didn’t have wings. My sister said our mother didn’t have them.”

“No, but your grandmother did.”

Regina looked at Kalib.

“How do you know that?” she asked, hesitantly brushing her hand over the soft feathers.

“Because the Lady Kinasha found a parchment stating so,” he explained as he moved to stand by the window on the far wall.

“And how did you know what to do with what happened to me?”

“I went through a similar situation.”

He faced her with a gentle smile.

“For now,” he went on, nodding as he returned to the chair in front of the bed. “Rest, don’t sit on them. They will pull on your shoulders and it does hurt. They will furl and close eventually. But until then, this is your new normal.”

* * *

Regina was still in shock as she sat on the grass in the courtyard. The wings seemed to have a mind of their own. They flapped and swayed, as if a gentle breeze blew through them. Even where there wasn’t. Yet, whenever she felt she wanted to run her fingers over the silky plumes, they rested in her lap. She was, technically, recovering from a terrible fever. She followed instructions and was taking it easy. And Kalib had been instructed to keep her company.

“What was your transition like?” she asked, growing tired of the silence. “How did you Manifest?”

“Similar to yours,” Kalib replied from where he was walking near a green hedge. “Fever, body aches. The dreadful burning sensation, as if I were on fire. And the feeling of a sharp object tearing into the skin of my shoulders. Possibly the worst moment of my life.”

He joined her on the grass, a somber expression on his face.

“And what abilities did you gain?”

“None uncommon. I can manipulate the Elements, like anyone else.”

Regina grew puzzled by his vagueness. He didn’t seem overly extraordinary. Apart from his handsome looks, he seemed average. For an Anerathian. Back on Earth, he would have certainly been considered above average. Extremely above average.

“Show me,” she said, rising to her feet, being careful not to catch the tips of her wings underfoot. “Manipulate one of the Elements. I’ve been here for days already and I have yet to see anyone else use the gifts.”

Kalib chuckled, returning to a standing position. Pointing his amused expression at her. It was amazing how a smile could improve a handsome face. Especially his handsome face.

“Alright,” he said as he turned over his hands. “I will show you something. Close your eyes.”

“Close my my eyes?” she scoffed.

“I am quite fond of the element of surprise. Close your eyes, Regina.”

She quirked an eyebrow, but she closed her eyes. Her wings flapped softly behind her. Either from excitement for nervousness, she wasn’t sure. Gentle hands touched her hips. She fought to keep her eyes closed, biting her bottom lip between her teeth.

A gentle breeze blew around her neck and suddenly, she felt light as the feathers of her wings.

“Okay,” Kalib whispered; his voice was so close to her left ear, as was the warmth of his breath. “Open your eyes.”

Regina did, and what she saw left her speechless.

* * *

They were flying, sort of. A twister of wind kept them from falling to the ground. Kalib’s eyes were closed in concentration. A soft smile playing at his lips. Regina’s gaze wandered over the green valleys. The snow covered mountains in the North were gorgeous. The sunshine, which was now setting in the West, sent rays of brilliant light all over the land.

“Amazing, is it not?” Kalib asked as the wind became more gentle. They lowered in steady, slow movements.

“Yes,” she replied as her feet touched the ground. “Absolutely amazing.”

She smiled as he opened his eyes and spoke.

“Manipulating a single Element is most common. Manipulating more than one . . . That’s the rare gem.”

Kalib glanced at his right hand, which he held up with his palm facing up. From the ground sprung a green vine. Leaves grew as it reached higher, until it wrapped itself around his wrist and fingers.

He explained, “This is a variation of the ability to manipulate the earth beneath us. Like your father, my ability is not as common. Lady Twileigh shares his ability, but she is a sorceress. The royal mage.”

A flower bloomed on the vine. Kalib plucked it from the stem and held it out to Regina.

“Regina.”

She turned to see her father approaching. She looked back to Kalib, noticing how he’d taken several steps back. Away from her. Perhaps out of respect. Or maybe it was something else. But Regina not feel any sort of rejection or disappointment. Not that she should have felt any. She was grateful for all he’d shown her.

“The Xiphis Council has made contact,” her father explained as he led her into the palace. “They wish to meet you at earliest convenience.”

“Oh,” Regina said, glancing over her shoulder to find Kalib had disappeared. “I suppose that is to be expected.”

They paused and her father faced her.

“Regina,” he said with a kind smile. “You do not need to do anything if you feel even the least bit uncomfortable. They are your people as well. They merely want to see the proof. If they do not believe even after seeing, you are more than welcome to return here.”

She returned the smile. “Thank you.”

Father hesitated, but he pulled her into a gentle embrace. He then said they had an audience with the king and queen. There was much to discuss.

* * *

Queen Aleia didn’t want Regina leaving Anerathia empty handed. She wanted to be sure she had all the resources she needed, in the event she was forced to return. Although, no one expected this to happen. Not when a photograph of the Heartsword had been found. Regina’s wings resembled those of Queen Bethany. A blood sample was no longer necessary. The photograph was enough to prove Regina was the heiress to the Xiphis throne.

“They were happy,” she said as she looked at the photo. “When was this taken?”

“Before my time, I believe,” replied King Auro, “Possibly before my parents’ time. You may need to seek knowledge in your Xiphis library. Every kingdom has their chronicles.

Regina nodded, placing the photo in the satchel she was bringing with her. She was about to ask a further question when a strange chill came over her. Her wings curled around her shoulders, similar to a scarf or a sweater.

“Is a window open?” she asked, glancing to the ceiling-to-floor windows.

“No,” the queen replied with a concerned gaze.

However, Regina did not focus on her. Everything and everyone in the room seemed to swirl together. They mingled like colors in a kaleidoscope. And then she was no longer standing in the study.

She could smell salt in the air. Strong wind blew around her in thick gusts. She then felt the sand between her toes, realizing she was barefoot. Waves lapped at her feet, but the shoreline was far from where it should have been. She glanced up and looked at the great ocean. Her focus then went to the far horizon. Something was amiss, but her eyes could not see.

Regina tried to see if there was anyone around, to ask them what was going on. The ground shook beneath her. She planted her feet and waited for the tremors to subside. Birds flew inland from the sea. They were fleeing from something. As the earthquake ceased, she saw a terrifying sight. The waves soaked into the sand. The waterline receded beyond where it was. And everything fell silent. Regina gasped when she realized what was happening.

“No,” she said as she blinked.

She was back in the room again, surrounded by concerned faces. However, they were gazing down at her. Had she fallen? Fainted?

“Where is the nearest harbor or beach?” she asked as her father help her sit forward.

“The nearest harbor,” said the king as and the queen exchanged a knowing glance. “Nearest harbor is on the other side of the Flore mountains, near Mora. A beach, however; the closest one is north of the palace dungeons. Why do you ask?”

“Something dreadful is coming and we need to stop it. Take me there.”