I hadn’t really thought about it until now, but Tavlor should understand this stuff more than me.
“You may have to ask your mother about that,” he said. He knew about the locket. He knew I could still talk to my mother even though she was technically dead. “The most common reason would be that someone else created the realm for her, and they are still alive. Or that she attached the magic to an object or person, like yourself, rather than herself.”
I nodded, the locket on my chest staying cold.
Hmm... my mother didn’t want to answer than one, obviously. I wondered why. I was tempted to grab the locket in my hand and demand an answer, but I didn’t. Not yet.
“Makes sense,” I said.
When we reached the entrance to the portal, I hesitated.
It was embedded in a wall as well. An ancient church brick fence that I had to assume would never be knocked down. “Do you need to come into the realm with me, or would you like to say goodbye from here?” I asked.
I wasn’t exactly sure which option I preferred, but leaving Tavlor felt like the worst one. Even though we weren’t doing much talking, I loved being around him.
However, I did hesitate.
I hadn’t told anyone except my father about my sisters, and although I trusted Tavlor, especially now, their safety was the most important thing for me. I didn’t want to risk it for a selfish reason.
“I’d rather see you into the realm,” he replied. He looked past me, at the portal, before locking eyes with me once more. “But if you don’t want me to...”
“I’d love you to come with me, but there’s something I need to tell you first,” I said slowly. I swallowed, shifting my weight.
“What is it?” he asked, his lips quirking up. “Three secret children? A husband?”
I was startled by his attempt to make a joke. He kept smiling, but I wasn’t sure if he’d continue to do so once he found out that his job of protecting the illegitimate heir to the High Warlock had just tripled.
“Ah, no.” I forced a smile, shaking my head. I curled an errant lock of hair behind my ear.
“I didn’t think so.” His smile faded and a bout of disappointment rippled through me. “Considering what we know about your experience, I doubted it would be that.”
I rolled my eyes. He never seemed to forget the fact that inside my brain he’d found out that I was a virgin. I knew he said it to lighten the mood, but I didn’t like to be reminded that he had seen so much about me and I knew so little of him. It didn’t seem fair.
“Well, inside this realm is my biggest secret, Tavlor, so please be as calm as possible when you find out,” I said.
There was a heavy beat of intense silence and then he nodded. “Alright.”
I blew out a breath, feeling the locket on my chest warm with the warning I knew my mother would be sending me.
I ignored her. I’d already thought of all the consequences of this. And the fact that she didn’t trust me with certain information only made it easier not to listen to her now. She couldn’t parent me from the grave. Advise me when I asked, sure, but she stopped calling the shots the day she left this world.
I trusted Tavlor.
I lifted my hand and said the incantation my mother had taught us for emergencies. Considering the fact that she never wanted us to leave in the first place, it was a blessing she shared that much with us.
The portal opened and the warmth of the air made my breath catch in my throat.
The scent of familiar trees and flowers from my childhood made nostalgia well, along with the tears in my eyes.
“Hold my hand.” I said grabbed for Tavlor’s palm again.
I had no idea if there were securities set for entering the realm. As far as I knew, no-one, bar for my sisters and me, and our mother, had ever stepped foot into this realm before.
Tavlor’s fingers slid between mine and gripped my hand.
“Let’s go.” I stepped forth, tugging him with me. A shiver of unease passed over me as I walked onto the grass of the field. I wasn’t sure if it was because I shouldn’t be bringing him here or if it was for some other reason.
With a strange whoosh sound, the portal closed behind me, but we had arrived—together and in one piece.