The sound of shouting, crashing and more arguing surrounded me as I listened to the unmistakable sound of Henry’s voice arguing with at least three others. It sounded like they were going to come to blows any minute.
Eden isn’t supposed to sound like a war zone, is it?
I opened my eyes slowly, then squinted at the bright light streaming through the flowing curtains around my bed. Windows surrounded the room, and light filled it with a soft white glow. I tried to move but felt stiff. I must have slept a long time for that to happen. Standing up, I noticed my usual kilt and shirt were gone, and I was wearing a long white robe of linen with a pair of pants and a shirt made of a softer silky material. It felt fantastic against my skin and whispered with every movement I made. I found soft slippers on the floor, so I slid into them and walked toward the door that seemed to be muffling most of the noise. Easing my ear to the crack, I listened with astonishment to the argument going on.
“I don’t care if it did cause the paranormal version of an international incident, Father. I had to protect Finn and Ameria from the constant threat to them. I keep telling you I had no choice!”
“Henry, this is a disaster. We’ve gotten missives from the Elvin Kingdom demanding we return the princess that we kidnapped. Kidnapped! They think we kidnapped a baby for a power play, son.”
“I understand, Father, I do. But you need to listen to me. There’s something between us. Finn is important to me. You can’t keep him asleep forever. He’s supposed to hand the baby off to the next Mage in five days. If you would just talk to him, he might know how we can get out of this mess peacefully.”
I stopped listening after he said the end of the month was in five days. They’d kept me asleep for more than two weeks?! I walked through the door, not bothering to knock.
“You’ve had me knocked out for over two weeks? Where’s Ameria? I demand to see her right this minute.”
Henry walked to my side and gave me a kiss and a hug. Whispering to me, “Calm down, Finn. She’s fine. She’s taking a nap right now.”
His white outfit was the same as mine, but with a wide gold sash tied around his waist. His hair was more natural, and the wings were nowhere to be seen. I tried to take a secret peek behind his back, but he caught me.
“We only wear the wings for special occasions. I’ll tell you about it sometime.”
I dropped my hands to my hips and gave him a stern look. Then I raised my gaze to see the room held three other people, who from the resemblance had to be Henry’s relatives. I addressed the older-looking male first.
“I would like to know where my charge is and why I’ve been kept asleep for this long? And what’s this I hear about kidnapping and an international incident?”
The man I addressed walked forward and held out a hand in greeting. I shook it while he explained.
“We’re sorry for keeping you asleep for so long, but there’s a strict protocol for any being that enters our realm uninvited. We had to keep you in isolation for at least that long to make sure you weren’t a spy or meant us harm. We conducted a thorough background check, and your lineage was scoured for ulterior motives. We had to make sure you were healthy. We did find the tracking sequence my son told us about in your bloodstream, but since your blood is mixed with my son’s now, the tracking effects have worn off already. As for your sweet baby, she’s been having a ball playing with the other children and being introduced to all the trees and animals here. She’s a bright light in the world and has been a joy to us all. Even if we might wind up being at war over her very soon.”
There was so much to unpack in what he’d just said that I needed a minute to think. I fell back on pleasantries because those I wouldn’t take up much thought.
“You all seem to know who I am, background check and all, so who are you?”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. How rude of us. I am Henry’s father. You may call me Mike. This is my wife, Melody, here.” He motioned to a beautiful woman to the side who had the same exact blue eyes as Henry. Then he pointed to a stern-looking man to her left. “And that is Henry’s brother Gabe.” Henry’s mother nodded her head and said hello, but his brother ignored me completely.
The pleasantries out of the way, I tackled the main subject first.
“Why do you think you’ll be going to war with the Elvin Kingdom? They have to know Ameria is safe and still with me, or at least I hope that’s what you told them.” When I saw all of the angels present shoot accusatory looks at Henry’s dour-faced brother, I figured he was the one who’d messed up. “Well, what did you tell them?”
Gabe answered me with an attitude that said he had been defending his position for a long time and he was willing to die on this hill. Great.
“We have told them nothing. We are a sovereign alternate reality and do not answer to any paranormal groups. We don’t have to explain our actions. We never interfere in the human world. It’s forbidden, and this time it
