It felt odd to ask, especially since I wasn’t sure where the voice in my head came from earlier. I probably wouldn’t have asked if we weren't heading towards the palace. I did consider that it was just as likely she was taking me to the castle so I could be of service, rather than for me to be served; I didn’t want to wait to find out. I needed to know what to expect. 

“Yes, your highness, you are the prince of Faerelle, realm of elves and nature.” Her affirmative answer came with a proper curtsy and a nod.

I thought for sure she was joking, but when I laughed, she didn’t join in—instead, she turned away slightly, her cheeks flushed red and she closed her eyes as if trying to escape the moment.

Realizing I’d hurt her somehow, I stopped laughing. “I’m sorry, Clair. I wasn’t laughing at you. I just…I’m not really a prince, am I?”

This time she simply nodded and said, “You are.”

All sorts of questions flooded my mind. How can that be? I’m from earth, what about my family? What if I don’t want to be a prince—what if I don’t want to stay here at all? I did, but I wanted to have the choice in case I changed my mind. Questions kept coming and I didn’t know which to ask first. After a moment of consideration, I started with what was immediately relevant. “What'll happen after we reach the castle?”

 “You’ll meet the Queen, she’s quite a lovely woman—from what I recall.”

“And after that?”

“I’m not sure.” Clair smiled reassuringly, though her answer was uncertain.

“Will I see you again? What about my life on earth, can I go back to visit my family?”

“I serve the royal family so probably, but I can’t say for sure. The Queen may send me where she wills, but…” Clair looked away again, her whole face turning bright red, "…this is your realm, so you could request my service, if that’s what you desire."

I wasn’t sure what she was thinking, but I felt comfortable around her. Whether a prince or not, she was the only person I knew in this world and I’d feel more comfortable in her company. 

I nodded. “Then what about my family?”

“You’ll see,” she said, then started walking again, pulling me along behind her.

Stone walls lined the upward sloping path on both sides. They were high enough that even giants couldn’t see over—I assumed—and covered in a thin layer of vines. 

Further up the path we stopped next to an opening in the wall to the right.

"This is where you'll train," Clair said, pointing through a brass gate to an open field with four large platforms set several feet apart from each other. "You'll have combat lessons, probably starting tomorrow and that building in the back is where Ms. Silvia teaches magic."

To the right of the black platforms, I saw a man that looked a lot like my dad. He was coming out of a small house, but ran back inside when our eyes met.

“Is that…Vorli—”

Then Clair tugged me along without letting me finish.

"Up ahead is where you'll be living from now on. I imagine the Queen is very excited to see you." Clair said, as she pulled me away from the training area. 

The path we took led directly to the castle. Like the city below, it was constructed almost entirely of living plants. The building was three stories high, with the lowest level being built from a combination of stacked stones and hard vines. The rest of the structure was an intricate weaving of tree branches, vines, and flowering plants. Glass windows were set seamlessly in their frames and a large, jewel encrusted, door seemed to be fused with the building as if it were all one plant.

Men stood along the border of the courtyard, each a few paces apart and dressed in leather armor. They bore swords strapped to their belts, and carried shields with an oddly familiar symbol on them—some sort of royal emblem, or a coat of arms, it didn’t matter.

When we reached the castle, Clair came to a stop and let go of my hand again.

An elegant and manicured man, standing just outside the castle, pulled open the grand door adorned with a jewel. I realized when he opened it that it was actually a double door.

At once, guards ushered us through the doors and into a hallway lined with paintings and ornate tapestries.

A few servants came from what smelled like a kitchen and followed along behind us, carrying trays of food and drinks. I noted many different kinds, and fought the temptation to pick something for my starving belly, I hadn’t eaten in hours. The excitement of a new world made me forget my hunger until now, but everything looked enticing—there were sweet cakes, candies, fruits, nuts, cheese, breads, meats, fish, and vegetables—everything smelled delicious too. 

Soon enough, we arrived at a room filled with chairs, couches, tables, and shelves stacked high with books. There were two people already inside. Queen Riona sat comfortably on a cushioned chair.

The Queen looked only a few years older than me, though somehow, I knew she was much older. Her white-gold hair was split into two braids. Like a crown, they wrapped around her head then came together in the back and hung down like a ponytail. She rose from her seat and greeted us warmly. The other person, likely a royal guard, bowed slightly at our entrance then remained at attention by the Queen.

“Welcome home,” she said, her silver eyes meeting mine with a tender smile. It was a smile I'd seen before, though not for many years.

Held in her gaze, I felt warmth flow through me. My mind went blank for just a moment, then I remembered who she was—who I was.