Page 20 of Their Princess

“She had a little help,” Grandpa Nico said as he teleported next to us.

“Honestly, it took them like two days to figure out how to make it stay open,” Branson said.

“There was a lot of cursing,” Triston agreed with a nod.

I hugged Mom and Grandpa Nico. “Thank you. Thank you.”

“Anything for you,” Mom whispered.

“I’m still waiting on that rainbow unicorn,” I teased her.

She bumped my shoulder with hers while laughing. “Brat.”

Turning back to the portal, I took a deep breath and said, “Really, though. Thank you for … accepting this. Me. Everything.”

“We always told you that we don’t care what you become, that we will love you no matter what,” Dad said and draped his arm around my shoulders. “Maybe now you’ll believe us.”

“So, this will always remain open?” I asked.

“There will be stipulations. The kings and queens all gathered to vote, and it was a unanimous decision to create portals for travel between worlds. We’ve signed the treaty with King Jolmach as well,” Dad answered. “There will be other portals opened in the more public areas like the park as well, but this is the first one we were able to create. There will be guards at them all and guidelines for individuals crossing, too. An official announcement will go out in the next few days, now that we know we can create this.”

“Well? What are you waiting for?” Mom asked. “I’ve got it on good authority there’s a concerned demon king waiting on the other side.”

Mason linked his hand with mine and said, “Well, we better not keep him waiting longer than necessary.”

Trey and Kayden stepped up behind us, big smiles on their faces.

“Let’s go see my people,” I said. Looking at my parents, I added, “Myotherpeople.”

Taking a deep breath, I stepped through the portal and was immediately hugged by Talrinir as she shouted, “Lily!”

We stood on a hill on the opposite side of the forest from the one that we’d first sent Dhun through, our first glimpse of the demon world. It was a fitting entrance view.

“Hello, friend,” I greeted. “How are you?”

She released me and picked up a potted plant that was growing three, thick, green leaves. “We’re … thriving!”

I gently touched one of the leaves. “That’s wonderful!”

Turning, my eyes widened as I took in the silver lily with red tipped flowers in the field on the far side of the forest. It was impressive that I could see it from so far, but was likely due to the magic it possessed. “How is the flower here?” I asked. “Isn’t it in Jinla?”

“It’s connected to both worlds since you are from both,” Talrinir explained. “It shall live here forever, a reminder of the sacrifice you made.”

“Sacrifice?” Trey asked.

I flinched, having not told them this yet. “I … lost part of my powers in order to save everyone and use Goddess Mode.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Kayden asked, and set a hand on my arm. “Are you okay?”

I smiled and kissed his cheek. “It was worth it. I don’t regret it.”

Trey scowled. “Is that what Kara was scowling about when she came to treat you?”

Flinching, I nodded. “Yeah. Apparently, parts of my powers are … charred.”

Trey’s eyes widened, and he reached out to grip one of my hands. “Charred?”

Smiling, I squeezed his hand. “I’m okay, Trey. In fact, since stepping foot in the demon world, I feel better than ever.”

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