Page 28 of Shattered Heir
“I will say, at least I have a little knowledge from mom’s story book.”
“Yes, she loved telling you those stories,” Mary said, seemingly happy, but sad at the same time. Her lips held a smile, but her eyes were distant–as if looking at a memory.
“So, Glasson is from the Kingdom of Torren.”
“Yes, however, Ryker was born there, too."
“But he left to guard my dad? He left Torren to live in Haleston?”
“Yes.”
"Is it normal for a Crown Prince to become a knight for someone?"
"Many heirs haven't, but Glasson chose to use his gift, I guess. Ash and Glasson must have been linked, kind of like how you and Ryker were, or it might have happened here on Earth out of necessity. It is good that she has a guardian knight. For an Ancient Heir, knights are so important."
"This is all so–much, you know? But I think I am getting used to all this crazy,” I said with a laugh.
"Glasson knows Terran groups, or colonies, as he calls them. Many Terrans were forced to seek safety and refuge in this unknown world. Others remained on Terra because being close to their own people helped them band together to survive. All of the believers in the Ancients, at the beginning, when the corruption started, were sent here. There is also an organization that Keil built with Prince Shad, and it helps them keep in touch and network with each other. It is a hard balance to keep. Sometimes, it can be hard to figure out how things work in a new realm. I had your mom, and I was so grateful for that. Then we found your dad and Rykerian. There are many things you need to learn. Coming to Earth was a huge eye-opener for me, but the most important thing for you to learn is aboutyou, and then everything else will follow. All I will say, now, is that you have much to learn about things.”
“I saw Shad's company the other day when I trained there. It is pretty incredible what Shad and
Keil have built.” I paused, going over her words again in my mind. “I can’t believe thatthisis real life.”
Sometimes, talking about this stuff out loud makes it sound way too impossible,I thought.
It’s not impossible, Emma,that unknown voice whispered within my soul.
That voice is not mine. Is it Shad? The monster? Maybe,I need to tell someone about it.
Please don’t,I heard it again within me, and I froze.
Mary looked at me as if I were losing my mind.
I probably am,I thought.
“Sorry, uh, I was just thinking.”
You are not losing your mind.
It came to me that it was Shad’s voice I was hearing in my soul, and he seemed to laugh, and I wanted to cry from the joy of hearing him inside of me. It was more than I could have ever hoped for.
It is Shad, right? You are Shad?
“Are you alright?” Mary asked.
The voice didn’t answer.
“Sorry, Mary, yes, I am fine.”
“I worry about you, Emma; you have had so much thrown at you in such a short amount of time. I am always here to talk with you need me, even if I'm working. I only work in order to pass the time, anyway, instead of just sitting here, worrying. It feels good to help others. I hope you will still come in for shifts, too.”
“Mary, I am fine; I promise—” Well, I was as fine as anyone could be in my situation. “I am still going to the flower shop; that place is a second home to me. It would be too strange not to go there, just because I now know that magic and other realms exist and that I am part of it all.”
“Please know, I am sorry, Emma. I am trying to go slow with telling you things.”
“Is Earth the only realm where their people don’t know about all this?”
“I think some Terrans tried telling them a few hundred years ago, but they didn't want to know about it. It works for all the others who live here, but it is sad that humans on earth are the only humans who know nothing about magic.”
