Page 145 of The Sea of Zemira (The Zemiran Chronicles 1)

“Where are we?” Nola asked, climbing to her feet.

The prince placed the Kroneon in his pocket and walked through the corridor leading to his father’s chambers.

“We’re in the castle,” he whispered.

“Well, then, when are we? Did it work?” she asked.

Elijah shrugged. “Guess we’re about to find out,” he said as they heard the king’s guards shout from the other room. “Move back.”

He placed his hand on Nola’s chest, pushing her back around the corner, and as she opened her mouth to speak, Elijah rushed his hand over her lips.

“Shh.”

Nola nodded.

Footsteps grew louder as one of King Matthias’s guards approached and stopped a few feet from the corner where they hid. The feeling of uncertainty crossed the siren’s mind. She knew it was reckless to go back in time. Any wrong decision, any mistake, could alter their entire future. But then again, Elijah was not a man she trusted, and he could change his mind in an instant.

“I need to be alone,” one of the men around the corner said.

Elijah’s eyes looked up. It was the king’s voice. His voice was much younger than how Nola remembered it from the times she saw him during Zemira’s festivities.

Matthias almost sounded like Lincoln.

“Have my sons come see me in a moment.”

When a few of the guards stood at attention and saluted the king, Elijah pushed her further back.

“That’s Mason,” the prince said.“He’ll kill us, thinking we are intruders.”

“We are intruders.” The siren focused her sight on the door ahead, trying to listen in to what was being said. The magic she held gave her the power to see and hear beyond what a human was capable of. It overwhelmed her.

“They’re talking about the Fae. So many are talking at once! Ugh, I’m struggling to make sense of it,” she said.

Elijah went to speak but closed his mouth as Mason entered a room a few doors down from where they stood.

“This way,” the prince whispered as Mason disappeared behind the door. They hurried quickly across the hall to another door. “This was my room. We can hide in here until it’s clear.” He turned to Nola, giving her an intense stare. “We need to find my mother.”

“Elijah! I don’t think that’s wise.”

A young boy screamed down the hall, drawing Elijah’s attention to the noise. The prince froze as they watched the child run from another room and into the hallway.

Prince Elijah watched his young self collapse to his knees, placing his hands on his head. He tugged furiously at his hair while his eyes looked down at the floor. “That bastard. That bastard!”

Elijah stumbled back, and Nola gripped his arms as he slammed into her chest. “It’s too late,” he said. “We just received the news that my father poisoned our mother. It’s too late, Nola.” He placed his hand on his head, fighting back the tears. “It’s too late—" He choked on the last words, no longer able to speak.

Watching the look on Elijah’s face as the young boy learned of his mother’s fate was beyond heartbreaking.

“Elijah,” they heard another voice call out. “Elijah, what’s happening?"

Young Elijah looked up at whom Nola assumed was Lincoln.

Lincoln! She said his name in her mind. No...he was Tristan back then.

“This is your fault, Tristan. Your fault. If you—"

“I didn't know. I didn't know!” little Tristan cried out.

Young Elijah jumped to his feet and leapt forward, slamming his fists roughly against young Tristan’s chest. He stumbled back, tripping over his feet.

---