Chapter One Hundred & Thirty One

Chapter One Hundred & Thirty One
Nora's P.O.V

We moved deeper this time, away from the main areas he’d shown me earlier. The noise faded the further we went until it was just our footsteps echoing softly through the corridor.

“This is the private wing,” he said.

Of course it was.

We turned one last corner and stopped in front of a set of double doors—tall, detailed, the same strange glowing patterns etched into them like everything else here.

Rael pushed them open.

I stepped inside—

And stopped again.

“…You’ve got to be kidding me.”

It wasn’t just a room.

It was a full space—wide, open, with ceilings just as high as the rest of the place, but softer somehow. Warmer. Light filtered in from tall windows that looked out over the grounds, the same unreal sky stretching beyond them.

There was a bed—massive, draped in dark fabric that somehow still felt inviting. A sitting area off to the side, a fireplace that flickered without heat, shelves, doors leading to other spaces I hadn’t even seen yet.

Everything felt… tailored.

Like it had been waiting.

“For me?” I asked, glancing back at him.

“Yes.”

Of course.

I stepped further in, setting my bag down slowly, turning in a slow circle as I took it all in.

“This is… a lot.”

“You’ll get used to it,” he said.

I huffed a quiet laugh. “That’s what you keep saying.”

My eyes drifted back to him.

“And where’s your room?” I asked.

“Nearby,” he replied.

Convenient.

I nodded once, then looked back around, trying to wrap my head around the fact that this...

This was mine now too.

I walked over to the window, looking out across the grounds again, quieter this time.

“…This is real,” I muttered.

“Yes.”
I glanced back at him, then gave a small nod.

I slowly turned another circle, my eyes wandering over the room one last time. It still didn't feel real.

Every detail had been crafted with care. The furniture, the fireplace, the oversized windows overlooking the kingdom, even the bed looked like something out of a storybook.

Somehow, despite its grandeur, it didn't feel cold.

It felt... welcoming.

I set my bag on the end of the bed and looked back at Rael.

"So..." I said, crossing my arms with a small smile. "What's next?"

He had been watching me the entire time, quietly taking in every reaction.

"The next few days are yours," he replied. "You need time to settle into this place before I begin your training."

"My training," I repeated.

He nodded.

"There is much your predecessor left behind. Her knowledge. Her abilities. The history of your people. The responsibilities of an Iriath. None of it can simply be handed to you."

"So this isn't just learning to throw bigger flames around."

A faint smile tugged at his lips.

"No."

"What exactly am I learning?"

"How to wield your power without limits. How to command this realm. How to travel between worlds without exhausting yourself. How to hear the realm when it speaks." He paused before adding, "And how to lead thousands who have waited centuries for their queen."

I let out a slow breath.

"No pressure."

"You've handled every impossible situation placed in front of you so far."

"That's because nobody warned me beforehand."

He actually chuckled.

"Fair."

I smiled, shaking my head.

"So... today's homework is what?"

He folded his hands behind his back.

"Rest."

I stared at him.

"You're joking."

"I'm not."

"I just found out I'm apparently queen of another realm, have an army the size of a small country, a castle bigger than some towns, and a guardian who has been waiting centuries for me..." I pointed at him. "...and your first lesson is a nap?"

"It isn't a nap."

"What is it then?"

"Acceptance."

I blinked.

"You've spent the last several hours learning what this place is." His voice softened. "Now I want you to begin believing it."

I looked around the room again.

The silence no longer felt foreign.

The castle no longer felt intimidating.

Somehow...

It felt like it had been waiting patiently for me to stop seeing it as impossible.

I looked back at him.

"And after I rest?"

Rael smiled.

"Tomorrow..." he said.

"I introduce you to your people."

A small smile found his face.

"I'll leave you to unpack and get some rest."

"You sure there isn't another life-changing secret you want to throw at me before you go?"

I teased.

He actually considered it for a second.

I pointed at him.

"Don't."

His smile grew just enough for me to notice.

"I think I'll save tomorrow's surprises for tomorrow."

"Thank you," I said dramatically, placing a hand over my heart. "I don't think my brain can process another one today."

"It doesn't have to."

He stepped toward the doorway before stopping.

"If you need anything..."

I looked up.

"Just say my name?"

He nodded once.

"Anywhere in this realm."

"So you're always listening."

"The bond allows me to know when you call."

I smirked.

"So I can't abuse that power?"

"You'll certainly try."

A laugh escaped me.

"Probably."

For a brief second neither of us spoke.

The easy conversation settled into a comfortable silence neither of us seemed in a hurry to break.

Finally, he inclined his head.

"Rest well, Nora."

"You too."

A hint of amusement crossed his face.

"I don't sleep."

I blinked.

"...Seriously?"

"It isn't necessary."

I sighed, throwing my hands into the air.

"See? That's exactly the kind of information you casually drop that makes me question everything."

"I'll explain another day."

"You better."

He gave one final nod before turning.

The doors opened without him touching them.

He stepped through, and just before they closed behind him, he looked back over his shoulder.

"Welcome home, Nora."

Then he was gone.

The doors shut with a soft click.

Silence settled over the suite.

Real silence.

For the first time since arriving, I was alone.

I let out a long breath and looked around the room again.

"Well..." I murmured to myself.

"This is home now too."

Walking over to the bed, I unzipped my bag and began pulling out my clothes, laughing quietly as I realized how out of place they looked against the elegant furnishings around me.

"My ripped jeans are definitely lowering the property value," I muttered.

I hung a few shirts in the wardrobe, folded the rest into drawers that were far larger than I needed, then set my combat boots neatly beside the bed.

On the nightstand, I placed the only framed picture I'd packed.

Leo.

Killian.

Nick.

Amelia.

All four of us smiling after one of the rare quiet evenings we'd managed to steal together.

My fingers rested lightly against the frame.

"I'll be home soon," I whispered.

The room remained still, but somehow it no longer felt empty.

It felt patient.

Like it understood that my heart belonged to two worlds now.

And somehow...

Both of them had become home.