POV Athénia
I wake up telling myself that today will be a new day. This is it—I'm finally leaving for a place where I'll discover who I really am.
"Come on, Lis! A little more energy—we're going on a traaaaaavel! " said Kora
Gahh, that one. Always so excited about adventures, as she calls them. My poor head.
"You're not out of bed yet?!" She yelled at me. I slowly get up from my bed and head to the bathroom; I take a quick shower, step out with a towel wrapped around me. Drying my hair with another towel, I stop in front of the mirror and ask myself again why everyone thinks I'm strange. Damn it. I brush my hair and tie it in a ponytail. I pick an outfit from my closet. Since I have the honor of leaving today, I grab my black pants and a white crop top with LOVE written across it. If this is my last day here, I'm going to annoy my father a little before I go. He has no idea I even own this kind of outfit; he wants me to dress only in… pfff, he can dream. I slip into my clothes and check myself in the mirror— not bad, as usual.
" You look gorgeous, Lis." commented Kora
"Thanks, Kora." I said
A knock at the door. I open it to find Jane, one of the castle's servants, holding a tray of food. She's about to speak, but I quickly take the tray from her.
" Thanks, you may go." I said
I immediately shut the door. I set the tray on my desk; I'm not that hungry anyway. My flight's at 11, and it's only 8—I've got time.
"You should eat, Lis." said Kora
" I'm really not hungry." I replied
"What will you do in the meantime? Eat now—once Father shows up, you won't have time anymore." said Kora
" Alright, alright" I said
I sit down and start eating, thinking about how to stop people from barging into my room.
"Lis…" called Jiji's voice
I look around, but don't see him. Of course—it's a mind link.
" Yes, Jiji?" I answered
"I can't take it anymore, I still have three hundred—yes, three hundred—files to finish." said Jiji
"Jiji, it's fine if you can't be there when I leave." I said
"But I really want to see you before you go." said Jiji
" I'll call you the moment I set foot in London, alright?" I said
"I'll meet you at the airport, sis. I'll make it." said Jiji
" Okay, deal." I said
The link cuts. I sigh.
" He really loves us, Lis." said Kora
"Sometimes he overdoes it, though." I said
"About keeping people out of your room—I have a solution." I said
" What solution?" I asked
" A protection spell." answered Kora
"What?!" I yelled
"I know what you're going to say—that we don't have powers. But we're strong, dammit!" said Kora
" Fine, tell me what to do." I said
Kora explains, with a kind of elegance—well, with perfection, really. I start reciting the words. Twenty tries later, I'm still messing up.
" Lis, you need to focus and just repeat those damn words!" said Kora
Ooh, the wolf is getting angry. I take a deep breath, focus, and try again. Minutes later, I open my eyes. I feel Kora wagging her tail with joy.
"You did it, Lis!" said Kora
Haha, I actually managed it! I jump up in excitement, shouting "I did it!" all around the room. That's when I notice a golden key on my desk. My mouth drops open.
"What's this?" I asked
" The Key of Protection. If you lock the door with this, not even the greatest sorcerer will be able to open it." answered Kora
" But my door doesn't even have a keyhole… which means there will be an extra lock only I can see." I said
" Exactly. See? You can do it when you want to." said Kora
Another knock at the door. I sigh before opening it to find two guards.
" Bryce, Brayan, what are you doing here?" I asked
They bow slightly before Bryce answers.
" Princess, we're here for your luggage." answered Bryce
" Then come in." I said
They each grab a suitcase and leave. I sigh at the thought of leaving my room. Slinging my backpack over my shoulder, I turn toward the door. I lock it with the golden key, whispering the words Kora taught me, and tuck the key safely into my bag. Slowly, I walk down the hallway, memories flooding back. Reaching the staircase, I recall all the times I've fallen here and can't help but smile.
"Athènia…" shouted the King
The king interrupts my moment of nostalgia. He looks furious, but you already know why, don't you? His brows are deeply furrowed.
"What are you wearing?" he said
" Seems the king made quite the mistake sending me to London." I said,
"Change at once." said The King
I give a mocking little bow.
" My king, everyone dresses like this over there. If I show up in medieval gowns, they'll think I'm insane. Excuse me—I've got a flight to catch." I said
I turn to leave.
"Aren't you going to say goodbye to your family?" said Fabellia
"Last I checked, coldness isn't family, plastic can't bear children, and flies only buzz nonsense. No thanks." I said
I leave without saying another word. The only one I want to see is Jiji. At the gates, I spot a taxi waiting. I smile bitterly—my father couldn't even bother to send one of the dozens of palace cars.
I climb into the cab, giving the manor one last look before the driver pulls away. A heavy urge to cry swells inside me.
"You know you can cry, if it'll ease your pain." said Kora
"No, Kora. I can't cry. Not in front of someone I don't know." I said
I put in my earbuds, turn on some music, and lean my forehead against the window, closing my eyes and letting the darkness take me.
"Athènia…" called a voice
I half-open my eyes—it's another vision, or something like it.
" My dear, be strong. You will fight, and you will win against your enemy. But be careful, my love, the world is full of evil." said the voice
"I—" I started but I snap my eyes open. Back in the taxi. I blink and see the airport ahead.
" Miss Gronds, we've arrived." said the Driver
"Thank you." I said
I get out while he unloads my suitcases. I drag them inside and head to the London departure terminal. The king really is cruel—he has a private jet, yet Jiji and I always fly commercial. Not even first class, just cheap economy. Sigh. I sit down to wait for boarding. Pulling out my laptop, I search for information, downloading several articles to read during the long flight.
" Attention passengers, please proceed to security check for the London flight." said rhe anouncer
This is it. I get ready, hoping Jiji shows up at the last moment. The second call comes. I head through security, slowly making my way to the gate.
"LISSSS!" shouted someone
I stop. That voice—I know it. Jiji. I turn around slowly and see him. Tears sting my eyes. He really came. I run to him, throwing my arms around him.
" Jiji!" I shouted too
" I made it." said Jiji
I break the hug, staring at him as he both smiles and cries at the same time. What a brother.
" The king won't like it if he sees you cry, Jiji." I teased him
He rolls his eyes and wipes his tears.
" He can go to hell." said Jiji
I laugh at him.
"I'm serious, though. It's not like I'm never coming back. We've got phones, video calls… I promise I'll call you every day." I said
" I'm going to miss you." said Jiji
"I'll miss you too, my twin. But you know our bond is stronger than any distance." I said
" I can feel your pain, and you can feel mine." said Jiji
" And our hearts are our greatest weapons. Jiji, you'll always be my brother, and I'll always be your sister—no matter how far apart we are." I said
" Which means our bond is unbreakable." said Jiji
I hug him again just as the final boarding call is announced. I pull away.
"I have to go, Jiji, or I'll miss my flight." I said
" Take care of yourself, Lis." said Junior
" You too, Jiji. Don't let anything bring you down." I said
I turn to leave, but stop and glance back.
" Goodbye, Jiji." I said
" Goodbye, Lis." said Junior
I walk toward the plane, boarding as the image of Junior turning away burns into my mind. Inside, I take my seat.
" Good morning, dear passengers. We'll be your hosts for today's flight. Please fasten your seatbelts—we'll be taking off shortly. Thank you for your cooperation." said Hostess
I buckle up and take a deep breath. Because the moment I set foot in London, I'll be a new person.