The Skin Thief

Chapter 18

Kiora

The king grabs Kiora's under arm and lifts her onto her feet harshly. Her legs wobble as she struggles to find the strength to walk.

Winter has left her. Kiora's chest aches deeply and it takes all of her strength not to break down and sob in front of these men.

The men quickly rip off their thick jackets and coats now they are back in the summer heat. For Kiora it feels horribly uncomfortable. Her skin prickles and it almost feels as though she is melting.

She can't help but look around at the green gardens and their vibrant plants with disgust. Already, she longs for the pure white blanket of snow. To her, trees look better when they are bare of their leaves and sparkling icicles hang from their branches.

Her eyes sting with tears and she holds her body tightly, trembling from the shock. The beating sun continues to make her skin tingle painfully. She turns to the King and clears her throat delicately.

"Please take me to a place shielded from the sun," she says, her voice tiny.

"If you would come with me," he says and holds out his arm. Kiora narrows her eyes and takes it reluctantly. They slowly start walking through the gardens.

"You may be wondering how we got here," he begins to explain.

"No," Kiora says, her voice still small. She clears her throat and tries to speak up. "I know what a portal weaver is."

"Oh," the king mutters, almost sounding disappointed that he doesn't have to explain it to her. "Well," he continues and chuckles darkly, "now my portal weaver has seen the inside of your temple, he can take me back whenever I want."

Kiora stops, her eyes widening.

"Relax," he says, still laughing. "I will leave the priestesses alone. I have what I want."

The way he says the last line makes her shudder. Kiora doesn't speak as she starts walking once more.

"You know," the king begins, still talking at her, "it was a precarious journey getting to your temple. My portal weaver has only seen the edges of the Serntora Mountains, so that was the closest we could open a portal. It took us two months of trekking to and interrogating to find your mountain. Talking about portals, how do you get to the other realms without using the great portals? Unfortunately, our weavers are only able to create portals in this realm and not into others..."

Kiora sighs loudly and glares at him out of the corner of her eyes. "I already told you," she says, "I know what portal weavers are. I don't need you to subtly try and educate me."

The king shuts his mouth, his lips forming a tight line. He clears his throat awkwardly and gestures for his men to leave. They rush off, carrying their and the king's heavy coats with them.

"These are the palace gardens. They are beautiful, are they not?" he says uncomfortably and gestures around them. Kiora only hums nonchalantly. She is too focused on not breaking down and sobbing in front of this fool. "I think you'll like the royal palace," he continues. "It is truly spectacular. Much more so than your temple."

"I doubt it," Kiora replies, her voice dull.

The king laughs awkwardly, and they round a corner, leaving the secluded little area they'd arrived back in. He stops so Kiora can take in the building. She stares at it, unimpressed with the huge block of grey stone and its multitude of towers and spires.

The king looks at her expectantly. Kiora just stares at him, her expression blank. He sighs, exasperated, and starts walking again.

"You'll grow to appreciate it, once you've settled in. Well, not that you'll have much time for that. The Dragon Emperor is expecting you in two days."