Alex had a terminal Cancer diagnosis and thought she would die before she got to be the girl she always was inside. That all changes when she's in the wrong place at the right time and gets transported to another world and into the body of a girl. So what if she's not human, she's alive and a girl. Now if only she had her sister with her to navigate this new world and her new responsibilities. Wait, she's here too? The passage of their souls between worlds may have doomed the Earth to apocalypse, but Alex and Michelle won't be there to see it and they have enough problems on their hands.
 

 

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Author's Note: Here's chapter 4 of the rewrite of Alex in Wonderland. I was hoping to have a chapter of Apocalypse Dawn done this week since I was out of town and couldn't post it last week, but it's not nearly ready and once I got started on the edits and changes for this chapter, things went a lot smoother. There were quite a few changes and additions to this one, so it is again a longer chapter than normal at about 7500 words. Thanks to my readers and to BCTS for giving their support of Transgendered authors and fiction. ~Amethyst.
 

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Chapter 4: Giftsun

We were all very tired when Patar came to collect us and take us to the palace. By that time, the bonfire had died down to mere embers, Chrissy was asleep in my lap, and Michelle and Grayle were snoozing peacefully. Jezz and I had also fallen asleep, the Cinole's head resting on my chest, while mine rested on Michelle's back. Patar gently shook Jezz and me awake and, once we were both alert, we woke our Draklings.

Chrissy awoke from the jostling as I got mobile and scurried up to take her place around my neck as we all shuffled over to a very large wagon that Patar had prepared. Two massive and pitch black horse-like creatures, which Patar had called Machuls, were hitched up to the wagon, and honestly, the size of the large equines was a little bit intimidating. I had seen Shire horses once, the largest breed on Earth, and these Machuls were at least a few hands taller, and even beefier than those.

Getting the Draklings into the wagon proved a bit difficult given their size and their clumsiness. It also didn’t help that both Michelle and Grayle were tired and still half asleep. Once we finally had them situated somewhat comfortably in the back of the wagon, Jezz and I climbed in with them, and Patar got into the driver's seat and flipped the reins to set the Machuls into motion.

It was a bit of a bumpy ride across the huge cobblestone bridge that spanned from the shore of the lake to the island in the center where the castle stood. As we made our way over the huge black drawbridge, we were stopped momentarily by the gate guards. Once they saw Patar and his passengers, though, they quickly let us pass. Then, once we were in the courtyard, Patar began issuing orders. “The Princess and Michelle are to be taken to her rooms for tonight, Jezz and Grayle are to be taken to one of the guest rooms, and then all of their needs are to be seen to.”

We were escorted to our rooms by palace servants and, as soon as we entered the princess's rooms, Michelle found a spot on the floor to settle down and fell asleep almost instantly. I was led by someone that Patar had introduced as my personal maid, a reddish-brown Zenin woman named Felice, to the bedchamber. “Can I get you anything before you retire for the night, Your Highness?" she asked.

I was tired, exhausted really, but I also realized that it had been over four days since I had had a bath. It had been too cold to do anything but drink from the glacier-fed lake in the valley, even if I did have fur now. The only time I had taken off my bodysuit and cloak had been to relieve myself, and I had always made sure that had been quick. So, with that in mind, I reluctantly removed Chrissy from around my neck and placed her on one of the pillows of a very comfortable-looking couch before saying, “I think I would like to clean up a bit.”

“Of course, Your Highness,” she replied, “I will prepare a hot bath for you.” She disappeared into a room connected to the bedroom, and I could hear her moving around and water splashing for a while before she returned. “Your bath is ready, Highness. Let me help you off with those clothes.”

It was more than a little awkward, not to mention uncomfortable, having someone undress me, but I was honestly too tired to argue about it. She was doing her job, and I couldn’t fault her for that. It was probably something that I would have to get used to, at least if I was going to be a princess. If the king and queen had been telling the truth about the family oath to the Goddess Itari, I had little choice in the matter, unless I wanted to see this entire kingdom turn to shit, and I didn’t want to be responsible for that. I needed to find out more about this place’s history and see how much it matched what they had told me.

Soon, I was relaxing in a hot bath as Felice scrubbed my back. Once my back was clean, Felice left at my request, leaving me a robe and some towels for when I was finished. I was amazed at what I was seeing in the bathroom as I soaked and let the hot water relax me. It practically had all the comforts of home. There was hot and cold running water for the large marble bath and smaller wash basin, and even indoor plumbing. I later found out that this was all made possible by Enchanters, and that only the very wealthy could afford such convenience. I decided to enjoy it while I could.

I soaked for some time before I started to carefully clean myself, and once I did, the bath was a learning experience. Firstly, I discovered that while I only had two breasts, I also had two other sets of nipples hidden in the fur on my belly. Secondly, I discovered while shifting position to better reach my feet, that sitting on one's tail hurts a lot. Felice rushed in looking panicked after the yowl I let out when that happened. Lastly, once I was out of my bath, I discovered that fur is a bitch to dry properly. I first had to shake myself like... well, like a cat, I guess, and then towel off if I wanted to get dry in any decent amount of time.

The past few days were catching up with me, and when I left the bath chamber, I felt about ready to pass out for a day or two, though I doubted I would have that luxury. It would be luxury, too, if the bed were any indication. It was the biggest, and probably girliest, bed I had ever seen; a full princess-styled deal with four intricately carved black wooden posts, and a canopy and curtains that looked to be made of a somewhat sheer, silky pink material. By the time I finished flopping onto the bed and climbed under the silky sheets and warm covers, I fell asleep almost immediately.

The two days following the nest breaking were extremely hectic. Not only did the baby Drakans require a lot of care and attention, but when we weren't doing that, Patar and Jezz spent all the time they could teaching me about life in the Greylands, and specifically in Azure. I learned about the history, geography, the various Gods and Goddesses that were worshiped, and how time, weights, and distances were measured.

Patar also had both me and Jezz working on our language skills. Jezz grew up in a very small village in a distant part of Azure and had a very thick accent, so sometimes it was hard to understand her. In my case, while I seemed to have little trouble speaking either of the languages commonly spoken in Azure, Patar believed this to be an echo of Visanee’s knowledge and that if I did not use those language skills as much as possible to become familiar with them in my own right, I would lose them. Michelle was able to confirm that Visanee had believed the same.

Of the two, the Zenin language was the hardest, and I had to focus on it the most, usually by speaking with Felice and Visanee’s parents in that language as much as possible, and reading books written in that language. The more common language was easier for me. It was actually a bastardized version of Old English that had been developed after people from Earth started coming through the Gate near their former homeland and making homes there.

At least there were plenty of books to read in the palace in both languages, notably history books about both the Zenin people and the Queendom of Azure. I was probably going to have to make a conscious effort to keep using both languages for months to retain the knowledge I had inherited from Visanee, though. At least all of the reading was serving two purposes since I needed to learn more about both Azure and its history anyway.

Most of the history that I was learning seemed to confirm what I had been told by Visanee’s parents, so it looked like I was probably going to be stuck taking her place as the heir to the throne of Azure after all. The alternative was to refuse and gamble with the lives and happiness of this entire queendom, which was something I wasn’t really keen on. I liked Patar and Jezz, and the king and queen were growing on me as well.

Possibly the most important lessons that I was learning were about Gifts, though. With my Giftsun coming up fast, it was felt that basic education on various Gifts and the Gifted was of the utmost importance. Gifts were granted to people on their eighteenth birthday, or birthsun as they called them, by the Goddess of Gifts, Selune. Because of this, the eighteenth birthsun was called the Giftsun.

On their Giftsun, people of all races are taken by their families to Diviners to test them for Gifts, and to trigger those Gifts if any are discovered. Triggering, or Gifting, can sometimes result in various degrees of physical and/or mental changes. The Giftsun is a rite or passage into adulthood, whether one is Gifted or not, and it is when people set aside their childhood name for the name that they will carry into adulthood.

Not everyone has Gifts, though, and those who do are called the Gifted. The Gifted harness kida, the spirit energy found in the earth, the air, and all living things to use what I would call magic. There are various types of Gifts, and each type of Gifted has a different name. Healers can heal illnesses, wounds, or diseases, though the more serious the injury, the more kida they need to use. They also make potions, balms, and use various other non-magical healing methods to care for the ill. Jezz was a Healer.

Patar was a Diviner. Diviners are those whose Gifts are mind-based. These abilities can include such things as telepathy, telekinesis, precognition, sensing the history of objects or places, and empathy. They can also detect Gift potential. Diviners are the most diverse of the Gifted, and their abilities vary widely amongst them.

Both of Visanee’s, or I guess my parents, Queen Nisa and King Janis, were Thaumaturges, who can use their Gift directly for a wide variety of spells. These spells can be offensive, defensive, or completely neutral, and I guess they would probably be called sorcerers on Earth. In any type of combat situation, Thaumaturges are extremely useful. It was assumed that I would probably be a Thaumaturge as well, should I receive a Gift.

Another type of Gifted are Enchanters. They can't use kida to do anything directly, but can permanently enchant objects with pretty much any effect spells they can imagine, should they have enough power. Enchantments can be temporary or permanent, but permanent ones take more power. Then there are Wilders, who can communicate with and influence animals; Wind Walkers, who can control the weather; and Shifters, who use their Gift to change their shape, appearance, etc. More powerful Shifters can subtly reshape the bodies of others or various materials as well. Finally, there are also people with more than one Gift; these are called Dabblers.

It wasn't all work and studying during those two days, though. Michelle and I spent time just being together again and getting used to the new connection that we shared. Being able to speak in each other's minds all the time took a lot of getting used to. Thankfully, we weren't the only ones new to this, since Jezz and Grayle were going through the exact same thing. It turned out to be a good bonding time for the four of us, and I felt myself feeling truly close to someone besides my twin for the first time in years.

Semi-permanent living arrangements had been made as well. Most Chosen and their Drakans were deeded land to make a home on by the Queen, but in my case, that wouldn't work, so both Jezz and I were staying in the royal palace, or Misalet Castle as it was called. I, of course, had the princess's room. I shouldn't call it a room, though, since it was practically a home all by itself.

Jezz had one of the spacious guest rooms for VIPs, which sat beside mine. For Michelle and Grayle, one of the larger private courtyards had been set aside and made comfortable for the pair until something more permanent could be arranged. Guards were posted to ensure that the Draklings, Jezz, and I were not bothered by anyone, and food was brought to Grayle and Michelle whenever we requested it.

On the second day, I also spent some time with my new parents, mostly getting to know one another. I already liked them more than my parents on Earth, not that that was a high bar. I guess that I also felt bad for them. They had lost their only daughter, and here I was, hanging around in her body. To make it worse, we had to maintain the fiction that I was her, which was hard for all of us, especially at first.

Queen Nisa and King Janis were a bit withdrawn, which was understandable since they needed time to process and mourn Visanee's death. Luckily, most people were attributing their mood to almost losing their daughter and the shock of my amnesia. To their credit, both the Queen and the King were trying their best to get to know me and start to build some sort of relationship with me, though.

With Michelle’s help, I was able to tell them more about Visanee’s last moments in my body on Earth. They deserved to know, and I hoped that it would bring them some form of closure. I also think it helped them to realize that I was a different person, even though the body was that of their daughter.

Still, even if they could disconnect enough to see me as maybe a younger daughter rather than as Visanee, it couldn’t be easy on them trying to build a relationship with me while mourning Visanee. They were trying, though, we all were. This was partly because we had no choice but to try our best to make the fiction believable for the sake of Azure and its people, but I guess it might have been a little bit of wish fulfillment on both sides as well.

I could tell that Visanee’s parents felt awful about being so protective that they drove their daughter to run away like she did. They had good reasons, though, admitted to their mistakes, and it pained them greatly that things turned out the way they did. Anyone could see that they had adored their daughter, only wanted the best for her, and wished that they could have had a more positive relationship and didn’t have to place such a burden upon her.

I, on the other hand, never had the best relationship with my parents. My father was always trying to push me into being someone I wasn’t, and he was a bigoted and abusive asshole. My mother was spineless and went along with whatever he said, even if it hurt her, Michelle, and me.

From what I had seen so far of the king and queen, they were pretty much the opposite of my parents. Queen Nisa was intelligent, strong-willed, and determined to do the best she could for the people under her care, whether it was her people or a new daughter who was feeling just a little overwhelmed by everything that had happened since appearing in this world. Her husband, Janis, seemed to be a gentle and caring soul who was devoted to her and their daughter. They both took her death hard, but it was Janis who showed it the most. Nisa couldn’t afford to, except in private; she needed to look strong and like everything was okay, for the sake of her people.

Jezz was treated as a special guest; she even dined with us. She was a country girl and, although she seemed to enjoy all the fancy clothes and servants waiting on us, I think she was a bit unsure how to act and nervous about her new social standing. I couldn't blame her, since I was feeling the same. It was another bond that we shared. Queen Nisa and King Janis were trying to make us both feel welcome and comfortable, though, even in their grief.

I was awoken early on the day of my Giftsun. Felice woke me with the dawn, insisting that I needed time to prepare for my busy day. She immediately ushered me into a hot bath and started washing me, despite my objections. I had no time for a leisurely soak, so the bath was an exercise in precision cleaning. Once I was extracted from the hot water, I was instructed to dry myself as quickly as possible while Felice went to fetch my breakfast. It seemed that Michelle was getting similar treatment as, while I was drying myself, I heard ~Coooooooold!!!~

I continued to towel myself as I giggled. ~At least I'm not suffering alone. What's going on, Sis?~

Michelle sounded irritated. ~Patar has some servants here in the courtyard. They're giving Grayle and me baths for some reason. Why did they have to wake us at this ungodly hour for this?! Mmmmmm, at least they brought us breakfast.~

I rolled my eyes at that as I started towel-drying my hair. ~Hey, if I have to suffer, so do you. Just try to cooperate. They probably want you to accompany me on the parade through the city to the Temple of Selune.~ I finished drying off and stepped into my bed-chamber, where Felice had my breakfast laid out on a small table. I took my seat and looked over the broiled fish, hard-boiled eggs, some sort of dark bread with creamy butter, and a glass of milk. ~Ah, the breakfast of champions.~ Michelle's only answer was a contented warmth in my mind as she ate her own meal.

Breakfast was delicious, the fish was delicately spiced, and the milk had a sweet taste to it. It was over all too quickly, though, and soon Felice was getting me properly dressed. Green was the color of Itari, and since much of today would be committing myself to Her, that was the color of the day. After I was placed in appropriate undergarments, we began with a crinoline, followed by a full-length skirt of hunter green velvet. The skirt felt heavy, and I thought that it and the crinoline were going to be difficult to move in, making me suddenly very grateful for my new body's inherent feline grace.

A golden-colored satin chemise with large billowing sleeves was next on the list, the color chosen to honor Selune when I visited the Diviner Priestess at Her temple. It was actually fairly comfortable, but I could see the sleeves having the potential to cause problems when I ate. Over the chemise was placed a corset in hunter green velvet to match the skirt. Corsets may look great, but they should probably be banned by the Geneva Convention, as they are sheer torture to put on and wear. As I was being squeezed into it, I mentally grumbled. ~Be glad you just got a bath, Sis. You could be in my shoes.~

Speaking of shoes, those were the next item on the list. Well, boots actually, made of a dark green suede with a three-inch heel. They looked intimidating at first, but since I walk on the balls of my feet, they were actually very comfortable. I thought that we would have been finished then, but Felice had me sit down (not an easy feat with what I was wearing) and she started working my hair into a complex-looking bun, with a braid at the back center and two more falling to either side of my face.

Then it was time for more torture. Three gold rings were placed in each of my ears. This wouldn't have been so bad if they had been pierced beforehand, but apparently, it was tradition to wait until the Giftsun for it. You try getting needles thrust through one of the most sensitive parts of your body and not screaming. I only marginally succeeded... the first three times didn't count since I wasn't ready.

After my torture session, Felice took Chrissy for me and led me down to the main courtyard, where I found half the castle waiting. All the nobles and officials from my parents' retinue on the day of the nest breaking were there, as well as close to thirty guards, several horses, and two of our machuls. Patar sat astride Runne, who took up a good portion of space, and both Grayle and Michelle sat in another large wagon decorated in golden flowers, which was hitched up to the two machuls. Sitting demurely just ahead of the Drakans was Jezz, who was dressed similarly to me and looked just as uncomfortable.

Normally, on her Giftsun, the Princess rides in a carriage behind the Queen and King with a trusted servant, handmaiden, or sometimes a friend from the nobility to help her throughout the day. It was decided that Jezz would do that for me since we had been bonding so well. Since this was our first public appearance since the nest breaking, it was also decided that the Drakans would come too. With a hand from some of the guards, I managed to climb into the wagon and get myself seated on the padded bench beside my Cinole friend. “You look about as nervous as I am,” I grumbled. I took Chrissy from Felice and placed her between Jezz and me to gently stroke her fur and calm my nerves.

“Ya, Yer Highness, I ne'er thought I'd e'er be sittin' 'side the Princess fer her Giftsun parade,” she said, wringing her hands.

I nodded agreement, giving a nervous laugh as I replied quietly, “Well, we're in the same boat then. I never thought that I'd be a Princess in her Giftsun Parade.”

Michelle's voice slipped into my mind, radiating calm. ~Relax, Alex, we just need to sit here and look good for the most part. Then you do your thing at the Temple, and we look good on the way back, too. Then you do your vow thingy and get crowned. Easy, right?~

~Easy for you to say, but thanks for trying, Sis,~ I replied as I turned around to smile at her. Then I turned back to the front as two large and heavy sacks were placed in front of Jezz and me. From what we had been told, the sacks were filled with a mix of sweets and copper coins for us to toss to the children out to see the parade.

Despite my concerns that this would take a while to get organized, under Queen Nisa's supervision, we were soon underway. Ten guards in golden armor took the lead, with my parents behind them on large bay horses, followed by our wagon, then ten more of the golden-clad guards, the members of the nobility, and finally the final ten guards. Above us, Patar and Runne flew with six other Drakan pairs in formation. I had thought the parade wouldn't really get started until we crossed the bridge spanning the lake, but even at this early hour, people were lined up along the sides of the bridge to get a good look at the procession.

I groaned and reached into the bag for a handful of coins and sweets, speaking loud enough so my companions could hear me. “Showtime, girls, let's smile and look pretty.” I put a nervous smile on my own face and tossed the handful out into the crowd. Jezz followed my lead, and our Drakan companions sat up, doing their best to look proud and noble. All eyes were upon us as we made our way across the bridge and through the capital.

Somehow, I had managed to make it to the Temple of Selune without throwing up from nervousness and the anxiety that weighed heavily in my chest. Our sacks were now depleted, and the only thing keeping me from being glad it was over was the fact that after we were done at the temple, we'd have to do it again in reverse. Once I was helped out of the wagon, I walked along the path of golden flower petals that Jezz was spreading out before me, leading to the small dais that had been erected in front of the temple, for the sole purpose of my Gifting. No pressure, right? When I finally stepped onto the dais, Jezz moved to one side as she had been instructed and knelt waiting, while I stepped in front of the Priestess in white and gold robes.

The Priestess smiled at me and began to speak in a voice that carried well over the hushed crowd. “Visanee Misalet, daughter of Nisa and Janis. Why do you come before the Goddess Selune?”

I swallowed hard, hoping that I was remembering all of this correctly. We'd only gone over it a thousand times or so. I knelt and raised my face and hands to the heavens. “I come before Selune to seek Her favor. I am eighteen passes old today, and humbly ask Her for Her touch. I ask for no more than She is willing to give. I ask that She bestow me with what Gift or Gifts that She finds me deserving of.”

The Priestess took my outstretched hands, and I could feel a warmth filling me as she looked for my Gift. Then I felt something release in me, like I wasn't quite whole before, and now I was. Then the Priestess raised me to my feet. “You have been found worthy. Set aside your childhood and tell me the name that you will carry into adulthood, so that I may know who to bestow these Gifts upon.”

She said 'Gifts'. Plural. We hadn’t planned for this! For a brief second, I was unsure what to do; luckily, the murmuring of the crowd as they realized the same thing gave me a few seconds to compose myself. I was careful to speak loudly and clearly as I said, “Alexis.”

“Alexis Misalet,” the Priestess intoned as the crowd now hung on her every word, "Selune has seen fit to bestow upon you three Gifts on this, your Giftsun. She gives you a great Gift in Healing. She also gives you a small Gift in the Divine, and another in the Wild. I pronounce you Dabbler!”

This was unexpected. It was thought I would be a Thaumaturge like my parents, but I got three Gifts, and none of them were what I had been told to expect. The crowd was shocked too for a moment before they suddenly burst into applause and loud cheering. I quickly shook off my confusion and said, “I thank Selune for these Gifts, and I will do my best to be worthy of them.”

With my Gifting complete, Jezz rose to escort me back to the wagon, several women and young girls offering us both flowers as we stepped off the dais and made our way back to the wagon. As we settled into the wagon once again, I had to make an effort not to just slump into my seat. The corset helped a lot with that, but smiling was still an effort with as nervous as I was. “Am I ever glad that is over,” I said once we were underway, and once again smiling and showering people with sweets and copper coins from new bags.

“You 'n me both, 'Lex,” was Jezz's soft reply. “I was nervous at m' own Giftin’, but at least mine was done in the privacy o' the Temple. Dinna have thousands o’ folks watchin' m' every word. Ya did well though, 'Lex.” She paused to toss a handful from the bag. “And yer a Dabbler, I dinna think anyun expected that.”

“Least of all me,” I said with a sigh as I too tossed a handful. “I guess we'll both be busy with Healing lessons now, too. I wonder what exactly my Wilder and Diviner abilities are. I mean, how small is small?”

The Cinole shrugged, her green wings fluttering a bit. “Ya should be findin' out o'er the next se'ensun. It takes a bit fer the Gifts t’ start showin'.”

“That's good to know.” I was a bit relieved that they wouldn't start kicking in right away. “The last thing I need right now is to find out I'm a telepath or something in the middle of thousands of people. It's bad enough with the one person I already have in my head.” I giggled and winked back at Michelle before tossing another handful.

I could feel Michelle's laughter in the back of my mind. ~Just for that, Alex, I've got something for your Giftsun.~ Then she began to sing, ~This is the song that never ends....~ It was a long parade back to the palace.

It was almost midday when we arrived back at the palace. The procession, followed by all the townspeople who could manage it, filed into the main courtyard. Behind us, I could see that the entire bridge was also full of people hoping to get a look at the ceremony that would name me as heir to the throne of Azure. When we entered the courtyard, I stepped down from the wagon to join Queen Nisa at the great doors that stood at the rear wall of the courtyard. To either side of the great doors were stairs that led up to the balcony, the great hall, the throne room, and the rest of the palace proper.

The great doors themselves were made of the sturdy black wood called yalk, with thick wrought iron hinges and handles. The doors were barred and guarded at all times unless the Queen or her heir was inside the Queen's private courtyard that lay behind them. Swallowing my fear, I watched as two large Jiquar guards pulled open the massive doors. Then Queen Nisa stepped inside, and I moved to follow. Inside the great doors was another, smaller door sealed by magic. From what I had been told, only someone who had been bound to the land could open that door. My new mother opened the door, and we stepped inside, the door shutting behind us.

The Queen's courtyard was large and very well lit by kida lamps, which gave off a natural-looking light. I had been told that the light in this courtyard was created to simulate the time of day. There was even an illusion of the sky, with moving clouds and the sun in its proper position on the ceiling. After I was bound to the land, I would be able to come in here any time, and it would be just like being outside, no matter whether it was day, night, dawn, or dusk. It was an amazing illusion, and even the flowers and small trees that grew all over the bare earth at our feet couldn't seem to tell the difference.

Another enchantment caused the air in the room to stay fresh and even have cool breezes, which would make this a nice place to keep cool later in the summer. There were even birds and some small animals. The Queen led me by the hand as I took in the realistic environment, and she let out a giggle as she said, “I was the same way when I saw it for the first time.” It was the first time that I had heard her laugh or seen an unrestrained smile on her face since we had met, and it warmed my heart.

I merely nodded in answer and squeezed her hand, not really wanting to spoil this moment. I saw several benches as we made our way to the center of the courtyard, and then, as I turned to face forward, I saw it. The crystal fountain of Itari was a large formation of crystals, in all the colors of the rainbow, that gave off a light all their own. We stopped when we reached the formation, and the Queen spoke. “Itari, Mother of our land, patron Goddess of our people. I bring before You my daughter, Alexis Misalet, and ask that You accept her as my heir.”

The crystals seemed to hum, vibrating as I stepped forward to stand beside the Queen. Then I heard a voice in my head that wasn't Michelle's. It was a voice of power that seemed to make my head hum right along with the crystals. ~Alexis, you of two worlds. Your mind is not hers, but you are of the blood. Are you prepared to leave your old world behind forever, to defend and rule this land and these people? Are you prepared to protect this sacred place?~

I quickly shook off the shock I was feeling and formulated my reply. “I… yes. There is nothing for me in my old world. This land is now my home, these people my own, and I relinquish the family of my old world to embrace the family whose blood runs through my veins. I promise to defend and rule this land, and its people, fairly when the time comes, and to protect this sacred place from harm.”

The Queen smiled at me, teary-eyed, and the voice in my head seemed happy once it spoke again. ~Very well then, Alexis. I accept you as heir and will bind you to the land. Seal the Vow with your blood.~

I nodded and stepped forward to prick my finger on one of the crystals. I held the finger over the crystal, letting several drops of blood fall onto it. The blood seemed to be absorbed by the shard of crystal it fell upon, which began to glow even brighter than the others. Then, the whole crystal formation started to glow brighter, shining with a blinding light, and the crystals and the castle around us started to sing.

Sometime during the cacophony of bright light and the music of the earth, I felt a connection begin to form with the crystal formation and the land beneath my feet, like some sort of tether between it and my soul. It wasn't truly binding, as I didn't feel bound to the land, as I think that would have felt restrictive. No, this was more like I was part of the land, and it was part of me, and would be no matter where I was. ~You are now bound to the land and the Vow. I know that you will serve both myself and your people well.~

"She's been in there a while now," Michelle thought as she waited impatiently for Alex to either come out the doors or contact her to let her know that everything was alright. Things had gone smoothly so far, even if Alex had been thrown a bit of a curveball with the Gifts. There was no reason for people to think anything would go wrong now. Still, most people didn't know that Alex wasn't the princess in her head. Could that somehow throw a wrench in the works? The more time that passed without something happening, the more worried she became.

Then something did happen. Something that she wasn't expecting at all. Michelle's eyes darted around rapidly as the castle began to shake around her, the very walls seeming to hum with the vibrations. The sound carried through the walls and flagstones, and she could feel it even in her bones. The humming sound seemed to change pitch with each passing second. It almost sounded like… singing.

She tried to contact Alex through their mind link, fearing for her sister's... her Chosen's safety. She couldn't seem to reach her, though; it was like her thoughts were being redirected elsewhere. She couldn't sense Alex at all. Her heart raced, and a lump of terror lodged in her chest as the Radiant Drakan began to fear the worst, that this Earth Goddess had sensed that Alex wasn't the true heir and had killed her. Was that why the earth was shaking?

She was supposed to protect her; she should have insisted that she go in with her, regardless of the tradition. What would she do if Alex were dead? How would she make it alone in this new world? She came here to be with her twin because it would have hurt too much to lose her. How could she go on if she lost her now? Then, suddenly, she felt it again, the comforting presence of her former twin in the back of her mind, and she reached out.

~What in the hell was that?!~ Michelle's voice suddenly popped into my head. ~The whole castle was just shaking and humming!~

~I think that was me being made heir, Sis. Itari accepted me, and all that started happening when we used my blood to seal the deal. I think we should be coming out soon,~ I sent back, trying to calm her down.

~Okay, Alex. By the way, your furry little white friend is shaking in Jezz's arms. The whole castle eruption scared her pretty badly. You might want to find a treat for her after all this,~ Michelle said, trying to sound unbothered but still sounding a bit spooked herself.

I had to stifle a giggle at that. ~Noted, Sis, I'll see if I can slip you some sweets too.~

~I wasn't scared. I was just startled, is all, but some of those frostberry pies would taste really good.~ I could feel a happy warmth in my mind as she thought of the pies.

I giggled at that and quickly composed myself as my new mother smiled at me and gently said, “You may now enter our courtyard whenever you wish, but only you, and possibly your pet kihr. No other people are allowed in here under any circumstances. This is our place, and it's a nice place to be alone with our thoughts when needed.”

I nodded my head solemnly as I answered, “I understand. It's a very relaxing place, and I think I'll like coming here when I need to think.”

She took my hand again and began to lead me back to the door. “Now it is time to go up to the balcony and complete the tradition.” I followed her back through the door and then the great doors, which were closed securely and barred behind us. We walked up the stairs, my hand still in hers, to the balcony where the King waited. As we got to the balcony, overlooking the throngs of people in the main courtyard and beyond, she gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

My mother on Earth had always been afraid to show me affection like that, as my father would always complain that I needed to learn how to be independent if I were to grow up to be a strong man. This was a nice change, and I realized that what I had said earlier was true. She was my mother by blood now, and she was trying to fill that role, even through the pain of losing Visanee.

This was my family now, my home, and my people, and I had to stop thinking about my Earth parents that way. Deep down, I knew that I was dead to them before the heart in my old body even stopped beating. The only family I had ever given a shit about there was Michelle, and she was here with me now. There was no going back. I had Michelle, a family, friends, and my people. It was time to live in the present.

“People of Azure!” my mother spoke in a tone that commanded attention. “Today, my daughter pledged herself to Itari, our country, and all of you. Itari heard her pledge and accepted. She has been bound to the land and our Vow. Today, the earth sang for her.” She took a delicate jewel-encrusted gold tiara from her husband and placed it on my head. “I give you Princess Alexis Misalet, true heir to the throne of Azure!”

The crowd burst into a deafening cheer, a cheer which almost threatened to shake the castle again, as I stepped up to the stone railing for my part of the ceremony. I tried my best to speak clearly and loud enough for all those in the courtyard to hear. “Thank you, my people. Today I have been bound to you all, and our country. Today I have been given Gifts. Today I celebrate. But I do not wish to celebrate alone. Let there be feasts, music, and celebration for all!” This resulted in another thunderous cheer and some chanting of my name.

My Giftsun feast was well underway in the great hall of the palace. Food and wine flowed freely, and people joked and laughed. Chrissy was in my lap, humming contentedly as she nibbled on a cookie. I was so full that if I tried to eat another bite, I think my corset would have exploded. People around me were happy, and so was I. I could feel that Michelle was happy too, the warmth of the feeling radiating in the back of my mind. ~Enjoying your pies, are you?~

~Yes, I am, and so is Grayle. Thank you for thinking of us.~ She gave me a warm and fuzzy mental hug.

~Good. You both deserve it after spending half the day in a wagon and putting up with me and Jezz complaining about how uncomfortable we were. Besides, it's my day, and the cooks want to keep me happy. I think those closest to me should benefit from that a little today. You both enjoy it, we'll be out to spend some time with you as soon as we can get away for a bit.~ I quickly turned my attention to Jezz, who I realized had just asked Patar something potentially embarrassing. “Oh no, Jezz, all these wonderful people don't want to hear that story.”

“Ya, sure they do, Yer Highness. Folks have been askin' him all through dinner. An' yer only tellin' how ya woke up an' found yer l'il friend there.” She pointed at the kihr in my lap. “Ya dun tell much 'bout the valley and meetin' Unca Patar.” My friend grinned at me, and I silently resolved to put something squishy in her bed later.

Patar didn't need to be asked twice, and soon he was spinning his tale, leaning in toward his listeners like some sort of conspirator. “So, there I was, flying over the Frozen Wastes looking for the Princess. Now, I did not expect to see her out that far. I am still not sure how she got all the way out there in the first place. Anyway, there we were, flying over this nice little valley, when Runne tells me he sees something. So, we circle down and I see this huge kythir, it was at least thirty tayr long. But that is not the interesting thing, no, I also see this crazy person trying to fight the beast with nothing but a dagger and a burning stick.”

I groaned and put my face in my hands. “Okay, Patar, while you besmirch my good name, with what is probably the truth, we're going to go check on Michelle and Grayle, right, Jezz?” I picked up Chrissy and placed her on my shoulder, where she soon found her favorite spot around my neck and proceeded to happily hum.

“I thought ya'd ne'er ask, Yer Highness,” the Cinole said with a grin.

"Oh yes, definitely something squishy, cold too if I can manage it," I thought.

As we left the hall, Patar's voice trailed off behind us. “So, I was thinking to myself, 'this is either the stupidest or bravest person I have ever seen'...”