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Making herself comfortable in the taxi, Lenore rounded on Vaughn. “You are not going to tell my mother about all this crazy nonsense. I am not going to attempt to explain Atlan to her when I don’t even understand it myself.”
“You don’t have to worry about explaining. We will not be explaining Atlan. Or bringing it up at all. I will ask questions without mentioning any secret cities.”
She shook her head. “No. That’s worse.”
“How so?”
With a groan she let her head crash back into the headrest. “Ugh. Just don’t talk. I need to figure this out.”
Thankfully he listened and remained silent as she kept her eyes closed and thought through what she could possibly say, rejecting it all as they came.
“We’re here.” He said, snapping her out of her thoughts.
She sat up straight and peered out the window, shocked at seeing her childhood home looking as normal and familiar as ever. Even more surprising was the sight of her mother, storming down the sidewalk toward the taxi, livid. Quickly, Lenore hopped out of the taxi and ran to embrace her.
In an amazingly fluid move Lenore’s mother hugged her, spun, deposited Lenore behind her, and went back to glaring at Vaughn in a heartbeat.
“Mom?”
She ignored Lenore, all her focus on Vaughn as he slowly slid out of the car with an easy smile. “Mrs. Shaisse. It is a pleasure to meet you.” His smile dropped and his eyes narrowed as he took in her stance. Immediately he bowed, low.
Her mother’s voice was harsh and strained as she asked, “Does she know?”
When he stood up straight, Vaughn gave a sharp nod. “I come as escort to figure out the discrepancy of her accidental arrival in Atlan.” He paused and glanced over at Lenore. “She found an old arch and practically fell through.”
Lenore could only stare in disbelief as her mother relaxed, motioning Vaugn to the house.
“Atlan. Then I suppose now would be the time to talk about a few things.” She put her arm around Lenore and looked back at Vaughn. “Join us inside, warrior.”
Lenore stared at her mother in shock. “Mom?” Turning to Vaughn she glared. “I thought you said we were absolutely not going to be bringing any of that up? Wait, Mom, do I know what? Why did you call him a warrior?”
“Inside, Lenore.” Her mother waved her inside without looking back at Vaughn. Closing the front door she took a deep breath. “Lenore, I need to speak with your guest for a minute.”
“Speak away, mom.” Lenore shrugged. “I’m not going anywhere. I want answers. You know about Atlan, talking about it like its commonplace knowledge and everything.”
Vaughn gave another low bow to her mother. “I did not know. Forgive my intrusion.”
Her mother waved her hand at him. “There was no way for you to know. Call me Zayta. Please sit down and I will explain.”
“Mom.” Lenore crossed her arms. “How do you know who he is?”
Spearing her with an icy don’t-cross-me glare, Zayta motioned once again to the sofa. “Go sit down, Lenore.”
Once all three were seated Zayta sighed. “Lenore, we come from a long line of well respected leaders in the city of Talsin. Similar to Atlan, our gates are closed to outsiders and can only be accessed through the archways. However, we believe that it is important to live among many diverse people to learn and grow from rich cultures such as our own. Your great grandfather was the first of our family to come here to Colorado. He fell in love with the place and its mountains. Eventually he moved here with his wife and children. After that, it became tradition for the women of our family to reconnect with our ancient heritage and live amongst the Talsin people for at least a year. Over the years many chose to remain in Talsin. Today only I remain here, for you.”
“For me?” Lenore jumped out of her seat and began pacing. “Why haven’t you told me any of this? Why the big secret?”
Zayta continued, unruffled by the outburst. “Tradition is special to us. I have been trying to set up the journey home with you for years. While I had hoped to take you as a gift before your wedding so you would at least know, I am sorry I have not pushed the issue harder. I did not want to burden you with so much change after your father died.”
Vaughn leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Your family line is Shaisse? I do not recognize it. And I have studied the lines of most leading families in all four cities.”
“Four?!” Lenore exploded. “There are more cities? Do they all have kings that want to study me?”
Zayta jolted. “King Taran wants to study Lenore?”
Vaughn inclined his head. “Only because of the mystery surrounding how she saw the archway.”
Lenore watched as her mother visibly relaxed. “Shaisse is not our Talsin family line. My grandmother married a Shaisse from here. We are of the Reske line.”
Immediately Vaughn was on his feet and moving away.
“What?” Lenore grabbed him.
Glancing between the two of them, Vaughn struggled to speak. Finally Zayta chuckled. “Your friend is merely struggling with shock. He doesn’t know whether to call me a liar or bow again.”
“Why?”
Her mother once again speared her gaze into Lenore. “The Reske line was rumored to have died out years ago when political intrigue led way to the assassination of your grandmother’s brother and his family. Since my mother lived here and had married into a new name, none knew to look for her. Though many tried. Over the years people forgot about us and I have sought to keep it that way.” Turning her full attention on Vaughn once again Zayta smiled. “Now, warrior, I would hear what line you are of. You bow like you aren’t used to it and study noble family lines as if you are one.”
“I am Vaughn Laros.”
Zayta stood and swept a beautifully intricate curtsey that Lenore had never in her life seen her do. “The only son…and heir.”
Vaughn glanced at Lenore. “Yes. Though not the only heir in the room apparently.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Lenore shook.
Her mother touched her arm. “My mother was sister to the king of Talsin. You are the forgotten heir to the city of Talsin.”
“So like a princess?”
Vaughn shook his head. “Not like a princess. You are one.”
She scoffed. “And what? You’re a prince?”
He bowed his head with a nod.
