The Prodigy Antaris - a secret World of magic #1
Chapter 4

While the doors of the Mansion opened, I stood next to Avery and Ava, curious about what awaited me.

I was expecting a classic house of rich people, but of course it was far from what I had imagined. In front of us was an open space with a huge tree in the middle. The tree seemed very old, it was white in color with golden leaves. Around the tree, like a floating ring of thin threads of various colors, glittering. Two guards were standing next to the tree, dressed in golden armor.

"This is Lignum virtutis...the tree of power." Avery explained pointing to the tree as I looked around in astonishment.

The Mansion was brightly lit because of the huge glass roof above the tree. At the other end I saw a passage leading to a garden. Huge stairs made of white stone with a golden railing, on the left and right side of the tree, which led somewhere to the floor. Everything seemed so elegant, beautiful... perfect.

I wonder if this is a dream? Maybe I died and this is life after death. It seems unreal to me what I saw today. Creatures I never dreamed of were moving around me, in a place that seemed like a fairy tale. Maybe this really is just a dream.

"It's not a dream, Iris, stop it, you're funny", Jade said with a laugh.

Mind reading is apparently normal here, I wonder if others can read my mind too. What if Avery read what I was thinking? Jade stopped and laughed out loud, and the others looked at her in amazement. Maybe they can't read minds after all?

"No Iris, I'm the only one of us who can do that. "Jade explained to me quietly enough for only me to hear.

"Could you share with us the reason why you are smiling dear?” asked Noah.

"Nothing that would be funny to you." answered jade through a giggle.

The relief on my face must have been too obvious judging by the laughter from Jade that echoed in the vast space. This mansion looks much smaller when you look at it from outside, because this is a huge space in front of me.

"Welcome to our Home, Iris. If you want, I'll take you to my father right away." Avery said holding out his hand.

I looked at his hand and before I could answer I was embarrassed by Jade's loud laugh.Jade please stop.

"Ok..I think it's time to go to our room.Mission accomplished..well you'll be off without us now."Jade said through a giggle.

And then she and Noah hugged each other and walked up the stairs on the right." I'd like to talk to your father please.

" I told Avery and took his still outstretched hand."Girl I hope you like it here. I'll show you everything later. You haven't seen the half of it. Maybe later we can go to the elves' party. They really have the best parties and they're very handsome too... I mean if Avery decides to release your hand sometime..." Ava said in her happy way.

Avery rolled his eyes at his sister obviously annoyed by her offer.

"Come, Love, let's go to the big court.. That's the name of the place where my father lives." Avery explained as he led the way up the stairs on the left.

At the top of it was a huge door and a guard in front of it. This guard did not bow to Ava and Avery but walked up to them and gave them a friendly hug.

"I'm glad you came back alive and well." he told them with a smile.

He looked muscular and serious, but the smile was happy and sincere.His long blond hair was tied back with lots of braids and his light blue eyes shone with happiness as he took Avery in his arms.

"Alvar this is my... This is the girl we went to rescue. Iris, meet my best friend, Alvar. "Avery said with a smile as he introduced me to Alvar.

"Nice to meet you my lady." Alvar replied with a bow. "Nice to meet you too." I smiled back.

"Alvar we need to speak to my father urgently." Ava said with a serious tone.

"Of course, Princess, I will announce you right away. "Alvar replied.

Princess? What did I miss? I wondered the whole time why they were bowing as we passed by, I didn't ask the reason. But under the impression due to the newly created situation and environment, my brain obviously did not follow events and logical thinking.

And as Alvar entered to announce us, I turned to Ava and asked her "Princess? What are you like some royal family? Should I bow too?

Ava laughed... "We are the Royal Family. Avery is a prince, I know he doesn't look like one. And I'm a princess of Antaris. Our father is King Elior." she explained.

I felt so small... I was a nobody with real royalty. And realizing I was still holding Avery's hand, I immediately let go.

"Don't ever do that again my love. You are one of us now. We owe you a debt of gratitude for saving us. You will bow to no one, and have no shyness while you are here. To you, I am Avery. Please..." Avery said sadly, taking my hand.

The whole time I've been thinking Avery is giving me his hand to reassure me, to build trust or to show me I'm safe. Now when I look at him, he's hurt by my reaction. Did I offend him? I was about to ask him if I offended him, but at that moment the big door opened and Alvar invited us in and closed the door behind him as he left the room.

We entered a hall adorned with huge white pillars lining the walls. Plants grew overhead with colorful flowers and birds chirped as they flew around. There were huge open windows and on the ceiling was a huge Chandelier who donated additional light to the hall.In the center of the room was a huge wooden table with beautiful carvings. They seemed to tell a story with creatures of different shapes and sizes.In front of the table were five fine wooden chairs and opposite was a huge throne-like chair.

I squeezed Avery's hand slightly as if seeking refuge from the sight in front of me. And he understood my gesture and smiled at me.

"Don't worry my love, my father is a good man. Don't be upset and don't be scared. I'm here.." he said quietly.

I heard footsteps approaching us and a door in the wall opened. Like a secret door blinded in the wall. And through the door came a man with a warm smile on his face.

"Avery..Ava!!" he said happily as he walked toward us "I'm so glad you got home safely."

He took them both in his arms and Ava squeaked laughing.

"Ada I missed you "she whispered.

Avery didn't let go of my hand even as he greeted his father. And as the two stepped aside I stood in front of the king. He met my eyes and smiled, and then he looked down at mine and Avery's hand. Just as I was about to pull my hand away, Avery squeezed my hand lightly to show me it was ok.

"My dear child...you look like your mother."I heard the king say.

He was a tall man with long black hair and eyes that glittered purple. The crown on his head seemed like a plaited golden wreath. His posture suggested self-confidence and his presence filled the room with power and strength.

" I am Elior and I am very pleased to see you again.Welcome to Antaris my dear child."I heard the king say in a lovable way.

I bowed my head in respect to this powerful man,but his gesture surprised me.

He lifted my head with his hand and said "You don't bow your head in front of me Baldur's daughter." And took me in his arms.

ˋHome..we are Home´ I heard the voice in my head. The relief I felt when I heard the voice was all I needed to relax. And the hug felt so comfortable and natural.

"Please sit down we have a lot to talk about...My dear Iris,there is so much you don't know.And obviously you don't remember."explained the king.

We sat down at the table and I looked at Avery and Ava who sat on my left and right. Confused as if expecting answers from them ,but then I heard the king ask "Do you remember anything from your past? Do you know anything about your family? Your parents...grandparents? About their powers and family lineage?"

But the only thing I could tell him was what my grandmother told me and obviously I couldn't believe it anymore. It all seemed like a lie and it made me very sad.My parents obviously weren't from Salem, they weren't ordinary citizens who died in a car accident. And my grandparents weren't vulnerable elderly people living in the suburbs. Everything I knew was being questioned ...and the questions in my head were racing .

My whole life is a lie and I don't know anything about my family or myself. For 21 years I thought I was an ordinary orphan who was a burden to her grandparents. But now I don't even know who I am.I looked down sadly after I told him what I know and he leaned into his chair.

"I see...well Iris there is a lot more than you can imagine. And I'm sorry that I have to be the one to explain everything to you. It would certainly be a lot easier if someone close to you told you everything. " said the king with sympathy.

Servants in beautiful robes came into the hall and brought us drinks which we took. I held my golden goblet and sipped the sweet juice as I sat back and listened to the king as he began to speak...