(Alnilam)

After replacing the damned dolls, I open a portal to Saratopia. It’s time to find out what secrets Xamian Wu holds.

Rigel and I step through the portal together and are transported straight to a portal point, especially designed to receive people through the portals.

It’s a green-hued raised platform with four towers on each edge. Created from some silvery metal. Guards with their spears are standing on all four sides along the towers, guarding the entrance.

One of the guards steps forward and bows. I recognise that he is the same guard who had brought me the message from Xamian.

"Prince Alnilam, welcome to Saratopia. King Xamian Wu has been expecting you."

"Lead the way," I calmly say, falling into step with Rigel.

He nods and begins to move. The place is even more beautiful than I had imagined. It’s like stepping into a land of eternal spring.

Flowering grassy lands stretch as far as the eye can see with the palace looming in the distance.

It’s bluish-green with white as the base colour but the architecture is completely different from Orion. It’s dome-shaped instead of spirals and towers which gives it a calming vibe.

"You believe this person is Amaia’s biological father?" Rigel quietly asks from beside me, taking in the beauty of this place.

"I think he has a story. He should have proof too if he wants us to believe him."

The guard takes us inside the palace through the gigantic wooden doors.

The guards and people are of mixed heritage but Saratopia has about 40 per cent human population with 60 per cent supernatural population. Shifters are predominant with hybrids, werewolves and witches and warlocks.

Saratopia is a small kingdom which welcomes all and is known to give refuge to fragile shifters as we call them. Like rabbit and bird shifters. Also, witches and warlocks who have earth magic have made this place their home.

That’s exactly why the kingdom is so grassy and flowery with a forever spring feel to it.

The guard takes us to the throne room. We pass by people, some of whom bow to us while others cower away to hide as soon as they see Rigel.

The grand silver doors to the throne are opened by guards and we enter. King Xamian is pacing the throne room with his hands behind his back.

A bunch of people who appear to be his advisors stand on either side, observing their worried king.

Seeing us, he halts in his steps and a smile of relief splashes across his face.

Aziel, I see the hint of Aziel on his face. There is a slight resemblance. His rich green eyes are almost the same hue as Amaia and his hair is similar to hers when she used to have it cloaked. Then again, black is a very basic colour when it comes to hair.

"Prince Alnilam, welcome, welcome. I am so glad you came." He extends his hands forward and moves towards us.

"He better not try to embrace me," Rigel mumbles under his breath and I struggle to keep a straight face.

"Thank you for having us. Can we speak in private?"

He claps his hands together and orders.

"Leave us and prepare a feast for our guests." His men bow and file out giving queer and frightened looks to Rigel.

My brother’s aura is strong, weak hearts can’t handle him.

King Xamian excitedly shakes hands with me and then turns his attention towards Rigel.

"This is my brother, Rigel Orion." A wave of surprise washes over his face at the introduction. Everyone knows Rigel passed away but me making this introduction is going to come as a shock.

We are not hiding him anymore. If we need allies we need to tell them what has been going on.

"Rigel Orion?" He quietly asks and I nod. Giving a quizzing look to Rigel, he doesn’t push the matter any further.

"Please, make yourself comfortable." He points to the plush moss green velvety chairs. We take our seats and he settles on his throne, facing us. Worries have descended on his face.

"Firstly, thank you for rescuing my son. How is he?" He asks, with his hands resting on the arms of his throne. Artistic fingers studded with rings with different gemstones.

"He is better. We have shifted him to a safe location where he is recovering."

A relief I sense from him. "And Amaia? I wish you had brought her along." Expectancy is there as he awaits our answer.

"Along? We don’t even know you and your agenda. A man who claims to be her father and yet abandoned his family. I am not letting her anywhere near you," Rigel blazes and I have to place my hand on his to keep him calm.

Xamian’s eyes dilate and his mouth slowly opens.

"You are also...." He leaves the sentence hanging. This is going to be a shock for the man if he truly is who he claims to be. His daughter having multiple mates is certainly a difficult reality for him.

"Yes, I am Amaia’s mate too. And unless you give us something concrete, I am not convinced."

"Fair enough." He reaches towards his neck and grabs the silver chain linked to the large ruby-studded kingly necklace he is donning. He removes it from around his neck.

His appearance changes just like how Amaia’s used to be. His black hair is ridden by silver while his ears poke out, confirming he is also Fae with his appearance masked.

"Since my childhood, the hunting against the Fae kind began and my father masked my appearance along with my mother’s. She was a Fae and my father was a warlock. When the Warlock Saratopian king died, my father was his right hand. In Saratopia the throne is not passed to the children of the king but the king’s council decides the next successor. My father was chosen as the king and after him, I was. Everyone believed we were merely warlocks. I found my wife and it was already well known that she was a fae. I couldn’t mask her appearance or hide her. And then Aziel was born and the threat only increased. Once Amaia was born, I could no longer hide them. Istrale sent the Dread Army for them. I had to make a choice and send them away. We couldn’t fight them. I hid my family in Orion where the Fae population still thrived and was protected. Little did I know that would be my biggest mistake." The tears fell from his eyes as he concluded his story.