A gust of wind blows around me, tight and violent, stealing air from my lungs.

The floor dissolve from underneath me, the sensation painful and unexpected—like a roller coaster drop, only without seatbelts, or any solid bottom for that matter.

I open my mouth to scream, but I’m not sure if any sound came out.

Zephen continues to hold my hand tight, his touch being the only thing I can feel other than weightlessness and wind.

Finally, the world stills around me, solid floor once again underneath me.

The world spins, nausea slapping me in the face and making me groan.

“You’ll get used to it.” Zephen tells me simply before he straightens, waiting for me to recover.

I take several deep breaths, trying to keep the nauseating feeling at bay. The last thing I need is to hurl first thing after coming to the ‘Land of the Fay’—at least, I assume that’s where I am.

When I’ve recovered considerably, I lift my head to find that I’m in a beautifully polished hall. The walls and floor are sparkling clean, so clean I can see my reflection.

Plants of all kinds are aligned against the walls, leading to a large set of double doors.

My breath is stolen once again at the magnificence of the place.

All of a sudden, I’m very nervous.

“Ready?” Zephen asks. My stomach twists into knots, my legs trembling—the only thing I want to do right now is bolt out the door.

Nonetheless, I manage a shaky nod.

He makes his way to the doors, pushing it open easily even though it seems to weigh a ton.

He is confident when he enters, and I follow—a lot less confident.

The room is designed like a greenhouse, with ceilings made of glass to allow sunlight and a natural view of the clear, blue sky.

The sky is much too blue to be a view from Earth. Greenery twists up the walls in a wild flurry, flowers blooming everywhere, giving the room a colorful, welcoming feeling.

Seated in the middle with a throne created from a gigantic lotus flower, it’s pink-tipped petals fanning out in full bloom, is a beautiful woman.

Her golden hair cascades down around her like a waterfall of sunlight, with two strands of hair pinned up from the sides of her head to keep it out of her face.

A delicate gold and crystal crown rests atop her head, the gold twisting around the tear-dropped crystals like vines and branches, leaves growing out of them.

Her cheeks are rosy, her lips curled up in a friendly smile. She looks up from the paper she was reading and her eyes seem to sparkle and shine a rare red-violet color.

I wonder if they’re contacts but then again, a Faery would probably have strange colored eyes.

“Your Majesty.” Zephen bows deep in respect when he stops in front of her. I continue to stand, unable to comprehend where I am and whose presence I am in.

Zephen glares at me, pulling my arm, forcing me into a bow alongside him.

“Please be at ease, Zephen.” Her eyes turn to me, glowing brighter. “And Kay, welcome.”

My heart stops when my name leaves her lips. She’s so gentle, yet filled with authority. I stutter, no coherent words forming.

She smiles. “There’s no need no be so nervous. I am Queen Titania of the Fay. I know it can be daunting for everything to change in mere seconds. You must be terrified.”

“…A little, yes.” I manage, my eyes darting to the floor.

“You don’t have to worry.” She reassures warmly. “You are in good hands. Zephen will protect you under any cost. You are safe. I hope you find my kingdom welcoming, for it is now your new home.”

I purse my lips. Home. This is my new home. The thought makes me queasy, a fresh set of tears threatening to fall. This isn’t my home, this will never be my home.

“Do you know of your powers yet?” Queen Titania asks, her eyes looking between Zephen and I.

“I—” I splutter, gaze darting between them. “Powers?”

“Her presence has a strong sense of Faery magic, but there are no signs of actual use of magic yet, Your Majesty.” Zephen answers, his voice calm and collected, but I don’t understand anything he says.

“I see.” Queen Titania says, her red-violet eyes now trained on me again, a new sense of understanding seems to show on her face.

“That’s quite unusual…most Halflings awaken when they’re about eleven or twelve, yet if I’m not mistaken, you are now twenty.”

I give a crisp nod.

“Twenty and no sign of magic use.” Queen Titania looks most thoughtful as she gazes at me. I wish I knew what she’s thinking.

“Well, it’s rare, but it has happened before. No need to worry. Do you know anything about your Fay parent?”

I shake my head. All I know is that mom died in a car crash shortly after I was born, but that, too, is likely to be a lie. I didn’t have time to ask dad about it before I was swept away.

I wish I knew the full story. There’s a pit in my stomach.

“That’s alright. They are most likely in the kingdom, and it will be easier to figure out who they are once your magic shows.” Queen Titania reassures, her eyes looking like she knows something I do not.

“I’m sure you will find them quickly.”

I swallow. I’m not sure how I feel about this. I was fine living with the fact my mom was gone, but now the thought that I might meet her makes me feel strange.

She clasps her hands together. “For now, I’ll let you settle in. But soon you will need to learn along with the others in the Academy.”

“Along with the others, Your Majesty?” Zephen asks most respectfully, his face blank, betraying no thoughts.

“Yes,” the Queen smiles. “I suppose Kay wouldn’t want to be in a class filled with seven-year-olds. Being with those your age seems more fitting. You will take extra private lessons, of course, to catch on to what others are learning, but it should be fine. Until your powers show, you will not take part in any Magic class.”

I have no idea what they mean but my head is spinning. I feel like I might pass out soon.

The thought of going to school again makes my heart drop. I am half Faery and I still have to go to school. Great.

“Understood.” Zephen bows again, knowing the conversation has ended and motions for me to follow him out.

I bow again to the Queen in haste before hurrying to follow Zephen.

The doors close behind me with a slow, drawn-out and muted creak before it bangs shut together.