As we near the city center, the houses become grander, and at the end of the street is a magnificent gate with giant gold columns on either side. Ornate carvings of angelic figures lit up by enormous lamps line the city streets.

"Once we go through the gates you will be introduced to my chief of house. His name is Fletch," Alvar says formally. "Be polite. He is a gobli, but nothing like the fiends you met at your apartment. Fletch is a dear friend and a person of great power here. He acts as regent whenever I'm away."

We approach two watchtowers on either side of the columns. Alvar signals to one of the guards on duty, and a door opens at the base of one of the towers. Our mytonirs trot through.

The mentioned, Fletch, is not what I expected. Short, with long pointy ears, and skin covered in what appear to be warts, it's hard not to do a double take. I can't make out the true color of his skin in the blue light of the lanterns, but his frame is stout as much as short, and his nose is large and hooks at the end. He wears a smart tunic with a belt.

"Alvar," Fletch says with a grin, exposing dozens of pointy teeth. I try not to wince at the little gremlin. So often I'd seen creatures similar in appearance to Fletch portrayed in fiction and movies as the baddies.

I can't quite shake that unfortunate mental stereotype.

Dammit, does this make me an innate racist here?

"Fletch, it is good to see you." Alvar grins back at him. "I trust everything went smoothly while I was away?"

"Yes," Fletch snuffles the words, he gazes up at me with two beady black eyes. "You brought back the earth maiden in one piece I see?"

"Just barely," Alvar says dryly. "Apparently Maggort made a plan to abduct her, but he took the wrong woman."

"Maggort?" Fletch growls the word. "I can't believe his gall. Did he think you'd look upon him kindly for such an act? I'm sure you can dethrone Remora for it."

"She'll claim it was Maggort's doing and not under her orders," Alvar mutters. "Sadly, it will be impossible to prove her wrong."

"Aye," Fletch mutters and spits in disgust.

I try to stop gawking at Fletch. He's just so different than anything I've seen, yet so real at the same time and despite that realism I half expect him to unzip himself from a costume.

If this is all a dream, I've quite the imagination.

"Hm, she's quiet," Fletch says in reference to me with a laugh. "Do you have a tongue, Sweetheart?"

"Sweetheart?" I raise my eyebrows.

"So she does speak!" Fletch says, clapping his hands laughing more. He steps up next to Titan extending a clawed hand toward me. His hands and forearms are larger in proportion to his body than human hands. "Come on down off Titan and I'll take you to your quarters. I am sure his majesty, King Alvar, is tired after such a journey and will need to recuperate." He shoots Alvar a secretive-type expression.

Huh?

"Aye," Alvar sighs, closing his eyes and rubbing his temple. "That would be most excellent. Thank you, Fletch. See to it she finds her way and is comfortable."

"Aye, sir." Fletch salutes.

I'm hesitant.

"Sweetheart, get off the pretty pony and let's go," Fletch says, waving his hand for me to get down.

"And Fletch," Alvar adds.

"Yes, sire?"

"Be nice to her, she's not used to any of this you know." Alvar winks at me with a smile and dismounts Shasti. The mytonir follows him to the stable.

Of all the—!

I can't believe Alvar is leaving me like this!

I get off Titan and cling to his bridle, as of now Titan is the only thing I know.

"Don't be afraid of me," Fletch assures. "I may appear wicked to you, but I haven't got a wicked bone in my body. I promise." His voice is gentle, sincere.

"Al-alright," I stammer. "I'm sorry.... sorry."

"Take a deep breath, Sweetheart. Don't worry, you'll get used to it," Fletch says. He walks inside the gate and I follow him with Titan. The gate closes behind us.

"Alvar mentioned a flying creature that come out at night here," I say. I know I'm trying to make conversation out of nervousness, but it helps.

"There is," Fletch mutters, his voice mysteriously masking all emotion. "But it won't be out tonight."

"Oh, good," I say awkwardly.

I'm at a loss for words as I step into the courtyard of the palace. A babbling fountain with lights highlighting the water's movement, and vibrantly colored fish living under the surface, is in the center of the courtyard. Lush tropical greenery, and more angelic statues are but a few of the lovely touches found in this mystical space.

A pale human male dressed in a white tunic walks up to us, bows, and takes Titan from me without a word. I gaze after Titan, but Fletch directs me through the courtyard.

"You will need new clothes. We will have you dressed as a proper Underland beauty soon," Fletch tells me with a cock of his warty eyebrow.

"You must realize how relieved we are that you're finally here," Fletch continues. "Earth is not ours to take now because of you. Once the Bridge was discovered there were those here who would give anything to leave this world and start a new life in yours. There are many disagreements among our peoples here in Axus. Not as many as there used to be, mind you, but that does not mean things are stable here. Alvar saved Underland and most of Axus, but there are still those who challenge him. They try to rouse up disorder for the sake of their own claims to power. Maggort is among them. He believes in the old ways of Underland, during the dark times. Built on the backs of slaves. Selfish, ruthless, and immoral like Saul."

"You do realize I have no idea who 'Saul' is," I say, trying to take it all in, hoping this information he's telling me isn't important for later. I wish I had more time to process all of this. All I know is I don't want to be involved in some kind of cosmic battle. I should be back on Earth, blissfully unaware of Axus.

Why couldn't some other girl be the one promised to Alvar?

I'm not special. I'm "Plain Jane" Lucy.

"You will have time to learn everything you need to know, but first, you should rest. Going over the Bridge is always exhausting I hear tell," Fletch chortles.

"Follow me up this stair and we'll be upon your private quarters in the Underland palace. Alvar studied Earth to try and make you more comfortable here. Your lessons will begin tomorrow," Fletch explains.

"Lessons?" I ask.

Great, now I'm going back to school too.

"Lessons in history, customs, languages, and your duties as Alvar's queen," Fletch explains and he leads me through a hall lined with artwork.

I think of Emily as we walk. If I'm frightened seeing the "good" side of Underland than how must she be faring?

I glance at some of the artwork lining the gallery and am captured by how many different peoples are depicted: Individuals with wings and feathers like birds, deer-like people, gobli, humans, and mermaid-looking people.

Do they all exist here? Are all the fairy-tales I've heard real in some way?

Another large piece of art shows a fearsome black dragon with red eyes. It's breathing fire savagely at a crowd of people. The people in the paining are fleeing in terror, some of them have caught on fire, and others are already burned to death.

"That one was commissioned by Saul. It was meant to strike fear. It's of a Cursed," the gobli grunts in passing.

"Cursed? That looks like a dragon."

"No, a Cursed is unnaturally indestructible, a supernatural being," Fletch explains with a shrug. "Drakon, which is our word for dragon here, are beasts that can be killed. Cursed look like them, but they aren't the same."

"Oh." Indestructible?

There goes my rubber band again.

Fletch opens a door at the end of the hall. "Welcome to your chambers, Miss Lucy."

Whoa.

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