Worlds Collide: Chapter 5 Trial

I follow John out of the dark dungeon area and into a contrastingly bright staircase. It leads up to a large cobbled courtyard filled with beautiful plants of every colour and type imaginable. I smile at the large water fountain in the centre, knowing that I can use that to escape if necessary. A part of me thinks I should just run now, but I’m also intrigued by this place and I still want to see if I can find more of Professor Vladimir’s books, so I decide to go peacefully to see the king and queen.
The castle is an interesting blend of architecture. It looks like someone took four different castles and glued them together. There is one part that is dark, with gothic spikes and sharp edges, another that is a yellow squared structure, another that is a pink turreted section and finally a red and purple dome shaped section. Despite the mismatched styles, it is undeniably beautiful and somehow it all comes together well.
We enter the castle through an archway lined with climbing ivy. The inside is just as elaborately designed with different plaster work decorating each section we pass through. One section is plastered and painted to look like trees are climbing the walls and another painted to look like waves are rising from the floor. I’m so busy taking in the beauty that I almost miss the strange stream of light moving along the edge of the wall which resembles a string of Christmas lights, but when I look closer, it is not cased in a bulb of any kind, just free flowing energy.
John laughs and my attention snaps back to him “not used to the luxuries of a palace then?” He asks, noticing my fascination.
“Well this palace is very different from what I have experienced, that is for sure. How does that work?” I ask pointing at the light.
“Magic” He says.
“Fine don’t tell me” I huff.
“What do you mean? It is just a simple fire magic trick that powers the castle, any fae can do this.” He says it like it is something I should have known so I don’t ask more, trying to be more subtle in my observations the rest of the way.

We arrive in a large hall with several empty chairs set up on a platform.
“I’m going to trap you in a circle of fire, please stay still so that I don’t hurt you” John says and with a wave of his hand, I’m encircled in flames.
“Cute trick” I say, smiling at him.
A door opens and a posh voice calls “Please rise for his majesty King Ashton and her Majesty Queen Ava” as two beautiful people dressed for a ball rather than a trial, walk onto the platform and sit in the centre. They are followed by several others who sit around them.
“You have been found trespassing on our lands. This trial will determine the punishment for your crime.” The man who I assume to be King Ashton says.
I open my mouth to object, but before I can, Queen Ava speaks.
“We do have some questions for you, answering them honestly will work in your favour. Let’s start with your name please” She says in a gentle, but serious voice.
Neither the king nor the Queen seem malicious, on the contrary they are showing me respect and kindness, so I decide to do as they ask and answer honestly.
“My name is Rain” I say.
“Thank you Rain, now can you confirm for us whether you are in fact, a dragon?” She asks.
“I am, but I mean you no harm” I say
“Then what are your intentions of coming here?” The king asks.
“I came in search of answers. I was hoping to find some books by professor Vladimire.” I say.
The king and queen exchange a look with one of the people behind them and then turn back to me.
“Where did you come from?” The king asks.
“Well that is a long story, I'd have to give you my whole life history, but today I was in Portugal and normally I live in Edinburgh.” I answer.
“Impossible!” A pale man exclaims.
“It was pretty hard to get here, but since I’m standing here right now, I’d say that I'm proof that it is not impossible.” I say with a shrug.
“Grandfather, please sit down. We will discuss this privately later.” The queen says and I look between them, there is definitely a resemblance, but if that man is her grandfather then I need his anti-aging face cream.
“What do you want the books for?” The king asks.
“I’m doing research on cross-breeding, but his book was the only one that mentioned it so I came to see if there is more that I can learn.” I say.
“And if you get these books you will leave and never come back?” The king asks
“That is my plan. If I can find the way back that is. It was rather disorientating being attacked and brought here.” I say.
“John, please guard her while we adjourn to discuss the case” The king says and they all file out.

“Where is Portugal? Or Edinburgh?” John asks confused.
“They are both in Europe” I answer.
“Where is that?” He asks.
“Where is this? What is this place called?” I ask.
“We are on the boarder between the nations of Loria and Vladra, this castle was built when the king and queen married and united the two nations.” He explains.
“Well from what I understand Loria and Vladra used to be a part of Europe. They are listed on maps until the 1700s, but then in the 1800s they disappeared. I went to Portugal to look for the countries, but they were hidden, I don’t know how or why.” I explain.
John looks confused. “So you are from another world?” He asks.
“I think they are the same world, just hidden from one and other, kept secret and protected somehow” I correct.
“Your world must be very different from ours. Women here normally marry before bedding a man. Tell me, are all women in your world so quick to offer themselves to men?” He asks with a cheeky smile.
“Not all women, no. But it is our choice who we offer ourselves to. Are you regretting passing up your offer” I say walking slowly towards him.
“You intrigue me, that is for sure. I think there is much we could learn form each other” He says, eyes raking over my body, but not noticing that I have stepped out of the flaming circle unharmed.
I walk so that our bodies are only an inch apart and look up at him “What would you like me to teach you first?” I ask.
“I would like to teach you something actually, it is called baiser” He says, his accent getting thicker. He leans in and sticks his tongue in my mouth. I may not understand the language, but I definitely understand the intention as I submit and french kiss him back.
Like a fish starved of water, my body reacts instantly to the physical contact, pulling him in and pressing him for more. John seems just as eager, his hands roaming over my body before slipping under my shorts to cup my ass. I push him against the wall, eager for our bodies to be touching as much as possible.
Before I can really enjoy myself, the doors fly open.