Page 49 of Bride of the Gilded Prince

Bers smiled as the light of the portal danced in his eyes. “Only the finest for you.”

One by one, six Elves emerged from the portal. I glanced at their uniforms and noticed they all had the same insignia. A red rose with a sea green ribbon running through it. The mark of the Rose Servants of the Aeglire.

Bers nodded. “To take your luggage.”

I felt a bit overwhelmed. “Thank you for coming.”

“It is our honor, princess,” one of them answered, as they quickly went to work.

They efficiently packed everything I needed, and within minutes, they were done.

One Elf tried to grab the chest in my hands, but I stepped back. “Thank you, but I will carry this one myself.”

She nodded and stepped away. Bers gave me an amused look but said nothing.

I turned around.

“Farewell, mama,” I said as I took one last look at her and kissed her on her head.

“Farewell, my daughter. Be safe.”

“I will.”

Tilila and Souhir were next.

I hugged them tightly. “I will miss you.”

“We will visit soon,” Tilila promised.

I nodded and stepped back. I didn’t want to cry, not now. I already shed too many tears.

“Take care of yourself,” I whispered to Souhir. “And take care of my mother and Tilila.”

“You too,” she said, her voice shaking. “And I will, I promise.”

I turned to my mother again and gave her one last big hug. The smell of jasmine and oudh filled my nose, and I took a deep breath to remind myself of home.

“I love you,” I said.

“I love you too, my daughter. And I am so proud of you.”

Reluctantly, I stepped away and turned to Bers. It was time to go.

“Ready?” he asked.

I nodded and took a deep breath. “Yes, I’m ready.”

I took a step towards the portal and paused.

“Thimsal!”

I turned around and saw Tilila running towards me. “Take me with you.”

My eyes widened. “What?”

“I can’t let you go alone. I won’t let you,” she said as she wrapped her arms around me.

“Stay.”