Glass Heart [S1: Episode 2]
A Time Travel Romance
Thalia, a young psychologist with a troubled past is transported back in time, where she must navigate a kingdom ruled by a cunning lord and a melancholic king, all while confronting her own inner demons.
Episodes release every Thursday at 9:00 am EST. This is Episode 2 of 7.
CW: depression, suicide, violence, alcoholism
They were sitting upon astral waves, soaking in the heat of the stars. But she and who?
It wasn’t José. Who was he?
“Come with us or die.”
The deep voice startled Thalia from her sleep and she lifted her head from the table, rubbing her eyes.
Thalia had gone to the museum to gain a better understanding about the young woman and what her life had been like before her death. And then she’d gone straight home.
But now, where was she? And what was going on?
Thalia’s eyes were now wide open and she could see the room clearly. Colorful and mismatched knickknacks littered what looked to be a humble workroom. A book and a singular flickering candle sat on the table and strange, foggy potions lined the walls.
What looked to be about fifteen men occupied the cramped space. Thalia was unsure whether she should attempt to run or reason with the men but the decision was made for her.
One of them, a particularly tall and burly figure, whipped his sword out from its sheath and pointed it at her neck. “Come with us or die.”
Thalia stood up from her seat slowly, leaning against the chair to keep her balance. Was she drunk? The last thing she remembered was having a glass of wine. Thalia licked her lips; she could still taste the sweet residue from the drink.
Thalia tried to muster some courage. “Where do you plan to take me?”
The man did not seem to appreciate her question and instead motioned at his men. In one swift movement, one of them hit her on the side of the head with a loud “THWACK,” knocking her unconscious. Thalia slumped to the ground, her body splayed out in an uncomfortable position.
The man roughly yanked her up by the collar and threw her over his shoulder. He led the group as they lumbered away.
She awoke to the feeling of her cheek pressed against cold, hard, marble ground. Thalia struggled to lift her aching body off the floor. Why was she so sore? Had they beaten her?
Her eyes fluttered open and she had to stop herself from letting out a gasp. She seemed to be in a throne room, the main evidence being the person sitting before her.
A young man dressed in silky, red robes sat on the throne, a gold crown sparkling atop locks of shiny, black hair. His brown eyes bore into her as if wanting to see her every dimension.
“Are you not The Great Traveler?” he asked. “Explorer of the sun, moon, and time?”
Thalia wracked her brain for an answer. She was not used to not having the answer. But ‘The Great Traveler’? What was that?
“I-I am,” she stuttered, unsure what else she could say. All she knew was that it would be wise to not anger this man.
The king stood up from his throne and slowly walked down the steps toward her.
“Then I believe that you can help me with my predicament.”
Now that he was closer, Thalia could take a better look at him. He stood only a few feet away and from this distance, she could see that his brown eyes looked red, bloodshot and the faint scent of alcohol wafted from his clothes. Was he okay? Thalia looked down at his hands and could see that they were slightly trembling.
The king quickly hid his hands among the sleeves of his robes. “I believe you have come to me with a solution,” he said.
Solution? What solution?
Thalia could faintly remember what had happened before she’d arrived at this strange place. A few days ago, she’d been at a museum reading an ancient book…and the king that stood before her bore an uncanny resemblance to the ruler described in that artifact. But what had it said would help the king?
“You must go back to your first mistake,” Thalia said, repeating a line she had read in the book. “You must right your only wrong.”
The king furrowed his brow. “My first mistake.”
He took a step closer to her. “And what would that be?” Anger flickered in his eyes.
Thalia dropped to the ground, bowing her head down against the cold marble. Her body trembled with fear. “Only you are privy to that knowledge, your highness.”
The king sighed and paced around the throne room, his heavy footsteps echoing through the chamber. Thalia dared not look up. She could only pray that she would wake up from this wine-induced dream.
“I have already called for a meeting,” he said after a while. “I will trust in your wisdom.”
The king had stopped pacing and was now standing directly in front of her. “I believe you will not let me down.”
Thalia swallowed, keeping her head bowed to the ground. “I will not let you down.”
‘I will not let you down.’ Her own words echoed in her ears as she watched the court officials file into the throne room one after the other. If she messed up, she was letting herself down. There was no telling what the king would do to her if her ‘solution’ didn’t work.
“How many of our people have been killed since the last moon?” the king asked, once every official was standing in their designated section.
“About 800,” replied one of the chancellors.
“800 too many,” said the king. “And so I have come to a decision.”
He gazed at the officials gathered before him. “I will go and ask for forgiveness.”
Thalia let out a sigh of relief. He had been able to read between the lines. She had spoken vaguely so as not to offend him but the only solution was for him to ask for forgiveness from the troops tormenting his subjects…as they believed that he had wronged their kingdom. The king did not have the manpower to fight back with weapons, thus he could only fight back with his words.
Forgiveness? The officials murmured amongst each other. The king would ask for forgiveness?
“From whom?” asked one of the officials.
The king seemed to hesitate for a moment. “Elara’s people.”
Harsh whispers and murmurs erupted throughout the throne room as the court officials struggled to keep their voices at a respectable tone. The king would ask for forgiveness? And from Elara’s subjects of all people?
Thalia remembered reading that Elara was the name of the king’s dead fiancé.
“Preposterous!” A voice rang out.
Thalia’s attention was captured by a man she had not noticed before. His long black robes and sullen, gray face made him seem as if he were melting into the shadows.
“Asking for forgiveness?” the man spat out. “It is the same as bowing down to those worthless animals!”
“I am only doing what is right,” said the king. His confidence seemed to return as he looked unfazed.
The official glared at Thalia, pointing a gnarled finger at her. “You are being manipulated by this witch. She is like a poison, sent to you by your enemies.”
“I will not have you disrespect The Great Traveler,” said the king. His eyes hardened.
The man threw himself on the ground before the king and a few court officials followed suit.
“Listen to me, your highness. This is not right. This is disrespectful to your position as Supreme Leader.”
The king stood up from his throne, the silky edges of his robe swaying against his feet. “Lord Malgor. Court Officials. You are all dismissed. I will not discuss this further.”
In one swift movement the king had exited the room, his royal entourage tripping against their feet in an attempt to catch up with him.
Thalia took this as her cue to exit. She could already feel Lord Malgor’s leery eyes boring into her as she followed the group out. She had to get out of here quickly! And she was just about to when…
“Halt!” Thalia’s heart dropped as the booming voice stopped her in her tracks.
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Thalia can really think on her feet 😵💫 I really don’t know what I would do if I was in her position 😵💫
This story is so cool! I love a good time travel tale, as the main character is trying to figure herself out, and rolling with the punches.