Kingdom of Ash

Landed on her lap, gold and glittering.
“Summon us our world, girl,” said the one
with a voice like steel and screams. “And let
us go home at last.”
The final breaking. To send them back, to
seal the gate. She’d use her last kernel of self,
the final droplet, to seal the gate shut with the
Lock. And then she would be gone.
Once upon a time, in a land long since
burned to ash, there lived a young princess
who loved her kingdom ...
“Now,” one with a voice like crashing
waves ordered. “We have waited enough.”
Aelin managed to lift her head. To look at
their shimmering figures. Things from
another world.
But amongst them, pressed into their ranks
as if they held her captive ...
Elena’s eyes were wide. Agonized.
Who loved her kingdom ...