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Alexa steps through the portal, and then she’s gone.

One by one, they vanish into thin air, and then it’s our turn.

Aruan takes my hand and gives me a warm smile.“Ready?”

I nod even though nerves are twisting my insides.“How do we get back to Lona?”

“I’ll open a portal for you by sunset,” the queen says.“Be ready at exactly the same place where you’ll arrive.”

I take a deep breath, remembering how unpleasant the journey to Zerra was—not that a little discomfort, or anything else for that matter, will stop me from seeing my parents.

Kian pats Aruan’s shoulder.“Don’t make me come look for you.”

“Let’s hope that won’t be necessary,” the king says with a look of warning directed at Aruan.

The queen opens the portal.The swirling lights run in a circle.Aruan pulls me forward.I hold my breath as I follow him into the portal, hardly able to contain my excitement.

A burst of light blinds me.I tighten my hold on Aruan’s hand as we’re sucked into a vortex.It feels as if my body is being pulled apart.In that moment, the thought that goes through my mind isn’t life-altering or philosophical but a mundane question.

What day of the week is it?What is the date?I’ve lost track of time since landing on Zerra—if time even flows the same on Earth as it does there.Where will my parents be?

As it turns out, they’re at home, preparing lunch in the kitchen when I wake up on the floor in my living room.Pans clang together, and the fridge door squeaks familiarly as someone opens it.

“Hold on,” a man says—my dad.“Did you hear something?”

“It sounded like a thump,” my mom replies, her tone apprehensive.

Aruan is crouching next to me, stroking my cheek while peering into my eyes.

“All right?”he asks in a soft voice.

I let him help me sit up, mumbling under my breath, “I think so.”

I look around.The living room is exactly as I remember it.The painting of an Italian summer scene hangs slightly askew on the wall.The beige sofa with the brown-and-red throw cushions still has a dent in the seat on the right where Dad likes to sit and read.A pile of books is stacked on the coffee table.The cozy mystery on the top will be Mom’s.TheTwenty-first CenturyCosmicSciencelying on one side will be Dad’s.

Footsteps fall on the floor of the kitchen.My heart starts thumping, threatening to burst out of my chest.Aruan takes my elbow and helps me to my feet.I blink, afraid that the room will vanish and I’ll wake up from a dream, but the space remains unchanged.

Dad appears in the doorframe of the kitchen, carrying Mom’s carving knife in one hand.He looks the same and simultaneously different.He’s grown thinner.His hair is the same brown that’s graying at the temples, but the shadows under his eyes are new.

Emotions crash into me, compassion, elation, relief, and trepidation warring inside me.Instinctively, I reach for Aruan’s hand.He squeezes my fingers, reminding me that he’s right here… that he’ll always be there for me when I need him.

“Dad?”I croak.

The knife drops from his hand and falls soundlessly on the carpet.He’s frozen in place, his face as white as if he’s staring at a ghost.

“What is it?”Mom asks in alarm, appearing behind him with her phone in her hand.

She stills too, her lips parting but no sound leaving her mouth.She’s grayer than I remember.Her face is gaunt, and her cheeks are hollow.It looks as if she’s aged ten years in a few weeks.

“Mom?Dad?”I inch closer.“It’s me, Elsie.”

“Is this real?”Mom’s eyes are wide with shock.“Am I looking at a spirit?”

“It’s me,” I repeat, smiling through the tears that spring to my eyes.“I’m very much alive.”

My dad opens and closes his mouth.“How is this possible?”He looks at Aruan, his shoulders tensing.“Who’s this man?”

“I can explain.”I hold up a hand when my mom starts swiping a finger over her phone.“Please, Mom.Put the phone down.No one can know we’re here, or I’ll have to leave.”