Diana has been tucked to bed. She had been reluctant though, not pleased that she had been sidelined from our discussions again. She had finally agreed, however, when Peter had promised that he would tell her a bedtime story with some demonstrations. He has been gone for fifteen minutes now, leaving Laura and I to tidy the dining and kitchen. “Are you done arranging your clothes and room? It’s possible that tomorrow, Peter will take you to some places like the school and the palace. He might introduce you to some of our friends that will look after you if we are not around.” I nodded, ruminating on Laura’s words. Diana had helped me arrange my clothes in the wardrobe after she had told me about her classes in the palace and what they entailed. Whilst we had been busy with that, Peter had returned with some people, carrying a table and a chair, a small sofa, a dressing table, mirror, a flower vase, and some other room rudiments. At first, I had thought the items wouldn’t fit in, bu
“What have you two been up to?” Peter queried immediately he stepped into the kitchen, reclining modishly by the doorpost as he stared lovingly at his wife, before sparing me a curious glance. “Girl’s stuff.” Laura replied, a short smile on her lips—the pride that had clouded her during her husband’s defense against his brother, still running in waves around her. She could fly at this moment. Peter pouted at his wife’s comment, and I couldn’t help but spurt out a laugh. If anything, his pout became more prominent. Dude had been doubly shaded now. But that was the least of my concerns. We were supposed to be talking now, they were supposed to be answering my numerous questions now. I thought, biting my lips, not knowing how to broach the topic without making them think I was impatient. Thank the goddess for Laura who could read auras or was it face expressions, because in the next moment she was asking that we move to the sitting room so that we could talk about myself and the ques
The time was twenty minutes past eight. I had an hour and forty minutes to vomit all the questions ravaging my brain.Peter and Laura were staring at me calmly, their hands clasped on each other as if rehearsed. They were waiting. My brain kept throwing up questions, and I was confused on which one to ask first. I took a deep breath, finally deciding to start with less stressful questions, and take it up from there. “Where is the dog?” That was my first question, and at first they didn't understand it; they hadn't seen the question coming. They had thought I would be asking questions about the community and the queen’s interest in me. It took a few seconds for them to recover from that unexpectancy before answering my question about the dog that I hadn’t seen since I had woken up the final time from coma. Not that I was complaining—I was actually relieved—but I was also curious. “The dog doesn’t belong to us. It belongs to a neighbor. Avarna had just let Diana keep the dog for a w
“But it is not always like that.” Laura opined, adding to what Peter had stated calmly, without a note of unhappiness or dissatisfaction or envy in his voice. It was as if he had just been talking about the weather, as if he hadn’t just intoned that he was under his wife. “Yes, the females are mostly endowed with more magic, but there are some cases whereby men are too. For example our last ruler was a male, so said my mother…” “Did he have white hair?” I asked, interrupting her mid sentence, apologizing by lifting my two hands, but not retracting my sentence either way. It was best to put two questions together for her to answer. That will save time. “Yes. Here, in this community, white hair signifies more power. And so leadership isn’t passed on hereditary basis, as other communities do, but in relation to white hair component; except the ruler’s child has the white hair blessing.” Laura answered, and I nodded, thinking back to the girl I had seen with the queen, and then the boy
“Zande was with me before Diana came….” A look of fondness has overtaken Laura's face, her eyes glossy as she began to speak about the girl that was no more, the girl I wished I had met. Zande had obviously made a significant impact on this family. Even Peter was shaken. His hands were now unclasped, and he was rubbing them softly on his jean clad thighs. “She was kind and sweet, with an air of freeness and gentleness around her. The community had been skeptical about her at first, because of the rumors about her using black magic to kill her parents, but with time, she won them over when she came out from coma. She even attracted Queen Aliana’s attention, who later wanted the girl for herself; but Zande had been firm with her decision to stay with me. She had been the daughter that I had been praying to the goddess for. I thought she was the answered prayer, so I took her as one. It wasn’t long after her name got cleared up that she started going out with Aliana's first son. I act
Seeing Diana step into the room with the cup of medicine, which I had been taking for one week—since the night Laura had broken down in tears before me—I sighed, not concerned that Diana would hear me, or moved by the fact that she was laughing now. The brute. “Why the long face, Maya?” She teased, stretching the cup of greenish bitter liquid to me, her eyes twitching and swishing.I ignored her. “You don’t want it? I will have to call my mother then…” She said, dropping the cup of medicine on the bedside table. She was about to turn away, but I held her by the arm, and dropped a soft knock on her head. She was really getting bouts of fun out of delivering a medicine much bitter than anything I had tasted. It was something that Laura had concocted for the memory loss that she thought was plaguing me. Serves me right.The first time she had given it to me had been the following morning when Peter and I had prepared to go around the community as he had mentioned on that night filled
Was it already that time of the year? I knew there was an annual celebration of the peace pact between the two bordering communities and my pack, but I hadn’t known for what or who were involved. It was never held in the pack, but in either of the communities. My parents, and siblings when they had come of age in the last two years, had usually gone to these annual celebrations, leaving me alone in the house during that period. They stayed for two to three days before they came back, excited and happy. And although it got lonely sometimes—staying at home alone—I had still fancied it because I was free from bullying then, and from academic activities—since school was always put on hold then. Once, I had asked my mother why I wasn't allowed to go; why I was always left behind with the underaged in the pack, and a few aged fellas. Was I not worthy to see the communities at least? She hadn’t given me an answer. She had ended up stuttering after a long silence, before asking me to go aw
Laura and Peter’s eyes drifted from Diana to me in a split second. From the sad look in their eyes I could tell that they had witnessed, to an extent, the panic attacks, and that they felt sorry for me. I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to be someone to be felt sorry for.A sudden anger mixed with irritation arose in me, and I just didn’t want to sit on the floor again, I just didn’t want to sit in the same room with them; I needed some air—damn the suspicions it might raise. If worse comes to worse, I resolved to tell them all about it, all about my near experience with the afterlife.My hand shaking started again, but I was having none of it. I bit my lips hard till it drew blood, till my hands stopped shaking. I soughed deeply, gingerly getting on my feet, and making the walk that led me out of the room, not minding that I was the center of attention. When I got outside, I took a deep breath in, wondering which way to go from here. I could hear Laura asking Diana about the details
I can't believe myself. I can't believe what I had done, when I had opened my eyes and saw the classroom free of smoke, free from the flames I had conjured mere minutes ago. I had jumped on Raul. It was supposed to be a thank you hug, you know, coming from a place of excitement, of happiness that I had finally mastered how to control my magic to some extent, but the hug ended up being the ones couple shared after being apart for probably a year. I had hugged him quite alright, but my legs had moved, of their accord. They had jumped and plastered themselves around his waist. They were still there. Around his waist. My mind was in shambles, especially since Raul had managed to catch me with all precision, still held me now, and showed no signs of letting go. Don't I weigh anything? I retrieved my head from the crook of his neck which scented of masculinity. This contact needed to end now. "Ehmm.." I muttered now, looking into his face, which although wasn't red as mine, showed the
Raul and I stayed cocooned in a comfortable silence for a long while, a privy truce already happening between us. I didn’t see him as the enemy anymore. However, I was still working on separating him from the Queen in my equation of retribution. “How long are we going to stay here? Aren’t we returning to class?” I asked after sometime, my back already yelling in pain for reclining against the hard wall for a long period of time. Raul shrugged his shoulders at my question. “It’s not like there will be any class going on. Do you see any professor around? I bet the students are huddled in their classes, wondering what next would go wrong with..” “With me, you mean….” Raul gave me an apologetic look, but it was all right. It was understandable. Since we have been here, no students have come close, no teachers too. The fire was still burning. I was sure it had ventured into the other classes. Weren’t they coming to stop it? “You know you are the only one that can quench that fire….”
What have I done?Panic swept through the magic room like a tidal wave, mingling with the smell of smoke and the sound of screams.My heart sank as I realized the magnitude of what I had unleashed. I had wanted to prove myself, to show my mastery over the elements, but now, all I felt was guilt and remorse.As chaos erupted around me, I knew that I would carry the weight of this moment with me for quite a long time. For in my quest for power, I had unleashed a force beyond my control, leaving destruction in its wake. And now, I could only watch helplessly as the flames consumed everything in their path.The flames. They held me captive. They had me frozen in the midst of the ensuing chaos. They had my heart sinking into the depths of sorrow. The flames, born of my own magic gone awry, danced voraciously across the classroom. Smoke choked the air, thick and suffocating, as desks and books became engulfed in a raging inferno. The screams of my classmates pierced the cacophony of destru
As I caught sight of Sinclair standing by the door of my classroom, a flutter of nervous anticipation stirred within me. The time for my magic classes had finally come, and despite my excitement, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of apprehension. The time has come.Mr. Lethon must have sent him. I thought, checking the time on my wrist watch. It was exactly the time for my magic class. Sinclair was quite punctual.Since I had decided to cut him some slack for not doing anything about Levina's bullying, we have exchanged words here and there—greetings especially—but it has not been like the same. Probably, because I have been avoiding him really. I'm not sure why. I think I just didn't want to talk to him, not that freely as before, at least not yet. However, he was here to pick me up.I looked at Professor Bulock talking about some impossible theory of magic, and almost called him to the fact that his time was gone. But that would be falling under his radar again. I was tired of that
As Diana and I walked hand in hand to school, chattering like monkeys, a sense of elation bubbled up inside me, replacing the feeling of shame that had subsided a little after Laura's words of encouragement.The Queen had fulfilled her side of the bargain, as she had promised us. She had moved the children's classes back to the general school, and she hadn't disturbed me since then. And even though the weight of her last words had never left me, I couldn't help but feel relief and gratitude, walking to school like this, hand in hand with Diana. It was pure bliss.As we walked, Diana regaled me with tales of spells and enchantments, her enthusiasm quite infectious. I knew that it was because I had just shown her, though messy, that I was good enough to be filled in with magic spells. We exchanged knowledge eagerly—I told her about the book I had stolen from the library, and what I had learnt from them—each revelation sparking a lively conversation that danced between us like fireflies
Finally, It was Friday. A sense of anticipation coursed through my veins like an electric current as I ruminated on what it entailed for me. Magic classes.Today marked the beginning of my journey, officially, into the world of magic—a world I had longed to explore ever since my encounter with the vision of the community's first queen. For two days, I had immersed myself in the ancient magic books, devouring their contents with an insatiable hunger for knowledge. With each page I turned, I had delved deeper into the mysteries of magic, learning the intricacies of summoning and controlling magical creatures, as well as the secrets of casting spells both simple and complex. Though I had practiced in secret, hidden away from prying eyes, my determination never wavered. And now, as I sat at the breakfast table with my family, my newfound skills lay dormant, waiting to be unleashed."Well, how are you feeling, Maya? Seeing that today would be your first time learning magic?" I shrugged
I suddenly found myself standing in a vast, lush forest bathed in the golden light of a setting sun. Ancient trees towered overhead, their branches adorned with shimmering leaves that seemed to glow with an ethereal energy. Birds chirped melodiously in the canopy above, their songs blending harmoniously with the rustling of leaves.In the distance, I saw figures moving through the forest with purpose. Without much ado, I walked toward them, pausing when I noticed that I was literally gliding on the air. My feet weren’t touching the grassy ground. I opened my mouth to gasp in surprise, but air didn’t ooze out of my mouth, neither did a sound come out.I couldn’t talk here? If that was so, then I hoped that I couldn’t be seen.As I approached the figures, I realized they were villagers clad in simple yet elegant garments, their faces painted with elaborate colorful patterns. They spoke in a language that echoed with ancient wisdom, their voices carrying a solemn reverence.Among them
As the minutes ticked by, as I neared home, my thoughts circled back to the Queen’s cryptic demeanor, to her parting words. Consequences. What plans did she have in motion? How would she retaliate against our interference? The uncertainty gnawed at me, yet I clung to the conviction that our actions had been necessary, a pivotal moment in our struggle for autonomy and justice within the community that was ruled by the Queen.With a deep breath, I gathered my composure and turned aside to gaze at Peter. He too, seemed lost in thoughts. There was a slight frown on his face, and I couldn’t help but wonder what had brought about the frown. The promise of the consequences?I sighed softly, and turned away, resolving to face whatever consequences awaited us with courage and determination, which was fortified by the unwavering bond of family and the conviction that we had taken a stand for what was right."I won't let her hurt my family," I whispered to myself a second later, my voice a quie
As Peter and I entered the Queen's personal office, I was immediately struck by the air of elegance and authority that permeated the room. Whilst on our way here, Peter had clarified that the room where I had once had a personal meeting with the Queen, wasn't actually hers, but Duke's. It all made sense now. The difference was clear.The walls of this office were adorned with rich tapestries depicting scenes of royal lineage, while intricate carvings lined the wooden furniture, each piece a testament to the skilled craftsmanship of the community's artisans.At the center of the room stood a grand desk, its polished surface gleaming in the soft light that filtered in through the tall windows. Behind the desk sat the Queen herself, a regal figure dressed in flowing robes of deep crimson. I and Peter bowed, and greeted.Beside her stood her brother, Hendel, his expression stoic yet filled with an undeniable sense of pride.But it was her two children who caught my attention. Duke and Ra