The Other Side of the Mirror

The White Winged Dove

I fluttered open my eyes to be greeted with a beam of sunlight striking through endless white hues. The clouds glided elegantly, illuminated by the sun, as though performing a dance at a celestial wedding.

I was lying upon a pale pink cloud which felt like candy floss to the touch except it didn't leave my fingers horribly sticky.

I sat up slowly and took in the remainder of my surroundings. Large clouds of pink, lilac and amber stretched across the landscape as far as the eye could see. The sky was a cerulean blue with tinges of white cloud drifting across its canvas. Apart from the light breeze, all was still and no noise could be heard.

I stood up, my feet sinking gently into the cloud. I noticed that I was no longer wearing the dress I had borrowed from Nyx. I was wearing a long white dress, it's silky fabric sitting upon my skin as soft as rose petals. It's hem grazed my ankles, my bare feet peeking out from beneath the skirt. The lace pattern upon the silk was complicated and elegant. I made sure the bracelet Merlon gave me was still on my slim wrist. It gently slid up and down from my wrist to my lower forearm where the sleeve of my dress hugged tight to my skin. The crystals gleamed bright in the warm sun.

As I began sheepishly walking along the cloud, I heard the distant sound of a bird flapping its wings. I raised a hand to my forehead to shield my eyes from the light and surveyed the sky, the skirt of my dress flowing gently in the calming breeze.

After a few moments, the outline of a bird came into view. I squinted in the bright light as it flew towards me and circled overhead a few times. It fluttered gracefully down and landed on the cloud next to my feet.

It's feathers were as white as the clouds and it's deep black eyes stared up at me. It was a dove.

Gingerly, I crouched down and reached out my hand towards the bird. It inched closed to my hand and nudged its soft head against it before opening its wings and rising into the air again. It flew above my head and took a lock of my hair in its beak and pulled gently, as though trying to lead me somewhere.

I smiled as it let go and began leading me along the cloud path, taking playful swoops every now and then, gliding freely, a sight which was like music to the soul.

A sense of happiness washed over me as my being was replenished from the small dove flying along in front of me in a carefree ballet of the sky. I skipped and twirled along behind it, my long curls blowing in the breeze and tickling my cheeks.

After a while the cloud path widened and the silhouette of a building could be seen in the distance. The dove carried on towards the building, every now and then casting a glance behind in case I had somehow strayed from course.

As we got nearer, I realised the building was in fact a palace sat upon a rose pink cloud. I stopped walking and took in its glory. It's exterior was the whitest marble and it's towers stood tall among the clouds in the sky. Lilac mist surrounded its base, making it look as though it has been conjured straight out of a children's fairytale.

The dove turned to face me, hovering in mid air. It let out a soft coo as though to beckon me towards it. I began following once more as it approached the palace door. It stopped flapping, landing gently on the cloud at my feet, and stared at me expectantly. I looked from the dove to the door before quietly knocking three times on the elaborate white wood.

A few moments later, the door opened to reveal a woman. She wore a gorgeous white lace dress and a regal, silver tiara atop her snowy white mermaid waves. Her whole form was surrounded by a soft golden glow which illuminated her smiling face. Flat white shoes covered her slim feet but they never once touched the ground for she floated gracefully wherever she went.