The Wings of the Beautifully Fallen

Chapter 31: Illiana

Chapter 31: Illiana

"Now, explain to me the basis of all magic both inside and outside of the body." Helena questioned, her eyes staring at me, studying me. She had told me that I was going to be quizzed from the things that I had learned the previous day. I should have practiced or at least read the books that she had given me, instead I was lost in thought, completely forgetting about the work that I was told to do. I did not even bother practicing the small spells that she had given me and I knew that I would be tested on that as well.

My hand drifted down to my wrist, toying with the small brown bracelet as I attempted to remember what she had explained to me the day before. There was so much, we had spent over half of our time together talking about the basics of magic and the purpose it served. I knew that one could manipulate the magic to either heal, fight, search, or make anything but I knew that was not what she wanted to know. I also remembered when she explained that everyone had some ability with magic, the strength just varied from person to person.

After a few moments I sighed and looked up at her, her eyes unmoving. I could not remember. I could not recall the basis of magic and I could hardly remember the steps of the magic she had requested that I practice. She shook her head as she leaned backwards, her arms crossing in front of her.

"Is there a reason you did not do your readings?" She demanded and shrugged as I stared at her in surprise. "I can tell by the look on your face. You have no idea. If you did your readings, it would have been explained in a way you would remember."

"I was distracted." I whispered and she sighed, her lips pursing slightly.

"More than likely something about your siblings?" Helena stared at me, giving me a knowing look before turning around and waving her hand at me to follow her.

I was surprised that she knew. Did Reginald already speak to her? Tell her what had happened the night before or was there something else that I was missing? Perhaps I was just that obvious and she knew what was going on inside my mind. I took a deep breath and joined her as she stood by the window across the room. Her gaze studied the outside world, watching the birds that floated above the sky.

"You are worried about your siblings, are you not?" She spoke, her eye flickering over to me. A soft laugh came from her as she turned back towards the window, her hands falling to her side. "Perhaps you can fool others, even Prince Reginald, but you cannot fool me. I know the feeling far to well."

My shoulders tensed as I turned and stared at her and she could do nothing but give me a small nod as she turned to me. "I knew that you were abused the first second I laid eyes on you. I knew you were ignored, your education was lacking, and your head was filled with lies. I knew because, many years ago, that was me. Our stories are fairly similar, Princess, except for the ending." Her shoulders straightened as she turned and looked at me, her eyes filled with seriousness. "I was to foolish and allowed that man to leave my life. I was returned home and I was able to protect my siblings for the next few months until the guards came and saved us. Someone tipped them off, told them what was happening. It was the man that I had married."

She gave a bitter smile, yet her eyes were filled with pain. "You see, I had never told him what had happened at home, it was not until months after I was gone when he realized. By then, it was to late and we could never be together. My siblings were, of course, able to grow and be happy. They married, loved, birthed children. And then there was me. I had sacrificed everything to be there for my siblings, to be able to protect them, and now I am the only one who is suffering." Helena's hand fell on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I will not allow you to make the same mistake, Princess Illiana. I will not allow you to throw away your life, your chance at happiness. I will do everything I can to make you realize that you belong here. I will teach you your magic, teach you how to fly. You will learn to trust your husband and you will love him."