Flight of Frost and Aurora

Chapter 18

In contrast to Alastor's impulsive actions, Vagatha took a more deliberate approach, preparing meticulously for her departure. Each night, after the sisters had drifted off to sleep, she would quietly slip out of bed, gathering essential items for her journey. Aware that she would soon leave behind the body of a little girl and step into the form of a young woman, she carefully packed a selection of Mother Carmilla's clothing. With winter fast approaching, she also included two luxurious fur coats from Mother Rosamund.

Vagatha gathered provisions, picking fresh apples and strawberries from Carmilla's garden, alongside Rosamund's delectable homemade buns. She packed a cozy blanket for comfort and a brush to style her hair. The glass ball Zestial had given her and a collection of pressed flowers from Carmilla's garden to remember her heavenly family by. And finally, she included two vital items: a bottle of special ale that would keep the drinker warm for an entire day, and a glass that would enable mortals to perceive the unseen.

"With this, I'll be able to see Madame Katia. She won't sneak up on me."

Leaving without a word to the sisters, especially to Mother Carmilla, pained her deeply. Vagatha loved her so much, and she knew Mother Carmilla loved her just as fiercely, if not more so. But she also understood that Mother Carmilla would never allow her to go, so she resolved to sneak away, leaving behind a farewell note.

Vagatha sat on her bed, the dim moonlight filtering through the window, casting soft shadows across the room. Her heart raced as she carefully folded the clothes she had gathered, each piece a reminder of the love and warmth she would be leaving behind. She inhaled deeply, allowing the familiar scents of the sisters' home to wash over her—freshly baked bread, blooming flowers, and the faintest hint of the special ale she had tucked away.

As she finished packing, Vagatha reached for a piece of parchment and a quill, her hands trembling slightly. She wanted to express everything she felt, to convey her gratitude and love for the sisters who had raised her. But the words felt heavy in her heart, and she struggled to find the right ones.

"Dear Mother Carmilla and Rosamund," she began, her pen scratching against the paper. "I hope you can forgive me for what I am about to do. I love you both more than words can express, and I will carry your love with me wherever I go."

She paused, her eyes welling with tears as she reflected on the countless moments they had shared—the laughter, the lessons, the warmth of their embrace. "I have made the decision to become human again. I cannot stand idly by while Alastor is in danger. I must help him, and I believe this is the only way I can do so."

Vagatha's heart ached at the thought of leaving them, but she knew it was necessary. "Please understand that this is not a reflection of my love for you. You have given me everything, and I will forever be grateful. I hope to meet you all again one day, and when I do, I will share all my adventures with you."

With a final flourish, she signed her name and folded the note carefully, placing it on her pillow, and slipped away in the night, descending the well in the fairy ring to reach Lord Zestial's domain. Though Lord Zestial was not present, she knew what to do. Zestial may not have trusted Katia with the location of his spells and potions, but he did trust the sisters, and Vagatha had overheard many conversations between the three of them regarding that subject.

She searched for the ornate wooden case and, upon finding it, opened it to reveal the potion containing her strand of hair. Afterward, she flew out of the well and uncorked the bottle. The moment had come—she was ready to reclaim her humanity and rejoin the mortal world. With a deep breath, she drank the potion.

Just like with Alastor, the effects were immediate, and she felt a searing pain as her body grew and transformed to fit her age. The metamorphosis was unlike anything Vagatha had ever experienced, as though every cell in her body was being stretched and reshaped, a sensation both exhilarating and excruciating. She gasped as her limbs elongated, her small hands becoming delicate yet strong.