Of magic and blood

Chapter Five

The pungent fumes of bleach overwhelmed any other scent. Steam wafted up from the huge tub of scolding hot water, where there was just a glimpse of the soaking white linens.

I sat in a chair next to the tub, a basket of mend-up clothes at my feet. There was always too much time in between the loads of whites, so I kept my fingers busy.

As soon as I was done with this load, I'd be done for the morning and I could finally go out to see the foals again, and say goodbye to Simon.

The first thing I pulled out of the basket was a cotton nightdress with a ripped hem. I could tell it was fine quality, the cotton thin and light, with purple lilacs embroidered along the hem.

It must've been from the palace. They sent out their laundry for us to clean sometimes, and I had a feeling that this nightdress was Princess Lilac's.

The ripped hem was an easy fix, and I moved on to the next item.

The hour went by fast, the needle work lolling my brain. I always felt peaceful with a needle in my hand. Sooner than I would've liked, I stood from my chair and rolled up my sleeves, ready to heave the wet linens up from the water.

Using a long pole, I stirred up the water and grabbed the first linen I saw. And so on it went, heaving up the sheets, ringing them out, then placing them in a basket at my feet.

Wiping the sweat from my forehead, I reached back in to grab another sheet, but something happened that time.

There was a tiny pop as my fingers made contact with the water, and a tingling sensation ran up my arm as bright blue sparks skittered across the steaming water.

I watched, astonished, as the blue sparks multiplied, jumping and skipping, then sank into the surface of the water. There was a series of pops and crackles as a sheet of sheer ice covered the whole water.

That... that wasn't possible. The water was far too hot for ice to form, and there was no way for it to happen.

I blinked once. Then twice, and just as suddenly, the ice was gone. It was just steaming water again.

I felt shaken, surprised. When I looked at my hands, raw from the bleach and red from the hot water, they were trembling.

It didn't make any sense. Magic manifested itself young in a person, and I had never shown any magic before.

But what did it mean?

I hastily hauled out the rest of the linens, then brought them to Betsy, who would hang them out to dry on the line.

I left the laundry house behind, heading straight for the meadow with the Pegasi, where I knew I'd find comfort. Being with the winged horses calmed me, and I needed peace more now than ever.

But as I came closer, my pace began to slow until I stopped completely.

Someone was already standing out in the field, her back to me as she silently watched the flock. Her clothes didn't look worn, threadbare, or frayed, so I knew she must've been wealthy.

I quietly approached, careful to not make a sound, and came to a stop just inside the tree line, watching her.

"It has been too long... sister."

She turned, and it was like staring into a mirror. My cheek bones, my lips, my nose, everything. An exact copy of myself.

But the longer I looked at her, the more I saw the difference. Her hair was a shade darker than mine, her lips were a bit more full than mine. And her eyes, they were the biggest difference of all.

Hers were a smoky indigo color, more violet than blue. But they looked upon me calmly, with what only could be described as joy swimming in them.

She held herself high, back straight, chin up. I saw a confidence in her that would never be in me.

"S-sister?" I whispered, furrowing my brow in confusion.

Her smile was like the sun breaking through the clouds, "Sister." She stated firmly.

My legs lurched forward on their own accord and I came to a stop in front of her. We were the same height, in fact, I was a few inches taller than she was. But I felt small next to her projected confidence.

"How is that possible?" I asked.

She shook her head, "I'm not sure."

I lifted my hand, palm out, on instinct. Her hand went up to meet mine, a mirror image.

"Amazing."

"Lily?"

Startled, we both turned toward the tree line and I saw Simon standing there, dressed in travel clothes with a pack on his back.

I had forgotten about him.

He looked utterly confused and I didn't blame him. I was quite confused myself.

"Simon."

He stepped forward, looking between me and my look-a-like.

"Lily." She said from next to me, a smile in her voice, "It suits you."

I turned back to look at her, "You know my name, but I don't know yours."

She studied me for a moment, uncertainty written in her gaze. I narrowed my eyes, wondering why she'd hesitate to tell me her name.

Something hardened on her face.

"Lilac. My name is Lilac."

Great Celeste. It occurred to me. I was looking at the princess. 

[EDITED: 9-5]