The Impostor

Aurora's Letter

Aurora...

A voice was calling for her.

Aurora.

She could not say whether that enchanting voice came from inside her head, or from the outside.

Aurora!

She felt a light tremor in her whole body and she quickly realized someone was shaking her by the shoulders. Finally, she opened her eyes.

"Sometimes I wonder why I racked my brain to curse you to fall into a sleep like death," Maleficent sighed, slightly amused, "it seems you are naturally inclined to fall into an everlasting slumber."

Aurora straightened her back and sat on her bed, smiling. "Well, maybe you should have kissed me," she smirked defiantly, "I'm sure I would have woken up faster."

Maleficent suddenly turned her head towards Aurora, one fine eyebrow arched quizzically. She gave the Queen a cold threatening glare which caused the young woman to look away immediately.

She lowered her gaze to her lap, feeling more and more remorseful for what she dared to say at loud.

How silly could I be?

"Never mind." She cleared her throat, feeling quite uncomfortable.

The wicked fairy remained quiet for a while before she leant closer and reached out towards Aurora. The younger woman raised a questioning eyebrow at that stretched hand, but Maleficent did not seem willing to withdraw it, nor explain her course of action. She looked up at the older woman, finally allowing their gaze to meet and she took that welcoming elegant hand. She let Maleficent help her stand and bowed her head in a gesture of thanks. She motioned to take back her hand, but the dark woman held it even more tightly.

"I must inform you that I have received some... unpleasant news from your kingdom." The fairy declared sternly as she looked right into her eyes.

"Y-You... What?" Aurora gaped in disbelief.

"Your dear aunt Flora sent a carrier pigeon to deliver me a very clear message."

"And... what is that message?" The Queen asked, her voice hushed and hesitant.

"Well, she knows exactly where you are and she wants you back, obviously." Maleficent rolled her eyes in annoyance at the thought of the good fairies' foolish manners.

"Oh. Then I guess they knew you were still alive as well." Aurora put her head down, sadly. "So my aunts betrayed me too... and for that, they are worse than Phillip." She clenched her fists in pure anger.

The wicked fairy let go of Aurora's hand, cool fingers sliding down her skin gently. "I suppose they fooled themselves in thinking they acted this way for your own safety and well-being."

"Oh no!" Aurora laughed mirthlessly. "Trust me, they didn't. They knew how much I... how much I..." She averted her gaze, feeling her cheeks gradually warming up, her marble features tinting in light rose. The older woman raised a curious eyebrow, urging her to continue. "How much I... care for you. They just made the decision for me, like they always did. And that decision was certainly not the good one."

Maleficent nodded in agreement. "Fair enough."

The Queen slowly looked up at her, tears forming at the corner of her purple eyes. She took an hesitant step towards the dark woman.

"Maleficent..." She began, her voice husky with dread.

The fairy looked down at her, frowning fiercely. "Your Majesty?"