Secrets of the Great Oak

Chapter 9

Maggie. It was Maggie in front of her. She was dancing with a young man that wore a crown on his head. No... not a man... a male. Anna gasped when she saw the delicately pointed ears and the wings. Those beautiful violet wings. They looked as if they were made from air and magic itself. Stretching the entire height of the male, they fluttered in a cool spring breeze. The scent of rain and wildflowers danced around Anna.

She turned her attention back towards Maggie and struggled for breath. Maggie had the same pointed ears... and... beautiful, elegant cream and gold wings. Maggie was fae.

But how? Where was Anna? How did she get here?

Music swirled through the air and intertwined itself with the sound of Maggie's laughter. Tears fell down Anna's cheeks as she observed her sister. The cascading blonde curls, flowing down her back. The blue-gray eyes that mirrored her own. The pure joy set in her gorgeous features. The strength and grace in her steps.

Maggie was waltzing with this male as if it were second nature to her. She moved like a river gently flowing. The male never took his eyes from her. Anna saw the love behind them, the intimacy. These two knew each other, loved each other deeply.

The whole scene was bathed in the golden light of sunset. The two fae were dancing in a magical wood, but where was the music coming from? It seemed to be floating in on the wind itself. Small balls of light were suspended in mid-air around the forest, leaping through the leaves of the trees surrounding them.

Maggie's dress was extravagant; a pastel green with diamond white detailing and billowing sleeves. The neckline hung just slightly off her shoulders. She wore a golden locket around her neck. The male was dressed in a matching white jacket and pants, with a sword sheathed at his side. The gold on the button and cuffs told of his wealth.

This male must be a prince... and Maggie, his princess.

Anna loosed a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding and reached her hand out as if she might touch them. The movement seemed to catch Maggie's attention and she dropped the prince's hands.

"Maggie?" Anna took a step forward. "Maggie, is that you?" Maggie raced for her and scooped her up in her arms, spinning Anna around and around.

"Anna! It worked at last! You've come!" She exclaimed.

"What? What do you mean?"

"I've been trying to reach you for a while now." Maggie set her down and took both of her hands. "Anna, I'm safe and I'm happy." She looked over her shoulder at the handsome prince. "I'm well-loved and taken care of. Please stop looking for me."

"How did you know?" Anna's head was spinning.

"I can sense it because you're my sister. We're tied together in blood." Her eyes were soft and kind as she continued. "Anna, I love you. It's best for you to stop looking."

"No, I can't. I have to know what happened." Anna's heart was pounding. How was this even possible? She didn't want this moment to end. She wanted to keep this piece of Maggie alive with her, forever.

"No. You don't. Leave it be." The prince stepped forward and Anna observed the rings on both of their left hands. Maggie's ring delicately wove itself around a bright sapphire and the prince's simple gold band carried a matching stone. "Leave me be."

Anna shook her head. She was trembling from head to toe. "No, Maggie. Never. I need to know."

Maggie sighed and let Anna's hands go, golden hair fluttering in the breeze. The prince placed an arm around her waist. "Anna, please." She dropped her gaze. "It's dangerous to continue your search. Head my words and stop looking."