Floating Stars

Chapter 25: Deceived

Ever since the night Jeeves' eyes glowed purple, Astrid's mind fought against itself. Questions in her mind fogged her willingness to connect and soon the impossible link between Natanstrelle and the non-magical realm was blocked.

True was convinced that they could easily make the link again, all they needed was Astrid to get back on board. However, he knew that he mustn't push her too hard for her stubborn heart would only harden. Instead he sought to keep the peace by letting her be and carrying on with life, within his small family, like, what had recently become, normal.

"Now, close your eyes, no peeking," True instructed the young copper-haired girl that sat on the sofa next to him. "Imagine a bright light, the brightest you've ever seen. Now, from that light, imagine rays of every colour flying out in all directions, displaying out, like a shining fan." True grabbed his daughter's hands and lifted them up in front of her. "Now, imagine that those various rays of light are different coloured cards." True's velvety voice danced within Amber's ears. "Do you see them?"

Amber nodded, squeezing her eyes shut; she didn't dare open them, she thought that if she did the vision in her mind's eye would be lost.

"Good girl. Now, focus on one card, just one."

Amber's left eyebrow cocked up as her face showed her decision making.

"What colour did you choose?"

"Blue," Amber replied with no hesitation or second guessing herself.

"Ooh, blue!" True said with a wide smile - for that would have been the colour that he would've chosen also. "Imagine that ray of blue spin and dance in front of you, and make it form into the shape of a creature."

He was still holding Amber's hands, as he watched the movement ripple under her eyelids.

"What creature did you create?"

"I made a blue dolphin!" Amber declared with glee.

"Open your eyes."

Amber did as she was asked, blinking multiple times.

"So, what do you think?" True asked his daughter.

"That's all light magic takes?"

"Yes, that's it. If you were standing in Natanstrelle with a light orb in your hand you would've made what you saw, a blue dolphin, fly above you in a beautiful light display. It's what Natanstrelleans do to entertain one another."

"That's so cool!" Amber said with a beaming grin. However, her happiness dissolved, like snow in the sunshine. Her eyes fell away from True's gaze and a sad frown took over her brow.

"What is it, my Amber?"

"I want to see it, for real," she began. "But I never will..."

"You don't know that," True said whilst stroking his fingertips along her long, red hair.

"What do you mean? Mum says I'll never get to see Natanstrelle."

"Well, that's not strictly true. Luchinda informed me, after I practically shouted her ears off when you guys were taken from me, that she had figured out a way for Natanstrelleans to return to Natanstrelle from the non-magical realm," True said, not noticing Astrid hovering in the living room's slim doorway. "It was then that we decided to work side-by-side to get me here to fetch you."

"So we can go back?"

"Yes, I believe Luchinda found a way."

"Wow! Let's go then. Now!"

A sharp cough brought both True and Amber's attention to the open door, where Astrid stood with her arms crossed firmly across her chest.

"Mum! Did you hear what-" Amber began to say excitedly but got interrupted by Astrid's firm voice, which was laced with annoyance.