Page 1 of The Magic of Eternity
Giggles trickled through the air, wrapping around me like ghosts. I couldn’t see anyone.Where is that laughter coming from?
My vision cleared and I found myself drifting down the hallway in my cottage, heading for the stairs. Creaking floorboards overhead and the tinkling laughter guided me. I was so curious. My fingertips trailed along the banister, and I barely noticed that I couldn’t feel the smooth wood against my skin.
“Come on, little princesses. It’s time for bed!” Cam’s voice announced. I smiled. My feet carried me to the guest room.
“But, Daddy!”
My stomach swooped, and I audibly gasped. That tiny voice.
“No buts. You two got to stay up later than usual tonight and Daddy’s tired,” Cam told the little girls who I hadn’t seen yet.
A fit of giggles had tears pricking my eyes. “Are you going to fall asleep in here with us again, Daddy?”
I peeked through the crack of the door and took in the scene. Cam’s massive body was completely dominating a tiny princess bed, and two small girls were pressed against either side of him. Well, more like half laid on top of him, because there wasn’t much room. A small nightstand held a night-light that illuminated the space softly, and my eyes eagerly took in the matching princess bed on the other side.
I stepped into the room but nobody reacted.I have to see them.
“Will you tell us the story again?” the girl with the same color hair as mine asked. Her face was covered in freckles and she had the cutest little grin. I sat down on the bed opposite them, my mouth hanging open.
The other girl, the one with deep, richly colored brown hair and ice-blue eyes, nodded enthusiastically. “Pleeeease, Daddy? The one with the pretty queen and her kings.” My eyes flew to Cam’s face. He smiled at the girls, but it didn’t meet his eyes. My heart clenched, but I wasn’t sure why.
“Anything for my girls,” he murmured, kissing each of their heads as they nestled in against his large chest. He pulled a large blanket with a castle and pink dragons up over the three of them, before clearing his throat.
“Once upon a time, there was a beautiful green witch. With long, pretty red hair like you.” He kissed the red-haired girl on her head once more. “And a smile just like yours.” He tapped the dark-haired girl on her chin, and she laughed, flashing that smile that was exactly like mine. “She was the sweetest, kindest witch in the land. Her magic was a magic of life. Of love. Of sacrifice...”
My eyes flewopen and I tried to sit up, but found myself unable to move. Pain flared in my lower back, abdomen, and my head.Gods, my head.
“Deep breath, miss. You’re okay.”
I heard the words, but they were soft over the roaring of my heartbeat in my ears.Where am I? Hands. There are hands on me.
“Who...” I croaked, my throat raw and painful.
“Shhh.” Something wet pressed against my forehead, and I groaned in discomfort. The compress felt nice, but my head was throbbing and I couldn’t resist letting my eyes flutter shut.
“H–hurts...”
“This will help,” a voice said, and seconds later, the pain in my body faded and I let myself free fall back into the darkness.
“Give me an update,”a man’s voice boomed, and had I been able, I might’ve flinched. His voice was familiar, yet I couldn’t place it with a face.
Footsteps shuffled around me but my eyes were closed. I was just so tired. Couldn’t open them.
“Sire. She’s been this way for weeks. Nothing has changed,” a male voice responded. It was a voice that I’d been hearing more frequently. Whoever he was, he always spoke gently and with kindness. On some level, I felt safe knowing he was here and that I wasn’t alone with that other male.
A crash sounded. Glass breaking. Cursing. “Figure out what the fucking problem is!”
Silence.
“I believe she needs her ma—”
The familiar voice cut off, and the sounds of a scuffle drifted through my subconscious state. “Well, that’s not happening! Even if I could. It’s not... possible,” the angry male growled. “Notify me immediately of any changes. She so much as flexes a toe, I am to be informed!”
A door slammed. Someone squeezed my hand gently.
I’m prettysure I’m dead.
Everything is bright. Isn’t that what they say? Go toward the light? Or don’t go toward the light? Which one was it? Either way... there’s a light.
