A Life Beyond The Mirror

Well, that’s one way to wake a girl up. All sense “Visions. Okay Gran. You have had one too many herbal teas today.” She was so much more far gone than I thought. She even has that crazy gleam in her eye.

“Okay then. Look at me, now. How do I look?” she said. Gesturing to her face. I do as I’m told, shooting my eyes at her. She looked the same. But wait. I look again. Her ears though, are they pointed? He hair is almost silver now, rather than a grey, it glistened in the afternoon sun. Her eyes gleamed blue, brighter, more vibrant. Even her skin, it almost looked polished. Her wrinkles evened out. How hadn’t I noticed this before?

“What did you give me?!” I screech, climbing up the bed. I must be on a drug trip. She put cannabis in my tea or something. This must be how it feel to be high.

“A potion that lets you see what is being hidden.” She tries to reassure, but my breaths still come in shallow puffs. “I hide my true form to fit in.” she says following the point of her ears with her index finger. “Your dreams. They started getting worse after your father… disappeared, correct?” she asks.

“Well, yes, just grief, I suppose.” I explain. Of course, the trauma of losing a parent could cause all sorts of damage.

“No. He was no longer around to give you the potion.” She says matter of fact.

“What potion?”

“Your father. He was hiding your gifts from you. He didn’t want you to know, or anyone else to find out. You were too young. When you were small, he put a blocker on you so you wouldn’t see anything not from this world. The potion suppressed your gifts.” She says stroking my hair again, tucking the strays in neatly.

“This is too much Gran.” I stand up to leave, she grabs my arm.

“Don’t your dreams feel real?” she asks, her eyes imploring mine to believe her.

“Yes.” I whisper.

“Trust your instincts. It’s what they’re there for.” She says softly, before releasing my arm and letting me go.

I left the house confused. I headed down to the bottom of the road, where the village turns into fields. Jumping over the stile I head across it, weaving through the tall grass, almost ready for the farmer to cut. Not wanting to think about where to go, I just keep walking in the straight line, through the long grass, tickling my legs. I have a split-second thought about the creepy crawlies but keep going anyway. I just needed to get away. With my head pounding with questions, it was a surprise I stopped in time to not end up in the pond. I kneel beside it, dipping my fingers in the dark murky waters. A run-down building taking up the space on the other side. Cracked windows and roof caved in from a fallen tree, plants growing out of all the nooks and crannies.

My face flushes as I struggle to keep my head from exploding, my eyes watering with frustration as I lose track of time and just sit there, gazing at the pond. Scum masking what lies within the inky pools. Processing the information. Was it true? Or was Grandma leading me down her loony road and I was just a gullible girl.

“Can this be real?” I ask. As if understanding, a small frog jumps out, cracking the surface of the pond and into the shallows in front of me and proceeds to sit there in front of me.

“Are you going to turn into a prince if I kiss you?” I ask it, laughing at my stupidity.

“Maybe.” The frog replied. I jump back in horror, stifling a scream. My eyes bulging from my head. I turn running back across the field and towards my Gran’s house. On second thought that could have been my mind playing tricks on me but I’m not taking any chances.

“How are you feeling dear?” she asks me, concern in her voice. She was there, back on her bench, waiting for me to come home. She reaches a younger than usual hand out for me to join her. Her appearance had not reverted back. So much for momentary insanity.

“Sceptical I suppose. Can I be honest with you?” I ask.

“I’d expect nothing less.” She says, turning towards me on the bench.

“I don’t know whether to believe you or not. The doctors said…If this was true. Why didn’t I know about it?” I ask.

“The doctors only know what they are told. I didn’t want to go to those! Your Mother forced me, and I didn’t want her to worry. So, I did to appease her. “She harrumphed. She placed her hand against my cheek. “My dear, this world is full of good. But it is also filled with evil. Bad people will do anything to get what they think they deserve. Our gifts are not of this world, but another that exists alongside. Your dreams are just the beginning.” She says, her eyes filled with compassion.

“But why don’t I know about it then?” I ask trying to push away the frustration creeping into my voice.

“Your Father’s gift was abused by many others for far too long. Seeking things for people, memories, visions and objects that aren’t supposed to be found. Word of his gifts spread and the bad came looking. I believe someone is keeping your father captive for themselves. He put a spell on you, a blocker, so no one would know of your gifts, your heritage, not even yourself, and when he disappeared, he was no longer able to renew the spell.” Her voice grave as she continues looking towards the trees.

“What will happen to me?” I ask, unsure.

“Well, that depends on you. Your visions will be getting stronger now I have given you the tonic. I believe your dream is a warning of what is to pass. It may come true, it may not.” She pats my thigh in encouragement. “You can work with me, and I can teach you the ways of our ancestors, or you can have the spell renewed and ignore your fate.” She states, making it obvious there was really only one choice she would be happy with. I sit for a minute in silence. If this wasn’t real, it’s only playing pretend right? If it was, there was a whole world out there I knew nothing about. A whole other side to me.

“What will you teach me?” I finally ask and her eyes light up.

“Well, I haven’t had a student in a while but first we would start with a bit of history. Where you came from and about our kind. I will teach you potions and spell and then how to harness your gift so you can control it. You will be able to see what you want to and when you want to see it. Your gifts will grow from there. I do not know many half-bloods, but I would assume their powers would be different.”

“Can we start now?” I ask. My mother’s car comes into view and pulls up in front of the house.

“Tomorrow.” She whispers, patting my leg again, just as my mother closes the car door and climbs the front steps. She’s on the phone so she silently waves as she goes past.

Trying to make sense of this revelation, I head back to my room. It would be an explanation to what happened to my father. Better than what my mother came up with. But the dream? Why was Finn in it? As I breach the top of my stairs, I hear a menacing growl coming from Toby as He sits in front of the mirror staring within.

I grab a sheet to cover it. But catch a glimpse of my face and startle myself. My ears were slightly pointed! Not as much as Grans but still! My hair darker than before, full of life. My dark blue eyes had silver slivers throughout. I touch the reflection of my face, almost a stranger. I study my features as the mirror changes.

The mirror, it rippled like water on a pond. I pull my hand back with a flash. What the hell was that? The reflection changed to the image of a room, the image rippling like a flag in the wind. The large room was an office of some kind and was full of shadowy corners. A table sat in the centre of the room with items scattered across. Open books, bottles, a candle burnt all the way down, the wax dripping over discarded papers. I slowly move my hand toward the mirror again and touch it once more. A film like feel presses against my skin before it burst through. Through the damn mirror! I pushed a little further following my hand through.

I close my eyes as my head goes through. The feeling of submerging my face in jelly before I emerge through to the other side, feeling slightly disoriented.

I startle myself at the revelation of what I just did. I walked through a mirror. A god damned mirror! I spin quickly, checking the mirror was still there. An identical one hang on the wall, showing Toby leaning against the mirror looking for me, barking though I couldn’t hear a sound. The room was different to how it looked in the mirror I spin on my heels taking it all in; It was round for starters and the light beamed in from a tall window, leaving shadowy corners dark and creepy alcoves. The walls were made of a dark type of stone, rough under my fingers, and the floor made of a rough wood full of dark knots and whirls. Where the hell am I? Heading for the window, I place my hands against the cool stone as I peer out; the immense landscape unfolds in front of me. I was really high up. A door behind me creeks open and I jump and stiffen, too scared to turn around.

“What are you doing here?” I turn towards the shocked voice I recognise.

“Finn? What are you doing here?” I ask confused. as my cheeks pinken at realising I repeated his question.

“This is my home. How did you get here?” I glance at the mirror, feeling too crazy to say it out loud, and he nodded in recognition.

“Thinking about me, were you?” he said with a knowing smiling.

“Excuse me?” my eyes bugging out of my head.

“Well that mirror, it takes you where you want to go. Where there is a mirror that is. Not many of its kind anymore. I take it your grandma has one.” He says walking towards me. I nod in response, eyes wide. “You look different.” He walks around me slowly. “I see the spell is broken.” His voice, lifting as well as his eyebrows.

He was different too. His eyes were more vibrant, the colour of emeralds, his ears pointed too. I never realised how tall he was. His broad, muscular shoulders towering me. His chiselled jaw, shaping his handsome face. I let out a little gasp. He was beautiful.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be here. I just sort of fell through.” I avert my gaze to the floor, heading back towards the mirror.

“No! It’s fine. Stay. You know who you are then?” His rumbling voice like an incoming storm and my chest warms and I can’t help but sway towards him, drunk on the sound. I steady myself. His eyes search mine as I answer. I nod once more, slowly.

“Not that I fully believed it yet when Gran told me, but I can’t really disbelieve it now!” I giggle, glancing back out the window. “Where are we exactly? I don’t think I’m in Stackpole anymore.” He laughs, wholeheartedly, the warm sound so enthralling, I can’t help but smile with him.

“We are in the Seelie Court. Come with me. I have something to show you.” He smiles and moves to opens the door. I hesitate for a second and then decide to follow him anyway. What could go wrong?

The corridor led to a set of winding stairs going down further than I could see. At the bottom was brightly lit corridor; the setting sun shining over the balcony illuminating the tightly wrapped vines, clinging to the beams with a canopy of brightly coloured flowers draping over the side. The sound of a nearby river reaches my ears as the smell of the place hits me like a tidal wave. A smell I have never smelt before. Sweet, cloying like syrup on my senses, but not so intense as to be overpowering.

“What is that?” I say, scrunching my nose. “That smell?”

“Magic.” He raises a hand, and a vine comes to meet it. A flower blooming in his hand. A brilliant shade of cerulean blue with sharply pointed petals, blending into the centre a dark navy like the night sky. “Light magic to be precise. Here.”

He leans forward tucking the flower behind my ear as I try to hide my flushing cheeks. He presses us on, sliding his hand to the small of my back as we continue into the next building, the warmth of his hand sending a thrill though me as we head into a small room to the left. Rowan, Eva, Rose and Hali are all sat there waiting in what seems to be a small sitting room. Hali and Rowan lounge on a gold ornate sofa with dark blue cushions, facing a large decorative fireplace, made from slate I think, with symbols etched into it. The wood panelled wall completely covered in carvings, almost telling a story through the images.

“I knew I could smell it on you.” My eyes dart to Eva with her cocky smile of confidence on her face on what seems to be a bean bag. I suppose even Fae can appreciate the comfort.

“Yeah, yeah, we know. But it wasn’t your place to spill the beans.” Hali said pointing at her. Eva sticks out her tongue in response, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

“How can you smell it?” I ask.

“It’s unique to all Fae. Put it this way, you didn’t smell human. They smell like sweat and sugar. You’ll learn the difference.” Eva said pulling a face like she was going to vomit. They all roll their eyes at her.

“So, are you all… fae?” I ask trying not to sound too much like an idiot.

“Sort of, more specifically, I’m a Morgen.” Hali replied. “Little Miss I Know everything over there, is a Tylwyth teg. Meaning she likes to be a dick for fun.” She laughed, pointing at Eva.

“Hey!” Eva shouts, incredulously, hitting Hali in the arm.

“What is a morgen and a... whatever you just said? Sorry I don’t want to mince it.” I ask sheepishly, and she giggles.

“A Morgen is sort of like a mermaid I suppose and a “Tiluth Teg,” she says phonetically for me, I nod in thanks. “Is a sort of pixie. Complete drama queens.” She rolls her eyes as they shine in amusement, batting the pillow away that hurtles toward her face from the drama queen herself. I smile at the exchange. Hali jumps up from her spot and pulls me to sit beside her; forcing Rowan to move down. I love the dynamic they all have. The community feel they have warms me as I take in the mismatch group. Every one of them completely unique in their own way.

“Rose is a dryad and so is Rowan. Collectively, we are Seelie.” She says raising her hands, gesturing to the group before clapping them together. I look at them all in turn, before my brow furrows.

“What am I?” I ask, they all laugh and my cheeks flush with embarrassment.

“Sorry, it’s just crazy to believe you knew nothing.” Hali voice light with amusement. “We would have to know your lineage for that.” I nod in understanding. Or sort of understanding. This was a lot to take in and my brain was already on the verge of explosion.

“So, what are you?” I asked turning to Finn.

“Royal.” Eva smiles throwing the word into the room, like it exploded out of her and she almost couldn.t help it. Her cheeks flush as she continues. “Finn is a Prince if you hadn’t guessed already.” I look at them shocked, before my eyes settle on him. Finn is glaring daggers at her, but she ignores it, examining her nails to hide away from his murderous gaze.

My eyes pop from my head and I feel like a cartoon when I realise. “Wait, this is your castle?” He nods. He already said this was his home before didn’t he. My brain feels like it might just explode.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, sugar, he’s betrothed.” She sighed in mock resignation, resting her chin on her hand.

“Eva, Shut up!” He shouts through gritted teeth, his glare burrowing into her.

“Better she knows now, save her the hassle of getting her heart broken.” She shrugs, completely matter of fact.

“You seriously need to work on your people skills.” Rowan said, throwing one of the plush cushions at her. This was the first time I had heard him talk and I don’t know why he didn’t do it more. The tone so low and almost melodic it took me aback. I could imagine him reading audiobooks for a living because that voice could send me to sleep in minutes.

“Don’t hate on the truth.” She replied, waving her hand in the air and creating a halo of glowing light over her head.

“So, who are you engaged to? Aren’t you too young?” I asked, hoping I didn’t overstep.

“Brighid. The Princess of the Unseelie. They are trying to join the two realms through marriage. It is my duty to the kingdom to end the war.” He replies, finding interest in the fire, the reflection of the flames dancing in his eyes.

“Anyway, we best be going.” Hali hurries Rowan, Rose and Eva out the room. “Plenty of homework.” Eva goes to argue, and Hali clicks her fingers, and she is only able to croak, as she shoves her out the door. Rowan’s eyes dance with amusement.

“I should be going too.” I say half curtsying awkwardly as I leave. He chuckles. I look around. “How do I get back?” I ask.

“First, come with me.” he directs me to the door in the corner of the room. Opening the beautiful, dark wood door with a huge tree carved into it, painted with accents of gold. Fruit laden on the branches and surrounding the base of the tree. “Is this you?” he questions averting my attention. He points to a handful of charcoal drawn sketches on the desk. I glance over then before settling into the chair at the large solid dresser. It was me… outside my old house. Me hiding under my father’s desk, me reading on my old living room floor, all of them … me.

“How do you have these?” I ask, breathless and a little freaked out.

“I’ve seen you in my dreams. I keep seeing you and I don’t know what it means. I know where you are. I could feel you here when you arrived.” He says running a hand through his hair, a nervous edge to his tone.

“It feels a bit like an invasion of privacy.” I said under my breath.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to freak you out, it’s not exactly voluntary, but I had to draw them, almost an impulse. And, I have a feeling you know me too.” He said sitting on the edge of his grand bed, his eyes hopeful as I turn in the chair fully to face him. My mind whirling.

“I see your face in a reoccurring dream. Never in others. There’s a fire and we are running from something. It’s not really clear.”

“You have visions?” he asked. “Can I see?” he holds out his hand to me and I take it, before realising I have no idea what I am doing. But his hands are so warm.

“How?” I ask.

“Think about the dream. Bring it to the front of your mind.” He says and closes his eyes. I can’t help but look at him for a minute. His knows wrinkles and his brow furrows as he tries to concentrate. Before I can be caught, I close my eyes too and see the dream. After it ends, he opens his eyes slowly. “That’s some nightmare. Do you see anything else?” he asked desperately.

“No that’s it. I only saw it clearly for the first time today. How can you see my dream?”

“Because you let me.” He says showing my hand in his. He lets go of my hand, realising then, he is still holding it. I feel the loss again. I really need to sort my head out. He looks at me and smiles. “You’re different to how you are in my dreams.”

“How so?” I ask.

“Well, I can’t really explain it.” he says smiling.

“I suppose you’re different too. Less… rattled.” I chuckle darkly and he let out a small smile. My cheeks heat and I try to hide my awkwardness. “I think I should go now.” I head towards the door. “Can you take me back to the mirror?”

“Sure.” He gets up and leads the way.

“Do you want to get married?” I ask, trying to make conversation. “To the princess, I mean.” Really Thea duh?

“Does anyone want to marry someone they’ve never met?” he shrugged.

“I suppose not.” I sigh. “Can’t you say no?”

“Duty over Love. That’s what my father has always said. My Mother has been planning it for over a year.” He walks beside me, our shoulders brushing together.

“Well, she will be lucky to have you.” I smile, nudging him gently. Was that too much?

“Thanks. She would be luckier to have someone who loved her.” I can’t argue with that.

“Phineas!” a shill voice sounds from behind. “You are meant to be in a suit fitti- who are you?” I spin finding a small woman assessing me.

“Mother, this is Thea. From school.” he says awkwardly.

“Your other friends left earlier, why is she still here?” the stern woman glowered down at me. A golden woven circle sitting perfectly on her head. The Queen. Her hair ebony, like her sons and flowing in waves down over her emerald, green dress.

“I was just leaving. I’m sorry your highness.” I say, trying to do a small curtsy, but Finn holds me up.

“Why are you heading to the Seer tower?”

“That’s the way she came in.” Finn replied. “She is Althea’s Granddaughter.” He says.

“Oh.” Her demeanour changing instantly. Softer, her brow unfurls, and she takes a step back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realise she had a Granddaughter.”

“My father was Rhys.” I replied. Her eyebrows rise in shock.

“I’m sorry about your father, dear.” Empathy seeping into her voice.

“How did you know him?”

“He worked for us. He was the Seer to the Kingdom. He never mentioned he had a daughter though. When he disappeared, we looked everywhere but there was no trace to follow.” She looked at me apologetically. “Anyway, it was nice to meet you but you must be heading off. Finn is getting married in mere weeks and there is much to be done!” She says with a false smile, placing a loving palm against his cheek before she turns and leaves.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask turning to Finn.

“I didn’t know how to broach the subject. I’m sorry.” He says squeezing my hand. “Now quick before she comes back. She will have me married tomorrow if I disobey her!” he mocks with an awkward laugh. He drags me up the stairs and back into the tower room. Tripping on the last step, he tightens his grip on my hand and pulls me towards him. A buzz on my skin where I touch him.

“You look better this way.” He said, taking in my new pointed ears. “It suits you.” pushing a stray strand of hair off my forehead. My stomach fills with butterflies taking flying lessons and I swallow, my breath shortening. His eyes shine momentarily, before they shutter, guarded, He pulls his hand away, but he doesn’t let me go. “Thank you for coming.” He smiles, warmly. His voice low, almost a whisper.

“You’re welcome.” I gulp again. “Even though I didn’t actually mean to come.” I glanced up at his eyes and down to his lips. They were full and so damn kissable. I shake my head and try to focus but he was so close its hard to concentrate, but I liked it. The warmth of him seeping into me was calming and comforting. Hesitantly, I pull away. His eyes following me as I go.

He’s getting married in two weeks. Also, I barely know this guy and I’m basically holding myself back from kissing him senseless. What the hell is wrong with me?

“So, do I just think of my room?” I ask. He fumbles and takes a step back against the wall.

“Uh yeah.” He says, making sure there is plenty of space between us, like I’m full of cooties.

“Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow?” I asked placing my hand on the mirror.

“Definitely.” And the mirror starts to pull me through. A thought struck me. “What date is your wedding?”

“The 24th, why?” he said his jaw clenching slightly.

“Oh, no reason.” I lied and stepped through the mirror. I shake my head as I get to my bedroom. Of course, the guy of my literal dreams would be getting married on my birthday.