The room is bathed in a soft, golden light that filters through the curtains, casting gentle shadows on the wooden floor. As I lay in bed, dreams of magic and mystery fill my mind. Suddenly, a melodic tinkling sound fills the air, drawing my attention away from my realm of dreams and into the present.
I sit up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and there before me stands a mesmerising creature—a Fae with short aqua-coloured hair. A cheerful smile plays on her lips as she waves her delicate hand, and to my astonishment, the wooden tub in the room fills with water. I can't contain my excitement and quickly leap out of bed, hastily pulling my hood over my head to conceal my fluffy pointed ears.
My heart races as I approach her, feeling a tingling sensation in the air. I gently take her hands and turned them over, examining them in awe. 'How did you conjure water like that? And where did it come from?' I ask, unable to contain my curiosity.
The fae regards me with a bemused expression, her aqua hair bouncing around her as if it had a life of its own. Her blue eyes sparkle as she giggles, her laughter echoing through the room. 'All fae possess the ability to manipulate the elemental powers they were born with. It's common knowledge among Felderians,' she explains, giving me a once-over. 'But what kind of Felderian are you? Your scent is different, and there's something unique about you. Are you perhaps a hybrid?' she inquires, her curiosity piqued.
Caught off guard by her observations, I hesitate momentarily before I reply. 'Oh, I'm not a fae. I'm a witch,' I lie, wondering how she would react to my revelation.
She stares at me, unbelieving, as a red hair fae enters the room.
‘I don’t know your name?’ I tell her.
‘Rain,’ she smiles, and this is Agni,’ she says, pointing at the red-headed fae who just entered.
‘I’ve come to heat the water in the tub,’ Agni says, her voice carrying a gentle melody. She hovers her hands over the tub, and in an instant, flames dance from her fingertips, transforming the water into a bubbling cauldron.
As the steam swirls and dances above the water-filled tub, I can't contain my curiosity any longer. The question spills from my lips, ‘How would other Felderians know what element you can create and manipulate?’ I ask Rain, standing before me.
Her cerulean hair shimmers as she processes my inquiry. I observe her exchanging a bewildering gaze with Agni, the fiery-haired fae who had just entered the room.
'She's quite peculiar for a witch, isn't she?' Agni commented, her voice laced with a mix of surprise and intrigue.
Rain turns her attention back to me, her sapphire eyes sparkling with amusement. 'Oh, forgive our oversight,' Rain says, her voice laced with curiosity. 'We never got your name.'
'It's Rose. And my friend, Imogen, was here a moment ago, though I'm not sure where she has gone.'
Rain's lips curl into a mischievous smile as she connects the dots. 'Ah, Imogen, the giggling presence on the privy. Yes, she has quite a bright spirit. You are both strange if I must say so.'
‘Oh, well, you see. We’ve been living in a coven far away in a secluded place. We’ve been there since we were little younglings,’ I tell them.
Agni, the fiery-haired fae, interjects with a patient understanding. 'Ah, that explains your lack of familiarity with the fae. Fear not, dear Rose. Allow me to shed some light. Among the fae, the knowledge of our elemental abilities is often discerned through our hair colour. Shades of aqua to blue signify water fae, while orange and red hues represent fire fae. Silver, ivory, or white locks indicate wind fae, and nature fae possess hair that changes colours like a vibrant flower bouquet.'
‘Thanks for the explanation,’ I smile with gratitude at my newfound knowledge.
Rain beams warmly, 'Remember, Rose, if you ever have more questions or seek further guidance, we are always here to provide answers.' With that, Rain and Agni gracefully depart the room, leaving me with a lingering sense of awe.
As I shed my clothes, they cascade to the floor, abandoned in a haphazard heap. With a sense of liberation, I step into the awaiting wooden tub, the water embracing my body like a soothing caress. Just as I settle into the warmth, Imogen breezes into the room, her laughter echoing.
'I was hoping to beat you into the tub first,' she chuckles, her eyes sparkling with mischief. ‘I had to use the privy. It’s a wooden box with a large hole on top. I was worried I’d fall in,’ she says, laughing.
A wry grin tugs at my lips. 'Well, if you ever go missing, I know the first place to look,' I quip, our laughter intertwining.
Imogen dashes over to the tub, sticks her hand in the water and flicks it in my face with a wry smile. ‘You are shocking, Rose.’
‘I know,’ I laugh.
I bob under the water, holding my breath for as long as possible. I feel at peace and so relaxed for the first time in a long time. I can feel my worries washing away. If I could stay this way forever, I would. As the last of my breath dissipates, a visage flashes across my mind just inches from my eyes. His fur is dark as ebony, as dark as a starless night sky, his eyes haunting and ferocious with fire. As he lets out a blood-curdling howl, I swiftly sit out of the water, gasping for air.
‘Rose?’ Imogen says.
I quickly jump out of the water, not caring she sees me completely naked. My tail is heavy with water as it drags on the wooden floor.
I grab the woollen towel and wrap it around me. I turn to face the tub and step backwards, moving away as far as possible until my back hits the wall.
‘Rose, what is it?’ Imogen says and looks in the water. ‘There’s nothing in there? You’re acting like a piranha just bit your backside,’ she says.
‘I saw something,’ I tell her.
‘Saw what?’ she asks, having an extra look in the tub.
I shake my mind at what I saw, ‘Nothing, it was nothing,’ I tell her.
I grab my clothes and quickly dry my body. My tail shakes a few times, causing a myriad of water specks to splatter over Imogen and across the room.
‘Thanks a lot, Rose,’ she says as she flicks her arms.
‘Sorry,’ I apologise.
‘Are you sure you’re okay, Rose?’ Imogen asks.
‘I’m fine. It’s probably my sugar levels or something. I’ll have something to eat, and I’m sure I will be fine,’ I tell Imogen and dress myself.