Forbidden Wings

Heartfelt Reminders

Neither of the girls needed alarm clocks, they rose when the sun did, but this morning Atla silently strode around the house aware that if her watchdog were to hear her turning the pages of their history she would be dead. Tarani took the phrase if looks could kill to a new height. She had the ability to cause headaches to those who dared to cross her, meaning Atla tried her very best not to ensure her sister’s wrath. All Atla wanted was to know more and the Forbidden Book was the only thing willing and able to answer her seemingly endless questions. Once in front of the book she picked up right where she left off the morning before

“Her spells were a whisper over those she controlled. She with a wave of her hand could terrorize any living thing. The feared sorceress was called, Adelaide, a name as beautiful as any, given to a terrifying entity. Adelaide found herself wandering through the land searching for creatures to torture when she laid eyes on a man. Across the stream she saw an elf, elves were revered creatures, that were not to be crossed. This elf in particular had a sword laid beside him, and a carver’s knife in hand working a piece of white oak tree. Elves have particularly good hearing, so when Adelaide let out a breath the elve’s ears swiveled in her direction. Before she could turn away from the sight his eyes locked on hers. Amber, beautiful round amber eyes bore into her green hazel eyes. With a leap he was over the river binding her hands with his…” the ink had faded from her fingers turning the pages, but she knew these lines by heart. She marked the page with a silver ribbon, and recounted the conversation the elf and Adelaide had. “The elf spoke his name as Knox which Adelaide repeated like a prayer, she then snapped into reality stating who she was.” Alta smiled to herself as her mind showed pictures of Knox stilling for only a moment before stating, “well of course you are, pleasure to meet you, now was there something I could assist you with?” She watched in adoration as Adelaide’s breath let out in a sigh when Knox released her hands.

Atla’s thoughts were interrupted when she heard the floor right outside the study creak. Jumping up she clung to the ceiling by her claws, fervently hoping that Tarani would close the door and walk away. Instead Atla watched as Tarani crept over to the book opened to the page that she had marked with the ribbon and stroked the page lovingly. Atla was hit with the realization that she wasn’t the only person that wanted a mom and dad, and she was sure to take note that next time Tarani was unreasonable, she would remember this.

She inched across the ceiling through the door, materializing on the other side as Tarani took more time to look around the room. Alta skipped to her room, pulling clothes out for the day. It wasn’t much of a choice since she wore jeans and a t-shirt everyday. And when her sweatshirt wasn’t in the wash she threw that on over it all. Tarani always thought of ways to make them stand out the least and this was one way. While Atla would rather wear dresses and skirts to show off the curves she settled for a black v neck to go with her jeans today. Brushing out her soft waves she left her hair to fall to her back. Her hair the color of freshly spun gold shined in the sun that came through her window telling her she needed to gather herself downstairs. Throwing mascara on her eyes and a dash of pink on her lips, Atla was ready before Tarani could give her a reminder to be dressed. Impressed, Tarani agreed to let Atla walk to school. She squealed and kissed her sister on the cheek then sprinted out the door.

The morning was chilly as she stepped out onto the porch. She looked around and felt her nerves unravel, she thought about the mystery teacher and pull she felt towards him. Hoping to catch him with more time before class she slowly let herself disappear as she ran through the fields beside her home.

Tarani watched from the window a mug to her lips as a smile splayed across her young sister’s face. With a grin her eyes followed her sister until she ran with the shadows. Tarani wanted nothing more than to share that joy with her and run alongside her as they melted into the shadows, but their parents note always burned in her pocket when she thought about giving in. Tarani knew every use of magic was dangerous, but Ati’s smile made it worth it. Again Tarani felt herself dreaming about a day where they could let loose and fully push their magic to the breaking point. It reminded her of a joint that wouldn’t pop or muscle needing to be stretched. If her sister’s safety wasn’t at risk Tarani felt in her bones that she would be far more reckless than Atlani.