Golden Wings

Shadow Dreams

Tegan passed through the courtyard heading and began ascending the stairs that lead up to her room. She still felt like she was floating rather than walking after her date with Dustin. She entered her room and laid on her back staring at her bedroom ceiling. Her mother had enchanted it to look like the sky outside so with it being evening there were dozens of twinkling stars shining above her. Her thoughts swirling around she soon fell into a restless sleep tossing and turning.

In her dreams she was walking in the woods just outside of the kingdom where she had her date. There was a path in front of her that split into two different directions. One path had sunshine and flowers. One path was covered in the shadows. Even though the sunny path looked more inviting and less scary something was pulling her down the darker path. It felt oddly familiar but she didn't want to walk this path. She turned to go back and a nearby tree grabbed her with its limbs.

The tree started dragging her. It's branches were scratching her legs and tearing her dress. Her fingers were scrapping the muddy floor trying to get away. She sat up straight in bed panting and drenched in sweat. Her fingers were covered in dirt and there was a branch in the bed beside her. She let out a scream which brought the guard from the hallway rushing into her room. "Princess Tegan, are you okay?" Malcolm asked upon entering her room. His eyes took in the dirt in her bed and he drew his sword from his belt.

Malcolm was the captain of the royal family guard. Suddenly her room was filled with more guards and even her mother. Malcolm directed his men to search the castle. Her mother took her to her bathroom to tend to the scratches on her legs and help clean her up. Her mother looked so serious it was worrying Tegan. "Did something happen in the woods today Tegan? Were you followed on your way to your date?" "I don't think so mother, why?" "Tegan this looks like shadow magic."

Tegan's eyes widened. She knew that was serious as they were not allowed to learn such magic in her classes. Shadow fairies had been banned as long as anyone knew. "Shadow magic? Like I made this?" "I don't know dear" her mother replied, "What happened before you screamed?" Tegan told her about the realistic dream she had right before waking. Her mother asked a few questions then grew quiet as she thought about it all. "I'm going to consult with the elders. It could be because you're so close to coming of age."

She placed a kiss on Tegan's forehead and left the room. Malcolm came back into the room and informed her that they had been unable to find anything or anyone lurking within the castle walls. He took up post just outside of her room again. This time in a chair right next to her doorway. Tegan feeling somewhat safer laid back down to try to sleep again. 

Out in the woods Marcus smiled. He heard all the fuss from within the castle. That must mean that his little spell he put on Tegan worked to some degree. He didn't like to resort to shadow magic but Tegan needed to know about him. She needed to know that shadow magic was strong. That she could preform it if she wanted to explore that option. He knew from the first moment he met her that she could do the same magic as him. That's why she would end up being his mate.

He was convinced there was no other for him. He could smell the shadow magic deep within her. Her birthday was fast approaching. Once she turned twenty-one her powers would fully unlock. Then she would find out how powerful she was. *What if she isn't our mate?* He shook the thought from his head dismissively. If by some chance she was not he would cross that bridge when it happened.