Forbidden Magic

Chapter 2

When Prudence walked through the door, Peter rushed towards her and hugged her tightly. She returned the gesture.

“Thank you, Prue.” his grip tightened. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Prudence reassured him, “I would have looked at someone the same way if I had been in your shoes.”

Owen placed a hand on her shoulder and gently squeezed it before walking over to Minnie, her mother, who was sitting at the table. Minnie gave Owen a worried look as he approached. Prudence could not help but watch. They could always have entire conversations with each other just by the looks on their faces and today was no different. Peter grabbed her attention when he released her from the embrace.

“So! You’ve got to tell me how you did that!” a bright and eager smile took over his face. “It was amazing… one second you were there, then the next poof you’re standing right behind me, pushing me to the ground and throwing your hand towards the wagon. Then whoosh it went flying!”

Peter used his hands and body exuberantly to retell the events that had taken place. Prudence listened intently. She had no recollection of what happened after she blacked out.

“I-I honestly don’t know Pete. Everything went dark when I saw the logs moving towards you,” she confessed. Peter’s face fell a little.

“So, you don’t remember any of it?” his excitement wavered.

“No, I remember being so scared that you were going to get hurt or killed. Then the next thing I know, I’m waking up crouched over you.”

Peter absorbed that information for a moment before shrugging.

“It doesn’t matter, I still have the best sister in town.” He offered Prudence a smile, which she easily returned.

“Thank you Sprout.” she gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

The rest of the night went by without any excitement, though Prudence could feel a slight tension in the air. Owen used one of the oxen to drag the logs and broken wagon to the workshop.

She had gone about her evening chores, trying to keep herself from thinking about the day's events. She just wanted a little bit of normalcy. She was scared of what this revelation would cause her family, and herself. She was afraid of the power within. Would it spontaneously show up again one day and blow the house to splinters? Would she hurt someone? She tried to use her tasks to keep her mind from overthinking.

Dinner went smoothly, but it was quieter than normal. The evening family time went by similarly. They each sat around the hearth. Minnie and Prudence were reading, Peter was whittling on a small chunk of wood, and Owen thoughtfully puffed on a pipe.

"Alright children, it's time for bed." Minnie declared as she closed the book that had been splayed across her lap. Prudence and Peter glanced at their mother, then quickly put their items away.

"Prue," Minnie called out just as Prudence had made it to the doorway to her room, "Your father and I would like to talk to you for a moment."

Prudence silently stepped back towards the fireplace and stood in front of her parents. Peter glanced back at them curiously, but Prudence waved him off. Peter nodded and disappeared into his room.

Owen motioned to the chair she had previously occupied, silently asking her to take a seat. Prudence used her hands to flatten the back of her skirt and took a seat.

“Promise me, no matter what is said from here forward. You remember that you are and will always be our daughter.” Owen began. Prudence tilted her head slightly to the side and furrowed her brows.

“I promise,” her voice conveyed her confusion as well.

Minnie gave a sad sigh and leaned forward, holding her hands out for Prudence to take. Prudence gently grasped her mother’s hands.

“Please tell me what’s going on, you’re starting to scare me. Are you sending me away?” Prudence’s heart began to race at the thought of being thrown out.

“No, no, my dear. Nothing like that,” Minnie tried to ease her daughter’s worry, “It’s just that, this is something your father and I thought we would be taking to the grave. But I think…. We think that it’s best if you know the truth. Especially after today.”

“We want you to have any information available to you,” Owen spoke up this time. Prudence chewed on her bottom lip, her heart still racing as she still anticipated the worst.

“We are not your real parents,” Minnie whispered. Prudence’s world stopped.

“What?” Prudence questioned, her voice quiet.

“You were dropped on our doorstep. You were so small and when I looked into your eyes, I knew you were ours from then on. That we would love you and care for you as if you came from my womb.” Minnie continued.

Prudence’s world came shattering down. She was not who she had thought she was all these years. She could hear her heart hammering in her ears. Her breathing became labored. But then it all seemed to make sense. She looked nothing like Minnie or Owen. Minnie was a stout and sturdy woman, with dirty blonde hair and brown eyes. While Prudence was curvy, but lean and had ringlets of auburn hair with green eyes. They had claimed that it was looks from past generations.

“I know you might be angry with us for lying all these years, but in a way, we didn't. No matter what happens from here on. You are our daughter, and we love you.” Minnie added when Prudence did not speak.

“Why… why tell me this now?” Prudence’s voice cracked a little.

“From stories, magic is passed down through the generations of a family. Only those who have a magic wielder in the bloodline are chosen to be taught,” Owen answered.

“We know there has never been one in either of our families,” Minnie added, referring to Owen and herself. “But somewhere you do.”

Prudence was still quiet, trying to take in everything. Her mind was spinning to the point where she felt like her head was going to spin right off.

“I- I need some air,” Prudence quickly stood up and ran out the front door.

“Prue!” Minnie called after her and stood up to follow, but Owen placed a hand on her arm to stop her.

“Just give her a minute, Minnie. We’ve thrown a boulder into her world. She might need a little space to put it all together. I’ll talk to her in a little bit, why don’t you head on to bed?” Owen offered as he stood and kissed his wife on the cheek. Minnie nodded and then disappeared into their room for the night.