Aurora Magazine 2019

be like this? Met with flowers and feast, dances and balls? I rather hope it is.” Aileen did not respond for a moment; in fact, Everly was not sure she would respond at all. Finally, she spoke. “All this raucous jubilation is hardly worth it. It’s too loud, and the people are dirty. Do you suppose all castles are filled with such rubbish as cold halls and drunken commoners?” Everly was surprised at her sister’s comment. “Why, it’s paradise! Adoration from people you’ve never met? Servants wait - ing on you hand and foot?” “Undercooked meat? Unwashed hands grazing your bod - ies, drawing your baths? Mad kings with nothing to do but wan - der the halls? I’ve never been so mistreated in my life. I thought mother promised us decadence.” Everly shook her head, and replied, “This is mistreat - ment? A warm meal and a soft bed are much greater than Hell.” “It’s nothing like Heaven. As far as I’m concerned, Tjolfdin is Hell.” Everly grimaced, and continued. “And besides, mother is dead. You can’t expect perfection from a broken home.” Aileen turned away from Everly and spoke no more. Ever - ly waited for a response for many moments before finally falling onto her pillow and dreaming. In the night, the witch Marigold snuck into the castle, and finally completed her spell. The girls slept soundly, and knew nothing other than their dreams as the witch fulfilled her prom - ise to end their opposing nature. To create harmony. Everly opened her eyes and shook her head. She felt rest - ed, and looked around the room. She was not on the bed, but was laid on the floor. Both beds in the room were empty.

“Aileen?” “Everly?” Everly shrieked, and touched her head. “A-Aileen? Was that you?”

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