26 - The Gift of Magic

Anemone looked back at her mother who was nodding excitedly. Rose was her mother's first name. "Yes, Queen Peony. Isn't she beautiful?" her mother enthused. The queen turned Anemone's face side to side.

"Yes, she is! Your beautiful red hair and his black eyes! I already love her because she is your daughter!" The queen suddenly pulled her into a tight hug. Her mother pulled her away.

"Now your highness, we're here to give her the gift."

"Oh yes, the gift!" The queen straightened and laid a hand on Anemone's head. "Anemone, are you ready to receive the gift of magic from your Queen?"

"Y-yes, your highness," she stammered nervously.

"Please look me in my eyes, Anemone." Anemone looked up to stare at the queen's vivid blue eyes. They seem similar to the fairy prince and she wondered briefly if she was the mother. Before she could think further, her eyes caught the weird glow that came from the eyes.

It seemed like an eerie light came from within and shone at her. She was unable to turn away. The light grew and seemed to envelop her. She felt her eyes closed tight. Wind suddenly gushed forward, blowing her red hair back. Just as it came, it also went away.

"Reach your hand out," she heard the queen command her. As she lifted her hand, she felt something warm on her hand. When she opened her eyes to look down, a ball of light laid in her hand. As the light faded, the warmth moved up her arm and circulated in her body. Her body emitted a slight golden light and she felt very warm.

"And this concludes the ceremony. Congratulations on receiving your magic," the queen cheered.

Her eyes adjusted to her surrounding. The gold light around her body was gone and the queen looked normal. "Your eyes..." Anemone said in wonder.

"My eyes?" the queen asked confused before she realized what she meant. "Oh yes, Anemone. You can see the light in my eyes?"

Anemone nodded in confirmation. "What does it mean? Is that where magic comes from?"

The queen laughed as she clapped her hands in joy. "Rose! You truly do have a gifted daughter! She can see magic as well!" The queen quieted and stared at Anemone. "Yes, it is magic that you see. A certain way to it."

Anemone touched her own face wondering if the light would glow in hers. Thinking about the light, she remembered Lady Iris. "Does it happen whenever someone uses magic?"

"Whenever magic is used, it is one of the telltale signs. The eyes, the skin glowing, and the user's magic beasts."

"Magic beasts?" Anemone whispered.

"When a magic user doesn't want to be traced by the magic they use, they can make their beasts do it instead. People who have magic beasts are rare and some that have more than one is rarer. I am only the owner of one, my unicorn." She gestured and a white horse with a one horn jumped down from midair. It stood next to the queen while she touched it's nose.

Anemone was in awe. This was a magical beast! It's mane seemed to shimmer with blue lights as it tossed it back. The eyes that stared back were also blue. "It's beautiful," she breathed softly.