And she was right, I did look at myself and thought of a goddess. I had never truly found myself beautiful before, but now, I did. I accepted that it was okay to look at yourself in the mirror and think, “I look like a princess.”
“Thank the goddesses that we finally got that bloody dress off you.” Illysia speaks again as a sarcastic laugh leaves her mouth.
But no laugh nor giggle left me. It was the dress that had been plastered on me when Ector’s soul left his body. And now when I looked at it, it felt horrible to truly see what I had been wearing for the past days.
I must’ve looked like a monster when Illysia found me, she must’ve been so scared.
“You should get something too! I saw the way you danced along the shore earlier, Illysia. I would love to see you in something inspired by the ocean.” I insist.
Walking around the shop, me and the owner pick out something for her, something that truly fulfills her being and the personality she holds within.
I picked out a white top, one that will befit her well yet looks easy. Along it, my hand reaches for a long skirt that looks like it has been draped in the secrets of our ocean.
Taking them into her hand, she hides in the fitting room for a few minutes, only to walk out and look like the goddess of water. The teal skirt with the thin seashell fabric creates a layer that sits tight around her hips and then flows freely around her legs. And with the easy top, long sleeves and leaving her cleavage on display makes the best parts of her stand out. All the focus goes to her eyes, her beautiful princess-like face, and then the skirt, truly capturing the magic that she beholds inside.
My jaw drops to the floor, and so do the ladies standing beside me as we look at her.
“You two look absolutely whimsical, ethereal even.” She speaks, making both of us blush, a rosy tone appearing on our cheeks at the same time.
“Thank you.” We say at the same time, looking each other up and down in awe, adoring one another.
Deciding to get the clothes that we are wearing, Illysia makes sure that we get to pay in another way rather than gold coins. She told the owner that she would love to work with her and help her around the shop for a few days instead, if that was okay. And the owner gladly agreed to the deal.
“I can’t let you work there for more days than necessary to pay off my dress!” I whisper-screamed at her as we left the shop.
“Oh, stop it now!” She nudges me in the arm.
“We are truly fighting like long-lost sisters, aren’t we?” I joke and we both start laughing.
“I don’t think you ever told me why you needed to get here, to Seashell Town. And now we’re here.” She says, her tone filled with something that reminds me of feeling scared and sad.
“There’s this old magic well... Some believe it to be only a tale and nothing more. But I truly believe in it.”
“You mean the old magic well?”
“Yes?” Hesitation and confusion washed over me in an instant. “Have you heard about it?”
“If I have? I went there multiple times after my brother died.”
“Why hasn’t he come back then?”
“Oh, it was complicated.” She says, waving with her hand that signals that she doesn’t want to talk about it right at this moment. Understanding her, I don’t pressure her to keep talking.
“Well, now that I know where you’re heading, I’m sure you’ll be happy to hear that I know a shortcut.” She says with a gentle smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
“You do?” I needed the confirmation, my eyes widening.
“Mhm.” She said, tears prickling in her eyes.
I flew into her arms and I couldn’t help myself but to kiss her on the cheek. “Thank you endlessly.” I whispered close to her ear.
—
As we finally make it to the end of Seashell Town, a huge meadow comes into view for as far as my eyes can see. The grass is green and the flowers are blooming, mostly red, orange, and pink ones. The sun is almost setting, turning the sky into a beautiful sunset, yellow, orange, and blush.
As the view mesmerizes me, having my full attention, the unicorn that is now taking soft steps towards us comes as an unexpected blessing. Her fur is pale white and her mane pink as tulips. Her white horn sits steady on her head.
Stopping in front of me, she gently bows down, placing her shining horn to my head. The greeting puts me in shock as I remember what I once read:If a unicorn ever bows down, placing its horn to your head, it’s a greeting out of respect as they can feel the heaviness that life has put you through. To them, you are a true warrior.
