“Nothing can hurt you while you are with me.” Her voice was strong, and firm, and held absolute conviction. “Also, the magic of Angus’s land protects those who trespass with ill intent. You’ve no need to worry when you are in these woods.”
Naomi’s heart rate returned a bit to normal, and she took a deep breath. “Okay, then.”
There was a faint trail leading into the woods. Naomi wasn’t sure what might have made it—deer, maybe? Flora stepped onto it confidently, Beth falling in behind them since the trail wasn’t wide enough to walk three abreast.
Curiosity was absolutely consuming Naomi as Flora led them deeper into the woods. She remained silent, however, exchanging questioning glances over her shoulder with her twin.
Up ahead, faint gurgling announced the presence of rushing water, and a few minutes later they emerged from under the trees into a small clearing, dissected by a deep stream that tumbled over rocks and roots. Flora came to a halt by the water’s edge, and turned to face them.
“Now, then, here we are. I’d like you to stand side by side, just there.”
Bewildered, Naomi and Beth stood still facing her. Unsure of what was going on, Naomi reached for her sister’s hand, and they clung together. Flora laughed softly.
“No need to fear, dears. Maroulla has asked this of me, as a personal favor. Now,” and her voice turned crisp and business-like. “You must never reveal what you are about to discover. Not to anyone, for any reason.”
Apparently taking their consent for granted, her form seemed to grow taller, her back straightening, the slump leaving her shoulders. The wrinkles faded from her face, leaving smooth, glowing skin, and the grey hair became silvery blonde. For only a moment, a young maiden stood before them, tall and slender. Then she seemed to shimmer, much as a shifter did when Changing, and her formed faded. Flora disappeared into the misty shimmer, another form coalescing into a shining white horse with silvery blue eyes and a heavy, curling mane. Silvery hooves stamped lightly on the leaf-strewn ground, and from the forehead grew a long, spiral horn of the purest silver.
Beside her, Naomi heard Beth gasp. She herself was having trouble drawing breath as her eyes took in the creature before her.
“A unicorn,” she breathed in awe.
Yes.A light, youthful voice spoke in her head. From Beth’s jump of surprise beside her, she gathered that Beth had heard the voice as well.I wish you to simply stand as you are, Naomi, and I will touch you.
That silvery horn lowered, coming to rest every so lightly just above Naomi’s heart. It rested there a few moments, then the unicorn lifted her head.
And you, Beth.
Again the unicorn lowered her head, and touched the tip of her horn to Beth’s heart.
The long, curly tail… reminding Naomi of the tail of a Friesian… swished twice. Then the unicorn took a step away. The magical shimmer of the Change filled the air, and the elderly woman they knew as Flora stood before them once more, amazingly fully clothed.
“How do you do that?” Naomi burst out. “Keep your clothing when you Change back?”
Flora looked amused. “I am not a shifter, dear child. Shapeshifting is different for the mythical creatures. We are not humans with a dual nature, like yourselves. Rather, I am a unicorn, always. While I am able to take human shape should I choose to do so, I am not human.”
“I had no idea,” Naomi admitted.
Beside her, Beth nodded vigorously in agreement. “I had no idea there even was such a thing as mythical creatures. Outside of myths, I mean.”
“There are few of us now, and we prefer to be known as mythical only, even to the supernaturals like yourselves.”
Naomi couldn’t hold back her curiosity any longer. “So why did Maroulla ask you to meet with us? And okay, I understand now why we came all this way into the woods, so no one would see you Change, right?”
Flora smiled at her in approval. “That is precisely why. As for why I am meeting with you…” she paused, looking between the two sisters. “Unicorns have the unique ability to look into someone’s heart, into their very soul, and to see them as they truly are. Most of this discussion should take place with Maroulla present, but I will tell you this, now. Neither of you are Rogue, nor ever have been, nor ever will become such.”
Beth suddenly wavered, her knees seeming to buckle, and Naomi caught at her twin sister, wrapping her arm about her waist .
“I’m not a Rogue?” Beth whispered in an agonized voice. “Not?”
“No.” There was no questioning the absolute conviction in Flora’s voice. “Nor did you kill that unfortunate young man.”
“But…” Beth’s objection was halted by Flora’s slender hand held up.
“We need to return to the inn, and include Maroulla and Liam in this conversation.”
Beth clutched at Naomi, looking dazed. “I…. I didn’t kill Neil?” she whispered in a broken voice. “I’m not a Rogue?”
“And I’m not going to be,” Naomi agreed, feeling just as dazed. All her life she had feared, so much, becoming Rogue. And now…
