“And lastly,” she leaned down and pulled me into another hug, “remember that I’m gonna miss you.” She pressed a kiss to my cheek and pulled away.
I smiled and gave her one last hug before Dad pulled her into the carriage. “If you don’t hurry, we won’t get to the Toboki tribe by tomorrow, and I want their damn barbeque.”
Mom’s face lit up, and she playfully slapped Dad on the shoulder. With a swift command from Dad to the coachmen, the enormous horses sprang into action and the carriage jolted forward. The coachmen skillfully prodded the powerful beasts to pick up speed, sending the carriage careening down the winding road. The sound of hooves thundering against the ground filled the distance between us.
As soon as they were out of sight I jumped up, letting out a yell of victory, and Melina did the same.
“Now, we can really party,” Melina said, pulling me away from the grove of trees.
Osirus trailed behind us, carrying my small bag of clothes on his shoulder, while Simon trotted behind us. “Now hold on there, I’m not breaking my promise to your parents, Calliope. We will not be taking you to the ball.”
I whined and kicked the dirt. “It isn’t fair. Everyone else gets to go when they are eighteen.”
And I mean everyone. I’ve seen fairies and pixies who lived around here for years come and go. Some found mates, some had yet to find them. I was human. I would never find one, but at least I could go to a party.
It wasn’t like I didn’t know what sex was. I’d read plenty of Mom’s dirty books she tried to keep hidden.
A girl gets bored on a rainy day.
So, what was the big deal?
“I told your parents I would not take you, and I will have to stand by that.I will make sure you go to the ball at some point.” Osirus put his hands behind his back and leaned over me. “But for now, I will respect your parent’s decision.Wewill not take you to the ball.”
Melina snarled at him. “Well, it doesn’t mean we can’t have fun while Calli is with us. We can still have our spa days, cook and mess with the guards, right?”
I perked up at that. Melina knew how to get into trouble. It was her favorite thing.
“I have a meeting,” Osirus glanced up at the vibrant sky, its hues of pink and blue blending together. The first sun ascended, casting a warm glow, while the second trailed closely behind. “I have a pixie to put in line.”
I snickered.Boo ya, Karma.
Osirus picked me up with one arm under my legs and the other around my back. I squeaked and wrapped myself around his neck.
“Hey Melina, you wearing panties this time?” I snickered and winked at her.
Her face reddened, and she hissed at me. “Calli!”
Oops.
Osirus growled. “Darling,” Osirus’ voice was smooth when he turned the both of us to Melina. She was holding Simon by his collar, getting ready to attach him to his flying sling, which she used to carry him with us while we flew.
I cupped my hand and leaned into Osirus’ ear. “She’s been wanting a spanking, Uncle Osirus.” He hummed and smiled.
“Is that so? Well, Darling, why don’t you go put your underwear back on, and I will give you a punishment you won’t like.”
Melina tsked, dropped the sling and sashayed behind a nearby tree. “Promises, promises.”
Osirus let out a chuckle, and I tilted my head up at him.
Everyone that had mates were so head-over-heels in love. The books I read, about romance and about fairy tales from the human world, just didn’t compare. Mates were sacred and beautiful, and the few mated stories written by authors here in Bergarian were so… possessive. Raw.
But I was human.
Would I ever get something like that?
“Am I going to get a someone to spank me like you spank Aunt Melina?” I asked Osirus.
Osirus coughed, and his grip around me tightened. “Is that what you want, little one? A someone to spank you?” He raised a brow.
