I curled my lip into my mouth and scratched at the skin. I couldn’t deny that I have desires of being with a male. I had fantasized many, many times what it would be like. I’ve touched myself in the privacy of my bed more times than I could count, but never had a satisfied feeling afterwards. I didn’t know what I was missing. I’ve just never been with someone. It was hard to with a mother who was so overbearing.
“I want a mate,” I stated firmly. “Like you have Melina, like Mom has Birch. But—I’m human.” I lowered my head, ashamed.
Being human was so boring. I couldn’t fly like a fae or fairy, I couldn’t swim like a siren, I couldn’t shift into an animal. I had nothing. Mom used to be human, but Birch found her on Earth and when the bond snapped into place and he made her his, she turned out to be just like him.
And where did that leave me? Just a human in a supernatural world.
I was plain.
Osirus shrugged his shoulders. “So? Who says you can’t?”
“No one said I could have one.” I tilted my head. “Does that mean I can have a mate?”
Melina came from behind the tree and brushed her dress down. She picked up the sling and stuck Simon’s legs into the holes so he would be comfortable flying.
“You see Kelsey as your mother. She has taken care of you, loved you as her own. I don’t see why you wouldn’t get a mate, Calliope. There are many humans who have had children before they have met their mates. Those children from other relationships have all found mates.”
My smile widened. “You think it’s possible?”
“Your mother isn’t sure you have one, and she doesn’t want to leave you disappointed.” Osirus placed his forehead against mine. “For now, we will have fun and I will speak with her more on the matter. There are balls every six months, it’s not like you are running out of time to meet a mate.”
I nodded, and Melina pranced up to us.
“Ready?” Melina lifted up her dress to show her panties, and Osirus groaned.
“Darling, not in front of Calliope.”
“I don’t mind!”
Chapter Four
Valpar
It took two daysto arrive at the Golden Light Kingdom. With the heavy bags the tribe carried and horses that needed rest, we traveled slower than we normally would. No one complained, the tribe admired the sights along the way.
The foliage was different here than in the Monktona Wood. The trees more sparse, not as thick and healthy. King Osirus said it was a temperate forest. These trees were thick with smaller leaves, bushes abundant with flowers, and the area did not harbor as many enemies as it did back home.
We had packed our traveling tents for when we reached our final destination, but as we traveled, we all opted to sleep below the stars. We had not seen such a clear view, without the giant leaves and vines covering the sky.
It was the only good thing about traveling away from home.
For the most part, everyone kept to themselves. Only the horses trotted around the campground, occasionally pulling at the thick blue, green grasses. All except for Sugha, who kept mumbling how excited he was to see Queen Melina and King Osirus. He was ready to explore and meet fae, at the markets, who he had made friends with, in the past.
I’ve never seen such an orc, ready to mingle with every creature.
As we got closer to the palace, I could feel the brightness of the light sources raining down their powerful rays. I had forgotten how powerful they could feel on this side of the continent of Bergarian, and my skin prickled with heat as we drew near.
My eyes squinted as we came atop a hill, that would bring the palace into view, the light sources burning its rays into my eyes.
I groaned and put my hand above my brows to see the layout before me.
Bassza, it was too bright.
Sugha sprinted up beside me and his body collided with mine. I grunted in annoyance and pushed him away from me. “Watch where you are going, orcling!” I snarled.
Sugha laughed and pulled his shoulders back. “It’s beautiful! Just as I remembered!” He gazed down at the land before us.
Clear streams snaked their way through the lush, green landscape, cutting through fields of swaying grasses. Screaming fairies danced in and out of the tall blades, their high-pitched laughter piercing my ears as they darted playfully. With each quick movement, they shot up into the canopy of trees above, their clear, insect-like wings fluttering in the sunlight. It lookedlike one of those pictures from a fairy tale book I’d seen before, over in the Cerulean Moon Kingdom.
