“He just ate my cupcake.” I tugged on Osirus’ arm. “I can get another one at the palace, right?” I fluttered my lashes at him.
Osirus gripped my hand and pulled me with him to get closer to Karma. Karma was already on the ground, nearly covered in the tall grasses.
“I gave her the gift to speak with pixies so she can befriend all of you, and you think it is wise to pick on the King’s favorite niece instead?”
“Oh, hamburgers,” I whispered, covering my mouth.
Karma was in a deep poop hole.
“Get to the palace and request to be put into the dungeon, by my order. If you are not there when I return and I have to hunt you down, you will not live another day.”
I held back a snort when I let my vibrant pink hair fall in front of me.
This was too good.He was getting a swat.
Karma shook and crawled away from us.
“Fly, imbecile!” Osirus barked, and I broke into sobs of laughter without letting go of Osirus’ hand.
When I was done with my fit, Osirus looked down at me with a smirk on his lips. “Now, Calliope, why could you not just say he was bullying you?”
I wiped a tear from my eye and grew quiet.
Because I didn’t want to look like a loser.
I lowered my head and bit my lip.
“Ahhh.” Osirus kneeled and pushed my chin up with his knuckle. “Nothing to be ashamed of when you have family here.Especially in high places, hmm? Now, do you remember what today is?”
I pouted and looked up at the sky. The only thing that was on my mind was my cupcake.
“Nope.”
Osirus stood up and chuckled, leading me back home. “I can’t believe you forgot. I’m offended.”
Well, now I really needed to remember.
It wasn’t the Spring Festival or the Summer Festival, it wasn’t my birthday, and it wasn’t the Moon Goddess celebration. I stopped mid-stride, and my eyes widened.
“A month-long sleepover!” I screamed.
I grabbed Osirus’ hand and pulled him along. He threw his head back and laughed, while I continued to pull us.
“And why are you so far away from your house? Where are your parents? Usually, they are watching you like a dragon guarding its hoard,” he paused. “Even though you are twenty-five…” he muttered.
I giggled and nodded as I continued to pull him along.
“Yeah, well, they were playing the Hokey Pokey this morning. I get to sneak out when they do that.”
Osirus choked and sped up to keep up with me. “Pardon? The Hokey Pokey?”
“Yeah, the Hokey Pokey. It’s a game.You put your right arm in, you put your right arm out,” I sang and showed him how I put my arm in front of me and behind me. “But instead of their arms and legs, your brother likes to put histhingin between mom’s legs.”
Uncle Osirus said little for the rest of the trip. He just smiled, shook his head, and ran his hand down his face.
As we neared the towering tree house, nestled amongst the tallest trees to the north of the majestic Golden Light Palace, the distant sound of my mom’s voice reached my ears.
It was like the piercing sound of nails scraping against a chalkboard. Instinctively, I spun around, ready to flee, only to be halted by Osirus’ firm grip on my shoulders. He swiftly turned me back around.
