This was the reason why I always caught them playing games in bed that were meant for mates.
“Calliope, why don’t you go pack your bag?” Dad suggested and nodded his head to my room.
I let out a high-pitched squeal of excitement, and my voice echoed through the air. With anticipation bubbling inside me, I bounced up and down on the balls of my feet, feeling the ground beneath me spring back with each joyful movement. The wait had been agonizingly long, but today was finally the day I had been eagerly counting down to.
A whole month at the magnificent palace, with my beloved Uncle Osirus and Aunt Melina, awaited me. The grandeur and opulence of the palace would surely mesmerize my senses, from the intricate details of the architecture to the shimmering chandeliers that illuminated the halls. The air would be filled with an aura of elegance and sophistication, tinged with the faint scent of freshly cut flowers that adorned every corner.
But that wasn’t all, the icing on the cake was the much-anticipated mating ball, which was a celebration like no other. The thought of attending this enchanting event sent shivers of excitement down my spine. I couldn’t help but feel a rush of anticipation, imagining the vibrant colors of the ballroom, the soft melodies of the orchestra, and the rhythmic sound of dancing feet on the polished marble floor.
Melina, with her loving and caring nature, had promised to take me to the ball. I could already picture us twirling and spinning, our dresses swishing around us, as we joined in the festivities. The thought of being a part of such a grand event, surrounded by the laughter and joy of the celebration, filled my heart with giddiness.
This was a day I had been dreaming of for what felt like an eternity, and now it was finally within reach. Anticipation and excitement coursed through me.
I bounced my way into my roost and could already hear Mom starting her protests. Her complaint was that I wasn’t old enough. She’d put it off every year, but Osirus said he wouldn’t let her put it off any longer.
He pinky-promised. Pinky-promises were sacred!
“No, Kelsey. I won’t let you talk me out of it this time. Calliope is old enough, far old enough.” His tone was bored and, in my mind, I could almost see his wings flicking about.
I was old, especially by human standards. I was practically an old maid! I was going to get wrinkles, and my boobs were gonna sag.
If I had boobs.
I wrinkled my nose and looked down at my low-cut dress. They were the size of tiny apples. Wait, smaller than that. Dwarf apples. No, not even apples. Why am I obsessed with apples, right now? Did I want an apple? Am I hungry? Mandarin orange! They were the size of a mandarin orange…
“I just don’t think it’s wise. That spell has made her—”
I stopped and listened. Maybe this time she would finish her sentence, but she didn’t.
Made me what? What was wrong with me? And what spell?
Was it my hair?
I pulled a strand in front of my face. For my sixteenth birthday, Osirus and Melina gave me a tonic that turned it pink. Forever it will be pink—my favorite color. It was awesome. I’m the only human in the Golden Light Kingdom with pink hair.
“Please, Birch, just one more year?” Mom groaned and Birch let out a huff in disagreement.
Dad was on Osirus’ side. He was ready for a kid of his own blood. I understood; he hadn’t experienced having a baby yet, and neither had Mom.
I picked at the cuticle on my nail with my teeth and sat on my bed of thick blankets. My bed was so large it covered almost the whole room.
I liked living here, don’t get me wrong, but I knew Dad wanted to start their own family. I just wanted a little more freedom, just a little. I could live next door in my own tree house.
But Mom wouldn’t let me. And I didn’t know why.
“She’s been through a lot; I have to protect her—” Mom urged both men.
Protect me? Been through a lot? My life has been great!
Parties, solstices, great food, traveling to the Cerulean Moon Kingdom - I have even been to Atlantis!
“And you don’t think Melina and I can protect her?” Osirus mused. “Honestly, you wound me right here.” I heard Osirus pat his chest.
My lip curled into a smile, and my butt wiggled on the bed.
“It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s just... She isn’t ready for a mating ball. There are things she doesn’t know,” Mom hissed.
“Like the Hokey Pokey?” Dad barked out a laugh, and Osirus followed.
