I mean magic is something people do here right? So why does this seem different? And what is Awthorne?
Niathe was at the Palace with my Nanny all but an hour ago. However, Meng Jialin sent an urgent message using a rider from her cohort, and she came back in record time. She looked exasperated but smiled slyly upon seeing me. She's so confusing. That's it.
'Will someone please tell me what's going on?!" I huffed and tried to control the tendrils threatening to escape. Bad! Don't do that. I ordered them to stop trying to throw things whenever I felt slightly inconvenienced.
A small cup on a table next to me shattered as my tendrils caught hold of it and I groaned in frustration. That's an imported kelpie glass! Do you know how expensive that is?!
"Fascinating."
"..." I glared at her through my white eyelashes and she smirked. The entire end table raised in the air and Erichean used the hand that wasn't holding me still on his lap to push it back down. I've never felt so out of control in my life. The system is such a scam!
Niathe rubs her face as a smile threatens to split it again. "It's remarkable." She shakes her head like she can't believe what she's seeing and I bare my teeth at her. She mirrors the action and I hiss at her.
Meng Jialin agrees with my neglectful mother and nods affirmatively. "She has to be sent immediately. I can ride out with her within the hour at your behest."
Niathe blinks and takes one look at me. Then she summons up her best motherly smile. The one that doesn't quite reach her eyes and tells me she wants something. I narrow my eyes and Erichean continues to push the end table down.
She smiles sweetly and begins her bullshit. "Miseria?"
The full name again? "Yes, Mother."
"How would you feel about going on a little str–"
"Not interested."
Her lip twitches and she changes the subject. "Earlier…you asked about your current predicament. Wouldn't you like to know what's happening to you?"
I challenged her. "I would like to know what's happening to me, Mother but the last time I was asked to go on a stroll." My voice becomes pointed and Meng Jialin blinks innocently at me. "I was kidnapped to the training grounds. So before I agree to go to another secondary location…What is going on?! I know that you know what's happening."
She stares me down and I move on to someone more gullible.
I turn on my puppy eyes and turn around in his lap to look at him. "Eric?"
A tiny smile is pulling on his pink lips. Why does he always look perfect? He just came from the same place we all did and he looks like he's about to walk onto a photo-op. I'm covered in grass stains and dust.
He asks in a roundabout manner."Yes, Ria? What's worrying your pretty little head today?" I pouted and gave him a nasty look. Silently I begged him with my eyes. Tell me already. Come on. "You'll be my favorite brother if you tell me."
He chuckles and pokes my cheek. "Even if I'm poor?"
I nodded like a woodpecker and supplemented it. "I'll just scam other people to support you. And myself of course."
His voice was like sandpaper on a practice sword. Scratchy but full of warmth as he laughed at my expense. He's not taking me seriously. Tears welled up again but this time I didn't smother the hiccup or the big gulp of mucus at the back of my throat.
The laughing stopped in his tracks and he looked at me with wide eyes as angry hot tears streamed down my cheeks again. He straightened up and sighed like he always does. When he's about to give me what I want.
"What am I going to do with you? Oh, it's ok. Shh. Brother didn't mean it. Don't cry. It was all my fault." Calloused fingers wiped at my face and pinched my nose while I struggled to breathe. A hanky appeared underneath and I blew reflexively into it.
"Alright. Forgive me? I'll tell you now and then we won't cry anymore ok. Oh. I'm so sorry. It's alright." His large hand patted my back and rubbed circles on it like he used to when I was smaller. My eyes flutter and I yawn in response. I feel so groggy now. Too much crying.
What is wrong with me?
His hand continues to make its soothing circles as he calmly explains what all the rush is for. "Do you remember the story about the Purple Witch?"
I perked up and tried to remember because that does sound familiar. Huh? "The bedtime story?"
He laughed again and it vibrated in his chest. "Yes. You remember."
I do. But that's because you read it to me over a hundred times. It's a cute story about how a young girl one day develops purple powers. They allow her to make purple jewels whenever she's sad or happy. Soon her house is filled with jewels and she can't get out. A kind witch notices her predicament and helps her out. She teaches her how to control her powers through breathi—Oh. Oh! That's what they think this is?
"You think I'm the Purple Witch?" He bites his lip and his eyes glimmer with mirth.
"Yes, Ria. I think you're the Purple Witch. Which means you have to go to the house of a very nice witch to learn how to control your powers." I shake my head and start to protest but he cuts me off. "It's not a bad thing. Everyone special like you goes there. It's the law."
The law?
"So that's a law but not kidnapping. This isn't fair!" He grins and squeezes my puffed-out cheek. I winced and tried to crack my jaw. My poor gums. Two fingers pried open my lips and I blinked confused. "Ah?"
Erichean's pointer finger lightly poked at one of the teeth that was wiggling quite badly. "Oh, Ria. Why didn't you tell anyone?"
Niathe asks with a bit of concern perceptible in her voice. "What? What's wrong with her?"
Erichean sticks his fingers farther down my mouth and explains while looking seriously down my wide-open hatch. "She's teething. She's already starting to lose her baby teeth."
"Cam you remof yourvf hand now?" He withdraws his fingers and I adjust my jaw again. Gross! I know for a fact he hasn't washed his hands yet. Bleh. I stuck my tongue out and he pulled at it. I batted at his hand until he let go.
Just when I was about to erupt in anger again he shoved something in my mouth. I stopped and froze. Sweet grapes were crushed and turned into sugary sweet juice in my mouth. Calming the angry hot pain in my sore gums. I munched on the treat as he popped another one into his mouth.
"Better?" I swallowed and nodded emphatically. "More."
He gave in to my demand and hand-fed me more from a crystal bowl on the end table. When did that get there? Niathe commented. "You're spoiling her."
I rolled my eyes at my mother. Relax, lady. Erichean refused to comment and fed me another grape. After I was done chewing, he decided to flick one in the air and catch it with his teeth. I clapped like I was at a circus.
The door was thrown open and in came Kissae. Breathing heavily with a message. Her eyes wandered until she saw me. Being fed grapes and having the time of my life watching my brother act like a clown. She relaxed her stance and announced to the room. "The coach is ready. May I ask who will be accompanying the Princess as her guardian besides me?"
"I will."
"Me."
"Myself."
Three different answers rang out and all three of them turned to stare each other down.