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“What is this?” He pats his hands along it gingerly.
“A cushion for your new crown. I wouldn’t want it flattening your lovely curls or straining your princely neck.”
“Despite the irritating way you present it, this is actually a nice gift. The weight of the crown will be less when I have my second favorite sister around.”
“Not only when I’m around. It will maintain itself even if I’m away from it.”
All eyes fall on me. My siblings can’t leave their elements to follow orders from a distance. It did take quite a bit of work to keep it stable.
I shrug innocently. “You all think I play with my power for fun, but it’s called practice.”
Fire dances in Nina’s eyes. “Does Mother have any control over air anymore?”
“This isn’t about me. It’s Rylan’s birthday—”
“Answer!”
I sigh. “No. It’s all mine.”
Each of us is leaching our mother’s powers. We have been our entire lives. As Rylan’s ability to control earth strengthens, Mother’s weakens. The same with the twins’ water and fire. They shouldn’t be jealous of me. We all know air was Mother’s weakest ability. She never had a knack for it like I do. It’s an effort for her to grow a tree now while Rylan can raise a forest. Nina and Marcus are improving every day. They’ll transfer all their power soon enough.
“That’s wonderful, Ara.” Rylan’s smile is tight.
Guilt pools in my chest. I really hadn’t meant to take his spotlight. “Enough about that.” I grab the kettle by hand and pour boiling water into the cups. Now would be a bad time to flaunt my magic. “What does a soon-to-be-crowned heir do for fun?”
“Seek revenge against his mischievous little sister?” His head tilts as though he’s plotting.
I grin and blow the balcony door open, content to leave the tea and this conversation behind. “Only if you can catch me.” A strong gust carries me out into the warm spring day.
Free to tumble through the air is how I’m meant to live, like a leaf going anywhere the wind takes me. But a princess cannot live that way. It’s almost a shame our magic is bound to the right to rule. The people who have control of the elements should be free to live amongst them. Instead, we’re revered and set on thrones in a palace. Although, when I twirl about to look back at it, there are worse places to live.
Vines climb higher along the tower toward Rylan’s balcony, forming a grand living staircase which he descends with more courtliness than the occasion merits. Meanwhile, the river flowing past the palace shoots upward, giving the twins a slide of water on which to get outside. Much more appropriate for the mood.
Mirador Palace is a reflection of the magic that passes through our family, keeping the elements close and allowing them to flow through it. It’s a portrait of our kingdom as well. Alchos is as beautiful as the graceful slopes of the palace’s domed roofs. Our people are as colorful as the city that stretches out before the palace, with minds as open and accepting as Mirador is to nature.
Alchos has my heart completely. I’d do anything for this kingdom. Except it hadn’t occurred to me that the thing it would need me to do is leave.
I sigh and shake off the premature mourning. More than half a year has passed since that decision was made, and we still don’t have a date for it. It may be quite a while, and regardless, I want to enjoy it here while I can. Landing in the soft grass far behind the palace, I wait for my siblings. I will either make sure they miss me terribly after I move away or make them eager to be rid of me. Either way, I’m in the mood for some fun.
Chapter two
The dinner is much like any other. We all dress a little finer, and the decor is heightened, floral garlands and thick greenery bedecking the room for the Prince of Earth. An artistic assortment of leafy plants serpentines down the center of the table. Ry, Mother, and Grandfather almost certainly know each species of flora, but the rest of us seated here can probably only identify them as plants.
Both sets of grandparents are here to celebrate Ry with us. And it does feel like a celebratory day again now that my siblings and I had time to relax and blow off steam. Of course, even that came with some turmoil. It wouldn’t be us without that.
Across the table, Nina twists to thank the servant who fills her wine glass. The scrape on her shoulder is covered by a swath of fabric, so we can avoid that reprimand. During our afternoon out, I did catch her in a net of air, but not before she got a little banged up. Somehow, she was less upset with Ry for dropping the ground out from beneath our feet than she was at the fact that I didn’t fall at all. Then Marcus accused me of showing off by catching Nina when he had created a perfectly acceptable spring for her to fall into.
This is exactly why I hadn’t told them I came into my full power. The sooner they all take theirs, the better.
While my ridiculous siblings grumble about having slightly less power than me, half the table has no such ability. No one without magic complains at all, yet those who do squabble over how much. Well, Mother’s father may not complain, but not having magic is the reason he’s always so grumpy. He waves a servant over to refill his glass. Amber liquor swirls around as he brings it to his lips, then a discontented sigh escapes him after he takes a sip. Before he has the chance to ask for it, another servant rushes to him with a glass of ice cubes.
To the staff, it’s an eccentric preference of the former king, but it’s one of the many things he can no longer do himself. Grandfather has been without magic for over two decades, but the loss of it still lingers. I’m not sure if anyone else notices these little things like I do. So many little disappointments when he starts to do something but realizes he can’t. Magic departing slowly seems like it would make it easier, but I understand. My magic is so deeply ingrained in me that I can’t imagine the hollowness it will leave behind when it passes to my own child someday.
Air braids through my fingers without me making a conscious effort—a little reminder of my magic which only I can sense. Are the scraps of power Mother still holds enough to keep her from feeling the same listlessness as Grandfather?
Her smile is natural and warm as she chats and laughs with the family over the remnants of our final course. It doesn’t appear to bother her. Not that I should be surprised—nothing rattles the Queen of Alchos. Her beauty is renowned, though most of the kingdom never gets to see her relaxed. It’s times like these when she’s most stunning. These times also remind me that I’m the only one who doesn’t bear much resemblance to her. Her dark hair has its variations through my siblings: rich brown on Rylan, Nina’s with hints of red, and Marcus’ hair is so black it’s nearly blue. My golden locks leave me standing out in a way I’ve never much enjoyed. Less so tonight with our father’s parents here. I take after the Valnora side of the family.
“You let them forget their places,” Grandfather grumbles. I can only relegate such conversations to background noise for so long before some things get through. Boring though they may be. “The ministry are only higher-ranking servants to the crown. Do not let them think they have their own power.”
