Page 7 of Valpar

“We are going to do this right. She was worried about you.”

I groaned and pulled on the strap that held my wing in place. I felt the leather tug on one side of my shoulder where the wing was bent. It would take time to fix it since I made it with a special type of thread and tulle. Luckily, Uncle Osirus and Melina had an outstanding sewing room at the palace.

“Calliope! Where are you?” My mom’s worried tone struck through my heart. It was the one where she was at her last nerve,and soon she would have Osirus’ brother, Birch, my adoptive father, send out the cavalry.

The entire army of the Golden Light Kingdom.

It had only happened once, but it was a hot mess.

I waved from below and yelled, “I’m here, Mom!”

You couldn’t hear my mom’s feet running through the thick planks of the tree house. Now that she was a fae, a true fae, she was light on her feet.

Birch, the only father I’d known, built this tree house with his own bare hands. He built it before he went in search of his mate on Earth so long ago. He swears it is the sturdiest of all the homes of the Golden Light Kingdom. It withstood a war. The only thing missing was the furniture and a few personal items.

Since bringing my mother and me from Earth, Dad said that she truly made it a home. Birch got the help of the elves and had vines grown all around it, so it blended into nature.

The tree house was surrounded by lush green vines, creating a natural camouflage that blended seamlessly into the forest. Tiny leaves and delicate flowers add pops of color to the otherwise earthy tones. From a distance, it looks like a part of the trees themselves, hidden among the branches and leaves. Only upon closer inspection could one see the detailed workmanship of the elves Birch had hired, who had carefully intertwined the vines to create a sturdy foundation for the tree house. It was truly a hidden gem of the forest, easily missed by those who passed by.

There was one thing that stood out though, letting everyone and their mamas know there was a home here. It was the platform that helped me get up and down from our house. It was built with planks of wood and a small railing, that mom insisted on, so I wouldn’t fall off.

“Get up here this instant!” Her harsh whisper let me know she meant business. I sheepishly stood on the platform and Osirus followed me.

“You can just fly up. You don’t have to ride it,” I said and took off my wings to make more room.

“And miss another moment standing next to you? Never.” Osirus wrapped his arm around me and my face flushed.

I wish I could have a mate like Osirus.

Hamburger! I wish I could have a mate.

Mom pulled the lever at the top of the tree house before I could press mine at the bottom.

Boy, she sure is antsy.

The welded metal and vines worked together. The pullies let out squeaks and groans the higher we went. The elevator was so heavy it didn’t even swing in the wind, so it was safe in all ways, just how Mom wanted it for me.

When the elevator rose to the platform, Mom stood at the entrance. Barefooted and arms crossed, wearing her favorite yellow flying dress. Her wings fluttered violently, like they always did when she was agitated, but when she saw the sight of Osirus by my side her eyebrows shot up to her hairline.

Dad strode in with just a towel around his waist from a fresh shower and ran his hand through his hair to shake off the water.

“Brother, fancy seeing you here. You’re early!” Dad stepped forward and gave Osirus a big hug, all while my mom was shooting daggers at me.

I tried to scoot to the side to escape, but she stepped in front of me with her arms folded. “Where were you? Honey, I’ve been worried sick,” her voice softened, and she pulled me into a hug. “Just anyone could have snatched you away and taken you. My sweet Calli, don’t do that to me.”

“She’s fine, Kelsey. She’s grown.” Osirus pulled away from Dad. “Besides, your game of Hokey Pokey was enough incentive for little Calliope to go on a pixie hunt.”

Mom paled. “A what?”

“Hokey Pokey. You know, when you go in and out? In and out?” I made my index finger and thumb into a circle with one hand, and then took my finger from my other hand and put it in the hole I made.

Chapter Three

Calliope

Mom’s face flushed, hercheeks turning a deep shade of red. Osirus couldn’t contain his excitement, his laughter filling the room with a contagious giddiness. Meanwhile, Dad’s hand gently brushed through his thick beard, amusement evident in the twinkle of his eyes.

Dad had been attempting to persuade my mom to see reason that I was old enough to leave the tree house more, but she remained adamant that I always had someone with me.

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