Earth and Sky

Chapter 4

Araquiel

I hug my belly as it grumbles. I've been fasting since I woke up and will only be able to eat tonight at my banquet. Scarlet steps up to me and hands me a box. I am unwrapping my birthday presents from my family. I carefully pull the lid off of the top of the box and pert inside. A folded piece of paper lay on its side in the middle of the box. I reach in and pull it out. As I unfold it, I cut my finger. Pearls of blood form, so I stick it in my mouth. My brother laughs at me but stops when I turn my piercing glare at him. I unfold the paper with my other hand as a phrase rings through my head.

"Bad luck."

I see a neatly written poem framed by swirls. The artwork is well enough to be hung on a wall.

"Read it!" Scar prompts.

I slowly drag my eyes across the paper.

A is for your many activities!

R is for your radiant personality!

A is for your accomplishments in all you do!

Q is for quick, in movement and tongue!

U is for unite, you bring us closer together!

I is for your high ideals!

E is for those extra little things you do to make people happy!

L is for your love of life and the people around you!

I finish reading the poem and pull Scar into a hug. I place the poem down next to my other gifts and make a mental note to get a frame for it.

"Thank you so much!" I squeal.

She laughs. "I take it you liked your present?"

"Like is too little a word, I prefer love."

Everyone breaks into a laugh. My mother pulls me up.

"Lets get ready for your party," she whispers into my ears.

*****************

After a few more hours if being pulled into and out of dresses, I'm ready. My stomach fills the room with its grumbling. My mother squeezes her lips together to hold back a laugh. I stare at her. Her cheeks have been getting chubbier lately. It makes her seem... Younger. My mom isn't very old but sometimes she acts like she is. Her face twist and she turns around and giggles. I see a bit of her tattoo. She was burnt by my father's old best friend. He turned out to be a traitor and was killed, but his scars still remain. There is extra security and to be in the castle you have to be heavily questioned. You used to be able to enter the castles at your own will but now everything is different.

I sigh. "Mom, when will the party begin?"

"Well, we have another hour before we expect guest to start arriving. But you will make a grand entrance about an hour after that. I'm going to go and make sure everything is going well." She smiles and pulls me into a tight hug. "Have fun."

With that she scampers out the door.

I open my palms and stare at my injured finger.

"Bad luck."

I groan and fall onto the bed. I don't need bad luck today. I just need to be happy.