The Horns that Fit

Chapter 4

Green. That's all my mind was telling me. Green. I stared until mother squeezed my hand. "Are you ready for presents? Then afterwards we can have some cake." Mother said as signaled for them to line up in front of me. Dragging on slowly, I was forced to open each and every gift. I received some more books, which was a delight as well as some flowers. The other gifts felt more like a disgrace than a present. Red gave me a deck of cards. She said they're magical. Apple gave me a small mirror with a purple rhinestone in the middle. The rest was edged out in black. Cleo gave me a staff. It was slime and black, but there was a piece missing from the top. She told me I could rule with it when I got my crown. Eventually, I finally made it to the last few people. I set the last gift aside just as the next person came forward. I looked up and met a pair of blue eyes. A boy who was slightly older than I am. He had black hair and was wearing green. In his hand, a wrapped up box. Next to him, a larger boy with blond hair. He wore red. "Princess Maleficent!! We came on this special day. The day of your birth!! We also brought you a present!!" He boomed. "Thor, please. Im trying to talk. Hello, your highness." "...hi..." I stuttered. My cheeks started to burn. "I brought you a special gift. From Asgard." "From where?" I asked. "Asgard. My home." "Oh. What is it?" I asked, taking the box. "A potion I made." "You made it?" Opening the box, I was met with a fancy looking bottle. Inside splashed around, a sparkling pink liquid. The body glowed as I touched it. My mouth opened in awe. "This...this is amazing! How did you make it?" "My mother helped. She's teaching magic. It's the first success so far." "I'm learning magic too. I just started this morning. What else can you do?" I asked. "I can create illusions." He answered before waving his hands. A faint golden bird appeared. It flapped it's wings a few, moved a feather with its beak, then it took off. Soaring just above my head. "Wow." "I need more practice, but my mother told me I'm doing well so far." "Uh..do...do you think...you could teach me?" I nervously asked. An excited grin showed up on his face. "It would be my absolute honour, your majesty." "Oh, thank you. Let me get my book." I called Kellen over and asked him to bring it. A few minutes later, he returned with it. Loki and I moved from the main space of the party to the open field just next to it. Unfortunately, his brother, Thor, tagged along. "Does your brother always follow you around?" I asked him. "Not really, no. Thor, do you mind going away, so the princess and I can study in peace?" "You're always studying, Loki." He gruffed as he went to go get more cake. "Alright. So, let us start at the beginning. How much have you read so far?" "Only the first chapter. There was à lot of words that I didn't understand." He nodded while reading a few of the paragraphs. "Where did get this book from?" "My father gave it to me this morning. Why?" "This book is something else entirely. You're not ready for this." "Oh." "But nevermind all that." He daid, putting the book aside. "I'll teach you what I know. The first thing you must do is clear your mind. No distractions." I closed my eyes and erased the thoughts. It was dark and nothing was there. I imagined a clock with its repeative ticking keeping me track. "Now," Loki's voice slipped in. "Imagine a flower. A simple one." Once he said that, her favorite flower appeared. The edges seem to wisp away, however the flower was still intact. Her thrones were redder than ever as the steam seemed to almost give way. "Change the color. Turn it gold." The flower I seem to be staring at for so long had a wave of gold slow wash over it. The steam was a bright healthy green. Its thrones, now, were gone. "Ok. Now, open your eyes." My eyelids fluttered open to see the same magic golden flower. I hadn't realized that I was smiling until my cheeks began to hurt. Before I could do anything, the flower faded away. "We haven't gotten to the difficult stuff yet." Loki simply said. "That was magnificent, Loki. Thank you so much." "You're welcome." "Maleficent, dear!!" I heard my mother call me. "Coming!" I called back. Loki got up first then stuck out his hand for me. I never knew someone's hands could be so soft. "Thank you." We grabbed the rest of your things and headed back. "What were you doing out there, dear?" I was learning some new magic. Loki helped me." "Oh. Well, thank you." "You're welcome, your highness." "It's time for the party to be over. You have to go to bed soon." "Alright, mother. Thank you again, Loki. Do you think you can visit me some time soon?" I asked him. "I don't know. My father can be a bit cruel at times. He'll only let Thor do most things." "I hope that changes soon. I have to go now. Good-night, Loki." I leaned in and gave him a small peck on the cheek. His pale skin instantly turned red. "Good-night, princess. Sweet dreams." He blushed.