Rite of Passage

Chapter Three | Butterflies

"Ria, wake up, it's your big day!" 

Aphria groaned as Vita kicked open the door and threw open the seaweed curtains. "It's the day of your rite of passage," her excited sister bubbled. "get up!" 

The youngest princess shrugged off her blankets and sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Vita," she mumbled. "close the curtains." 

"Aw, come on!" Vita glanced at her. "Get up and get dressed, sis." 

"I've dressed already," Aphria protested.

Vita raised her eyebrows, incredulous. "You're not going to your rite of passage in that, are you?" 

The young siren groaned. 

"Here, I'll help you." her sister swam to Aphria's closet and shuffled through the rackets. "Ooh, I like this one," she exclaimed, pulling out a white lace dress. "It's cute." Vita held it up for her sister to examine. "How do you like it?" 

It was a long dress with an O-neck; though it ended at her ankles, there was a trail of long lace attached to the end.

"Okay," the princess said grudgingly. 

"I knew you'd like it!" Vita jumped and clapped excitedly. "Okay, get that on," she told her sister, tossing the dress to her. "Now you just need some jewelry..." 

Aphria got dressed, then sat on the bed waiting for Vita to finish digging out her jewelry. 

"Gotcha!" her older sister presented a handful of glittering gems to Aphria. "I got you a necklace - here." she fastened it on Aphria's neck. "and we've got bracelets - lots of them - and flats!" 

The young princess studied her reflection. The white dress fit her perfectly and matched the jewelry Vita had suggested. Hanging at her neck was a shiny silver crescent strung on a black chain link; her wrists were adorned with sterling silver bracelets graced with little blue gemstones. 

Augustus walked Aphria to breakfast. She let out a little gasp when he jerked her around a corner and held her there for a moment, looking into her eyes. 

"I think I like you," he whispered into her ear. 

"Eeeek, please. If you're gonna say another romantic thing or kiss me again, please, don't," Aphria pleaded. "I'm having my rite of passage today and I can't sing with butterflies in my stomach." 

To her relief, Augustus laughed and gave her a soft smile. "Okay," he agreed. "But at least let me hold your hand." 

Breakfast flew by ("Oh, come on, eat something, Ria") and soon it was time for Aphria's rite of passage. 

"You know what to do," Queen Diamonique told her youngest daughter, smiling. "Good luck. I expect we'll hear from you in a few hours." she gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek. 

Aphria thanked her nervously. 

Hike to the highest cliff by the sea, she reminded herself. Hike to the highest cliff by the sea. Choose a human. 

And sing.