Beyond the Roselands

   Wind whistled through my wings as I banked through walls of clouds. Once again I felt my heart leap as I soared high above the confines of the earth. Far below, the vast stretches of the Roselands forest vibrated with dark magic. The small creatures running amidst the trees were magically changed to be oddballs like me, but ever since we defeated Caldwell and his army, the creatures of the forest became less hostile and some even gave us gifts of food as we settled in.

   By we I meant me and my bizarre family. My sweet human mother, my annoying Zytrey father, and my beautiful hybrid fiance.

   "Daydreaming, Zeek?"

   Speak of the devil.

   I turned my head and snorted in my father's direction. "Not daydreaming, just…thinking."

   Thyte swooped up beside me, his much larger wings pumping air easier than mine. "Daydreaming. Thinking. Same difference. Anyway, I'm guessing you're thinking of what you saw aren't you?"

   I sighed and nodded. A week ago, I'd been flying near the very edge of the hybrid territory and I'd seen a city far in the distance. Not a castle or a town, but many large buildings that jutted to the sky like shining fangs.

   I pulled up and hovered in the air. "Of course I am. I wanna use my wings dad. I wanna go places, but…"

   Thyte paused with me, his black hair blowing in the wind. "But every time you think of going…Sprite gets your heart beating hot doesn't she?"

   I sighed and nodded, crossing my arms. "Of course she does. Is it weird that she gets me excited before she even comes into the room?"

   Thyte chuckled and gestured downwards. I followed him and he landed in a huge oak, splaying his legs over each side of the branch he sat on. I sat in front of him and he sighed. "It's not weird at all, son. In fact I'd be surprised if that little Faery didn't set your heart ablaze every time she breathed."

   I sighed and let my wings dangle alongside the branch. "I love her. I honestly can't wait to marry her."

   There chuckled. "I'm looking forward to grandchildren."

   I laughed with him. "I'd normally be embarrassed by that, but I can assure you that there will be some. Maybe many from the way she likes children."

   "It's not really how much she likes children, but how much she likes your child maker."

   He raised his eyebrows and I kicked out at his foot. "Shut up. It's embarrassing again."

   Thyte laughed and then stood. "Well let's get back. You know what's supposed to happen in a couple days right?"

   I cocked my head at him and he smiled. "Your little sibling should be due very soon. It's your mother's ninth month."

   Excitement surged through me. "I hope it's a boy."

   Dad chuckled. "Instinct tells me it's gonna be a girl."

   "Well that sucks."

   Thyte sighed and leapt off the tree, soaring down through the trees. I followed quickly as we raced back towards the Zytrey village. After a few minutes, we began to see small treehouses in the highest branches of the redwoods. Feathered wings passed us by as we traversed the huge village of strong treehouses and rope bridges.

   Dad lighted on the porch of his nest and walked into the doorway. I followed closely, intent on seeing if mother was alright. Inside the small home were down covered walls draped with blankets and quilts. The floor was littered with pillows and cushions and the attached bedroom had a floor made entirely out of canvas and blankets. To the side where a small stove was located, my beautiful mother stood working on a pot of stew.

   Thyte sighed and walked up to her, his wings wrapping protectively around her. "I thought I told you to stay resting until the baby is born. Yet you still insist on working. And around a hot stove as well."

   She laughed and eased out of his feathery embrace. "Thyte, I've told you this before. If I can work and still be safe with Zeek in my womb, I'm sure I can do it with this little one."

   Thyte sighed and reached out, stroking her stomach. "That's because I wasn't around to stop you from working. I'm around now and I want you to simply relax."

   She chuckled and walked over to me, situating my hair. "As if that'll happen. Now how's my son and his fiance doing?"

   "Just fine mom. At least I think so. I need to get home and check on her."

   "Then go. Don't just stand around watching your father stress over me. Go home and make sure she's nice and comfortable."