A Royal birthday

Reina

I felt his mind before he spoke. His words made my eyes tear but I hoped he would never know. If he did, he would be incapable of understanding. He still struggled to discern emotions.

"I'm proud of you Princess. Heart and Soul."

An image of him standing before me, placing his hand on his heart as I sat on a ledge filled my thoughts. It felt like a vision in mist. Ethereal and beautiful.

"Heart and soul My Prince", I whispered.

The wind unwound my reddish brown curls as we went high into the sky. I shook with laughter as Reya dipped low then shot up again. She was a natural of course. Her bevy joined us but they ceased to exist as her warmth flooded my body. "He's special, isn't he?" Her uniquely husky voice filled my mind.

Somehow I knew she meant Eric.

"He is Reya. He's my best friend."

"He's more than that Reina."

Before I could ask what she meant, her bevy left leaving me to wonder why they left so suddenly. I gasped when I saw what lay ahead.

The ocean touched the cliffs like they were trying to escape it. They caressed then came crushing against the rocks. I had never seen the ocean. It was a vast aqua expanse of shimmering water that made me feel so small and so happy to be in Royal. Sometimes I wondered why we were all gifted. None was ordinary. Was being a descendant of angels the reason? Or was it the Creator's way of seeing if we deserved a chance to be powerful yet humble? And what was my purpose in her grand plan?

Every year on my birthday I saw hearts light up the sky. I always asked mother about them but she never saw them. She wanted to but couldn't. My light power always raced out of me to find the stars and what a joy I experienced when they touched. My Father?

Could it be him? I always wondered.

This year, I looked forward to being with all my friends. For the past five years I feared they were a figment of my imagination, a dream so fickle it would fade and yet they loved me as fiercely as I hid my true emotions worried that I would destroy them. Embracing them was all I longed for. Reya was one of the best gifts I could receive. She let me enjoy the ocean, watched me play in the warm water, took me to several places in Royal and by the time we returned to the palace the moon was playing with the stars.

I hugged her and whispered, "Will you be the sister I never had?"

She transformed into her beautiful girl form and breathed, "I already am Dimples." I laughed and watched as she sauntered away like she was born with legs.

"Should I be jealous?", a deep voice murmured. I ran into his arms. "Never Blue eyes." He smiled as I jumped around him and told him about all my adventures. I told him I saw the ocean for the first time. He stopped and stared at me. "Reina all children are taken to the ocean. How can you say you saw it today for the first time?"

"The Heart family has always been very cautious. Better safe than sorry you know. They know the power of emotion so me being a lighter meant I couldn't do all the extremely exciting things little children do. Being female made it worse. Female lighters were rarer than usual for a reason. The last one having turned into Darkind. " My eyes glowed golden as I remembered everything I had longed to do with the rest.

Mom can I go to the beach with them?

Honey, I'm afraid you can't.

But I promised to be good. I'll think of Dad and I won't get too excited Mama...

Sweetheart the other children might get hurt if you get really excited like you did at Arya's birthday celebration. Remember the Sweet filled unicorn?

Eric held me as I put my arms around my tummy holding back all the pain I felt to be treated as a danger with a big red X on my face.

"Hush little one, you would have never got on the Guard if you had not experienced all that. Now you have me. Friends who adore you. Today is special, no crying, promise?"

I smiled up at him and teased as I tried to ruffle his thick dark hair, "You're so tall, I want to get taller too."

He spun me around making me giggle, "you'll never be taller than me Dimples."

"Just you wait Big guy." His cool blues just took me in and laughingly shrugged. "You wish.."

He hugged me, sniffed me then whispered, I have something for you Princess."

You do? Show me! Show me! I was so excited I started jumping up and down as I held his hand. Eric brought me closer to his chest and sparks tickled my entire body. The sensation of teleporting with him always made me laugh. I saw his spacious balcony overlooking mountains and our waterfall. The place we called our own. He looked awkward as he said, "Zeya requested me to give you this note."

"Wear this now and hurry up already. We've been awaiting your return like humble subjects Princess"

I looked at the dress and shoes and gasping I turned to see Eric's eyes locked on the swishing curtains. He did that when he was trying to process something or having a telepathic conversation.

I ran to his closet and wore the dress and shoes. My hair was a mess after my flight with Reya so I tried asking Zeya for help but Eric's room only allowed him to communicate telepathically probably because the palace had many protective wards.

I came out of the closet to request for help with my hair but Eric was already walking into the closet. He sent out his power to my hair which immediately got styled into a simple but stunning masterpiece. My eyes widened when I looked into the mirror. His gaze was on mine as I looked at what he had done torn between touching and not touching.

It ran in curly waves to my waist, two big braids forming a ring around the flowing waves. A few curly strands tickled my cheeks. He touched my strands and whispered,

"I borrowed someone's ability. They can beautify anything and anyone. I asked her to be close so I could help you."

I always knew he could control another's gift but seeing the way my reddish brown curls glowed made me want to hug him for thinking of it. Royal females were expected to know how to look beautiful at all times but I was not a normal royal female. I was not great at dressing up or making my hair look great. Mother was always frustrated with me for wearing shorts, leathers and boots. She wanted me to be more feminine but...

"I have something else for later but I want you to have this."

The velvet lined box contained a golden chain with a gold heart wrapped in shimmering crystal starlike patterns. I opened the heart and saw 'Heart and Soul' engraved in it. My eyes misted when I saw how much this gift meant. He ran a hand through his hair as he watched me trace my fingers over each intricate design.

"It's beautiful Eric. I love it, Heart and Soul." He brushed my hair aside and helped me wear it.

"Happy birthday Reina. You are adorable as always." Beaming I threw myself at him. One of his rare smiles graced his handsome face as embraced me. He took us to the palace hall and everyone let their power flash in their eyes. Hands on heart they sung an ancient melody that was so beautiful I cried. A Royal birthday custom that meant every child was a gift to be rejoiced over. In that moment the rejection I had faced did not matter. What mattered was that my best friend was by my side and the Heart family was here. My mother hugged me with a sad smile and my friends danced like they were the ones celebrating an extra year. Eric had an odd look in his eyes but I promised to ask him about it later on.

Zeya gushed over my dress. It was round, with varying shades of green and a big bow at the back. I hugged her for her awesome gift. Eric stayed away which I did not understand. He suddenly seemed uncomfortable. I touched his mind and got electrocuted. I clutched my head in pain and shock as he teleported away.

Eric

I squatted beside the pool with my head in my hands. The pounding was immense. Trying to massage my temples escalated the pain instead. Hearing him scream was excruciating, listening to his crazy hollow laughter was disturbing. "Don't get to attached Your Highness. I may just decide to take away your priceless treasure..."

A laughing green eyed female of eighteen smiled up at me. She wrapped her arms around my shoulders and just as I was about to hold her closer she vanished...

The vision left me with a raging migraine. I left the pool and visited a healer. The vision and taunts from Edin left behind. A few minutes later I walked onto the dance floor much calmer but unhappy. The squad seemed to be having a great time with Reina. My dark mood must have worried her but that was fine. I always could make her happy again.