F O U R T E E N

"Wait, Max, there's one thing I don't get. Why don't I have wings?" I asked.

"You have a Mask on you. Hold this," he handed me the clover, "And repeat after me."

"!eerf-eb-mrof-eurt-ym-tel,em-sdnib-taht-ksaM-siht-morf-em-esaeleR" we cast.

In front of me, Maximus was transforming. His dirty blond hair transformed to copper strands, his blue eyes to sapphire pools, and his 21th century clothing to a worn brown tunic with gray leggings. Most marvelous of all were the wings that sprouted from his back. They were huge! The orange and black Monarch wings were a good two feet in width and reached from above his head to his lower back in length.

And I felt myself changing too. My hair was growing so long that it touched my the middle of my back, and I assumed that my eyes, violet before, were now an amethyst color. My clothing turned into a simple brown dress, and I felt four thin, fragile dragonfly wings emerge.

Max looked at me. "You will need a new dress and we will have to do something with you hair."

"Um, NO. My hair is fine, Maximus."

"The Light Court will not take to it being black."

"And the Night Court won't like it blond or something, now would they?" I guessed.

"Brunette then."

"Not if I have to wear it over here!" I like my hair the way it is!

"Red then."

Now, I can't argue with red... "NO! I like it black!"

"If I Charm you so that it's black when you enter the Mortal Realm, will you allow me to dye it?"
"What's in it for me?" I crossed my arms over my chest.

"I'll give you flying lessons."

"Sold."

"I like that one," I said, pointing to the black and purple gown. Max and I were in a dress shop, shopping for dresses... Yuck.

"Nope. We're getting this one." Max was holding a dress. The bottom skirt was sky blue, with four red roses growing from the hem on the bottom right. Above the roses and to the left was a soaring Blue jay next to a big white fluffy cloud. "Από το αληθινό αίμα έρχομαι, επιθυμώντας για μια ημέρα στην οποία η ειρήνη θα μείνει. Η αληθινή ελπίδα οι άνθρωποί μου θα βρεί στα όπλα μου, και η αληθινή ηγεσία θα δοθεί στους ανθρώπους μου. Είμαι η βασίλισσά σας, ο φίλος σας, και ο υπάλληλός σας," was written on a red sash holding the skirt to a yellow blouse. A brown bodice wrapped around the dress, tied with purple ribbon. Parts of the text above decorated the rest of the dress as well, and in Max's other hand was a small gold ring for my head with the same words on it. He told me they said, "Of true blood I come, wishing for a day in which peace will stay. True hope my people will find in my arms, and true leadership will be given to my people. I am your queen, your friend, and your servant."

I pointed out that my blood was not true and that the words were really cheesy. He ignored the last part.

"Yes it is. Your father was a nobleman in your Realm, was he not?"

"I guess. But he was mortal."

"Your mother was a much-loved Queen. One little untruth will not hurt." Maximus held up the gold ring again. "This will be your crown."

"Fey will object if I wear it now," I point out.

"Kyra, you are here to claim the throne," he said, "Not to ask for it. Prophecy states that you will rule. Your subjects will not doubt prophecy."

I came closer to him. "I do not even want to rule. I want to live a normal mortal life in my home Realm. I want to be human."

"It is your birth right, Your Majesty. When you see how chaotic the rest of this world is, you will understand why you must take the throne."

I gave him dagger eyes.

"Now go try on the dress."

No matter how much I would like to deny it, I could not help but notice the beauty of the dress once I put it on. In the mirror, where should stands a cranky teenager was a beautiful fairy. Her hair was the color of fire, and her eyes the color of emeralds. Her shoulders were exposed in the dress, which fit perfectly, the back sloping down to allow her blue tinted dragonfly wings through. A little bit of every color was on her. Grape vines were braided through her hair, which has been fastened into a half-up-half-down style with cherry wood sticks. The golden ring shone on her head like a diamond in a vat of black coal. It too, fit perfect.

I frowned, crossing my arms over my chest. So did she.

"You look beautiful," said a voice. In the mirror I could see Max behind me, a smile playing across his face. "Like a true Queen."

I was silent.

"Kyra-"

"Kim." I did not look at him.

"Your name here is Kyra. I know it is a shock to you. But there is no point in denying the truth."

"I know," I wanted to say. "I know, but..." But what? But I'm to stubborn to see whats in front of me?

So I said, "When do you show me around?"

"Whenever your ready, My Queen."

Now I spin around. "Do not call me that. It sounds as if you are to be my King."

"Here the word is Consort. A very lowly position, and something I do not ask for."

"Just show me the world already."