My cousin brought up a real good point the other day when I was talking with him on AIM. He knows that I write, and that I post it for others to see and read and that they have the option to leave a review of what they thought of it. I told him about this story and let me say that I can always count on him to put me back in my place. He said as long as I write, and as long as I'm happy with what I write, nothing else should matter. So poof here I am with a third chapter, to share with you all, and all I'm going to say is that if you read it, I hope you find it's not a complete disaster of a fourteen-year-old writer who drinks too much caffeine.

Chapter Three
A faint smile traced Mel's lips as she spoke, "Cairbre had to bite back a comment when that serpent did not acknowledge you in the courtyard." That serpent. Would Mel not address them by their name, even if there were no one present but me? Their gazes, the colors they dressed in—even I admitted to myself that they were very different from us. If such a difference was a risk I didn't want to take any chances offending them. My sister was not helping.

"Her name is Kiesha Cobriana, their Serpiente leader and priestess, Mel. I had asked you to show respect for their position." I defended the woman.

My sister raised a hand. "I will show them civility and respect when in their presence, but do not forget our earlier conversation, Alasdair," she said, tone slightly impatient.

I shook my head. "I haven't forgotten, Mel, believe me. And you may keep your opinions of them; no one is trying to change that. But for my sake, please treat them as you would anyone of my people," I said, my tone border lining a plea.

Mel raised an eyebrow, her face still like stone. "For your sake, Alasdair? As queen to your people you know that weakness is an option you cannot resort to," she chastised me.

Running my hands through my hair I tried to calm my emotions as they came to me in rushing waves. Turning to face Mel, I spoke. "Can you just be my sister? Can you just be Mel, and not Lady Meliana Shardae, head counsel to the Tuuli Thea?"

Mel faltered in her stern gaze for a fraction of a second, letting what I was sure regret slip through her features. This was hard for her too. And it should be, I thought, you're my sister!

"I will always be your sister, Alasdair," Mel said in a kinder tone, "But with the Serpiente here in the Hawk's Keep you must be Tuuli Thea, not simply Alasdair, the young girl chosen to become so much more. You understood that the day you took your oath as queen, the day you pledged yourself and your life to your people." I sighed in resign–that was as much comfort from her as I would get. After a few moments of silence between us, Mel asked, "Do you plan to hold a dinner in their honor?"

Turning my thoughts away from the void I felt when I heard that hollow tone from Mel, I replied. "As is our custom, tomorrow night, if possible. I must speak with Epheny, and see if she is prepared to serve such a number." Epheny was our head chef, in charge of all food arrangements that concerned the Keep.

Mel nodded, considering my words. "And in attendance?"

I knew at once what she was doing: testing my knowledge of etiquette. Mel had only spent hours teaching me the proper procedures and ceremonies that must always be upheld whenever concerning the Tuuli Thea. It was something I knew our mother used to do with her before she had died, and before Mel had declined the right to the title of Tuuli Thea.

I looked at the questions as a challenge waiting to be achieved. Now I looked at it as another obstacle in my path as Tuuli Thea, one that I had to overcome without the help of my sister.

"I think for their first meal in the Keep, our presence and theirs will suffice," I answered.

Satisfied with my answer Mel announced, "Then for now I am going to go and rest, I will see you at the Spring Festival at dusk."

I nearly cursed when realization hit me.

Mel had caught me off guard. Again. I felt the color drain from my face. I had forgotten about the celebrations that would be held that night in the Market. The Spring Festival! An event that I had made annual. Older sisters never let you live down forgetfulness when you're a queen, and Mel's current expression in reaction to my face spoke more than words could at that moment.

My sister's faint smile returned. "I suggest you inform your guests of the event. They might find it interesting," she offered. I nodded, aware of the fact that she was mocking me under her level tone, in amusement, of course. With that, Mel departed from the entrance hall, leaving me with my thoughts. And did they come in torrents.

Resolving to inform the Serpiente of the Festival first, I shifted into my hawk form and took flight to the second floor, not caring to use the stairs.

I needed to spread my wings, if only a moment.

The arrival of the Serpiente and their reception in the courtyard, the anxiety of whether or not they would acknowledge my authority despite my age, and now the pressure of easing their transition, especially with the events that would take place that night due to the Spring Festival—I had only realized how strongly my nerves had been tested already until I finally was able to feel the wind beneath my wings. The golden feathers that covered my body felt light as air and as smooth as water. I glided on the currents for a short time before finally forcing myself to settle and shift back into my human form on the second floor.

I avoided shifting into a hawk when I could manage without it, knowing that there were those amoung my people that could not shapeshift. But in those few short moments of feeling the air beneath my wings, shed of my clothes and restraints of my human form, I felt freer than ever. It was a feeling I cherished, especially ever since I had been crowned Queen, named Tuuli Thea a year ago.

That was my thirteenth birthday gift: a brief and hasty coronation and the weight of my people placed upon my shoulders.

I had apparently lost myself in the past—not for the first time either—because when I finally became aware of my surroundings I met the familiar gaze of two piercing emeralds.