The moon was illuminating too brightly today, and here I was eavesdropping on the drama brewing in the royal chambers. I swear, I just wanted to pee and maybe sneak in to get some midnight sweet roll. But then I heard hush voices and I froze behind the gilded archway.
It was Mama. And her voice was sharp,she was seriously angry and I wonder who the unfortunate fairy was.
"You caused a ruckus today Kone, of all people you choose Lord Gilmore, you know how powerful he is, he never accepted my reign as the queen of the realm, and of all days you choose today to see the humans again, don't get me wrong I love those creatures but I care from a distance Kone, Do you think if they knew what you are, they would accept you"
Oh so the unfortunate fairy was My uncle great
I placed my ear on the carved frame door
"They're just humans, Sister," Uncle Kone said, voice calm but tight. "I was just carrying out an experiment on their behavior that's all and we all know Lord Gilmore is an ass art .
Mama's voice lower a bit. Ignoring the lord Gilmore part, "Curiosity is not the issue, Kone. It's your obsession. You're too close to them. The council thinks…. No, I think it's time you stop this ."
"And how has my trip to earth become a problem to you, is it the council talking, or your desire to please everyone
Sister", Uncle Kone said his voice dripping with sacarsm
"Kone!!!!! I forbid you from going to earth ever again if you disobey me
You would be barnish and that's final"
I bit down a surprised gasp. Mama liked the humans. Like how I liked fire pixies from behind the palace windows. This… this was serious.
"And you embarrassed me today, arguing with Gilmore in front of the lords. He's looking for a reason to destroy everything I've built."
"I was defending you!" Uncle Kone barked. "But as usual, the rules matter more than your own brother, right?"
That one stung, I could tell. Mama looked away,
I could hear Uncle kone footsteps so I ran away from the door, i waited a little then followed him. I'd been perfecting the art of stealth ever since Riona started chasing me with brush combs and lecture scrolls.
We walked through the moon lit corridors in silence. I tried not to giggle at how serious he looked
Then without turning, he said, "Why are you not asleep, Azura?"
I blinked. "How" I grinned. "Does anything ever get past you, Uncle?"
"No," he said dryly.
I giggled.
We made it to the stone balcony overlooking the glowing city. The sky was painted in streaks of navy and soft pink. Kone leaned against the rail, arms resting, chin tilted to the stars.
"I want more Azura," he said after a long pause with his silver hair flying. "More than... this." He gestured to the palace towers, the shimmering domes, the ever-glowing sky.
" Have always felt like I never truly fit in this place, like I don't really belong, Have always been that child that everyone forgot about, I was just the little brother of the twins, nothing more. earth has been my only place of relief, I love your mother. She's my sister, although she gets on my nerves and I love you alot imp, but I want more than this."
I smiled at the nickname. I didn't even mind the wind blowing my hair across my face.
"She's banned me from ever going back," he added quietly. "To the humans. That's it. It's over."
"Forever ?" I asked
He nodded solemnly.
A beat of silence passed.
"But... what if you just go one last time?"
"No." He replied without hesitation
"Come on Uncle Kone, You never been the one to settle for rules, you just spoke about that place and you love it, just see it one more time" i said
He took a deep breath " Fine"
Can I ask you for something, I asked
"What do you want imp" He said
"Can I come too?" I widened my eyes to maximum sparkle, gave my lower lip a tremble, and even clasped my hands. "Pleeease, Uncle Kone. Pleeeease. I'll be good. I'll behave, I promise.You know I'll never get another chance to go to earth again"
He looked at me. Looked away. Rubbed his forehead.
Then sighed. "You are dangerously good at this."
"It's a gift," I said with a grin, fluttering my eye lashes shamelessly.
He groaned and muttered something about how he regrets teaching me resilience and never giving up.
"So we're going?" I asked, hope bubbling in my chest.
He turned to me with a grin of his own. "Don't tell your mother."
"I'll tell her you made me read war scrolls."
"Fair trade."