𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕(𝙰𝙲𝙾𝚃𝙰𝚁)

𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔬𝔫𝔢

Important Information: I'm adding another OC, Astraea, into this story. Her whole story is called Dark Paradise, also on my account. If you dont want to read it, it's not a big deal.

Also, I like to think that the Illyrians speak another language. I will have our main people speaking in English, but might throw some Illyrian in there(aka Spanish because that's the only other language I speak, and I am not clever enough to create another language)

‧‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

age: 7

"You're so lucky to have wings," Mor pouted as we stepped along in the library, a fake tiara on her head to match mine. "I wish I did."

"No, you don't," I denied, rolling my violet eyes as I tucked my little wings in. "You're a female. They'd just get clipped."

"Will yours be clipped?" my cousin wondered, tossing a book on the floor when she was done leafing through it.

"Daddy says he won't let them clip my wings," I boasted, holding my head high. "He'll save my wings just like he saved Mother's."

I felt a talon at the edge of my mind, and I rolled my eyes before letting it in. My brother and I shared the skills of the Daemeti.

Meet me at the top of the stairs.

The sound of my brother's voice echoed in my mind, sparking a surge of excitement. With a radiant smile, I seized Mor's hand and joyfully pulled her up the stairs.

I reveled in the thrill of disrupting the stillness that wrapped around quiet spaces. The library's hush was an irresistible challenge; the only whispers came from the flutter of turning pages.

As we ascended to the top floor, my brother's violet gaze caught mine from across the the library. A playful grin spread across my face, and I dashed toward him.

However, in my haste, I slipped on a spill of oil on the shiny floors, and both Mor and I tumbled to the ground. Rhys' laughter swelled in the air as he approached us.

Struggling to regain our composure, my cousin and I clung to the railing for balance. A quick glance revealed a scholar who had also fallen victim to the slippery floor, landing with a thud.

I pressed my lips together, fighting back a burst of laughter at the unexpected commotion we had caused.

"What did you do?" Mor giggled.

With a mere flick of his fingers, the spiral path before us shimmered to life, bathed in a sheen of glowing oil. It seemed that a shared strategy had formed simultaneously in our minds.

Linking hands, Mor, Rhys, and I approached the brink of the glistening path. Rhys gently seated Mor and me before propelling us forward, leaping in right behind. Our shrieks and laughter echoed as we glided effortlessly down the spital path, Rhys's grip firm on our arms.

My dark hair danced in the breeze, and my smile stretched. As we whizzed past the second floor, the sight of scholars slipping on the slick trail sent me into fits of laughter.

Unexpectedly, a firm grasp on the collar of my dress halted my descent. I let out a grunt, looking up to find my mother, who also firmly held Rhys, halting his slide. My halted momentum prevented Mor from slipping any further.

With a snap of our mother's fingers, the oil vanished as if it had never been, and within moments, she winnowed us back to the safety of the House of Wind.

Her severe gaze, arched eyebrow, and crossed arms instantly wiped the smiles from our faces. We scrambled to our feet, too intimidated to meet her stern eyes.

"What were you three thinking?"

"It was Rhys's idea," Mor snitched. He slapped her arm.

"Stop it," Mother warned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Go to your rooms."

"But it's only 5:00!" Rhys argued.

"What about supper?" I demanded with a pout as Mor crossed her arms.

"No supper tonight," she decided with a shake of her head. I groaned along with the other two. "Bed. Now."

I stomped my foot once before turning on my heel and dragging my feet down the hall.

"You're always getting us into trouble," I hissed at my brother.

"We have to stop hanging out with you," Mor agreed, taking my hand.

"I didn't force either of you to slide down the path."

I sneered at him as Mor and I walked into my bedroom. She huffed and plopped down on my bed.

"I'm hungry!" she complained dramatically, stretching out on the mattress. I giggled and jumped up beside her.

"If we go to sleep, breakfast will be here soon."

"Well, I'm not tired," she scoffed.

"I can get us both to sleep," I assured her.

Her eyebrow arched as I extended my hand towards her. Remembering the teachings of an ancient Fae I had encountered in the hushed aisles of the library, I focused my intent.

From my palm, a delicate spiral of violet magic unfurled, weaving through the air like a gentle breeze. It danced around the room, casting a serene glow.

Mor's eyelids fluttered heavily, a sign of the enchantment taking hold, and a wave of weariness washed over me as well. The air was soon filled with the tranquil aroma of lavender, further deepening the spell's calming embrace.

As the magic's pull grew stronger, I succumbed to its lulling caress, collapsing onto the soft embrace of my bed. Mor, too, yielded to the spell's tender grasp, drifting into a peaceful slumber alongside me.

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

The view from the bridge was nothing short of breathtaking. I flew, just high enough to peer over the railing. Rhys's firm grasp on my hand anchored me, a gentle reminder to not ascend too far into the beckoning sky.

Below, the water was a canvas of shimmering hues, reflecting the vibrant life of the city that sparkled like a scattering of precious gems. The night sky, a tapestry of twinkling stars, mirrored itself on the water's surface, creating an ethereal pool of celestial light.

The city's aroma was a vivid tapestry of existence, with the richness of its food so tantalizing that it made the fare back home seem utterly tasteless by comparison.

I allowed my eyes to flutter shut, inhaling deeply, the fragrance intermingling with the lively symphony of voices that rose from the bustling streets below.

"I want to live in Rainbow one day," I announced. My mother laughed.

"So you shall, my dear," she promised, taking in the view for herself.

"Rhysie, are you going to live here too?" I wondered. He shrugged and put his free hand in his pocket. "I want to bring Mor next time."

"She'll be visiting soon," Mother assured me. "And you can bring her here as much as you want."

A firm grip clutched my arms and pulled me to the ground. I turned to pout at my father.

"Not yet," I pleaded, sticking out my lower lip. "Just ten more minutes."

"We all have to get up early," he reminded me, stroking my cheek.

I felt tears well up in my eyes, which made him sigh. He lifted me over his shoulder as my usual tantrum began. It didn't matter if I kicked and screamed, it never worked in my favor.