Page 3

Now, nearly thirteen years later, she’s more the size of a small dog, weighing around twenty pounds. The general shape of her body something akin to a red panda. Covered in soft, thick white fur with rich blue horizontal stripes lining her body ringing all the way down her short fluffy tail, ending in a puff of the color that gave her her name.

Delphi is short for Delphinium, a small bloom flower a lovely shade of bright sapphire with veins and tips of lavender. A flower that symbolizes positivity, a sense of cheerfulness and optimism. She doesn’t have the lavender coloring but it’s still well suited for my sweet friend.

Her cute little ears twitch on her head as she looks up at me with round pitch-black eyes, trying to give me her most innocent and sweet expression. I don’t believe it for one minute. Sprites are mischievous by nature and Delphi is no exception. She just happens to like my company and rummaging around town, unlike the rest of her sprite brethren, who remain hidden deeper in the woods only interacting with non-humans they deem unthreatening, and usually during celebrations held within the forest.

“Come on then. Let’s see what you’vefoundthis time.”

Delphi perks up and crawls onto my shoulder, wrapping her tail around my neck and holding onto my hair with one tiny hand.

As we walk, I talk with Delphi as I always do. She’s the only one I feel I can open up to who won’t judge me.

“Sage asked me to go to the equinox celebration again. He seems more adamant about it this time for some reason. I told him I’d think about it just to ease his fretting. I probably won’t go, but maybe I’ll give it a little extra thought before I say no this time.”

I shrug the shoulder not occupied by Delphi, who has quieted to listen. I’d like to think she understands me even if I can’t understand her.

“Do you think I should go? I know a few times you’ve snuck off to it yourself. Don’t deny it.”

Delphi lets out a high pitch rolling chirp I interpret as an indignant;So?I laugh and continue walking through the cooling forest. The green leaves are already shifting to yellow which will soon be orange and red, then none at all.

“It’s okay, I don’t care if you go. You should go if you enjoy it. I just don’t know if I’d enjoy it.”

Clicks and chirps come in rapid succession from Delphi on my shoulder, and I’m guessing she’s listing all the reasons I should go and why I would enjoy it, if her jubilant and excited tone is any indication.

“Of course,you’denjoy it. You’re the most adorable sprite there is. I’m sure everyone who meets you, loves you. But not everyone feels the same about me. I’m half human, and half-breed hybrids are frowned upon in certain circles. I’m also too awkward and socially inept. I wouldn’t know what to say. Every time I open my mouth all I can manage to talk about without sounding like an imbecile, is plants.”

More chittering and now hand gesturing.

“Yes, I know most earth nymphs like to talk about plants but there are others that attend that aren’t earth nymphs. What am I supposed to talk to them about?”

Groaning, I let out a large exhale. I should probably talk about this with someone who speaks English. At least then maybe the supportive pep talk might sink in and push me to step out of my bubble, like Sage wants.

“I knew you and Sage would agree. It seems I’m the only one who thinks this is a bad idea.”

Delphi pets my head like a comforting mama, and I can’t help but smirk at the gesture. I remain quiet the rest of the way to her nest. My thoughts boomerang from outright refusal, to attending the equinox, to a curious desire to experience the celebration. If only to know why everyone looks forward to them all year round.

Not once have I ever gone to a celebration. At least not that I can remember. After the failed attempt that was public schooling, I never wanted to go to parties or large gatherings. It was safer to just stay home and remain on the outside of society, only interacting when required at the nursery.

Not long ago, Sage had forced me to work the main entrance to the greenhouse and assist customers. It was torture, forcing me to smile and chat with everyone who entered, offering to help walk them through picking flowers. It was extremely uncomfortable until I met Lottie, a human from out of town. At least we all thought she was human. Now she’s mated to our mayor and alpha shifter. According to Tobias’s gossip, she’s part siren. A recessive gene from her ancestor allowed her to have a mate bond with a non-human and even possess a few magical abilities.

We still don’t know what this means for the future but it’s sounding like half-breeds, like myself, will be even less prominent. If humans have recessive genetic links to non-humans allowing them to form mate bonds, it could mean full blooded non-human children. No more half humans lacking the ability to glamour or use their natural magic. I’ll be even more of an outcast than I already am.

As a half-breed I am intrinsically able to form a mate bond since one of my parents is a non-human. If I were to mate with a non-human male my human genetics would still make our children partially human, not by much but enough that it could affect them to be different. Enough that in a world of dwindling non-humans and pure bloods it would persuade males to think twice before mating a half-breed.

I don’t know what makes these new humans with recessive genes more able to have full blooded non-human children than me, but it’s all too new to know anything. I can only go by what I know, and how it’s been for thousands of years. I can’t expect some miracle gene to appear in me like it has for Lottie. She could be a single mutation that may never occur again.

It doesn’t matter how many times my parents and Sage tell me there’s nothing wrong with me and anyone would be lucky to be with me, I just don’t see it happening.

Chapter 3: Kai

Sunshine is fucking annoying. Now I don’t have anything against sunshine normally, but right now there’s a particularly diabolical ray of the piss golden light blinding me while I’m trying to sleep. I shift, trying to reposition away from the light, and immediately roll off the edge of whatever it is I’m sleeping on and land hard on the floor, almost crushing my tail and scuffing a horn.

“Mother fucker. God damnit.”

That’s right; I crashed on the couch last night after I got home fromBlue Moon. This town is seriously lacking in proper nightly entertainment. At least there’s a bar with adequate liquor and bartenders. Sadly, most of the females in town know who I am, and I returned home alone. Which is probably why I only made it as far as the couch.

Small towns are the worst. Though coming into town early for the equinox did serve to entertain more than I expected. Helping Hunter beat down the elf and his posse was the most excitement I’ve seen in this town in years.

Coming to stay at my family’s place a few weeks early had been unplanned. My mother had called and all but commanded me to attend the autumn equinox. Originally, I was going to refuse to attend but after ending the conversation the idea kept nagging at me. Something told me I should go, so I booked a first-class ticket on the next flight out of Greece and headed home.