Page 22 of Pocket Full Of Posies

“Good morning siblings,” I greet, walking into the kitchen where three of my siblings are in various stages of making and eating breakfast.

“You are here. I was beginning to think Endo made the whole thing up. And I hear you’ve been getting familiar with the locals,” Airi, my older and very pregnant sister says.

Wow, small towns really are something else, aren’t they? I’ve done far more provocative things in my time abroad and not once has anyone ever commented on those escapades, but you take one local girl out to a bookstore, and everyone’s interested.

“Nice to see you too, Airi. I’ve been great. How have you been?” I retort sarcastically.

We’re not exactly the warm and cuddly kind of family, but it’s fun to irk my sister. She’s a rare mix of fire and water magic. Her temperament is just as stable, fluctuating from hot headed to go with the flow, depending on her mood. Today seems to be leaning towards hot headed.

Airi brandishes a sharp, dark eyebrow at me, her crimson markings flaring on her pale blue skin.

“Don’t sass your older sister. Especially your pregnant older sister. I’m as likely to burn off all your hair as I am to give you a polite greeting.”

Which is to say very likely. She’s done it before.

“Don’t you dare touch my hair. I’ve got it just the length I like it.” I give my hair a little dramatic toss for good measure.

“I think your hair looks lovely Kai.”

“Thank you, Keiko.”

My youngest sister, and the only one of us with an ounce of humility and tenderness, crosses the kitchen to give me a genuine hug. It always seemed to me like the more children our parents had, the less they were like them in personality and disposition. The oldest two very much subtle clones, me the middle child wavering between their righteous stubbornness and actual emotions, then the two youngest who are as far from our family’s typical spawn as possible.

“I’m so glad you were able to make it for the celebration. Mother and father will be so pleased to see you.”

“Not once they get the bill from the house I rented in Greece.”

Keiko only smiles, not at all capable of believing anything bad about anyone, including our parents. Keiko is too kindhearted. A trait none of us know how she got. Being a water nymph, she’s already predisposed to being calm and chill. Our mother is a water and animal nymph, and although she possesses a chill calm that could put ice in your veins, she’s never been as easy going as Keiko.

“Still, we’re all happy to see you. It’s been too long. Will you be staying through the equinox?” Keiko asks in her gentle voice; one I’ve never heard higher than a conversational pitch. It conveys her happiness and joy. I always love being around Keiko. She’s grounding in a way that always frightens me in any other situation.

“Of course. It’s why I came after all.”

“And bringing a date, I assume?” Airi interjects. Looks like my plan is already working. If Airi’s already heard about Daisy and is asking about her, mom will know in no time. “If the scant information I’ve been able to pry from Endo is true.”

I look to Endo who gives me a blank stare. He wouldn’t have told her the part where none of it is true, at least the mate bond part. Not sure if he actually told her that bit either. Might be better to save that part until mom arrives and I can tell her directly. Convincing my parents and extended family I’m planning on bonding with Daisy is one thing. Starting rumors in the town where she lives and has to deal with the aftermath when I leave, is another.

“Yes. Her name is Daisy, and she’s an earth nymph.” For a moment I contemplate if I should reveal Daisy’s half human status now to my sister. It was always my intention, that was the reason I pursued her in the first place, isn’t it? I’d rather they hear it from me than learn about it later. This way I can control the situation. “And half human.”

Leaning a hip against the kitchen island I wait for my sister’s inevitable disapproval. Unfortunately, she’s bought into my mother’s ramblings of pure blood importance and tainting the line bullshit. It doesn’t come as explosive as I expected. It could be the pregnancy hormones, because Airi laughs. Laughs.Like hysterically as if I’ve just told the funniest joke in history.

It takes her a full two minutes to calm down and stop laughing, wiping the tears from her eyes and holding her rounded stomach.

“Oh man. I thought you were serious for a minute there. You wouldn’t dare bring a half-breed as your date to an equinox celebration. Not even you’re that stupid.”

My jaw flexes under the strain of the effort it takes me not to bark out all the things wrong with not only her statement, but her beliefs. Daisy is ten times better than the majority of pure-blooded nymphs I’ve met in my life. She would never laugh or belittle another because of their mixed blood or family. Just look at how she’s easily accepted me with who I’m unfortunate enough to be blood related to.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I decide to convey my disapproval of her in a different way, a way no nymph can ignore. “I guess I am that stupid.”

Airi freezes at my words, absorbing all the emotions I allowed to imbue that short statement. Disgust at her prejudice, anger at her blatant dismissal and disregard for myself and Daisy, and the protectiveness over Daisy that’s been growing since the moment I met her. I knew there would be prejudice. That was the point in dating Daisy. But I find I hate seeing it directed at Daisy now.

Her expression goes flat, then her features pinch in displeasure, and I want to smack the look right off her face. “Well, I’m sure mom will just love that. You’ll be disowned before the equinox and then we won’t have to deal with your ridiculousness anymore.” Airi stomps from the room, undoubtedly, to call mom and tattle on me.

One hurdle down. The next one will be mom and that one won’t be so easy to clear. Her disapproval won’t be as swift and fleeting. It’ll linger and she’ll try to convince me that her way is what’s best for everyone. She’s wrong of course, and I’m more than willing to let this play out all the way to my disavowal from the family. This family can suck it for all I care. I am so done pandering to their sensibilities and outdated ways.

I should have done this years ago. The feeling is freeing.

Endo sighs and returns to eating his omelet, while Keiko doesn’t even flinch at our sister’s outburst or my announcement.

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