"Can we come down here again?" I asked.
"Of course. May take us a while, but maybe we can plan something for Christmas?" he proposed.
"Really?"
"Yup. Christmas, Valentine's Day. Hey, maybe we can celebrate that holiday where everyone wears green," Kai mused.
"You mean the patty day?" I asked, remembering reading something about the holiday where humans went out to party and dressed up in green.
"Yes, but no drinking for you," he announced.
"Aww, you’re no fun." I blinked my eyes.
His stern look softened. "Just a little. But don't tell the others I gave you permission."
I giggled, hugging him. "And my birthday?" I whispered, looking up at him.
"You want to celebrate it down here?" he asked.
I nodded. "I don't need anything big. I never celebrated it back in the facility...so I wouldn't mind something with just us and maybe Scarlet and her guys if they're free," I suggested.
He took a moment to think about it.
"Okay. We’ll work on something. No promises because we don't know what's going to happen when we get to Heila, but if the Princess wants to celebrate on Earthala with her friends and knights, we'll try to make it happen," he approved.
"Thank you, Kai," I whispered, leaning up to kiss him.
He smiled against my lips, returning my kiss. The moment we broke apart, the first set of fireworks burst through the dark sky, catching our attention. I squealed, shifting around and pressing myself to the rail to watch the spectacular explosions of different colors.
Kai chuckled; his arms wrapped around my waist once more, resting his chin on my head as we watched the show.
"Mew!"
I felt Nightmare cling to my leg, climbing up to my shoulder. I laughed; Kai moved back so she could wrap her tails around my neck before I settled back into Kai's embrace.
I glanced at Scarlet who was kissing Christian; Moonlight relaxed in her arms as he stared up at the fireworks.
I smiled, returning my attention to the bright sky above.
I don't know what is ahead of me, nor do I wish to know. All I pray is that regardless of what happens, both good and bad, I'll be surrounded by my loved ones and remember that there's always light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you, Starlight gods for being the motivation I needed to push forward. Thanks to you, I'm here today. Guide me on the path towards righteousness and help me work towards peace and salvation. I will help rid of the darkness, no matter how hard it may be. Please, watch me and give me strength.
In stars we trust.
SCARLET
"You have my number?"
"Yup."
"You promise to keep in touch?"
"Of course!"
"Mako. I'll miss ya," I confessed, smiling at my new best friend.
She smiled back, blinking back tears that began to form in her turquoise eyes. "I'll miss you too, Scarlet. But I'll be back soon. Maybe once I get settled in Heila and we get used to our schedule, I'll come down. Kai said we can come down during Christmas if we get a chance," Mako explained.
"I'll be here! I'll try my best to get time off, and we can have dinner together," I confirmed.
She nodded. "Deal."
I lifted my hands up, opening them up for a hug. Mako laughed; tears rolled down her cheeks as she jumped into my embrace.
"Don't get into trouble, Mako. If you ever need me, I'm a call away. Okay?" I reassured her.
"Okay, and right back at ya. I'm getting used to this phone thing, but Marcus said he'd teach me." Mako pulled back to stare at me with a wide smile. "We have to drink together."
"It will be a new mission," I vowed.
We giggled, hugging each other one more time.
"Now, get to the ship before you fall asleep," I suggested.
"I'm not that sleepy," Mako said before she yawned.
"Uh huh. At least you can nap on the ride home."
"I'll wave to you!" She yawned again, causing me to giggle.
"Okay. I'll wait down here till you leave okay?"
"Good." Mako nodded in agreement. She took a deep breathe, staring at me with a hint of power flickering in her eyes.
"Till we meet again, Princess of Feminara." She raised her left hand – a marking of different colors glowed lightly.
I felt a wave power flow around me, making me feel whole as I felt my back grow comfortably warm. I lifted my hand to grasp hers.
"Till we meet again, Princess of Heila."
"Don't get into trouble." Mako grinned.
"Promise?" I questioned.
"Cross my heart," she began.
"Hope to fly," I continued.
"Poke a flower in the sky," we said in unison.
We laughed, pulling apart. Mako glanced at her knights who waited for her in front of the transportation ship on the outskirts of LA, away from any humans.
I looked back to my row of men who stood to wait for me.
"Farewell, Makoto."
"Farewell, Scarlet."
Mako waved goodbye, turning around and walking towards the others. Daniel met her halfway; his hand slipped into hers and they looked like they were talking. Mako yawned, rubbing her eyes.
Daniel looked like he chuckled, preventing Mako from walking further by lifting her up. He joined the others, and they all boarded; the ship's gate began to close.
"I always show up late and miss everything."
My eyes grew wide as I glanced over my shoulder to see Michael looking at the ship. "Michael? Where did you come from?" I asked.
"I was on that ship. Just got back. I thought I'd get a chance to say bye to my brother and Makoto, but it seems I just missed them." He sighed.
"Oh no. Can you visit them?" I asked.
"Hah, it's okay. I got to talk with Daniel before I left. I'll bother him later once he's settled in Heila." Michael slipped his hand into mine. "Let's go home?" he asked, looking down to meet my gaze – his gold eyes filled with happiness.
"Yes. Let's go home," I whispered.
I waited till the ship left, knowing Makoto was asleep, but wanting to keep my promise to wait for her departure. I didn't know what our future had in store for any of us, but as my powers began to awaken, I was ready to learn about my background and become stronger.
No matter what was to come, I would grow with my men and rid the realms of anyone who didn't want peace. It would be a hard journey, with trials and challenges, but these five days showed that regardless of race, we could all get along and find common ground.
Peace and unity would come with time, and it would be possible. All we had to do was believe.
Thank you Starlight gods for helping me find my purpose. Though my path seems unclear, help me find my way in this maze called life and allow me to grow into a person that can defend this idea of unity and peace. Regardless of dark times, guide me towards the light.
In stars, we trust.
Coming soon…
What do you get when your father’s a centaur and your mother’s a powerful magician?
Turn the page for a sneak peek…
Celestia
Blurb
What do you get when your father’s a centaur and your mother’s a powerful magician?
A unicorn shifter…