a large glass bowl.
Ronin stood at the kitchen island, feeding oranges into the juicer. We’d risen early to make a big breakfast for the girls. My bro and I stood barefoot and shirtless in matching black shorts. Identical puka shell necklaces hung around our necks, symbolizing our solidarity.
Melody was the first to walk in. She took in the scene of Ronin and I cooking up a morning feast without comment, continuing to the cupboard, where she pulled out a box of Lucky Charms. Usually, Melody wasn’t a morning kind of critter, but today, as soon as her cereal was poured into a bowl with milk, she turned into a complete chatterbox.
“Okay, so yesterday we went to the spa, salon, and shopping.” She sat on a barstool and scooped cereal onto her spoon. “Today I’m thinking makeovers, tattoos, and piercings.”
Ronin stopped juicing. “Hold up. What were those last two items?”
The thing about our sister was she didn’t kid around. Melody always meant business.
“What exactly were you thinking you’d pierce?” I asked as I finished turning over the strips of bacon.
“My friend Candace got a really cute belly button ring last month.”
“I don’t think Mom would be too thrilled,” Ronin said.
“My dad has a piercing,” Melody said in her sassy voice.
That was another one of Melody’s quirks. She’d started referring to Lyklor as “my dad” and Ryo as “Dad.”
Ronin sighed. “Dad didn’t pierce his tongue as a fashion statement.” Nope, he’d done it so he could lie—disadvantage to being full-on Fae.
“It still looks cool,” Melody argued.
“And the tattoo?” Ronin asked. “You know that’s permanent, right?”
“I heard piercings and tattoos really hurt,” I chimed in.
Melody twisted her lips to the side. “Well, Zelie and Fraya might think it’s cool.”
“Sure, I bet Alok would really dig his mate returning home with fresh ink on her skin,” I said jokingly.
Melody sat up on her stool and lifted her chin. “He would if she got a heart with his name tattooed inside.”
I snorted. “Right. That sounds like Fraya—carving a dude’s name into her flesh.”
“Well, I think it’s romantic.”
Sky help us when Melody fell in love. Mom’s big fear was that Melody would end up dating a human. Mom was of the opinion that the mortal realm was a travel-only zone. “People aren’t aware of our existence, and it needs to stay that way,” she’d reminded us time and time again.
“Maybe stick to the makeovers,” Ronin said. He took the glass pitcher of fresh orange juice to the table.
“You could throw in bikini waxes,” I said. “Those aren’t permanent. Zelie and Fraya might decide they want to get really adventurous and go for the Brazilian wax.”
“Now that would make Alok happy,” Ronin said.
And us.
We shared a secretive smile. Yep. Definitely on the same wavelength on this one.
Melody wrinkled her nose. “Candace said those really hurt. How would you enjoy having all of your pubes ripped out?”
“Shit, Melody. What kind of friends are you hanging out with?” Ronin demanded. “Twelve-year-olds getting waxed . . .” He shook his head.
Melody licked her spoon clean and lifted it in the air. “Um, first of all, Candace is fourteen. Secondly, this is California. Nobody wants to see a hairy chick in a bathing suit.”
Ronin stormed over and set his palms on the counter in front of Melody. “If you return home with a tattoo and piercing, Mom is going to kill us.”
“Yeah, not cool,” I chimed in. “At least wait and do it next time you’re here with our mom and dads.”
“Better yet, wait until you’re older and know what you really want,” Ronin said.
“I’ll think about it.” Melody rolled her eyes and went back to eating her cereal. “Why are you guys dressed alike this morning?”
“No reason,” I answered. “The bacon and potatoes are looking good. I’m going to start the scrambled eggs.”
Ronin nodded. “I’ll set the table.”
While my brother put plates and silverware on the glass dining table overlooking the ocean, I poured the eggs into a hot pan and pushed them around with a spatula.
“So, I told Zelie that Ronin and I would be her dates to the Enchanted Forest Ball,” I said conversationally, my back to Melody.
My sister squealed. “Good on you, bro. She said yes, right?”
“Actually, we’re still waiting on an answer.” I glanced over my shoulder and saw Melody chewing on her lower lip.
“I know she probably thinks of you guys as little brothers, but it’s better than going alone.”
“Zelie does not think of us as brothers,” I growled.
Melody rolled her eyes. “Whatever you say.”