The wind howled in my ears as I dove at the forest below. The trees raced towards me, branches stretching to grab me. Closer, closer, closer. Yards, feet, inches. Finally, I spread my wings and pulled up, running a hand through the treetops as I skidded over them. Birds evacuated their nests with alarmed chirps as I shot by faster than any arrow. I flapped my wings and rocketed upwards. Once I got high enough, I flipped, folded my wings, and plunged through the treeline. Newly grown branches broke away from my worn path as I fell. After a few seconds, my vision flashes blue right before I splashed into a pond in the middle of the forest.

I sunk fast, but my descent stopped almost instantly. I glimpsed bits of fish and plants before my body remembered that I needed to breathe. I whirled around and swam to the surface. I broke through and filled my lungs with air. Excitement bubbled up inside me, erupting out of my mouth as a wild holler. I idled in the water for a few minutes, letting the adrenaline settle in my veins. Once my blood cooled, I struck out for the shore. I pulled myself up onto land and shook my entire body, droplets landing on the long grass. I exposed my wings to the sun and laid on my stomach, letting the rays dry them as my feathers sucked in the warmth.

A rustling of leaves made me look up. Another Harpy emerged from the branches, much slower than I had. Her feathers were light brown and speckled with white, running up her arms, down her neck, and longer ones grew from the top of her head. Wings covered with the same feathers began to close as she landed, but each one had intertwined streaks of black and navy running from their tips to their base between her shoulder blades. Her eyes were a deep brown, with her worry on full display.

"Kestrel!" She called. "Where are you?"

I flapped one of my wings. "Over here!"

Wren spotted me and ran over. When she neared the pond, she sat down, catching her breath. "Quit flying ahead like that! You know I can't keep up when you fly so crazy!"

I rolled my eyes. "Come on, you just won't copy me! You could at the very least be close behind me if you just did what I did."

"The last time I ‘copied’ you, my wing ended up out of its socket!" She crossed her arms as the color rose to her cheeks. "Besides, mom warned you to stop being so reckless. You'll end up hurting yourself again."

"Oh please! When have I ever hurt myself?"

Wren held up her hand. "You broke your arm while trying to fly when you were three years old, twisted your ankle when you were nine, had an eyepatch for two months when you decided to ‘play' with a Prickler," She put up a finger for every incident she listed off. "Sprained your wrist trying to catch yourself when you got tangled up in a net, had to get thirty stitches after an extremely overzealous sparring match with Shikra, broke your leg while attempting one of your landing stunts, was knocked unconscious when you literally flew head first into a tree, almost drowned while canoeing, shot yourself in the foot with an arrow, got yourself stuck in a wall when you crashed into Magpie's house, and now I'm out of fingers."

"What's your point?"

Sighing with defeat, Wren sunk even lower, her shoulder drooping. "Can we just get home before mom starts to worry?"

Why does she have those pleading eyes when she begs like that? It’s not fair! It’s like trying to say no to a tiny rabbit!

Relenting, I nodded, and we both stood up. "And no wild stunts!" Wren warned. I shrugged and took off. I heard my sister follow me if maybe a little reluctant.

It took us about twelve minutes to reach the heart of the Harpy tribe: Canopy. Uninspired I know, but it's actually shortened down. The full name is Canopy of Haven's Pensile. It was awkward to say in passing and other informal settings, so we use Canopy in everyday conversations.

From the sky, you could spot some of the visitor buildings and other facilities, such as the messenger bird stations and roosts. From the ground, a handful of stations for the visiting, flightless tribes served as a base for communications, or even a starting point for a series of ladders if the visitors needed to reach the actual city. The grandest sight, however, was underneath the treetops. Canopy is a series of treehouses with bridges and ropes interconnecting them to one another. The second uppermost level held the workplaces for the Harpies that cared for the messaging birds, communicated with other tribes, or had other jobs that I can't remember. Below that, you could find the houses that the Harpies actually live in. They came in a variety of shapes and sizes: some were large and looked like a typical building from any other tribe, some were round and stout, some were missing walls so that anyone could fly into a specific room, some lacked ceilings, others had balconies wrapped around them for landing spots, but none were identical.

Another aspect of the living level was flowers. They came in as many varieties as there were homes, and they brightened the city by combating the common green and brown. As we descended, I spotted one balcony garden that had orange petals that looked like a puffball and dozens of small, periwinkle blossoms surrounding each one. And they weren't just in gardens; the flowers were grown straight onto the houses! It was incredible how some of the families get creative when decorating with the flowers.

Anyway, moving on! Below this level was the heart of the Canopy. Built around a massive trunk and spanning across dozens of trees was the Nest. Here, the leaders of the Harpies, the Wise Trio, make the important decisions that impact the Harpy tribe. They hold meetings, send runners to the messengers, pass laws, meet with advisors, house representatives from other tribes, give student tours, and a bunch of other stuff that I can't list in one go! The only other thing on this level was the medic center, which was equally important. It was almost as big, but it was kinda curved to look like a crescent moon. I don't know why, but it looks pretty cool, I swear!

Below them was the school, farms, etc., but we're not going to them right now. Wren and I touched down on one of the landing balconies encircling the Nest. A few runners bustled past us with sacks containing notes for the messengers, but we walked past them. We walked across a rope bridge leading to a dome-shaped building around the edge of the Nest. The roof was hidden beneath bunches of white and purple petals. I heard voices inside; their owners seemed to be arguing. Wren grabbed my arm, but I smiled and slipped out of her grasp. I grabbed the doorknob and sprang inside.

"We're back~" I sang.

The two who were arguing stopped as they faced us. One was a male Harpy about eight years older than me. His feathers shone in hues of blues and white and black that shimmered like light off jewels. He has a strong, defined, sturdy build that I knew he was proud of (he spent years keeping it up, you know; he was quite pudgy when he was my age). An open back shirt hung loosely off his shoulders. His pants were also sagging but were held up by a lazily looped piece of rope. His feet were bare, which wasn't unusual. A ringlet of petite, copper colored flowers was fit snugly on his left wrist.

The person he had been arguing was a female Harpy in her late forties. Her dress was navy with lavender waves around the trim, and, like almost every Harpy garment, was backless (for the obvious reasons). Her wings were settling down from when they flared open like they usually do when she gets drawn into a debate. Her feathers, unlike the male's, were a humble gray, but the edges of her wings had patches of orange. A necklace of thin, silver cords hung from her neck. Her feet had sandals on them, but I knew she would kick them off immediately after she got home.

The male's name is Cyane, and the female is Robin. Meet my brother and mother!

The room was a mess of papers; every surface was buried underneath a wave of documents. It had been like this almost the day after Cyane had made the announcement. This building, which used to be one of my mother's spare offices, had been transformed into a hub of planning and decisions. A dozen pots of flower sample sat on the table that used to bare figurines of animals. Patches of cloth hung from pins on the back wall. There were even boxes, which I guess held cakes, on the desk where my mom would usually work.

My mom had given Cyane permission to use the office so that he could prepare, but she was here to ‘assist' as much as possible. These two drove each other nuts, but in a good way. Wren didn't understand what a good screaming match is, but I know one when I hear it.

"Is it the setting, date, or food?" I chimed. Wren shuffled into a corner to stand next to the flower samples, acting as if she could blend in with her surroundings.

"Setting," Cyane grumbled. He put one hand on his hip and ran the other through the messy, rumbled feathers on his head. "We had thought about having it at the cliff with the waterfall, but this lunatic said that was a terrible idea."

"Well, it is!" She said bluntly. "Can you imagine the noise? You wouldn't even be able to hear your vows to each other! Plus, I don't think that the spray would make anyone happy."

Cyane turned back to our mother, his hand that had been in his hair now waving slowly in the open air. "But it's a spot that's important to us; that's where we had our first kiss. And it's better than the meadow that you recommended."

"How was I supposed to know that all the flowers would enter hibernation in the middle of spring? Excuse me that I didn't know that they were the rare Frostleaf Blossoms that bloom only in winter!"

I chuckled as their voices started to rise again. It's nice that they have something in common. "What does Callum think?"

Cyane sighed. "He likes the waterfall, but," My brother took a moment to think. "He did mention the lakeside in Wake."

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Robin gave a gasp and rubbed the back of her head. "The lake in Wake!" I chuckled as she rhymed. "Of course! It's absolutely stunning! Oh, I do have a friend there that can make a delicious cake!"

Cyane smiled to himself as he was lost in thought. "Yeah, that place is important, too."

"What did you guys do there?" I asked innocently.

Cyane sighed. "That's where we first-" He cut off mid-sentence, his expression now startled.

"Where you what?" I continued asking, but already having a good idea.

"Nothing," He mumbled, his face turning a bright shade of vermillion. I laughed as he turned away, embarrassed.

My mother hadn't heard any of this, thankfully. She was pulling a folder off one of the shelves crowded with lists of possible destinations. Upon finding the one she was looking for, she asked Cyane, "So it's agreed? You're having the wedding in Wake?"

"I'll talk to Callum about it, but it's at the top of my list now."

"Alright." She handed the folder to Cyane. "These are some of the connections I have there. You two should look over them before making your final decision." She turned around, shuffling through the cakes on her desk. "I guess I won't need these anymore. I'll give them to someone else. What are you still doing here?" She shouted when she turned back and found Cyane still standing in the office. "Get going!"

"Calm down, I'm going!" Cyane began to head towards the door. I started to follow, stopped, ran to snatch a box off the desk, and then followed him out. Cyane had just taken flight and I caught up pretty quickly.

"Mind if I join you?" I asked.

Cyane gave a short laugh. "Like I could stop you. Just don't break anything."

"You know I can't promise that."

We climbed higher until we reached the residential level. I let Cyane lead the way to the familiar home that he shared with his fiancé. It was one that looked like an everyday home: a wraparound balcony, hanging gardens, three stories, three walls with the back one being the trunk of the tree supporting it, and the flowers in shades of blue and white and black (courtesy of Callum for his lover. Ugh, why’d I use that word? I just mentally gagged).

Tending to one of the gardens was Callum himself. Callum's feathers were pale gray with scattered patches of peaches and cream on his forearms, and partial rings of black on his wings. The feathers on his head were settled, a contrast to Cyane's messy mop. Like Cyane, however, Callum was wearing only a loose shirt and pants, but he didn't need his pants to be held up with a rope. Come to think of it, Callum was probably the one to wrap that around to keep Cyane's pants up, since Cyane would put on whatever he found and be out the door without a second thought.

He rose from the pot and smiled warmly as we landed. When Cyane landed, Callum pulled him close and kissed him. They've been a little more… touchy-feely?... since they got engaged. Whenever they were within ten feet of each other, they had to kiss. It got old pretty quickly.

When Callum pulled away, he spotted the folder in Cyane's hand. He closed his eyes for a second, took a breath, and said, "What have you two decided now?" He's been through this process more than a few times.

Cyane gave Cal's hand an apologetic squeeze before saying, "Well, we've come to an agreement on a location."

"Is it the meadow again? I know she was really pushing for that one."

"No," Cyane replied, a smile beginning to form. "It's the lakeside in Wake."

Cal was still for a second, then he smiled broadly. "So you were listening when I suggested it! I thought your head had been lost in the clouds."

Cyane pulled Callum close again. "I wasn't lost in the clouds. I just couldn't focus because I was looking at you~" Cyane purred. "Can you blame me when I had someone like you sitting so close to me?" He closed the already small distance between with another, deeper kiss.

Well, this is getting awkward… I'm all for love, buuuut…

Cal, after a minute, put a hand on his fiancé's shoulder and broke their kiss. "Come on, sweetie, you're going to embarrass me."

Cyane was already leaning in again. "How? There's no one here~"

Cal pointed over Cyane's shoulder, my brother seeming distantly puzzled.

"Ahh hem!" I cleared my throat as loudly as I could.

Cyane followed Cal's finger and noticed me for the first time since we arrived. "No one important, at least."

I politely made a gesture with my middle finger to repay that sentimentality.

Cal chuckled, freeing himself (a little reluctantly) from Cyane's embrace. He took the folder and gave its contents a quick look over. He rolled his eyes as he took in the information. "Wake is in a completely different territory, but she still has an entire wedding planned ahead of time. I don't know whether I should be impressed or scared."

"That sounds like mom," I added.

"Food, cakes, florists, everything ready at a moment's notice," He looked at me with an amused resignment. "Do you think I'll get a say? You know, I'm just one of the two Harpies actually getting married, but that doesn't stand for much, it appears."

I took his hand in both of mine and bowed. "I am so sorry for the way the members of my family are. However," I said, releasing him and raising my finger like a teacher trying to drill a lesson into a student's head. "You're the one that said yes when my brother proposed. You knew what you were getting dragged into."

"I know! It doesn't seem worth the trouble," Cal said with an air of exasperation. "But you know, I couldn't say no to that lug. He wouldn't have a shot with anyone else, so I guess I had to settle."

I patted Cal's shoulder. "I know how you feel. I grew up with him and it was no picnic."

Cal patted my shoulder. "I'm so sorry for what you had to go through."

"And I you, for the trials that will soon plague your life."

"Please guide me, oh Wise Kestrel!" He placed his other hand on my remaining shoulder.

I withdrew my hand and placed it on top of his head. "Run while you still have the chance, my child."

Cal placed a hand over his mouth, faking being shocked. "Oh, but what if I do love him, despite my better judgment, Wise One?"

I moved my hand down to his forehead. "Then you must resign yourself to a life of his stupidity and dim-wittedness. It is the only option."

Cal's shoulders slumped and his wings drooped. "Is that truly all I can do?"

"It is."

"I guess I'll do it if I must."

I took his face in my hands like I was some mother from a children's book. "I am sorry, my child. You will bear a heavy fate in the near future. You have my best wishes. Please stay strong."

"Of course, Wise One. Thank you. I'll try my best."

We stayed like that for a moment, but neither one of us could keep it in any longer. We both started laughing, letting each other go to wipe tears from our eyes.

Cal, taking a stuttering breath, said, "I almost couldn't get that with a straight face!"

I managed to say, "Nothing about you is straight! Don't worry about it!" This sent us into another chorus of laughter. Cal grabbed the railing to keep himself on his feet.

Cyane, his face blank, but in an unamused sort of way, said, "That's it, the wedding's off."

"You're free, my child! You're free!" I cried.

"Oh, Wise One, it is such a relief!"

We both laughed even harder, struggling to draw air into our lungs. Cyane groaned and rubbed his eyes tiredly. "You two really are the worst."

"We know," Cal and I said at the same time, finally recovering from our fit.

Cal shook out his wings as he finally regained his composure. "At the very least, I got to pick the destination, so that's a win." Cal gave the papers another glance over. "What do you think those two will have us wear for the big day?"

"I would suggest something with a giant bow on top," I chimed.

"For me or your brother?"

"Yes."

"Fair enough," He nodded. "I have to admit, Cy would look really cute with a bow." The mental image made both of us chuckle.

Arms wrapped themselves around Cal from behind. Cyane leaned against him, his expression both annoyed and good-humored at the same time. "Come on Cal, you get to make the important decisions, too."

Cal ran a hand through Cyane's feathers. "Let's see: you picked the date, Robin chose the color scheme, the two of you got most of the guest list, and you both agreed on fish as the main course."

"Don't forget they settled on the flowers yesterday," I added.

"Thanks, Kes," Cal nuzzled Cyane's cheek. "You two have done more planning than I have, and the only part I'm getting a say in is the location."

Cyane returned Cal's nuzzle and gave his temple a quick kiss. "I'm sorry. I guess we did take control, a little-"

"Ahh hem!" I put in.

"Okay, a lot," He relented. "Everything's pretty much decided, but whatever's left is up to you. It's your special day, too, and I want you to enjoy it."

"Awww," This exchange is getting the better of me. They can be so frickin' cute sometimes!

Cal mulled it over. He and I exchanged eye contact. I remembered the box I had set down when we landed. I gave it a glance and Cal did the same. We looked at each other, the idea forming in both our heads and smiled.

"Well," Cal began, "In that case, I'm choosing the cake." He gave the folder a shake. "I don't know if it'll be the one your mom recommended, but if it isn't, you two will just have to put up with it."

Cyane gave a worried look at the side of Cal's face, but it melted into a defeated smile. "Alright, if you insist. Anything you want."

"And Kes will help me decide," Cal added on.

"What?"

"I accept!"

"Are you sure about that?" Cyane asked with a note of concern. "You and she on your own can be a bad combination."

Cal rubbed his forehead against Cyane neck. "You said anything I want, right? Well, this is what I want. That is unless you want to take away one of the only things I get to chose on our special day?" He emphasized the last two words.

"Yeah, Cyane," I began, "You wouldn't break your promise to your future husband, would you?"

Cyane looked at both of us before burying his face in Cal's shoulder. "You two are pure evil," He mumbled.

"And proud of it," We said together.

He looked up at the sky with a pleading look, then rest his chin on top of Cal's shoulder. "Fine, you two can do whatever you want. Just don't get crazy, alright?"

"No promises~" Cal purred and kissed Cyane's cheek. "Come on, Kes has got a cake and I have no attention of letting it go to waste. Let's dig in!"

"Cal, I always knew you were too good for my brother!"

He shrugged, "What can I say, I love him too much to turn him away."

Cyane twirled Cal around and picked him up while hugging him at the same time. "I love you, too, despite your obvious alliance with my sister to work against me."

"You're the best." They started kissing again.

"Come on, lovebirds! There's a cake that needs our full attention!" I cried pushing them towards the door.

"Would you mind, sweetie?" Cal asked Cyane, while still in his arms.

"Of course." He tossed Cal over his shoulder and walked through the door, a huge smile on his face, as Cal beat laughed and hit playfully at his fiancé’s wings in false protest.

Those two are going to be insufferable when the wedding gets closer! I felt myself smile, driving away my annoyance. What dorks! I followed them inside and prepared to stuff myself full of cake! It was going to be a great day!