“Ah yes, here they are.” She pointed to the two boxes in her backpack, and Dylan set them down on the table.
“Guys, you shouldn’t have. This is insane.” Aspen beamed. “Which one should I open first?”
“Mine, mine!” Sandy exclaimed. She wiped her sticky palms along her blue jeans and almost jumped in the seat with excitement.
Aspen ripped the brightly colored paper from the larger box and opened it slowly. She felt the energy of the present before she removed it from its cover.
Dylan lifted a light brown leather strap from the box and fastened it around her wrist. It had black markings impressed on it and was tied with two leather thongs that threaded into pressed silver grommets. He held her arm out and admired the band. The static electricity that usually raced through her body calmed instantly.
“Hmm, that feels nice,” she said with a smile.
“Never take it off. You won’t shock anyone unless you want to now. You’ll be able to control the power completely with your mind after this. We all have them.” Dylan lifted his hand to indicate the strap on his wrist.
Sandy lined her arm up next to his to show her strap as well. “See, we all wear them.”
“That is so cool. I’ve seen them before, but I’ve never asked about them. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome,” Dylan said with a smile. “Open the next box.”
Aspen pulled apart the shiny red paper carefully. Each gift was special, especially since she’d never had so many presents before.
Her mouth fell open as she removed the box’s lid and found a beautiful silver ring nestled inside. The most stunning oval-shaped blue topaz set in intricate silver patterns sparkled back at her, and she inhaled sharply.
“It’s so beautiful,” she said. “What does this do?”
“Nothing,” Dylan said softly. “It matches the color of your eyes.” He placed it carefully on the ring finger of her right hand and smiled at her. Aspen’s heart fluttered and her body sang as he held her carefully.
Sandy finished the last of her cake and burped gently. “Wow, that was good!” she exclaimed. “Eat up, lunchtime is nearly over.”
Aspen withdrew her hand and finished the cake as soon as she could.
“Remember to go to sleep early tonight,” Sandy told her. “Your coming-of-age ceremony is going to be awesome.”
Aspen’s face glowed with pleasure as they left the cafeteria.
Even though Stephan and Miriam didn’t wish her a happy birthday when she got back home, she wasn’t worried. She tried to get to bed as soon as possible and closed her eyes tightly once her mother had tucked her in and turned out the light.
Chapter 8
Dream Catchers
The waters of the Dream Walker Lake lapped next to Aspen’s head as she woke up from her sleep.
“Thank goodness, I thought you’d never get here.” Sandy was waiting for her and helped her to stand up. A girl with similar features stood next to her and waited patiently to be introduced. “This is my sister, Ginny.”
The girl was just as small as Sandy, but her hair was braided in coils that were wrapped around her head. She had almond-shaped blue eyes and a long nose. Bowing her head slightly, she greeted Aspen.
“Welcome, Princess,” she said.
“Huh?” Confused, Aspen stared at Ginny.
“Never mind,” Sandy said and pulled her forward. “Time’s running out. We’ve got to get you dressed.”
“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” She pointed to her faded jeans.
“Come on.” Sandy rolled her eyes. “You can’t wear that to a royal ceremony.”
“What’s royal about the ceremony?”
“Never mind, just hurry up.” Ginny grabbed her other hand and dragged her along impatiently.
As they walked, Aspen saw a large group of people next to the lake. Men with pitch-black hair hammered planks of wood to form tables and piled logs into a campfire shape. Others assembled wooden chairs and erected sails to create makeshift tents. Women with long silver-blond hair basted pork hindquarters on spits over large fires, occasionally turning the meat to distribute the heat from the flames.
Small black cauldrons contained bread, which baked next to the meat. The smell was incredible and her stomach growled with hunger. Everyone smiled and bowed their heads as she walked past them.
Aspen heard Goldilocks before she saw her. The big bird waddled toward her and flapped her short wings in excitement.
Dylan walked behind the goose, carrying several pieces of firewood on his shoulder, and his muscles flexed under the load. As soon as she saw him, her face lit up and her stomach swirled with nerves.
“You’re here.” Blue eyes locked on hers, causing a loud thumping to start up inside her chest.
“I made it, yeah.” She lifted her chin and rubbed her fingers nervously behind her back.
“My house is ready for her.” He spoke to Sandy but stared at Aspen. “She can use my room. Her clothes are hanging on the closet door.”