Powers at Play (Part 2)
She was the only other member of the family with a firm grasp of etiquette and great skill in dealing with backhand compliments.
Between her gorgeous emerald dress, the square neckline, and her feathered wings resting on her shoulders, men were too busy staring, and women too focused on not dying of envy to say a word.
"By the gods, you guys are so cool!" Leran said, prompting the approval of the rest of the kids, even the annoying, arrogant noble ones.
"I know." Aran said with an aloof voice while pretending to check his fingernails for dirt. "We Verhens are just built different."
He was leaning back on the massive figure of Onyx who wore a ribbon on her head to mark her as a female and a guest. Two black membranous wings rested on Aran's shoulders, but unlike Lith's, they weren't upside down.
"And so are we Proudhammers!" Leria pointed out while tapping her left foot in annoyance.
She wore a cute pink evening dress and a pair of silvery feathered wings came out of her back. Abominus rolled his eyes, scratching at his neck where his bowtie was in the attempt to take it off.
"Bad Abominus! Bad!" She stopped him. "You'll scare our guests this way"
"As if they can get any more scared." He said with a scoff, scaring the noble kids witless.
Usually, pets weren't allowed at Royal Galas but since the event was hosted at Lith's house he could bend the rules. With their magical beast friends, the kids had the confidence to face any bully without the need for constant adult supervision.
Filia and Frey had Tezka, Lilia and Leran had Slash and Crash, and Garrik had Fluffy.
"Fluffy? What a dumb name!" A young Baron attempted to say with a laugh but once the Byk stood up on his hind legs and revealed his fangs, the noble kid couldn't find anything funny about the beast anymore.
Aran and Leria would have been insecure and afraid to embarrass their parents and brother/ uncle if not for the gift from their grandparents. Only for that evening, Leegaain and Salaark had awakened the bloodlines of all the Verhens.
Raaz had thick black feathered wings, Elina flaming red membranous wings, and both felt the power of their ancestors coursing through their veins. It gave them such an adrenaline rush that instead of acting meek like usual they exuded an aura of authority that brook no disrespect.
"And once again I'm cut out." Senton sighed, looking at his wife's gold-veined black feathered wings.
"Thank the gods!" She replied with a disgusted expression. "Imagine if we were blood-related."
"Good gods. You are right and I'm an idiot." Senton shuddered at the idea.
"No, you are my idiot." She gave him a soft kiss that raised more envy than three sets of wings.
"I like this place and people look posh and proper with their expensive clothes." Zekell nodded, dressed like a noble but moving with the grace of an anvil. "Where's the food, though? I didn't spend my day putting on makeup. I'm hungry."
"Dad!" Senton blushed in embarrassment.