At last, we had reached the hidden island that acted as the rendezvous for the Supernatural Peace Covenant and its festivities. From where we landed, we embarked on a half-hour yacht ride through the winding and mountainous canals to arrive at a pristine T-shaped dock. As we disembarked from the yacht that had ferried us, we were met by a man with long, gray hair slicked into a low, neat bun, who wore a crisp black suit. A few others who wore white button-ups and black slacks stood behind him.

“Welcome, current Fleur De Lis Crone Rue, future Crone Mona, Maiden Juniper, High Priest Azlanii, and Heath. I hope you were all comfortable throughout your journey here. Most of you are familiar with me, but I shall extend my introduction since this is Maiden Juniper’s first time visiting our island. My name is Ben. I am the palace butler, and I am here to assist you with anything you may need during your stay here on the island. Follow me if you please, the attendants will see to your things.” Ben bowed cleanly at the waist before straightening up and turning on his heel. The old dude was surprisingly quick.

At the far end of the dock lay a barbican, a large arched entryway between tall, tanned stone curtain walls that spanned the outer perimeter of the island. Beyond it, mesmerizing gardens stretched and curved to punctuate various pathways leading to an expansive, cream-colored stone palace, decorated with blue stained glass. The palace was nestled against a mountain that was speckled with greenery. The five of us trailed after our keepers and Ben along a paved path lined with an assortment of exotic blossoms. At the center of the garden, the path curved around a lavish fountain that flaunted a solar eclipse high at its center. Water trickled from beneath an obsidian orb that was encircled by golden bands that resembled sun flares. The eclipse acts as a symbol of the SPC and the unity of supernatural beings. Everything was so grand, and we hadn’t even reached the interior of the palace yet.

As we ascended a wide stone staircase, a massive set of arched black iron doors came into view. They easily reached a height of 12 feet and brandished intricate engravings of half a sun on the left door and half a moon on the right one. The enormous doors swung wide, the sun and moon slowly parting, to welcome us into the palace. 

“Follow me, I will escort everyone to their lodgings for their stay. If you should have any questions or requests, I or any other member of the palace staff should be able to provide you with the answers you seek.”

I nodded as the butler spoke, noting that he was leading us into the West wing of the palace. This wing was most likely reserved for housing all manners of guests from the myriads of species who would attend the Supernatural Peace Covenant Festival. This section of the palace alone was grander and more extravagant than anything I had ever witnessed before. The Crone and her husband, Mom and Dad, and I were all led to suites that accommodated our every need.

My suite was a large, open-plan room with a sitting area, a walk-in closet, and a luxurious bathroom. There was a queen-sized four-poster canopy bed with white curtains tied open and a mountain of pillows delicately organized against the headboard. The sitting area consisted of a sofa, a chaise lounge, a large standing mirror, and a coffee table. The ladies sent to assist me, Ginger and Jasmine, began bringing in my luggage. Ginger chided me when I went to grab a bag, so I gravitated toward the windows to give them space.

Leaning against the window frame, I peered through the blue-tinted glass in awe of the majesty and extravagance of the palace architecture. My attention was pulled to my folded arms as a shadow cast by a bird flitting through the sky danced across my skin. I paused for a moment, realizing that although the sun was shining through the window, I couldn't feel its warmth. I furrowed my brow in confusion before closing my eyes and resting a hand upon the glass. I emptied my mind, my eyes fluttering behind my eyelids as I opened my mind to the energies surrounding the window. A thick, black aura coated the window in my mind’s eye. Huh, that’s pretty cool.

“Do you know why they put protection charms on the windows?” I asked Jasmine since she was closest to me as she unpacked my bags.

“Ah, yes, Maiden Juniper. All the windows on the island have been tinted and charmed for the safety and comfort of various species, namely vampires.” She answered with a soft smile. 

I instantly felt heat spreading across my face. I quickly nodded and turned back to the window. Vampires, duh. Even though I hadn’t met any other supernatural types yet, I had received an education on the history of supernaturals while growing up. Maybe going to college with humans for so long left me more out of touch than I had thought. 

Ginger and Jasmine buzzed around my suite, hanging and organizing each outfit, accessory, and item brought for me. Although I was slightly embarrassed when Ginger shooed me away, not having to unpack wasn’t the worst. It was nice to be able to entrust these tasks to someone else for once. During college, I transferred to dorms and traveled quite often on my own. I felt slightly less grateful when cajoled into stripping out of my business attire and beginning the arduous process of ball preparations.

After bathing, I discovered that Ginger and Jasmine had already set out my undergarments, dress, accessories, and shoes. While slipping into the items I could on my own, they laid out my makeup, hair products, and tools. I frowned at the corset that sat next to my gown. I’d be damned if they thought I would wear that accursed thing all seven days of the festival. 

“Do I really need to wear this thing?” I pinched the corset between my thumb and pointer finger, holding it at arm’s length while scrunching my nose at it.

Ginger snatched the corset from my hand and began loosening the ribbon, “You absolutely must, Maiden Juniper! This is your first time attending the festival, so you'll want to look your very best! You are representing both the Belamy bloodline AND our coven as our new Maiden!”

I sighed, getting ready to retort when Jasmine cut in.

“Maiden Juniper, I know how you dread such things. You’ve been this way since you were a child. Back then, your mother could barely get you in a dress. Just remember that today isn’t only about you. I bet your mother is so excited to see you all dolled up for your debut! Please, if only for today…” Jasmine pleaded with me, grasping my hands.

I sighed once more, my resolve crumbling. After both ladies adamantly insisted, how could I resist? I reluctantly allowed them to fasten my corset. All the while, I hissed and grimaced with each yank and tug.

As mom and I had discussed earlier that morning, the dress I would wear to the SPC ball was green. Rather than labeling it ‘baby green’ as mom said, I felt that sage green described the shade more accurately. The ladies bundled up the flowy skirt and slipped it over my raised arms and head. They turned me toward the standing mirror as they fluffed out the skirt and laced up the back. The dress was as flattering as it was constricting. 

As Jasmine adjusted and tightened the silk ribbon on the back of my dress, the sweetheart neckline further accentuated my bosom. The long, off-shoulder bell sleeves were mainly see-through. Intricate leaves were embroidered in dark green and gold, beginning sparsely and increasing in frequency as the sleeves started to flare and dip. The skirt followed the same embroidery pattern, with the dark leaves increasing as it descended around my feet. A slit in the skirt allowed for glimpses of my tan legs and forest green heels to be seen as I moved. 

The three of us decided that I should let my dark auburn curls cascade down to my waist to contrast my dress. Ginger braided a few strands from the front of my head on each side into a halo that she adorned with golden hair clasps. Jasmine layered three golden necklaces of varying lengths onto my neck. The first was a sleek golden choker, the second was a simple golden chain, and the third held a jade emerald in the shape of a crescent that rested snuggly between my breasts. Next, they added golden dangly earrings, bracelets, an anklet, and a few rings.

They followed the same color theme for my makeup, lightly applying golden tones to my upper eyelid and sweeping a dark green liner below my eyes to create a soft, smoky cat eye. When it was all said and done, I had never felt more pampered, poised, or pretty in my life. Part of me felt confident, while another part balked at this ‘noble’ and excessive persona that I was required to portray. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of unnecessary thoughts.

Mom’s signature three knocks sounded against the door of my suite. Jasmine rushed to open it. Mom froze in her tracks when she laid eyes on me. Dad, distracted by loosening his tie, narrowly avoided barreling into her small frame by teetering on his tippy toes and windmilling his arms before stabilizing himself. Watching the scene of Dad flailing around like a cartoon character in confusion and sheer panic melted away my tension. I burst into a fit of giggles and wheezes.

“Look at our baby, Azlan! HIC. Isn’t she the most beautiful thing you’ve ever-HIC- ever seen? She’s all-HIC- she’s all grown up! Hmmmhmn,” Mom held onto Dad, leaning her head on his chest while trying, unsuccessfully, to hold back her sobs. Dad was also holding onto Mom, but so far, he was unresponsive. I raised my eyes from Mom’s face to look up at Dad’s. I’m not sure what I expected to see, but I didn’t think I would see silent but steady tears sliding down his face or his lips quivering in what could only be described as either a pained smile or a happy grimace. 

I shook my head. My own lips set into a quivering pout as I darted into their embrace, “Aw, you guys-HIC- You’re going to make me ruin-HIC- my makeup!”

They’re so silly. I’ve been an adult for years! I’m 26 years old. I graduated from college and even completed my coming-of-age ceremony. Why are we bawling now, of all times? Why does this moment feel so… Definitive?

We stood there huddled together and blubbering for nearly half an hour before Jasmine and Ginger broke up our sob session and insisted that the three of us pull ourselves together. The ladies set us on the couch and placed cold, damp rags over our eyes while sighing and clicking their tongues at us. I could tell they were upset because Ginger’s Cajun accent was surfacing, and Jasmine was pacing.

“Whew, chile. What are we going to do with you three? Here’s to hoping those rags will reverse the swelling in time,” Ginger began dragging my makeup back out while shaking her head.

“Waiting for the swelling to go down is one thing, but we’re going to have to fix Maiden Juniper’s makeup AND her hair! Moon goddess, let time be on our side. She CANNOT be late for her debut!” Jasmine fussed while grumpily setting out my hair stuff for the second time.

Ginger rushed back to my side, lifting the rag to peek and then swearing unintelligibly under her breath. “Aw, sha, we’re going to have to do something more to battle this one. Jasmine, we’re going to need a bowl of ice.”

My parents excused themselves so that they could freshen up as well. After enduring an ice bath facial, I was stuck in a tug-of-war match between Ginger and Jasmine. Whenever Jasmine moved my face while hurriedly reapplying my makeup, Ginger would pop ME with the comb for interrupting her while she styled my hair. As if sitting through the makeover once wasn’t enough, I was now subjected to it again, but more aggressively. Surprisingly, the ladies managed to recapture my previous glory with a few minutes to spare.

I reunited with my parents, trailing behind them, Heath, and Crone Rue to enter the great hall through the southern entrance. Our presence, Coven, titles, and names were announced upon entry. The feeling of eyes boring into me began to sap what little social energy I had left.