Age Eighteen
Eighteen. Growing up, it seemed like such a magical age. Eighteen meant no longer being a child. You’d finally made it, you were all grown up.
Waking that morning, Kyleigh expected to feel...different. She wasn’t a child anymore, so shouldn’t she be able to tell a difference? Yet, she felt just as she had when she went to sleep the night before.
A sigh escaped her as she sat in front of the vanity and ran the brush through her hair. It was getting so long—it was almost to her waist. She wondered, should she cut her curls?
“Good morning and happy birthday, poppet.”
A smile lifted the corners of her lips and she turned to older woman who’d just entered her chambers. “Good morning, Nanny Davina.”
She’d long passed the age when she needed a nanny, as had the twins, but Davina Jamison was more than just her old nanny. She was family.
“Och, why do ye look troubled, poppet?”
“I thought I would feel different when I woke. I’m a woman now, yet I feel the same.”
“Of course ye do, poppet. Ye are the same person, after all. Don’t frown, it’ll give ye wrinkles. Let’s do something simple with yer hair. We’ve a full day ahead.”
Kyleigh wrinkled her nose. “Don’t remind me. Really, I don’t understand why papa is throwing such an extravagant party for my birthday.”
“Yer papa loves ye, and wants ye happy.”
She rolled her eyes. “I doubt that’s the real reason, but he and mama were adamant, so what can I do?”
Her father had decided to throw a masked ball for her birthday. She knew when he saw her gown and mask he would be angry, but if she had to wear an uncomfortable corset and mask, she was at least going to wear something she liked!
Kyleigh turned back toward the vanity and allowed her old nanny to put her hair up for her.
“Not much, poppet. There, a simple twist. Now, go on down for brekky. I’m sure everyone is waiting on ye.”
She eyed the older woman. Something had to be going on because she never rushed Kyleigh off to breakfast. “if I must, I must,” she said with mock annoyance before she laughed. “Thank you for helping with my hair.”
“Before ye go, I’ve something for you.”
She blinked. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Aye, but I wanted to.” Davina pulled a small, wrapped box from a pocket and held it out.
Kyleigh took it and carefully broke the taped seal on the paper. She was never one to tear into presents the way her siblings often did. Once she had the paper off, she opened the box and gasped. Nestled inside was a choker with a tear-shaped onyx gem dangling from the center. “it’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“Yer welcome. Let me help ye with it.”
Kyliegh had always loved the old world way in which her nanny often spoke. She waited until the choker was affixed before she gave the older phoenix shifter a hug.
“Go on with ye, now. I’ll come help you with your dress later.”
She nodded and made her way through the castle to the small dining room the family used for their meals. It was closer to the kitchens and far more intimate than the large one used for guests.
As soon as she entered the room she grinned. “What’s all this?” The table was loaded down with some of her favorite foods, including french toast, along with traditional Scottish breakfast foods like black pudding, haggis, sausage, and fried tomatoes.
“It’s your birthday brekky,” her mother replied.
“I told mama it wasn’t fair. She didn’t go all out like this when any of us boys hit eighteen,” her oldest brother, Ainsley, said.
“Aye, and I promptly reminded you that your papa took all of you boys hunting the night before and you weren’t home until days later,” their mother countered.
“She has a point,” Balfour said with a snicker.
