Octavia

"Helios, I'm stuffed." Bea exclaims, her hands resting on her bloated stomach.

I can't help but laugh at her, face covered in chocolate cake and strawberries as we watch her latest favourite chick lit. Ricki snored away against my shoulder as the three of us cram on the small sofa in Drea's cottage.

"What?" She demands, laughing as she tosses a cushion at me. "Don't judge me, chocolate is my weakness."

"I- I know." I exclaim between giggles. Beatrix fights a smile beside me but I can see her eyes shining. 

"I'm judging your movie choice." I grin at her, head resting against the back of the sofa.

Bea gapes at me in betrayal. "I don't comment on your smutty books do I?"

I bolt upright in bed at the sound of my alarm. Roughly brushing a hand through my hair as I look around my room wildly. Helios, it felt so real. It was like we were all back together again.

You miss her, both of them. Little shadow states. There's no harm in that

I ignore him as I stand to get ready for the day. I have a phone call with the General at 8 and I can't reschedule again after Bloom.

"Good morning" A horrifically chipper voice calls.

I groan, rolling away from Stella as I bunker under the covers.

"Absolutely not." Stel admonishes and I feel the bed dip as she clambers on beside me.

"I thought we could spend the day together." Stel starts, voice quieter than before. I roll on to my back again and flip down the covers from over my head. I look at my sister questioningly- it's a school day.

"Well," she glances at me with nervous trepidation. "Mother is coming tomorrow morning to talk with us."

Stella's eyes darken and I know mine do the same.

Ugh, queen bitch is coming. Asmodeus laments

"However," She says with forced chipperness. "We have been given the day off to get ready and organise arrangements for her... so..."

Stella trails off, looking at me with excitement. "I thought we could spend the day together, like old times."

I smile gently at her. "That sounds good, Stel."

My sister immediately straightens up with glee and I can't stop the laughter that bubbles out of me at the sight of her so eager.

"YES," she grins. "We're going to have so much fun."

Should we be worried about what she has planned? Darkling asks in amusement as we watch Stella rush around my closet looking for an outfit.

I sigh slightly, admiring how peaceful the morning feels. Until Stel begins to huff about my wardrobe being full of dark colours. I let out a laugh and send a few shadows to poke and tickle her. She yelps and tries to bat them away through her laughter.

"Tavi!" She cries,

Giggles fill the room as I grin so wide it hurts.

"I'm a shadow fairy, Stel." I state, as I clamber into a sitting position on the bed. Smiling at my sister who stands hands on hips at the end of the bed. "What did you expect?"

With a dramatic eye roll Stella begins to pull out various garments from a pile she seems to have formed at the bottom of my bed.

"What do you think?" Stel whispers to the shadows that float around her. She nods sagely, looking at the black halter top with mock seriousness.

"Yes, yes." She murmurs. "I quite agree."

The shadows hum and buzz with glee. They always seem to light up around her.

They're slacking from the job, is what they're doing. Asmodeus grumbles.

I roll my eyes and lean my head back against the wall behind me.

Hush. I murmur gently as I close my eyes. Leave them be, you're all so serious.

Because we're older than those younglings. Asmodeus snipes and I can feel him swirl restlessly along my hands and forearms.

I didn't know you had ages? I thought you were all formed at the same time.

A long suffering sigh fills my thoughts as I crack an eye open to peer at Stella who appears to be having a full on fashion consultation with the 'youngling' shadows.

Yes and no. The old guard of us were formed at the same time, since then we have had many wielders and over time we have acquired. He pauses distastefully. Groupies

A laugh bubbles out of me, Stel looks at me in question but I quickly wave her off as I look down at the shadow resting in the palm of my right hand. I grin down at Asmodeus as he swirls around the scars on my wrist.

Groupies? I question with a smile. You didn't tell me you have shadow fans, Az.

He snarls. Ridiculous, of course we don't. I just can't find a better word.

He huffs and swirls in irritation, I laugh at him again.

Stop it. He snaps. They're bothersome and irritating.

I hum in agreement, desperately trying to fight the smile on my face.

"What about this?" Stella declares as she holds up a pair of black jeans and a white off the shoulders top that hugged my body but had puffy full length sleeves. Damn, she's good. Sometimes I think that if it wasn't for our royal heritage Stella would have made a name for herself as a fashion designer, catering to the rich and mighty upper classes.

"It looks like lovely, Stel." I rise out of bed and accept the offered clothes. "Help yourself to some breakfast while I get ready."

"Of course." Stella grins with a laugh. "I forgot you had a kitchen."

I huff out a laugh as my twin all but skips to the kitchen, probably in search of tea. Considering she is a stereotypical, blond mean girl she did peculiarly hate coffee.

I walk to my bathroom, inspecting the outfit in the mirror. It looks pretty good. However, my blond roots are staring to show through on my hair. Damn. Now the question is, should I redye it dark or go back to being barbie princess number 2? I take my time putting on a light layer of makeup, no eyeshadow, mother would have a heart attack if Stel or I looked anything less than a gentle princess. I pause.

On second thoughts maybe eyeshadow would be a good idea.

"Do you want some pancakes?" Stella calls.

"Only if they're edible." I joke back as I walk into the kitchen.

She scoffs at me. "I have no problem eating both plates."

I roll my eyes but accept the plate with a grin. I thank her as I look at the stack of pancakes drizzled with chocolate and covered in strawberries, my favourite. We eat in silence, content to enjoy the quiet hum of the morning. I reach forward to grab some more strawberries from the bowl.

"Really?" Stella asks,

"What?" I ask through a mouthful of pancake.

She rolls her eyes. "You better clean up your act by tomorrow. You're supposed to be a princess, Tavi." She admonishes.

"Supposed to be a princess." I mock childishly.

Stella sighs. I grin at her.

"Relax Little Lámpsi, it'll be okay. Just have fun today and deal with mother tomorrow."

Stella looks at me gratefully, eyes shining.

"It's been a long time since you called me that." she smiles sadly, glancing at the photo on the kitchen counter. She smiles at Ricki, Bea, herself and I in the first world, at a travelling fun fair. We look so happy, faces grinning widely. That was a good day.

"I should have never stopped." I say sadly.

Stel tenses. "It wasn't your fault Stel, I know that now."

"Wasn't it?" She asks thickly. Glances between the picture and I, eyes full of unshed tears. "I sent the blow at her. I'm the reason she's dea- gone."

"Stel-" My eyes burn.

"No, don't. I know you want me to let it go but I can't. Not until- until Beatrix and I talk at the very least."

I sigh sadly, finishing the last bite of pancake. I blamed Stella at first, for what happened to Ricki, but it's not her fault. I see that now. But Bea... Ricki was her whole world.

I shake my head.

"Lámpsi," I look down at the table, unable to meet her gaze. "Bea's not ready yet."

Because that much was clear from our conversation. I swallow thickly at the thought of the storm fairy.

"I know," Stel whispers so quiet I barely catch it. "I'll wait for her to be ready. I took so much from her."

I nod mutely. Stella clears her throat and quickly wipes at her eyes to catch any building tears.

"Enough of that," She states. "Today is our day. No girl drama, no mother issues and no crying unless it's at a movie."

I laugh hoarsely through my tears and begin to straighten myself out.

"Okay Stel, what's the plan for today."

I take our plates over to the sink and begin to wash up as my twin talks.

"Well,"

Princess voice. Little shadow whispers in amusement. I crack a slight smile at his comment.

"Mother is using Alfea for a meeting with the Solarian officials - which we are to attend."

"Oh the joys of political niceties." I muse, looking up to the ceiling in mock despair. Maybe not mock, probably just actual despair if I'm being honest.

"Oh hush," Stel waves me off. "So we'll have to arrange for a meeting room, tables and chairs, decorations, catering, guards and- and..."

Entertainment. Darkling adds,

Accommodation. Little shadow whispers

Don't forget to keep away the nosy students. Darkling jokes.

"Entertainment, accommodation and hiding away the Alfeans." I finish for my twin, mimicking the shadows words.

I begin drying the plates and cutlery, tilting my head in confusion.

"How are we supposed to do all this, in a day no less." I ask with raised brows at my sister as I turn to face her. "And we're princesses, the guests of honour at the meeting, does it not send the wrong political message to have us doing this."

Stella brings out a binder. Helios save me.

"Well," Stella stands and indicates for me to follow her as we walk over to the coat rack. 

"Mother wants to control every aspect so we were sent specific instructions and it will apparently give us an excuse to stay since we organised the whole thing. Dowling has given me permission to request help from anyone in the school and I was thinking."

She pauses to hand me my burgundy leather jacket and waits until we leave and I have locked the door to carry on.

"I though I could ask my suite mates."

I look at my sister curiously as we walk through the corridors. She's tilted her head up in defence as if she's expecting judgement.

I smile gently. "I'm glad your making friends, Lámpsi."

Stel blushes. "I know I said I missed the name but I'm starting to feel like a little girl again."

I grin and bump my shoulder with hers. "Awwwww.... Is little Lámpsi embarrassed that her sister has a childhood pet name for her."

She scoffs at me, rolling her eyes in mock annoyance as we reach her dorm.

Stella pauses, freezes like a deer in headlights.

"Be nice to them, they really mean a lot to me." She pleads.

"Hey, hey." I reach up to hold her arms in a reassuring grip. "I know, I promise. They're important to you so they're important to me."

I smile easily at her, tilting my head up in a pleading look. Please believe me sister. Stella looks at me, reading my face. She blows out a breath of air before straightening and sliding the elegant princess mask on.

"Okay," she whispers. "And talk to Terra, she's been bugging me with questions about you since the breakfast with Bloom."

How could I forget? The conversation with Bloom has been repeating through my head as I question whether or not I did the right thing. Especially with what Bloom did after according to my shadows. Stel confidently opens the door to the winx suite and we stride in.

Musa and Aisha are sitting on the sofas as we walk in. Both glance up in surprise at our entrance, Aisha quickly looking away when I catch her gaze. Damn, I didn't mean to scare her off. I'm really off to a bad start with this being nice to Stella's friends thing.

"Tavi, you remember my suite-mates; Aisha and Musa." Stella says brightly, indicating to the two girls. "Ladies, this is my sister, Octavia."

"Yeah, we met." Musa says bluntly, looking at me curiously before putting an earphone in.

"It's lovely to see you both again." I say smoothly, my mother would be proud of the diplomatic response. "Are the others here or have they got class?"

"Free periods next." Stella answers and I smile at her appreciatively.

"Terra's with her dad in the greenhouse," Aisha pipes up, her voice confident as she attempts a smile at me. "And Bloom's in her room getting ready."

I send a questioning glance to where I remember Bloom's room being last time. It's nearly 8, why is she still getting ready? Doesn't she want breakfast.

"Bloom had a rough night." Musa states, looking up at me from her perch on the sofa. "She's still struggling in class and homesickness has begun to hit."

"Ah." I acknowledge, of course. I knew Bloom was struggling with her magic but I forgot we were reaching the time in the year when people would start getting homesick. 

She was reading up on magic, the books are still out in her room

"Right then," Stel claps her hands together. "Queen Luna is coming so we need to get things in order."

"Wait, the Queen's coming." Aisha asks with a shocked smile, clearly excited at the prospect of meeting such a key figure in our society.

"That's what I said."

Musa rolls her eyes. "Wait, hang on. What do you mean 'we'."

Stel tense beside me and I angle my body towards her, ready to open my mouth to take the attention away from her.

"I thought you might like to help me make preparations for her visit."

"Yes" Aisha agrees without hesitation, grinning in excitement as she sits upright. Of course, Stella mentioned she was a bit of a teacher's pet. Not to mention she seemed like the type to cozy up to powerful, influential fairies to get what she wanted.

"Er-" Musa begins but is immediately cut off by the entrance of Bloom.

"What's this?" The fire fairy asks, with an awkward smile.

"Queen Luna is coming and Dowling wants us to help prepare for her arrival." Aisha rushes out standing up to hurry to her room.

Bloom looks over my sister and I, eyes widening as she clearly realises that I was there too.

"Octavia," Bloom says in an awkward greeting, glancing away from me. Irritation flickers across her face.

"Bloom," I say kindly, c'mon- be the bigger person.

"What's this about a Queen?"

"Not a Queen." Aisha states, "The Queen, of solaria"

"Oh." Bloom murmurs.

I step towards her quietly to have some semblance of privacy from the other two.

"How have your lessons been?"

I tilt my head down at her, keeping my face warm and welcoming like mother taught. Bloom's jaw ticks as she looks away.

"Yeah, they've not been great." I frown, I thought she would have made some progress by now.

"Sky said you would help me." Bloom states suddenly, looking at me accusingly. I tense as she uses him as a judge of my character.

"And I did." I reply evenly, willing my body to relax. "Progress is slow with magic Bloom, until you come to terms with-"

"Yeah I get it, thanks." Bloom cuts me off with a huff and an eye roll, moving to walk past me.

I raise my arm in front of Bloom to stop her movement, hearing Stella and Musa's quiet chatter come to halt. Distantly I hear a shadow whisper that Aisha was watching from her doorway.

"With your current predicament one would assume you would be more respectful of those who control your fate." My voice comes out icy and cold and horrifically like my mother's. 

"Yeah, well, you don't" Bloom snaps, glaring at me.

"Don't I?" I whisper deathly quiet.

"Alright, princess. Don't get your panties in a twist." Musa accuses as she comes to stand by Bloom's side.

"Do not, use my title as a petty insult." I turn my glare on Musa, I feel the shadows tense and rile inside me. My light magic coming up to play as well.

"Wait," Bloom questions hesitantly as she looks between Stella and I. "You're actual princess, as in the Queen we're helping is-"

"Our mother." Stel interrupts confidently, though I know her well enough to realise that she's uncomfortable.

"I am aware that in the First World royalty is nothing more than a facade and memory of a bygone age." I start, taking a step towards Bloom and Musa. "Here, we are the ruling body."

Bloom looks at me in shock, her eyes beginning to burn with rage.

"My sister will inherit the throne and be your Queen one day. I will be by her side."

I take a threatening step towards her. Why do I always seem to be threatening Stella's disrespectful friends? So much for no girl drama today.

"Do you know what Stella and I do for the realm currently?" I ask, knowing full well that she would have no clue. I doubt even the others would know.

"Stella handles internal affairs, she arranges places for refugees to stay, leads committees for the realm's yearly budgets, creates benefits and plans for our people who live in poverty and much, much more. I help her as her second in command but I too have my own responsibilities, foreign affairs, defence, threat assessment. Do you think I have time to care about your petty grievances?"

Bloom looks down in guilt but rage twists her features. How naive is she? I heard rumours about her, how her power was great but no more than the third years. How that made her feel she could ask Dowling for extra lessons, and ask a princess for help. Helios, the shadows told me of people whispering that she had some power over the princesses, all because I agreed to help her once.

No, I know I am being harsh but this girl is causing me problems. Causing the crown problems. Not to mention an out of control fairy is a danger, the damage that could result from an outburst could be catastrophic.

"As I told you the other day, you are not the first and you won't be the last fairy with powerful potential. But that is all you have, Bloom, potential. Until you get off your arse and work for it you won't have any power. Your word holds no weight, so the next time here you using my name as a way to gain favours we will not be having a conversation. I will not be telling you off. I will be having you arrested for perjury."

Silence so loud it echoes through the room.

I lean in close to Bloom, to whisper in her ear. "Tell me, why were you so desperate to look in the forbidden texts? What was so important in that little spell book you're hiding away that you would risk Dowling and I's wrath."

Bloom's gone pale. Did she really think that I wouldn't find out, that the shadows wouldn't know? I was content to let it slide for today but I haven't had my morning coffee thanks to Stella so I'm a little wound up. Not to mention she brought up Sky and after last night... my heart races at the reminder of his words.

I shake my head, turning back to my sister who looks down at the floor to avoid my gaze. Guilt flashes through me and I see Musa's eyes flare as she looks at me. I snap my shields up. Why did I have to take it so far? I step close to Stella to talk to her quietly, knowing Musa could still hear us but she had felt my guilt anyways so I don't mind her understanding the reason.

"I'm sorry, sister. But if word got out that a fairy using our name had taken a book out on dark magic we would have a political scandal on our hands. I know I promised to play fair but we can't handle any more public drama after Ricki."

Stella nods mutely at me, looking up at me to give a watery smile. My heart breaks. I should have just let it go, should have dealt with it quietly. I won't make this mistake again. I can't. I can't see my sister look this sad again. She trusted me and I broke her trust.

"I have a phone call with the general in 10, I'll head down to the greenhouse after and talk to Terra for you about some decorations. You said 'midnight forest' theme, yes?"

"Yes." Stel clears her throat. "Thank you"

I smile at her sadly again before nodding at Musa in goodbye, not bothering to look at the other two as I leave the room.

Well that could have gone better.