Cast Aside Without a Mate

Chapter 4: One Year Ago

Chapter 4: Desmond's POV

Chapter 4

"Good morning, boys. Are you ready for the coming of age ceremony today?" our mother's harmonious voice rang out as we reached the landing at the bottom of the stairs. Turning to our beloved mother, we chided, "Of course, mother!" our twin connection synced perfectly as we high-fived each other and walked toward the dining hall. I was wearing a pigeon blood-red ceremonial robe with a white tuxedo underneath. My blue-black hair, at its longest, touched my cheekbones and nose, but today it was slicked off to the side because today was not only our birthday but the day of our birthright.

Dante wore a sun-glowing gold ceremonial robe and a dashing black and gold tuxedo underneath. Dante said that he custom ordered them for us, although I have never seen any tailoring the way these ceremonial gowns were handmade. I was running my hands over the satin-like material that was soft to the touch, and light seemed to be put into every stitch like a barrier of light with the intention of protecting someone. Dante reached our mother first, his voice pulling me out of my trance, looking at the fabric of the ceremonial gown. "Mama, Mama! Guess what?" his already gravel voice going up an octave as he attempted to sound like a child. Mama and I chuckled. We looked at Dante expectantly as Mama said, "Yes, my dear?" her face softened as she looked ready to explode with love. Dante grabbed both Mama's cheeks and leaned into her arms as he said."I have a secret." he put his finger to his lips, gesturing for her to keep quiet. "Oh," Mama pretended to be surprised. "Well, what is the secret, Dante?" she loved to play along with our little games, and we loved to get her involved.

Dante's grin expanded from ear to ear as he dropped his voice to a serious tone. "I got something for you and Papa for the ceremony tonight." my brother exclaimed quietly while looking around to see if anyone else was near. He giggled to himself as he climbed out of Mama's arms. Dante ran off in the direction of his private study just next to his room upstairs from where we were, not that I was jealous because I had my study next door to my room as well. The perk of being twin princes is that you both get the same thing the other one gets unless your interest is different, which our parents accommodate us when that happens.

Once Dante ran out of sight, Mama turned towards me, looking worried. "Is everything going well between you and Dante, Desmond?" Mama's voice was soothing to the soul. "Yes, Mama," I replied cheekily to her worries. Mama smiled at me, filling my soul with love from how she took me in. "Please take your coming-of-age ceremony seriously, Desmond and Dante too. I am worried about you boys trying to grow up too quickly. I know you both want to become kings and rule alongside one another, but I want you to know it will not be as easy as you think." Mama paused, and she looked like she was listening out for something before saying, "All I am saying is you may want to consider if you both want to be kings because you love your home or if you want to become kings because you want power." she said the last part with a hint of disgust. Mama hated that Papa's family focused on how strong and magically powerful we were expected to be and was less interested in our education. Our parents believed we should be well educated and understand the laws of the land and what our people wanted, rather than how powerful we could become. "Of course, we want to be powerful and educated leaders, Mama; we just want to protect our people and rule together as equals. No one is trying to be stronger than the other. Dante could be the educator, and I would be the strong warrior king. You'll see it will all work out." I proudly puffed my chest to my mother when she suddenly put her finger to her lips to silence me. I also started to listen as I heard the pitter-patter of my brother's feet returning downstairs.

Sauntering back out of the study and downstairs, where Mama and I stood, Dante headed back toward us, holding two garment bags. The bags were individually longer than Dante's body, meaning they were meant for our parent's sizes."Mama, you must wear them for the ceremony tonight!" Dante gushed as he handed the garment bags to her.

"Alright, I will give your father his and tell him you specifically requested we wear these outfits for tonight's ceremony. Now go and begin the breakfast ceremony; we have a lot of essential pieces for the ceremony. You need to focus and, just for today, remember that this ceremony determines the rest of your lives. Make it count, and remember to honor your light." Mama finished instructing us to uphold our duty as future kings and that we should not let her down. Mama took the garments as she turned and strode out the doors, heading to the grand dining hall where everyone awaited us.

Dante turned to me with a mischievous smile written all over his face. "Whatever you are thinking, do not do it, Dante." I firmly shook my finger at him, hoping he would not intentionally be lousy today. "No, brother, you misunderstand. I have another secret, but it is only for you and no one else." Dante dropped his voice to a whisper, almost inaudible even to my super hearing abilities. Dante gestured for me to follow him, and I did not hesitate to hear what secret my brother had only for me to hear. We entered our secret closet between our studies, which we soundproofed and tested to make it foolproof. In the slight glow of the empty closet, I grabbed my brother's shoulders and brought him close so that our noses were nearly touching. "We are in the closet now. Hurry up and tell me the secret before someone comes looking for us."