The End of Dominion

Dominion Year, 8999
Saffron Palace, Mt. Aberon

Mirina twirled on her toes until her saffron skirts floated about her waist like lotus petals. Arms extended, the fairy bells on her bracelets tinkled as she grew dizzier and dizzier, and giddier. Faster, faster, faster. The youngest child of the mighty Saffron Wizard Haydan, Mirina danced because her sixteenth birthday was only two weeks away. Soon she would reach her majority and take her place as an adult alongside her brothers and sisters.
The news that day was even more intoxicating. She and her family were going on a most wondrous holiday. The kind that came along perhaps only once in a lifetime.
She stopped suddenly and let the still-spinning room focus. Whoops! The marble floor shifted and her knees wobbled. She grabbed the bedpost just in time.
The powerful Wizards of the Inner Circle, her own father among them, had summoned all the magical members of the Worldwide Dominion—999,999 strong—to a Great Conference. Some sort of Wizarding business, she supposed. She had no idea and she didn’t care! The invitation had her name on it, too. For the first time in her short life she would see Dominians from around the world. Giants from the ancient lands. Wizards and dragons from as far away as China. Fairies. Trolls. Chimeras!
She jumped across the room and opened the cage where she kept her butterflies. They fluttered around her head and kissed her cheeks. “Off you go,” she cooed, opening the casement window. “Have a happy day. I’ll see you at twilight.”
“What are you doing, Infant?” called sister Pasha, the twin of brother Bimi. At seventeen, they were closest in age to Mirina.
“I’m packing!” she called. “I’m bringing all my finest clothes. I will wear my new gown, the one embroidered with poppies, at the Grand Banquet. Oh, I hope there’s dancing. And my goldenrod dress with the purple trim is for the Conference.”
Pasha tossed her long black hair over a shoulder and sprawled on Mirina’s cluttered bed. “Well, you needn’t bother with that one. Minors won’t be allowed to attend the actual Conference. That leaves you in the Children’s Pavillion with the other infants, I’m afraid. Pupa will vote for you when the time comes.”
“Vote? Vote for what?”
“I have no idea. Pupa will tell us eventually.”
Mirina slumped on the edge of the bed and let her ringed toes brush the floor. “The Inner Circle banishes me with the children? I don’t understand. I thought—my birthday is so close, surely there is some mistake? Pupa wouldn’t…” A tear threatened.
“See! You are the baby still. What’s the use of crying?” She took Mirina’s hand. “Cheer up, Reenie. You won’t miss any of the fun, or pagentry, or banquets, or festivals. Even Wizardbeard is coming. He promises a special magic show for all the children.”
“Wizardbeard?” There never was a Conference as big and important as this one. Maybe never would be again. “Why must I be treated like a child? I will go to my Pupa now, and make him change his mind.” She patted her eyes to make sure no trace of tears showed.
Pasha threw out her hand. “No, sister. Leave father alone. He and our brothers are meeting behind closed doors. He will not welcome an interruption from you, especially about breaking the rules. I’d better go, I have my own packing to do. We leave this afternoon.”
Mirina slid off the bed and sat cross-legged on the floor. Pasha was right, of course. She’d wait until the right moment to plead her cause. She and Pupa had a very special relationship, and she could usually bend him to her will. And yes, she would pack all her best gowns.
Happiness returned as she imagined the fabulous treats and festivities ahead.