How I sprouted wings

I always wanted wings beautiful rainbow colored dragon wings. However, that isn't what I got, the wings I received are iridescent, frilly, and magical dragonfly like wings. This is my own fault, of course, I forgot the first rule of wishing. The rule that every child in Avalon is taught from birth, which is when wishing be specific and don't worry about briefness. If it takes two hours to explain your wish to the genie take two hours to describe your wish and don't let the genie rush you.

I suppose I'd better start at the beginning. My father, Guild Master Orpheus Wallrun, came home on New Year's Day and said, "Ophelia, I've arranged a marriage for you." He sat down at the kitchen table, cut himself a huge slice of bread, and spread strawberry jelly on it. "In three months, you will marry Clyde Dreamweaver."

"But, Dad," I scowled, "I'm engaged to..."

"Ophelia," he growled, "I don't care who you think you're engaged to! You are my daughter and you're marrying King Dreamweaver's heir."

I knew there was no reasoning with father when he was in that mood, so I stalked out of the house slamming the door behind me. Standing in the backyard, holding a bouquet of lavender roses was Clyde. I descended the steps, stopped in front of Clyde, and sighed. Clyde Dreamweaver, I thought inhaling the fragrance of the roses. The only man in Avalon who'd be foolish enough to give his betrothed lavender roses.

"I have to put these in water," I said taking the roses.

"All right," he fidgeted and scratched his head. "But my father said I have to buy you a betrothal gift... What would you like?"

I stared at him for a few minutes, unable to believe the question. A betrothal gift is supposed to be a surprise, something that giver cherishes. Apparently the rumors about Prince Clyde were true, he wasn't the sharpest sword in his father's arsenal. The question and the lavender roses suggested this marriage would end in disaster.

"Clyde," I smiled as sweetly as I could under the circumstances. "I would like a magic lamp with wish genie."

"As you wish, uh... My Lady," he turned and walked away.

That was three months ago, this morning I received a package from Prince Clyde addressed to Miss Wallrun. Pissed that he didn't use my first name, I brought the package up to my room, opened it and inside was a bronze lamp. I rubbed the lamp and a genie appear.

"What would you like, My Lady," his voice was that of Clyde Dreamweaver.

"Rainbow colored dragon wings," I hissed. "I want to fly away from here."

As I stared into my mirror, I sprouted iridescent, frilly, dragonfly wings. I moved the wings and they reflected a sparkling rainbow throughout my room, but they wouldn't left me off the ground. "How do I make them fly," I ask the grinning genie.

"State your destination and the magic wings will transport you anywhere in Avalon."

"Genie, how many more wishes do I get?"

"Prince Clyde only purchased one wish, My Lady," the genie laughed.

"Cheap little bastard," I whispered as the genie and lamp disappeared.

"Ophelia," my father shouted and then knocked on the door. "King Dreamweaver's carriage is down stairs."

"Lake Mist," I said.

So here I stand on the shore of Lake Mist fluttering my wings and watching rainbows dance across the lake.