The Orange
I am the last priestess of the Wintermoor tribe, blessed with the power to make wishes on behalf of others. But every time a wish is granted, I become physically younger.
The year I get engaged to Ethan Hayes, I am 28.
Three years into our engagement, he's left at death's door after a plane crash. That's the first time I make a wish for him.
He survives, yet I become 23.
Five years into our engagement, Ethan loses everything and attempts to jump from a building. I make another wish for him.
He's wealthy again, and I become 18.
Seven years into our engagement, Ethan brings home a terminally ill woman. He then drops to his knees, begging me to save her.
I shake my head. "I can't. If I do it one more time, I'll turn three. By then, I won't be your fiancee anymore, and I won't even remember you."
But Ethan sneers.
"You saved me twice, and you were fine. One time for her, and you'll drop dead? Mirabel, spare me the excuses for your heartlessness."
Later, Ethan stands at the edge of the sacred mountain cliff and threatens me with his own life.
In the end, I save the woman.
The next day, she's completely healed. Ethan holds her close, his gaze soft with affection.
Then, he looks up at me and says, "I'll marry you once she's stable enough."
I look down at my hands, now no bigger than a child's, and turn to leave.
There's no need. In three days, I'll turn into a baby.