Firebolt(50)
“Yeah, sometimes I have to scratch my head too. What was your favorite subject back home?”
“Art, the drawing type.”
He looked away, and when he turned back, a small smile was playing around the corner of his mouth.
“You’re really funny. I love that part of you,” he said, and gave me his million-dollar smile.
“Yeah, so Becky and Sammy keep telling me.”
We started to talk about art in Tith. He told me about an amazing gallery that sold startling pieces and someday he promised he would take me there. I liked that part of someday because I knew Ariannadidn't get to him the way she’d gotten to me. We talked about different kinds of things for hours.
“It made sense what you said before about the people going mental this side,” he said, and I had this huge question mark on my face. “I mean, when things look so normal to you guys but isn't really, I think it’s easier to lose your mind.”
“I guess. So have you ascended yet?”
“No, I'm still waiting for that part. To be honest, I barely qualified, otherwise I would have been known as one of the wannabe's, and my father would have to pay a crap-load of money so that I could attend Dragonia. My mark is barely noticeable, and I can relate to what it is you're going through a little. I had to work extra hard to prove to them that I truly belong here too. I guess it's one of the things we have in common, sort off. I take it by now that you know that you’re the only human with a dragon father that bears the mark of the Dragonians.”
“That part still doesn’t make sense to me. I have read so many dragon stories and all of them that are born from a dragon parent can shift into dragons.”
“They’re not dragons, Elena, they’re shape shifters. It’s a completely different thing.”
“How’s that different?” I asked, confused again.
“Shape shifting is a gift, just like the ones we will receive when we ascend. The only difference is that you're born a shape shifter. Turning into the form they shift into, now that is genetic.”
I finally understood what he was saying.
“Are there any shape shifters in Paegeia?”
“There used to be a long time ago, but,like the dragons, most of them were hunted down and killed. I imagine the ones that are still left this side hide it because there haven’t been any sightings for a long time.”
I sighed. “That's just wrong.” It was quiet for a while. “So what will happen if you don't ascend?”
“Nothing. You make your own future.”
“But how do you know what dragon to choose then?”
“You can choose anyone. It just makes it harder without an ability. Three of the Metallic dragons don't even have abilities, and yet they are the most important dragons of war. Without them, the chances of winning are very slim.”
“Most of the Metallic dragons don't own an ability?”
“Yes, it's only the Fire-tail and the Swallow Annex that have them,” he said. “The rest have to rely on their speed and strength. Their exterior is much more advanced than the Chromatic dragons. They are the attackers and not scared to fly in and take out the enemy in close contact.”
“Why do you fight?”
“We fight for the same reason war starts on the other side; freedom, peace, love.” He smiled on the last word and stroked my back.
He leaned in for a kiss, and I knew that it was my favorite thing in the entire world, kissing him.
“We need to go, it is almost dinnertime,” he whispered as our noses touched. I looked at my watch and saw that it was half past five. I sulked which made him laugh.
“I know I have been neglecting you this last couple of days, but I promise it’s going to change,” he said, and kissed me one more time.
The ride back was too short. We ended up talking about him trying to claim Blake again.
“Lucian, Becky told me the last time you got seriously hurt. Why do you keep on trying if he can kill you?”
“Blake won't kill me and the girls are real drama queens. They make things sound twenty times worse than they are. I barely broke a rib.”
I didn't know if that was supposed to be a joke.
“It's nice that you worry about me.”
“Of course I worry,” I yelled, thinking what kind of a girlfriend I would be if I wasn't.
“Are you ready to find out how it feels when Ginger runs,” he said, and I shrieked. “Fine, I will keep it at a gentle gallop.” He clicked his tongue again, and she started to walk a little faster and then turned into a smooth gallop.
Arriving back at the stable, our ride ended, and I waited while he took the saddle off Ginger's back. My head felt much lighter, and I was amazed at the effect a horse could have on a human. They were so gentle. After the ride, my problems didn't seem quite so big anymore.