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“AELLA? WOULD YOU QUIT fussing? You look fine,” Mary hollered as I stopped in the middle of the terminal. The rest of the flight had been uneventful, thankfully, but I couldn’t very well see my adoptive parents dressed the way I was.
“Shut up, I look like a two-bit hooker!” I stood up, pulling on the zipper of my luggage, which of course wouldn’t budge. “My tits are popping out of this tank top and my ass is hanging out of these jeans. Not to mention my midriff is showing! If Father sees my piercing he’s gonna flip,” I huffed, putting my hands on my far too exposed hips.
“Guess it’s a good thing he didn’t come get ya, huh?” My adopted brother Adrian’s voice broke through with a snicker as he spun me around and into a tight hug. “How you been? How’s Boston?” He kissed me on the mouth as was his usual greeting.
“Lemme go!” I protested as he tried to pick me up. I batted at him and he let me go as Mary grabbed him by the shoulders, jumping on him with a boisterous laugh, making him carry her over to the luggage carousel.
“Mush!” She ordered. “Here it comes, it’s the bright pink one!” Adrian snatched it up, tossing it over to the floor and getting a smack to his dark brown haired head.
“That’s my stuff, treat it better!” Mary demanded, jumping down to inspect her bag. Adrian rounded back to me, his chocolate brown eyes glinting with mischief.
“So, what’s going on?”
I looked down at my feet, noticing little droplets of blood on my tan sandals. “I- Uh- Well.”
“Guess who popped today?” Mary cut in, throwing a hoodie at me. I slipped into it as Adrian beamed, walking over to me. He pulled the hoodie down and ran his fingers down my back.
“Really? When?” He was looking me over with fascination as I slouched from his touch. My back was sensitive and I didn’t want another incident, especially not around all these Humans.
“On the plane okay!” I snarled, feeling the acid rise in my throat. It was always preceded by the taste of bitter almonds. I swallowed hard, keeping it back.
“It was nearly a disaster, but I kept her in check.” Mary sounded too proud for someone who had burst into tears just hours ago.
“As well you should have. If she is to be your Guardian one day, you need to keep her under control.” Adrian put his arm around her, kissing her hello as well.
“Who says I’m gonna be anyone’s Guardian? Don’t I get to make that decision? Besides, what if I never get my weapon.”
“Then, like other Half-bloods, you’ll adapt. Mother and Father hope you make the good choice. I’m doing right by Enrich, staying here in the Summer Court, so you should stay with Marigold in the States with the Winter Court. The Unseelie could use beauties like the two of you to spruce it up.”
“I just don’t know yet. Is that wrong?” I lamented as he put his arm around me as well.
“Nope, just don’t let on to Mother and Father and all will be fine. I know that this summer they plan to introduce you to the courts. Just do like we all do, smile and nod.”
I pulled my luggage to me and sighed. It was going to be a long summer.
***
THE DRIVE TO THE HOUSE was quiet for me, I put on my earbuds and drowned out the chatter between Adrian and Mary, simply letting the classical melodies wash over me. I loved those long dead musicians, the piano and the violins stirred something in me that none of the hard rock or ultra-pop of 2030 could. I had a lot to think about.
Should I continue to keep my secrets and my freedom or should I admit to having my lance and become some commodity to be fought over and won? As it was coming into my lance meant that my bloodline was pure. That I wasn’t a Half-blood, I was Dragonborn, through and through. Halflings can gain their wings, but they never get their subdermal weapon. Having mine meant that both of my parents had been Dragonborn as well. I should be proud as a peacock, and yet all I wanted to do was be normal. I didn’t care about my immortality; I was having it hard enough being nineteen. Who would want to be this age forever? That was the crux of it, the moment I swore my fealty I would gain my immortal magic and never age again. I still had my baby fat in places, I was barely in a woman’s body and they wanted me to bow down and succumb to... This? I wanted to finish growing up. Hell, aside from Adrian and Enrich, the only other man to ever kiss me was my father. Sure, I was a flirt, but I never had the opportunity to spend time with others my age, let alone my own kind. My own kind... I reached into my pocket looking at my cell phone, sure it wouldn’t get international calls, but I would still get my voice mails. I pulled out my earbuds and dialed, hoping to hear that deep sexy unsure voice on the other side.
No messages. “Uggh!” I slammed the phone down disappointedly, gathering the attention of my siblings.
“What’s up babe?” Mary asked, craning her neck to see me in the back seat.
“Nothing. Was hoping for a call that’s all.”
“From who, you barely know anyone outside the guys from the Groove Brew.”
“Groove Brew? What’s that?” Adrian asked suspiciously.
“A coffee shop where I work. It’s a great place, full of music and people. I get to interact with all sorts.” I smiled, thinking about the Dragon I had met just yesterday. Mary could read it all over my face.
“Oh fuck, really Aella? And this is the first I’m hearing!”
“What?” Adrian swerved as Mary jumped into the back seat on top of me. “Hey, be careful!”
“Our sister dear has met a guy! Oh my God, Aella, when did this happen?”
I smiled happily, thinking about him, a low rumble starting in my belly. I bit my lip as a shiver ran up my back. Such striking green eyes. “He came into the shop actually. Seemed like a nice guy.”
“Yeah, nice and hot by the way you’re twisting up those fingers in your lap.” She bounced next to me. “What’s his name?”
“I haven’t a clue.” I laughed. “I gave him my number on the Espresso with milk that he ordered. I had hoped he’d have called.”
“Eh, you just gave it to him, Sis, give him like a week to get around to it. We guys are asses like that.”
“Uggh, a week? Really Adrian?”
“Just a guy thing.”
I shook my head, smacking the back of his seat. “Well, you would know better than me, I guess.”
“Hey look at it this way, at least you two get to make a choice not get married off to some Vampire Lord you’ve never even seen. Although, being a Princess could have its perks.” Mary looked at me thoughtfully before falling in next to me.
I wrapped my arm around her.
“Is it so bad that Mother and Father want to make sure you get well taken care of?” Adrian asked, looking at us through the rear view.
“No,” Mary sighed. “I just thought I’d get a chance to fall in love, not be pushed into it.”
“Everything happens for a reason.” I patted her on the head gently. “I’m sure it’ll work out for you in the end.”
“Maybe you’re right, perhaps he’ll have a happy accident.”
“Mary!” Adrian and I both protested in unison.
“What? I’m just sayin’”