by Sariah Skye
“I can feel it!” Gabriel said, sounding energized.
I nodded quickly. We grabbed hands again and closed our eyes once more, listening for the storm. I released a tiny bit of magic from inside and released it onto the wind, urging it to calm the air around us and I could swear, for a split second the wind halted, even if only slightly.
“This is a huge storm! I don’t know how we’re going to affect it enough to get it to go away!”
“All we can do is try!” Gabriel shouted back, shuddering. “Whatever we’re going to do, let’s do it now!”
“Right!”
“Just imagine your magic up to the sky, combatting the wind and parting the clouds. Imagine green grass under your feet, and how the sun feels beating on your shoulders!” Gabriel instructed. “And just let go!”
I clamped my eyes shut, trying to picture a warm summer’s day in my mind. The first thing that came to mind was the balmy, heady air of summer; everything was slow and lazy instead of darting and frantic. Fireflies danced over the bushes and the smell of earth and perfume of flowering buds delighted my nose. My outside body felt the shiver, but inside I felt a warm day at the beach and I allowed the warmth to seep through my center, up my chest and through my arms, straight out to my fingertips.
Instead of the castle covered in snow, I imagined the vines of ivy that would creep up the south side of the wall and the pungent moss and lichen sticking to the trees as they rustled in the light wind.
With those thoughts on my mind, I took a relaxing, deep breath through the struggle of the cold and slowly, exhaled.
I felt Gabriel’s hands heat with energy, and I could almost imagine clutching handfuls of grass and cool earth. I figured that’s what he must be doing; summoning the opposite of the air: earth.
“Keep going…” Gabriel said to me, before breaking into a chant. Honestly, I didn’t know what he said; it was unlike any language I’d heard before. But it was rhythmical and comforting and reminded me of a lullaby.
He opened his hands and I opened mine, my palms still touching his when he reached upward; and I followed.
“It looks like it’s working!” Maxxus called out. My eyes flew open, my concentration broken. The wind had slowed and the snow fell at a more leisurely pace but as the magic broke, so did everything else.
The sky opened up above us, looking menacing and fierce. Snow darted and swirled around us, whooshing into a spiral that touched the sky.
A hurricane force wind burst from the clouds and overcame us and with a thunderous crack, sent us flying backwards into Maxxus and Rosis.
I slammed against Maxxus’ solid form; Gabriel into Rosis’ and the force of the wind stole our breath and pushed us backwards in the snow.
“You okay?” Maxxus nudged me with his large dragon snout.
I fought against the wall of wind, shivering as the cold returned with a vengeance. My nose froze shut and I struggled to breath, the cold icing my flesh and skin completely over.
“F-fine,” I stammered. Maxxus urged my body over his nose and carefully lifted me off the ground, acting as a brace against the weather.
“I’m so sorry!” Maxxus outstretched a large wing, the wind rippling the membrane as if it were little more than a feather. He wrapped it around me and pulled me close to his body for warmth.
I shuddered, though relaxed against his strong form. You’d think dragons being lizard-like in appearance would be cold, but Maxxus was a rock of fire in the blizzard.
Rosis assisted Gabriel to his feet and inched him closer, warring with the wind so we could chat. The two dragons blocked out the weather.
“I distracted you, I’m sorry,” Maxxus said, his voice still difficult to hear over the roaring wind.
“You were quite effective too; it was beginning to subside,” Rosis said.
“It’s okay,” Gabriel said. “I just don’t know what happened; why did it get worse?”
“It’s battling you.” Finnian walked through the wind and sleet with no struggle.
“How does he fucking do that?” I muttered to myself, shaking my head.
I could feel Maxxus’ rumbling chuckle in his chest, even though I could barely hear it.
“How can it be battling us? It isn’t sentient; it’s not magical…is it?” I said, confused.
Darzius and Irelle circled us, stifling the wind so us in human form could speak easier.
“You can’t feel it?” Finnian raised a hand, looking upwards. “It’s not sentient but it definitely has…an energy.”
“It’s angry,” Gabriel stated.
“Angry?” I raised a brow.
“Yes. It’s angry and negative; I can’t explain it but…it feels much like the energy around castle. It’s now Shadow in nature but, everyone is angry about something. That sort of energy has a ripple effect, especially when it’s felt by so many,” Gabriel explained.
I snapped my fingers. “Of course! Makes sense…we created this somehow. Anarach. And now that no one is effectively pushing it away…”
Maxxus growled lowly. “Then it will be a mighty storm indeed.”
A massive loud crack of thunder sent a beam of hot lightning streaking through the sky, striking at a nearby hill, and the snow began to fall with more intensity. So much, that I could barely see my hand in front of my face. I had to reach out to make sure Gabriel was still before me.
I felt a hand grasp my fingers. “I’m still here!”
“Good!” I snuggled into Maxxus a bit more, grateful for his warmth.
The clouds over head slammed against each other again, sending another bolt of charged lightning down, this time hitting at the ground just mere feet from us. I screamed in terror and shielded my eyes against Maxxus skin; the sound was deafening against my eardrums. Even Maxxus winced; I felt his body jerk slightly.
“It’s okay,” he said, his voice low and soothing.
I felt something next to me. A pair of human hands rubbed at the goose pimples on my freezing skin. “It scared me too, thundersnow is not something you see often,” Gabriel spoke, his voice reassuring.
I looked up and scowled, feeling embarrassed that I’d screamed like a little girl. “I’m not scared. It’s just thunder.” I swallowed again, as another crack of thunder sounded. This time not so close; but closer to the castle. My eyes flew upward but I could see nothing but white; however I did hear the sound of crumbling stone.
“Do you think that lightning hit the castle?” I asked Maxxus.
“Hard to tell; it’s possible, those towers are quite high.”
I sighed, turning to Gabriel. “We gotta end this.”
“Right.”
The dragons assisted us to our feet, Gabriel and I grasping hands.
“We need to counteract this anger!” He shouted, as Finnian and the other dragons moved in closer.
“What do you need from us, sorcerer?” Darzius questioned.
“Just get in close and block us as much as you can,” Gabriel instructed.
I could barely see the prince acknowledge him with a nod. The three Northlandians got to their feet and circled around us, creating a barrier.
“You too, Maxx,” I said, prodding him to release me.
He did reluctantly, pleading at me with sad eyes. I pat his neck comfortingly. “We’ll be fine!”
He nodded once and slowly took a step back.
I turned back to Gabriel. “Now what do we do?”
“Picture the happiest thing you can think of! The time you felt happiest, the best weather—whatever. We need to counteract this negativity that’s fueling the storm!” He explained loudly, over the roar of thunder and rush of the wind.
“Got it.” We gripped out hands together and I closed my eyes, searching my mind for the happiest memory I had.
Until recently, there wouldn’t have been many. But when the memory block was removed off of Maxxus and I, I learned I now had many.
Sitting in the fields together with Maxxus, sharing the jerky my mother
had packed for lunch, and giggling over the stupidity of Lorusto when he’d show off in front of the class and I’d sneakily squelch his magic and he’d get embarrassed.
After school by the Royal River, in the late afternoon sun. Maxxus began to construct his little shed-forge when we were very young, and we had no idea what we were doing, but we had a blast. It became our escape, our place of dreams, a building of hope.
We were fully finished with it on the night Maxxus kissed me for the first time. Despite being loathed and taunted by everyone, he still loved me for everything, and all that I was and wasn’t. I would have done anything for him, and him for me. That kiss awakened feelings that I hadn’t know I could ever have, or that could exist for a pariah like me. Like us.
And, that first time making love in the rain; the heavy air thick with perfume, the same night he proposed to me…the weather was warm and clean and though the rain was cool it was soothing on our skin, burning with passion.
“Now, Leo,” Gabriel whispered gently, not enough to take me out of my reverie, but enough to remind me it was magic time.
I breathed in and exhaled slowly, releasing my dragon’s magic. It burned inside under my ribs and struggled to break free. My shoulder blades tingled and my wings released themselves, bursting through the pink t-shirt I had been wearing to spawn out on either side of me.
“Keep going…” Gabriel urged.
The magic inside me stirred—or was it the magic? No, it was the tiny life growing inside, I thought. I wondered what sort of life we’d all have together…
He was a gorgeous green dragon, just like his father. Castle Danger was rebuilt, the Shadows were gone and we’d abdicated our rule. The little dragon could play outside, in freedom and peace to shift and fly around to his heart’s content.
It was Samhain in Castle Danger, and the bonfires grew taller, and all the children of the haven ran around exchanging treats while the grownups danced and drank spelled ale in the square. But, Maxxus and I just stood by our little stone home, right in the heart of the haven, sipping our drinks and watching Junior play with the fae kids that lived nearby. I’d exchange a happy look with Maxxus, both of us dressed in our Samhain robes and attire, the smell of crisp air and leaves in the air mixed with cinnamon and cooling earth. We’d giggle at his antics, marvel as he grasped his magic and cuddle up next to each other; maybe Maxxus reaching around my waist and resting his hand on my round belly again; maybe a daughter this time. We looked upon each other with carefree adoration and love and finally, finally felt at home.
The heat of my magic soon replaced the stinging cold of the winter tempest, the thunderous cacophony was soon overcome by thoughts of singing birds, rustling tree branches, gentle breezes and the scents of thousands of roses that grew in my grandparents’ garden.
Suddenly, my wings jutted outwards and I felt the magic escape—rather explode around me; the warmth melting the snow below our feet, until a few moments later they touched wet grass.
“Holy…” a voice mumbled from nearby.
I dared to open my eyes. I expected to see light snow at least but I was met with visions of…
…summer?
My mouth fell open. “What happened?”
Gabriel snorted. “Well, whatever you thought of worked.” He lifted his hands upward to the clouds parting in the sky and the sun’s rays peaking through, warming my bare arms and the exposed skin on my back. My wings pressed down to cover the spot where I now felt modest; I realized now most of my entire back was exposed.
“You—it was like an explosion of summer!” Maxxus said, awed as he shifted back into his fully clothed human self. He wore his emerald robes over his daywear and he pulled the heavy fabric away from his neck as the sun heated the world around us.
I glanced into the horizon; turning on my heels and examining everything I could see.
There was no trace of snow. Nor of winter, or cold winds.
Instead, it was summer.
Irelle spoke next, her two Northlandian counterparts too awed for words. “Queen Leorah—I have never seen anything like it!”
I shrugged. “I still don’t get what I did.”
Gabriel stood before me, mouth agape. “You don’t know what you did? You went Leo-nuclear again, but instead a charge of Earth burst off of you. I watched it go on for miles. I’ll be surprised if there is a snowflake within a hundred miles of here!”
“You did it!” Maxxus exclaimed excitedly, wrapping his hands around my waist and lifting me off the ground. On instinct, my wings fluttered the second I hit the air. “Whoa—don’t go anywhere,” he said with a chuckle.
“Engillan drecna,” Darzius whispered in astonishment behind us.
“Huh?” Gabriel asked, confused.
“Old Northland language…means “angel dragon”. A seer of ours many years ago spoke of an angel dragon who would save us from harm…” Darzius, Irelle and Rosis all knelt to their knees and bowed their heads.
“Oh stop,” I said, scoffing. “Trust me, I’m no angel.”
“Explain this…” Darzius motioned his head around us. “No other dragon has ever been able to call upon their wings like this in human form.”
I shrugged. “It has its benefits.”
Maxxus beamed, and Gabriel opened his arms for a hug, taking care to not squish the wings.
“You were amazing,” he whispered into my ear.
Maxxus clutched my shoulder. “Come on, let’s go tell the Court the good news.”
“And seriously, this a good argument for allowing healing; or else this will happen again,” Gabriel said, with a sigh.
“Don’t allow them the option to say no. Just tell them it’s mandatory. It’s for their own good!” Darzius declared.
I bit my lip hesitantly. “Oh but I don’t want to force anyone. That will cause many issues in and of themselves.”
“This is why you are a great leader already.” Maxxus grinned again. “Want a ride?”
I shook my head, flitting my wings behind me slightly. “Nah. I got transporation.”
“Great, what about me?” Gabriel frowned.
Darzius stepped forward. “I will transport you.”
I looked upon the Prince with amazement. “Are you sure?”
“It’d be an honor to assist the knight that assists the engillan.” Darzius lowered himself once more, allowing Gabriel to climb his back awkwardly. He fisted a bunch of hair and winked. “This is easier than you guys and your scaliness.”
I stuck my tongue out him playfully, and as Maxxus shifted and Darzius took off for the palace, followed closely behind by Rosis and Irelle, I flapped my wings and took a small leap, propelling me into the air after them.
“Hey, I can still fly after all!” I said to Maxxus as we flew side by side.
He winked at me as we flew over the green fields and rolling hills of Anarach, back to the palace to regale of the good news: winter was over. For now.
Chapter 24
As we touched down outside the palace, the miffed Anarachian citizens shuffled out the the entryway, staring at the sky in bewilderment. A few of them reached up and touched at the snow that was no longer there.
The Northlandians hovered in the air above while Maxxus and I landed, the crowd making way for our arrival.
Several spectators gasped when they witnessed my winged display; I realized no one outside of our small group had seen my wings yet, though I was sure there were rumors.
“How—how is this possible?” one female dragon nearby spoke in hushed tones as I landed on the ground with a slight thud.
“Anarach! The storm has let up for now; please go, tend to your crops. We will still send food where needed but you should be able to get things back up and running for now!” Maxxus shifted into his human form and unpinned the robes from his neck and began to wrap them around my shoulders.
I allowed my wings to retract and everyone nearby gasped.
One young child nearby escaped the clutches of her paren
ts and scrambled before me. They looked utterly terrified but I smiled at them reassuringly as the little girl tugged at the robes.
“Your highness…how did you do that?” she asked in a small voice.
“Well…” I knelt down so I was at eye-level with her. “Long ago a big spell was cast by my ancestors on a future dragon so that she’d be given lots of powerful magic to help anyone that needed it. The wings are just part of that,” I said with a wink.
“Oh. Lots of people said you were crazy before. Are you?” she questioned, twirling a lock of her curly brown hair, staring at me inquisitively through her dark brown eyes.
I grinned, as the parents nearby looked upon their child in horror at her statement. I just chuckled. “No, I don’t think I’m crazy. At least, not mean crazy. Maybe…silly crazy,” I said, sticking out my tongue, crossing my eyes and making a goofy face.
The little girl giggled. “Yeah, I don’t think so either. Not like that other pink dragon from so long ago.”
“Young one, I promise, the queen is nothing like him,” Maxxus came up next to me and said.
“Good.” She fidgeted on her feet, thinking of another question. “Did you stop the storm?”
“We did.” I said, motioning up towards Gabriel flying on Darzius nearby. “And everyone else helped.”
“That’s neat. I was missing my flowers.” She smiled at me, gave a clumsy curtsy before darting off through the crowd to her parents.
I nodded at them and they looked relieved. Bowing their heads at me, they followed the rest of the crowd that was filing out of the castle.
Maxxus and I headed into the castle with the rest of the group in tow. Some of the remaining citizens still inside looked upon us with confusion and shock but we ignored them; Maxxus stomped through the corridors with a purpose towards the throne room.
With a wide gesture, he parted the doors with his magic, and they smacked with force against the stone walls, effectively interrupting the conversation of several Courtmembers inside.
