Firebird

Chapter 1

Kyla

"I don't see why I need a body guard." I said with an exasperated sigh. "You trained me to be the best. I don't need someone following me around."
My father turned to look at me with an annoyed expression. The stress has been wearing his appearance down. He was beginning to look old. He was still young for a fae.
"Kyla, this is not up for debate." He said. "You're right. You are the best. But I want someone who can watch your back during battle if need be."
"So I have no choice at all? You've already chosen someone?" I nearly yelled. I didn't need this right now.
"I'm sorry, firebird. My decision has been made. He'll be here tomorrow evening." He shrugged his shoulders and reached for me. I took a step back and turned to walk down the hall.
"I'll be in the skies." I yelled as I walked away. I needed to blow off steam. I ran up to my room and changed into my flying leathers. Within minutes, I was already making my to the aeries. We had several large aeries that housed our dragons.
I took the stairs two at a time before stopping on the last step. Tanwen was curled up in the corner of the tower room, sleeping soundly. I smiled at the sight of her. She was a magnificent dragon. Her hide was nearly white at the moment but that could change. She was a master of camouflage. Sensing me, she opened her eyes. She lifted her head as I walked towards her. I laughed as she yawned then huffed.
"Yeah yeah. You could sleep all day if I let you." I laid my hand on her snout. She sighed at that, affection flooding through me. Dragons and their riders are soul bound. The dragons bound to fae tend to live much longer.
"Come on, sleepy head. Let's go for a ride." I said as I walked to the other side of room and opened up the wide doors. Soon enough, she was saddled and ready to go. I climbed in the saddle and grabbed the reigns. Standing at the edge of the open door, I could see the forest for miles. Tanwen spread her wings, stretching them wide. I gripped the reigns harder.
"Fly, Tanwen." I whispered. She needed no other further urging. Seconds later, we were free falling out of the aerie. She tucked her wings in tight for only a moment before throwing them back open. Before I knew it, we were gliding over the trees. This was where I belonged. In the skies, everything felt right. There was nothing better than this.
We flew for half an hour before landing on our favorite mountain ledge. I smiled at her, spread out wide, taking in the sun. I stretched out, leaning into her side. She laid her head in my lap. I stroked the top of her head absentmindedly.
"So dads getting me a personal body guard." I said to her. She opened one eye and huffed before closing it again. "Yeah I know. Sounds stupid right?"
She hummed quietly. Happiness flowed through me and I knew she just wanted to make me feel better.
"At least I have you, right? We'll get through this together." I groaned in frustration. "Who knows, maybe it won't be so bad."
She made a sound that was almost like a laugh. I smiled again and looked out over the forest. I closed my eyes and tried to forget the world around me. If that was even possible.