Firebird

Chapter 6

Kyla

I spent the next few days showing Beckett and some of his unit around. I was struggling to learn some of their names. I knew the twins, Zach and Zane. Then there's Alec and his best friend Kline. But other than that, I'm clueless. They were all nice and joked around a lot. I liked it. It was strange having friends. I'd never been in this situation before.
Tonight, I was laying in bed, reading my favorite book when I heard on my door.
"Come in." I yelled as I closed the book. I looked up to see Beckett coming in. "What's up?"
"I was hoping you could show me what's behind the secret door." He said.
"Sure. Let me change." I jumped up and ran to my closet. I changed quickly into pants and a loose shirt. "Alright let's go."
His head peaked in the door and he smiled. My heart jumped a little. I shook my head and opened the door. He stepped in behind me and shut the door. I waved my hands and light filled the walkway.
"It's creepy in here." He said with a laugh.
"I love it. There's so much adventure in being in here." I said as I started walking. I pointed out certain entryways. The ballroom, the libraries, other rooms, the housekeeper dorms. I didn't stop until I saw the ladder in view.
"This is my favorite here." I said with a smile. Up the ladder we both went. I opened the hatch and stepped out onto the roof. I smiled wider as I walked to railing. Beckett joined me a moment later and I looked to see him smiling at me.
"I can see why. It's beautiful up here." He said, still looking at me. I blushed and looked away.
"My mom used to bring me up here." I said.
"What happened? If you don't mind me asking." He asked quietly.
I thought about it for a moment. I never really opened to anyone about it. I never really had anyone to open up to about it.
"It was Vallan." I said, voice small. Vallan was a king in the southern continent. Cruel and terrible. A man who wanted to rule the world.
"He sent his elite soldiers to attack. It was the middle of the night and no one was prepared. We all scrambled to get to the dragons, weapons, anything to help." I told him with a shaky breath. "It wasn't enough. Somehow they got to my mother. We have no idea how they got in and out so quickly."
He listened to every word and leaned against the railing. I stared out over the land. The aeries were lightly lit, showing the forest. It brought me comfort.
"They sent us a finger with a ring on it. Her ring." I whispered. I wasn't sure when I started crying. "But can I tell you a secret?"
"Of course. I won't tell anyone." He said.
"I don't think she's dead." I said. He crinkled his eyebrows but said nothing. "When a rider dies, their dragon will mourn terribly. A dragon will typically die from the pain of the severed bond."
"But Alya's still alive." He said. I nodded.
"She's still alive. It's like she mourns the absence of my mother but she doesn't mourn like she's dead." I said. "I guess it's dumb to have hope. But I can't help it. I feel, in my soul, that she's still alive."
"I get it. I really do." He said. "To want something so bad, you just know it's true." He looked out over the forest, lost in thought.
"I think I know what you're talking about." I said, leaning against the railing next to him. "You're worried you won't make the Descent."
"How did you know?" He asked. The Descent into immortality. When a demi fae can become fully fae and be immortal. Not all demi fae make the descent. Some live out their mortal lives.
"All demi fae are worried about it." I said, bumping his shoulder. "You'll make the descent. Probably soon too."
"How can you tell?" He asked, curious.
"I can just tell. It's a feeling I get." I smiled at him. "Some fae can sense it. I felt it from you before you walked through the doors when you came here. I can tell when that it'll be soon because the feeling is so strong. You'll see when you're immortal. You can tell how powerful someone is because you can feel it."
"Thanks for telling me." He said. We smiled at each other and looked out over the forest together. I sighed. Talking with him made me feel better.