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ON DARCIE'S BIRTHDAY, SHE FINDS herself sitting in the safe haven for the creatures of the Seelie Court. It's devastating to know that with the barriers, the fanatical creatures were reduced to these living standards, but the Seelie Court was protecting them from the Unseelie Court.
"How long do you think I have until someone finds me?" Darcie asks the large, scaly dragon, who nudges his reddish head softly into Darcie, wanting to be stroked. Even after all this time, Darcie still smiles, mesmerised by the creature.
Dragons were not dangerous creatures (at least, not to Faerie's). Varnel had been here for as long as the barriers had been up, staring longingly at the sky, wanting to fly.
"One day," Darcie promises him, stroking his large head. "You'll be free to fly."
Varnel's head twists, huffing impatiently with his wings flapping.
"I know it's not fair when my day has come," says Darcie. "I wish we could swap places, Varnel."
The dragon could not answer, though. Varnel became distracted, face lighting up as the Queen joined them in the enclosure. Darcie had thought Milon would be the one to find her, but she's relieved it's her birth mother.
"Naila, my love, I thought I would find you here," says Tamara, warmly.
"I was hoping Varnel would give me some advice," Darcie admits.
Tamara smiles. "Are you nervous?"
"What if I fail?" Darcie questions.
"Naila," the Queen steps forward, stroking the dragon, where his eyes close from the joy. "When you first came here, you were afraid of seeing your own ears. Your father and I have watched you blossom before our eyes. You cannot fail as this is who you are."
Darcie's eyes fall downcast, hiding her shy smile. It seems like a long time ago when Darcie saw herself as a monster, someone who wasn't worth being loved by not even herself. Now, Darcie adores Naila and her life here, so perhaps she's more afraid that everything will come to an end once she grows her wings.
"Will I be returning home soon?" Darcie asks.
"Yes, we will be sending you to the mortal world," the Queen confesses. "Do you want to go home?"
"I do," says Darcie. "But I'm scared that no one will love who I've become."
"Darcie, those who cared for you, loved you when you were seen as the enemy," the Queen reminds her. "Now, they will love you for who you are."
Darcie wants to believe that, but there had been fear simply from Darcie being different. Yet today is not the day she would be returning home; no today is the day that Darcie's receiving her Faerie wings.
Usually, when a Faerie turns sixteen, they complete the ceremony with their education being complete. Darcie had been too old to attend the Fae school, but she's seen a few ceremonies for herself to understand how it happens. The Queen attends, granting each Faerie with their wings as her touch sparks them to grow.
