Onyx

Chapter 16: Elves

I'm so stupid. Thought Onyx to herself as she plopped on the bed. I'm still feening for his attention and making myself look like a fool. He doesn't want me. Why would he want me when I'm acting this pathetic? Why do I want him when he's so mean to me?

She felt worn out from the day in general, but her interaction with Keanu before dinner really messed with her. She couldn't even focus on what Ludo was talking about to her. It was the way Keanu looked at her. With disgust.

She felt hurt, ugly, and so, SO stupid for showcasing her emotions so blatantly to him. She tried hiding them when he came for her for dinner, but it seemed to have no effect on him. He was so difficult to read.

Onyx slid down her bed, feeling as if the weight of her body was too heavy to support. Her mind wandered to her family. Did they miss her? Are they looking for her? If Rigel knew how she acted with Keanu, he would probably make fun of her. She couldn't tell how long it's been since she's last seen them. At least 2 weeks.

She dragged herself back up on her bed and laid down staring at the ceiling, a thousand thoughts racing in her mind a minute. As much as she tried to tune them out, she couldn't sleep.

Getting up, she quietly crept from her room and tried following the path she remembered to the dining pavilion. It was surprisingly easy to find.

The room felt empty and cold, so different from what she felt earlier. As she stared at the beautiful details in the walls, she thought maybe this place wasn't beautiful because of the wealth and splendor, but because of the people. Or dragons, she supposed she should say.

Bored, she tried retracing her steps to the garden.

The garden looked just as beautiful as it did earlier, but it held a hint of eeriness. Onyx figured it was because of the lack of sunlight. And dragons.

She walked on the bridge admiring the nature around her. As much as she missed home, she truly felt lucky to experience this moment. She couldn't believe that nearly 2 weeks ago, she had no idea that dragons even existed.

Now she's dragon, elf, and human, and she's been thrown into this whole new world of magical creatures, and she's expected to end a century long war. How can she unite these races, when she doesn't understand her dragon and elf side. It's hard to emphasize with races so.... foreign.

It didn't make sense. This whole thing didn't make sense.

Maybe if I snuck to the librar-

Her thoughts were cut out as she heard the sound. The sound that she never thought she would hear again. The jingle. Onyx looked around searching for the source.

She saw nothing.

She turned to go back inside and bumped into something tall and strong. She opened her mouth to scream, but the person put their hand over her mouth holding her back. She heard the familiar voice of Keanu.

"Stay quiet."

She turned and saw him alert, watching the trees around them. He grabbed her hand and whispered. "Keep close to me. Don't let go. If something happens, hide in the bushes."

Onyx widened her eyes in fear. "Why what's wrong?" she whispered.

He looked at her, eyes dark. "Elves."

Just then, an arrow whizzed past their heads. Keanu squeezed her hand signaling her to hide. She sprinted over to the bushes and ducked behind them, alert for enemies around her.

She peeked behind the bushes and saw a tall slender man—elf?—approach Keanu. His long golden hair was so light, it looked almost platinum. His face was feminine, yet he had a masculine aura. He wore a long brown tunic, with a tan sash around his waist. His boots were long and slender, and he had a magnificent bow strung on his back, and a sword at his hip. He oozed grace and class.