Wings of Fire: A Ruined Dream (Book 4)

Chapter 16

 "Wake up!" Jeweldreamer barked.

Stratus sat up quickly, alert. "What? What's going on?"

"Nothing. You just sleep like a rock all of a sudden." Jeweldreamer said.

"Well, I'll have you know this is by far the most comfortable bed I've ever slept in." Stratus said.

"I can second that," Cloudy called. They were washing their face in the adjacent bathroom. "Aconi summoned us for breakfast."

"Oh, okay." Stratus said. He thought back to last night, and their conversation on the balcony. He never actually told her about Jellyfish and Jasmine, but he didn't think she'd want to hear about her ex-girlfriend in love with someone else.

I wonder if she actually researched or at least looked into my mother. It would mean the world.

Stratus was struck suddenly by a weird thought. If Aconi saved my mom, would I join her?

Stratus didn't think that was a question he could answer at the moment.

Stratus washed up and cleaned up for breakfast with the queen of the continent. The girls took a little longer, so they waited for them to drag themselves out and followed the provided map, given to them from whoever announced Aconi's summons.

The halls were decorated today- more than they usually were. Strings of elegant tinsel, ribbon, and vibrant purple flowers hunge from the ceiling in a grand criss-crossing pattern. The walls themselves were now a white-ish marble, with flecks of gold and purple in it's veins, giving it a much airier feel. I wonder if they changed for the time of day.

Dragons of all types were walking through the halls as well, nodding politely to Stratus and his friends as they walked. Stratus was still surprised to see so many different types of dragons- he had been convinced Aconi would only open her doors to RainWings, and special exceptions, like himself. He thought she'd been prejudiced towards other tribes.

Maybe Aconi isn't as bad as I thought.

They found their way to the dining hall for breakfast. It was a greenhouse like structure, with earthy and fruity smells. Fruiting vines and trees grew from pots and spread to cover the ceiling, their leaves casting a dappled green tone on the floor. Hummingbirds and butterflies zipped from hibiscus to hibiscus, and bees buzzed around a jelly platter on a side table, labeled with neat handwriting, 'For the bees!'

"Oh, hi! Welcome," Aconi said, poking her head out from behind a plant. She dressed very plain today, with a simple lace choker and her crown. She stepped out and took off her gardening gloves.

"I didn't know you gardened." Jellyfish said, quietly.

"Oh," Aconi said, smiling warmly. "We didn't get much sunlight in the caves, so I had to give up my passion. But now look! I have plenty of greenhouse space, and all the plants I want," She poked an aphid, and it exploded into the tiniest poof of shimmery lavender vapor. "Plus some magic bug control." She chuckled.

"Cute," Jasmine said, grinning.

"Super cute," Aconi said. "That reminds me Jasmine- I didn't include any jewelry in your garments because I didn't know what you'd prefer. If you'd like, I can show you what I have to offer."

"Oh," Jasmine said. "Yes, that sounds nice. Thank you."

"Of course," Aconi smiled. "If I'm giving you stuff to wear, I want you to like it. Anyways," She said, gesturing at the glass table. "Shall we?"

"Yes, please. I'm starving." Cloudy said, sitting down.

Aconi rang a small bell and four servants arrived, with chopped fruit and toast with butter. Stratus tried not the let his distaste fro a such a lack protein show.