Earth and Sky

Chapter 1

Araquiel

I tag my brother and run away as fast as I can. Laec spins around and tries to touch me but all he grabs is air since I'm well out of reach. Instead he catches Scarlet, who proceeds to run after Sloane. When Sloane proves to be to difficult a challenge, Scarlet faces me. Seeing I have no chance of outrunning the girl, I turn to the pond behind me and jump in. The other children jump in, led of course by Simmona. She makes a huge splash, drenching whatever parts of me that were still dry. Her sisters join us shortly after, followed by Laec and Aunt Adamina. Aunt Adamina can't have children because of an unfortunate wound during the last war. But thankfully for us children, we got an adult supervisor and a playmate wrapped into one! I pull up the hem of my dress and wade deeper into the water. Feeling a knot in my belly grow, I realize my magic is waiting to be used. I take a deep breath and push my arms forwards, creating a giant wave. The others stare at me for a moment before breaking into laughter. Feeling tired, I go near the shore to watch the others play.

"Araquiel, would you like some snacks?" I turn around to see Aunty Blaze standing behind me.

I nod, knowing how wonderful a cook she is. She stays out of the reach of the water, occasionally jumping backwards to get out of the way of a particularly large one. I wonder if she ever wishes she can feel the water like her children. Because all of us have mixed parents, we have special powers. My brother is a Water Nymph who can turn into a lizard, imagen how that scared my mother when she couldn't find him as a baby, luckily I was his babysitter in our nursery. I am an Earth Spirit with two powers, Earth and Water. But since my parents had two domains they need someone to inheirit, they had my brother, so they wouldn't have to overwhelm me when I take over the crown. The triplets, Scarlet, Sloane, and Simmona have different powers. Scarlet, the first born, is the most responsible and would have inherited the Fire Kingdom except, she isn't a Flame Fairy. She is a Water Nymph like her father and therefore she can't inheirit the Kingdom. However, since our parents are close friends, our parents decided to teach her the ways of a lady in court. When my brother becomes King, she'll work in his court. Her sisters however, are Flame Fairies and they will be ruling the Fire Kingdom together. Even though they are triplets, Sloane and Simmons are more alike, so they spend more time together and look more alike then they do with Scarlet.

Blaze sighs, "Its time for them to get out of the water, but they aren't going to listen if I call them." She turns to me. "Any ideas?"

My gaze moves over to the left over snacks, and I come up with an idea. Grabbing the plate, I jump up.

"If you guys don't some inside now, I'm going to eat all of the cookies!"

That makes everyone, except of course Aunty Ada, jump up and race towards me. But it isn't good enough, I hold the plate in front of myself and run inside the castle. I slide past maids and butlers. I slip into different hallways. The continuous tap- tap of my followers footsteps echo throughout the corridor. Finally, I arrive at the dining table and take my seat. My brother leads the search after me, and when he sees me his eyes light up.

"Come on, she's in here!" He calls out. Not even a full second later, the others arrive. I push the plate towards the center of the table and watch the wolves feed. Well except for Scarlet, who took three and takes small dainty bites of each, swatting at anybody who gets too close. I'm the eldest of everybody here at fifteen going on sixteen tomorrow. The triplets are almost a year younger then me at fifteen. My brother is the youngest, turning thirteen a couple of months ago. Even though there is an age gap between all of us, we are best friends and can tell almost anything to each other.

"Araquiel? Come over here, its time to resume your lessons."

I sigh and snatch a cookie from my brother, then follow my mother, Queen Serenity, to the torcher people call class.