ASTRA

IX

I glanced out the window, watching as Luke and Eos started to make the sun rise, yawning loudly and rubbing at my eyes. All that was running through my mind was what Luke had told me the night before, so much that I didn't get one wink of sleep. I still couldn't shake the thought that Lucy and Astra were connected in a way and there was more to the story that he wasn't telling me. It also didn't make sense that I kept dreaming of Luke himself calling me Astra and yet he wouldn't tell me who she was. I sighed as Storm slithered over to my neck, coiling himself around it.

"Do you know the reason for my dreams because I don't." I muttered, watching carefully as Eos' hair turned a light orange and Luke gave her a quick hug before looking up; I gave a small wave before moving away from the window.

"Bianca! Breakfast is ready!" Theia called and I sighed, glancing at myself in the mirror. I didn't feel like myself anymore and I didn't know why. No matter how many of my piercings I put in and no matter how 'edgy' I tried to dress, I still felt like a different person ever since I kept having dreams of Luke calling me Astra. I went over to my wardrobe and looked at the clothes that Selene had lent me. I grabbed a short, loose white dress before going to lock the door.

I quickly took of my piercings and removed the makeup I'd done in the morning, letting my hair loose and free. I took off my clothes and changed into the dress, finding a pair of flats to go with them. I stepped back and looked at the mirror, feeling a bit at ease and more of myself.

"Why do I feel like this is how Astra would have dressed? Who even am I anymore?" I mused, frowning and giving Storm a little stroke.

"Bianca!" Theia called again and I quickly left the room, rushing to the kitchen to find the rest of the family already sitting around the table. My eyes met Luke's for a brief second and I smiled, turning to Theia.

"Sorry I was just changing." I apologised, sitting down.

"That's alright. But do eat as much as you can – airplane food sucks." Theia answered and I nodded, taking a stack of bacon.

"So what are you going to do about storm Bianca, how do you plan on getting him past security?" Hyperion asked me and I turned to Selene.

"Any ideas? You're the smart one. Why can't we just ship him in a cargo?" I asked and she grinned, as if she was waiting for me to ask her.

"I thought of that – but shipping him would take some time, and we honestly don't have time; also I stayed up looking for airlines that allows shipping snakes in cargo and none of them are available for today. Then I remembered that I am the moon goddess, I do have the power of concealment, so you just need to get storm to stay still and I'll conceal him – just try not to lose him." She answered.

"Storm will stay around my neck the entire time won't you?" I muttered to storm.

"Okay but what about the pressure once we're up in the air, won't it hurt him?" Eos spoke.

Not as long as I'm with you. Storm said.

"Not as long as he's with me." I informed them.

"Alright that's enough talking – eat up, you guys will have to leave in an hour." Theia instructed and I happily complied, eating bacon after bacon until I was sure I felt sick.

"I love having you here Bianca, you actually appreciate my cooking." Theia commented after watching my take yet another bacon and I grinned.

"I believe that food is the reason I am on this planet Theia, I guarantee you I'm the goddess of food." I muttered.

"Okay goddess of humour – if you're done with eating can we please go?" Luke asked sarcastically and I sighed, turning to him.

"Lucas let me appreciate your mother's food, if you're so eager to leave you can go take my luggage from my room. Just one more egg I promise. Selene what do you feed the world's deadliest snake?" I asked. Eos and Hyperion had both retreated into their rooms, Eos packing her luggage and Hyperion doing some more research. Luke rolled his eyes and stood up, going to my room.