A Mix of Ice & Fire (First book in Obsidian Star Academy Series)

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Emberly's P.O.V.

The tears were just overwhelming us all, which always happens when dad or I watch my memory of mom. Dad had taken it from my mind when Aunt Fyra got me to him safely. She had risked her life to get me out of the Isle to the safe house mom and dad had set up in case of emergency, they had hoped dad's sister would come around to their relationship. But when I was born she had threatened to turn them in if they continued to stay together. I looked enough like my dad she would have let it go if my dad took me and left. So while dad had gone back to work, I was almost two years old, and back to his rounds away from the Isle, she called the Fae Council. My mom's sister Fyra was a secretary for the Dragon Council, so when the notice from the Fae Council came through she warned my parents. Dad was blocked from returning to the Isle. She snuck me out and to dad's house from before he met mom.

I was pulled out of my mental spiral with something cold gently touching my shoulders. I looked up, a light flurry of snow was drifting from the ceiling above Rowan. I tapped dad's hand, he looked up with a sniffle and smiled gently. I pulled away from Whither a moved closer to Rowan.

"Rowan? Are you okay? I'm really sorry. I should have warned you. Its just easier to show what happened than talk about it." I grabbed her hand lightly and offered her a hug in apology.

"No, its okay. I'm so sorry about your mom. I didn't recognize any of those members." Rowan wiped her eyes as the flurry stopped. Whither quietly left for the kitchen, probably to make tea.

"That's not at all a surprise. The ones that survived were kicked off the council and a new one was put in place immediately. So the ones who handled your parents case were under new rules. We were given a new home here and I never have to work again. Emberly is immune from punishment, unless she outs Fae to humanity." Phoenix spoke up with a small tired smile. "Well, girls, I'll give you ladies some privacy, Morana has asked me to pop in to help her with some delivery issue their having in the Shadow Vale so I'll be back later tonight if we can work it all out. Stay safe and Emberly make sure Rowan gets home safe." He kissed Whither and I each on the forehead and left.

Forty five minutes later after I offered to walk Rowan home. Whither headed up to her room to do homework as we head out the door.

*Rowan's P.O.V.*

"Hey, Em, I just wanted to say thank you, for having me over and well showing me about your mom. I know that had to be painful and we've just met so I just want you to know I really do appreciate it." I said as we were walking down the street. She got a little grin before actually looking over at me.

"It was but I really like you, Rowan. I know I can trust you which probably sounds weird so soon, but I don't know it just felt like the right thing to do. And who knows maybe that means there's hope." Emberly was blushing and fighting a smile. I bumped her with my shoulder to get her to look up.

"Hope for what?" I could feel my face heating up as she looked at me.

"For this." She offered her hand, and I took it. I looked at our fingers laced together as we continued walking. A little pattern of soft pink and blue. Her hand was so warm, it made my cheeks hurt from smiling. I couldn't help it. I'd never held hands with someone I liked before.

Too soon we were in front of my new house. We were sitting on the front porch swing just holding hands.

"Hey, so since I met your dad today would you want-"

"Ro-ro is that you? How was your first- Oh I'm sorry sweetie I didn't see you had a guest." My mom came bursting out for door all in a tizzy of smiles. She looked down and noticed our hands and her smile grew.

"Oh wow, Mom. That's not super embarrassing. Mom this is Emberly. She's one of my new friends from school. Emberly this is my mom, Eira." Emberly popped up and hugged my mom. My mom looked at me over Emberly and winked while giving me a thumbs up. My face started heating up again as Emberly sat down and patted the seat next to her to invite my mom to sit down.

"Its so great to meet you, ma'am. Would you like to sit with us and hear about Ro-ro's day?" She smiled as she poked my side teasingly.

"You know, I would but first how would you like to stay for dinner? I made Rowan's favorite, chicken fettucini, and cheesy garlic bread." My mom laughed as I poked Emberly back.

"I would definitely love to but I have to get back home soon. My sister and I usually make dinner together after we finish our homework. Raincheck?" Emberly stood as she spoke. I got up with her and gave my mom a look to give us some privacy.

"Oh well, you're more than welcome to come by any time you and your sister. Any friends of Rowan's are always welcome in our home. Well, I'll go finish up dinner, it was truly lovely to meet you Emberly. I hope we see more of you around here. I haven't seen Rowan smile like that in a very long time." With that embarrassing remark, she went inside. Emberly looked at me with her cheeky grin.

"Ro-ro, huh? Don't feel bad my dad usually calls me Emy-cub. Aren't parents great?" She chuckled while gently poking my enflamed purple tinted cheeks. "I think your mom approves of me though."

"Oh, Emy-cub is cute. And I think so too. I haven't had a lot of friends. Or any friends really before so she's pretty much to the moon right now." I smiled as I followed her to the side walk.

"Well that's a thing of the past. No one's going to scare me away. Or Lillie or Whither. I like you a lot. I mean we like you. I mean- I'm going to head home before I totally embaress myself. But I'll see you tomorrow. Oh I'll text you when I get home so you don't think I was attacked by a troll or something."

"There are trolls here?"

"No. Have a good night Rowan." She leaned over and kissed my cheek before giving me a quick hug. She then flew up into the air, winked at me, then took off.

I touched my cheek and head inside after picking up my backpack off the porch where I had left it. Once I was inside I leaned on the front door and kicked my backpack into the coat closet next to the door. My mom and Matt came out of the kitchen with big smiles and my mom looked like she was going to giggle like a school girl.

"She seemed really nice..." My mom coughed back a giggle while they both just watched me.

"She is."

"Well, um, lets sit down to dinner and you can tell us all about your day." Matthias gestured to the set table and nudged my mom so she'd stop staring at me with the biggest smile on her face. I rolled my eyes with a smile and followed them to the delicious smelling dinner.