Aurora

9

Arrabella.

nine

I groaned as I opened my eyes to the bright morning sun. I felt something stir against me and I looked down to see Zinnia snuggled up behind me with Tessa on her other side.

I stood up carefully, making sure I didn't wake them, before walking away to stretch. I sighed, putting my hands on my hips.

I didn't expect for us to be staying for a couple of days but that's how it had to be. King’s orders.

“Good, you're awake.” I heard Slone say from behind me and I turned to look up at her.

“That I am. You need me?” I asked her and she shook her head.

“I just wanted to tell you that Claire was sent to the warfront. Don't go looking for her.” She said and I sighed.

“What if we can't bring her back?” I asked and she looked up at the sky.

“After her first kill, she never was the same. I don't know how many she's had now. They treat her like a tool and nothing more. She's just a military weapon to our father. She just…”

“She can’t actually let herself become a tool.” I finished for her and she nodded.

“I won’t let father get to you and Acira.” She said, putting a hand on my shoulder.

“He’s already gotten to me, Slone. I just won’t kill.” I told her sheepishly and she shook her head, sighing.

“One day you will.” She whispered. My lips tightened into a thin line as I looked away from her, towards the horizon.

We stood in silence before a question popped into my mind.

“Hey… does the earth feel… off to you?” I asked her and she looked down at me, thinking.

“Well, the air has been feeling a bit odd these past few days. I wouldn't really know much about the earth.” She laughed softly and I rolled my eyes. “Why do you ask?”

“I don't know. The planet just seems so off to me, it feels… contaminated. When I was sending my magic through the air and through the ground yesterday, it felt like it was sapping so much more of my power than usual. It was like it was trying to heal itself. I ended up so tired, and I still am. I can just feel it tugging at my being, even now.” I sighed, looking up at the sky before closing my eyes and breathing in deeply.

“I can't give you much advice, but I do truly hope that everything is alright. But if you think something is wrong, then something must me wrong. You've always had a special connection with life, unlike the rest of us. Just don't worry about it for now.” She told me before releasing her wings and flying off.

I sighed before releasing my magic to the earth. My stomach grumbled and I looked down at my belly.

Where’s some food around here?

I jogged through the city, looking for a place to eat. My mood dropped as I saw people staring at me with resentment.

My pace quickened as I turned a corner.

“Hungry?”

“Oh!” I exclaimed, stumbling back. I looked around for whoever spoke.

“Excuse me? Down here!”

I looked down and saw a short, small person looking up at me angrily.

“Oh hello little man.” I said, squatting down to his level.