Frostbitten

Chapter 2

Today is Frostbite's birthday. Today she turns six. But Snowfall probably doesn't know, and if she does, she probably won't care. She and Frostbite used to celebrate their birthdays together, when she was littler and when Snowfall still loved her.

As the dozens of guards guide Frostbite to the training room, she wonders why there are so many guards. Is it because of... her thoughts trail off. Father made me like this. He made me a monster and a killer just for treasure.

She sighs. "Some birthday this will be..."

When Frostbite gets to the training room, she spots her mother sitting on a throne. In the center is a giant, muscular IceWing. He is at least three times bigger than her, and most definitely older. Frostbite's egg hatched late, and mother was severely disappointed in her when she turned out so small.

"Frostbite, today you will be training with Snowpuff. No powers, only physical attack." Snowfall sharpens her talons with a smug face. Frostbite internally laughs at Snowpuff, with a look so intimidating and a name so harmless.

Frostbite stands in front of Snowpuff, readying herself for attack. He leaps at her, but she uses her size to duck under him. Snowpuff's big, but he's also slow. She bites his tail, causing him to roar. Snowpuff whips around, grabbing Frostbite by her neck and smashing her to the wall. She instantly gets up and flies to the ceiling, abruptly diving down towards him, swooping low to claw Snowpuff's face. He catches her wing, but Frostbite kicks him in the snout. He punches her neck, shoving her into the corner. Snowpuff raises his talon, preparing to knock Frostbite out.

Frostbite lifts her wings, not to fly, but to use her power. She throws her wings to her sides, summoning her magic, and creating sharp icicles. She moves her talons, sending them at Snowpuff.

"FROSTBITE!" Snowfall stands up from her throne. "I thought I said NO POWERS."

Frostbite looks down at her talons. On her first birthday, Frostbite discovered she had powers. She can create ice and water, like she did just now. But Snowfall only allows her to use her water power when she has to.

You see, when Snowfall laid her egg, the SeaWing prince used his animus powers to make Frostbite powerful. Snowfall didn't want her to have animus powers (because Frostbite would go psycho) but she still wanted a powerful daughter unlike any other dragon. Frostbite doesn't know why, though. She doesn't know why all this time Snowfall has been training her to fight and to use her power.

Snowfall clenches her teeth. "I don't tolerate little dragonets who think it's okay to DISOBEY ME!"

Frostbite stares at her talons. What does she say? What is she even supposed to say? I don't want this. I never asked for these powers. Why do I have to be sorry?

"I-I'm sorry... I just got scared a-and I freaked out..." Frostbite's throat clenches up.

"Snowpuff, teach her a lesson." Snowfall says.

• • •

A few hours later, Frostbite leaves the training room with a clan of guards guiding her to her room.

Frostbite listens to the click of the lock on the door behind her. She has bruises dotted along he spine and she can't walk on her front talon. But she wants to go back to her mother and fight. She wants to scream at her how she just wants a normal family and friends and someone who loves her and that she never wanted these powers. She wants to dig her claws into Snowfall's neck and rip out each tooth for each bad thing she's done to her.

But Frostbite can't.

Angry, upset, and broken, Frostbite makes dozens of tiny ice darts, lifting them into the air with her magic. Then, stabs them into her wall one by one. It's her way of burning off anger. If she can picture Snowfall's face right where she's sending them, it makes her feel even better.

Frostbite pulls out a map from her chest, spotting all the different kingdoms. When she sees Jade Mountain, she remembers overhearing Snowfall.

"Who should we send?" Snowfall asks. "Honestly this is a terrible idea. All tribes in one school? That's born for chaos."

"Well, madam, may I add, the school has been up for a few years now and seems to be doing great."

"I doubt that will last. Here are the five selected IceWings for each winglet. Send notice to them within the next week."

So one of each tribe per winglet? Snowfall would never let Frostbite go, but don't forget she's also part SeaWing. So what if, miraculously, she manages to escape? Frostbite could get permission to go to Jade Mountain as a SeaWing. All she would have to do is submit a form to Queen Coral.

This day ended a lot like the last. But this time, Frostbite fell asleep with hope. If she plans and plots her escape over the next few weeks correctly, she can escape her mother and live a life full of friends, happiness, and maybe someday have a family of her own.

Only time will tell.

She may escape, or, if she doesn't, live the rest of her life trapped between the talons of her mother.

Before she falls asleep, she whispers herself a birthday wish.

"I wish that someday, I can find my way out of here."

• • •