Faeries, Mermaids, and Arguments: A Short Story Collection

Dragon Wings

The night before my sixteenth birthday, I was taken to the top of a skyscraper in the middle of the city. A demi-faery official grabbed my arm and pulled me to the edge of the building. The wind blew my hair around as I looked over the edge at all the lights on. So many people and yet none of them would ever know I exist. The empty streets during quarantine were perfect for this ceremony. Finally, we didn't have to worry about being seen and luckily, we couldn't get sick like humans, thanks to our fae heritage.

The official said, emotionless, "At midnight, you will fall off this building. If you do not fly, you will have your memories wiped and will live among humans if you survive the fall. You can choose to have your memories wiped now or try to fall. Which one do you, Astoria, choose?"

I had been prepared for this moment for ages. My fae heritage was stronger than most demi-fae because my mother was a demi-faery and my father was one of the true fae. I knew that I had a greater chance of sprouting wings than any other demi-faery currently alive. "I choose to fall," I announced.

The official smiled slightly before replacing their emotionless mask. "At exactly midnight, you shall be pushed off this building. If you sprout wings that resemble those of an insect, you shall be brought back and be welcomed as a full member of demi-fae society."

I furrowed my brow. Why did the official specify wings that look like insect wings? That was a given. All demi-fae had wings like that. I drove the thought from my head. That official probably inherited some of the true fae's more mischievous nature and was just messing with me. The official glanced at their watch and said, "It is almost midnight. If you wish to change your mind, now is your last chance."

I remained adamant. "I'm going to do it."

The official grinned maliciously, not even attempting to hide it. "Good," they said before pushing me off the edge. I screamed as I plummeted towards the ground, past all those windows, past people all absorbed in their own lives, some of them fast asleep, but none noticing the screaming outside their windows.

It didn't take long for my wings to sprout and unfurl on my back. Instinct kicked in and I flew back to the roof of the building, full of adrenaline. I always imagined that wings would feel different than they do. As I landed on the roof, the official looker at me and gasped. I turned my head to see why they're gasping. All I saw is the city, nothing out of place. But then I noticed my wings, which were covered in scales. I had dragon wings. I looked back at the official and their mask had been replaced.

"You're coming with me," the official said. They stepped towards me and grabbed me by the arm. I didn't bother fighting, and allowed myself to be dragged off, scared, unsure of my future.

The official led me down one building and through the winding streets in silence to another building, an old-fashioned mansion. "Why are we here?" I asked.

"You're going to see the queen."

"I'm going to see the queen?" I exclaimed. No demi-faery ever saw the queen before but I guess that no demi-faery ever had dragon wings before.

"That is what I said," the official said dryly. The official directed me in the mansion and into a room with a throne. An absolutely stunning demi-faery sat on the lavish gold throne, wearing a jewel laden crown. I had never seen her before, but the part of my brain that hadn't shut down from shock figured out that she must be the queen The official pushed me towards the queen and bowed deeply.

"What have you dared disturbed me for?" the queen asked, her voice powerful and commanding.

The official rose. "Your Majesty, I have found your heir."

The queen looked around the room before noticing me. "This pathetic thing? How could it be my heir?"

The official nudged me. "Show her your wings," they whispered to me.

I unfurled my wings and they spread out behind me, almost knocking the official over. A look of shock flitted over the queen's face before she regained her composure. "So it seems you have found my heir." The queen stepped down from the throne and her wings unfurled behind her. Her wings matched mine.

"But how? I'm just a common demi-faery. How am I your heir?"

"My dear, you know that you are no ordinary demi-faery. You have noble fae heritage and that's why you have the wings you have. All noble demi-fae have them but they are so rare that dragon wings are a sign of great power. That's how the queen is chosen. Now, come and start your new life as princess of the demi-fae." The queen extended a graceful hand towards me.

"I don't know," I said hesitantly. "I'm not really queen material."

"Nonsense! Your wings are proof that you are. Now, take my hand and learn to rule."

"But my friends," I protested.

"You've never felt truly like you fit in, like you belonged with them. Deep down, you knew your true heritage and your destiny. Take my hand and embrace your destiny."

She was right. I never did really feel like I belonged with my friends. Always out of place, always feeling like I was meant for more. Maybe this was what I was meant for. Maybe she was right. I walked towards her slowly, but paused once I got close enough to take her hand. Was I sure? I didn't think I could turn back. After hesitating, I reached for her hand.

As soon as I touched her skin, I felt myself being whipped through time and space before falling. I fell, and fell, and fell, and landed at the bottom of a dry well. I collapsed on the ground. The well, it was iron. It was weakening me. I heard a distant voice and looked up. The official was standing at the top of the well. "We didn't want to hurt you. We hoped you'd choose to opt out of falling."

"Why did you do this?" I asked weakly. The iron wouldn't take long to kill me.

"I work for the queen and you are a threat to her position as queen. It's not really your fault. You can't change your heritage."

"So, it was all a trick?"

The official nodded before flying off, leaving me lying in the bottom of the well, looking up at the night sky.