Wings of Fire: Melting Ice #2

Chapter 15

Aurora, Apple, Hyacinth, and Fruitcatcher waited around the table for the two guests to arrive. 

Hyacinth and Fruitcatcher talked, mainly about small things, but Aurora sat frozen in her spot, feeling uncomfortable. Apple had his wing around her, but she didn't want to seem rude by telling him to stop. And I don't want to hurt his feelings.. well, if he even has any. She almost laughed out loud at her joke.

"Hi!" A sparkling voice sounded near the entrance. A RainWing burst in. Her horns were straight, like a NightWing's, and her scales were a bright green, and the circles down her neck and body were a dark blue. Jagged black stripes ran down her back, then the green was taken over by her fully black tail, which had NightWing spikes.

Hyacinth rushed towards the young hybrid. "Shadowtail!" He greeted. Behind the NightWing-RainWing hybrid, a thin, old and frail-looking dragon stood. "And Fiercedew." 

Fiercedew stumbled over. She had the build of a RainWing, but her scales were dark gray, and she even had NightWing scales down her neck. The only other color apart from the gray was her underside, which was a lighter gray. The inside of her wings were black. Her talons were long and sharp, and they curled weirdly. She moved slowly, a sign of her old age.

"This is my mother, Fiercedew," Hyacinth introduced. He helped her towards the table, smiling.

"Nice to meet you," Aurora greeted, leaning forward.

Fiercedew glanced at her, narrowing her eyes. Her eyes examined Aurora. "Oh.." she said slowly. "You can't be my handsome son's daughter. Your looks don't match."

Hyacinth rushed forward, his wing touching his mother's wing. "Mother, don't you remember? She's Queen Iceberg's dragonet too."

Fiercedew groaned. "I know that," she hissed. She lifted her arm, her talon poking the scar that ran across Aurora's jaw and mouth. "That scar is ugly."

What? Aurora winced. "Uh.." she stammered. Why would she say that?

Apple's scales turned a darker shade of red. "Her scar is not ugly you stupid old lizard!" He hissed, his lips pulled back to reveal sharp teeth. "She's actually really pretty, and her scars add to that!" He growled.

"Is she your mate or something? Do better. There's plenty of beautiful RainWings in this forest," Fiercedew hissed. "Oh, and last time I was here, I didn't see you. Who are-"

"Shut up! You insult Aurora again and you'll find these talons in your eyes," Apple hissed, venom lacing his voice.

Aurora stared at Apple. "Apple! Calm down! It's okay," Aurora soothed. "We... let's leave."

"No, it's not okay. This old lizard has no right to insult you," Apple hissed.

Hyacinth pushed in between the two dragons, uneasy. "Hey, hey! Calm down, please!" He pleaded. He turned to his mother. "What's gotten into you? I-"

"Hey! Let's just eat!" Fruitcatcher reminded. "That's what we came here to do, right? Let's not argue, please!" He whined.

Aurora glanced at Apple, then at Hyacinth. "I think I'll.. leave," she sighed, holding back tears.

"Wait! Please don't leave! I want to actually act like a family," Hyacinth begged, staring into her eyes.

Aurora turned away slowly, then she bolted away and spread her wings. She flew in between thick branches, heading away from the hut. I'm going back to the Ice Kingdom! 

"Aurora!" Apple yelled, flying after her. "Please slow down! I want to talk to you!" He pleaded.

Aurora turned her head to stare at the red-and-green RainWing. "Why do you keep chasing after me? What do you see in me?" She questioned, clenching her talons.

Apple lunged forward, landing on a branch in front of Aurora. His wings spread out fully, making the gold inside shimmer in Aurora's eyes.

Aurora grumbled and beat her wings against the air, then hesitantly flew to the branch and sat beside Apple. "Why-"

Apple stared at her, his emerald eyes glowing. "You know why I'm so defensive of you?" He questioned. "It's because I like you, Aurora. You're empty inside, and I know how that feels. You think you're alone. You have no confidence," Apple soothed. 

Aurora stared at him. "No. Y-you're lying! You want me to trust you more so that you can take advantage of me," she growled. "

"That's why anyone hardly wants to be your friend. Because you push everyone away," Apple sighed. "I just want to be your friend. Don't push me away. I clearly care about you."

Aurora stared at Apple. I don't know what to say. But he's right. My issues pushed Abysswatcher away. "I'm sorry, Apple. I've noticed your mood towards me. You want to be more than friends, right?"

Apple stayed silent, his frill drooping. "Yeah, you got me," he sighed. "I know we hardly know each other, but I really like you. You're different. Deep down, you're lonely, and I want to make you happier."

"N-no," Aurora muttered. "I can't decide yet. Give me some time. I have to settle things with Abysswatcher first. Maybe I can work things out with him."

Apple turned away, his eyes filled with sadness. "Oh, okay," he muttered. "But if things don't work out, I'm always right here, you know."

Aurora hung her head. It pains me to turn him down, especially when he's so nice. But I don't know if he's the right one yet.

"Don't be sad because of what your grandmother said. Her words are troubling you, I know," Apple soothed, wrapping his tail around her's.

"Nobody in the Ice Kingdom likes me, except for my family, excluding my sister. My sister always calls me ugly, and that's what did it for me. She made me lose my confidence. But she is just jealous, really. I'm not supposed to use my animus magic more that once, but I did, and since I haven't gotten punished, she resents me. She thinks our mother favors me over her, but it's not like that. Iceberg loves both of us equally," Aurora sighed. "Nevermind. Sorry, I was going off on a tangent."

"Don't be sorry. And don't listen to your sister. She's jealous because you're prettier than her," Apple insisted.

"You haven't even seen Plum. If she appeared here right now, you'd change your mind," Aurora told him. She froze. "Wait.. you actually think I'm pretty?" She questioned.

"Three moons, yes I do. You're beautiful! You're like the reflection of the three moons on calm water, but with blues. That's... that's how I would describe you. Don't beat yourself up," Apple pleaded.

Aurora turned away, feeling sad. Someone I barely know calls me pretty. Apple is kind and caring, and I'm pushing him away. Just like I always do. I don't deserve him. She stood up on the large branch. "Tell Hyacinth I'm leaving. I'm going back to the Ice Kingdom. Snowball and Iceberg are probably worried about me."

Apple stood up. "What? You're leaving already? Don't go, please!" He cried.

"When I get back, Iceberg is probably going to want me to fight," Aurora sighed. 

"Fight? Fight who?" Apple asked. "Don't go!"

Aurora winced. "I'm not going to die, you know. I may come back with a few scratches, but I'll be okay. Don't worry about me."

"Don't leave me," Apple whined. "I might not see you again!" 

"You'll see me again. I promise," Aurora soothed. "Please don't worry about me, Apple, that is all I ask."

Apple stared at her. "But-" 

Aurora looked at the RainWing. "Please?"

"O-okay fine. But please keep your promise. Come back to me safe," Apple pleaded. He leaned closer. "And.. good luck, Aurora."

Aurora nodded to him, feeling stupid. She flew higher, going above the canopy, then realized that it was night. The three moons shone bright, their milky-white light sprinkling across the land. Bye Apple and Hyacinth. She winced, knowing that she probably hurt Hyacinth's feelings by leaving the feast.

Aurora flew faster, the sound of her wings breaking the silence. In the distance she could see Jade Mountain. Three moons, I didn't realize how far away I am. This is going to take a while! I can make it back tomorrow.