Chapter 1
My last day at home before leaving for Aquilo. The galaxy’s most pristine university for Myths of all kinds, Etheria. I’ve been on the waitlist for months and I finally got the acceptance letter that will make the rest of my life come together.
Footsteps approach my door.
“Eloise, are you all packed?” Mum asks. I walk over, opening the door to let her in. Her golden brown hair is sparkling in the sunlight. A trait of the Fae myth.
“I’m almost there, what time is dinner?” mum rolls her eyes knowing I will most certainly not be finished packing by morning.
“We're going at seven. Dress for the weather, dinner is in Selutina,” Mum grumbles shutting the door behind her, leaving me to get dressed.
Selutina was where I was born. The hottest place in the galaxy, and also the most breathtaking. We would still be living there if not for my dad who has fallen in love with the Dragon dimension, Akira. The not so lush, red canyon, rocky realm. Akira is home to the Dragon myth. This myth has the ability to transform from human to dragon in the span of a few seconds. The Dragon myth is most similar to my dad and I, the Phoenix. We have the same heritage and both come from fire.
I rush over to my wardrobe and search for my silky orange dress I adore. I take it off its hanger and lay it flat on my floral bedspread to be worn.
The late afternoon sun shines through my many windows that look out onto the city below as I comb through my blond hair stretching down past my shoulders. I look out seeing the sun making the red canyons become more vibrant. I take in the surrounding area as I prepare for my last dinner at home.
***
The time it takes to drive to Selutina flies by; the drive was always magnificent, but today especially since it’d be the last time I come before leaving for Aquilo. The sunset reflects off the crystal-clear water with an orange hue that makes the whole town look magical. This place is magical, though. So many myths have lived here for centuries that not just one type has been assigned here. Although, most Fae reside here considering they don’t have their own realm.
We drive along the coast, out looking the sunset. We’ve been driving for an hour already, so we must be close to the restaurant by now. We turn onto a secluded road, only being able to fit one car at a time. The forest encompasses us and the water slowly disappears. The landscape changes to pine and cedar trees, the ground has become covered in moss.
We approach the waterfront restaurant glowing in the late evening sunset. I roll down my window to hear sounds of people laughing, waves crashing against the shore, and the seagulls squawking at the people below.
We pull into the restaurant and request a seat with a view. We are regulars here; I’m surprised they even had to ask where we’d like to sit. It is always the same. This was, and always will be, my parents’ favourite place to come. The views of the ocean change daily. According to my mum when she lived here. I haven’t been here long enough to experience anything like that. Selutina always changes. It’s either the water changing colours or the seasons changing weekly. It’s my favourite thing about this place. It’s such a unique experience when you live here, or so I’m told. No place else has this kind of feel to it–the feeling that nothing stays the same; it always changes. The feeling of new beginnings.
The restaurant is jam packed with customers trying to get a seat on the dark wood deck hovering over the orange tinted water out looking at the sunset. We briskly walk past the crowd and straight to where I spot my grandma gazing out over the railings admiring the town she calls home.
“Dear, you made it at last!” Grandmother Meridith, my only grandparent left. She rises from her seat, greeting us all with a warm smile.
I rush over wrapping my arms around her neck and give her a kiss on the cheek as a welcome. My smile reaches all the way to my eyes. I head over to the seat by the railing. The best seat at the table, the one with the best view.
“What a gorgeous sunset we have tonight.” Meridth says as she slowly sits back down waiting for the waiter to pull out the chair for her. I sit on the seat beside her taking in the last of the glowing sun.
“Elle, are you ready for your big journey tomorrow?”
I’ll have to leave in the morning if I want to make it there in time. Since Aquilo is the farthest away from Akira it’ll take me twice as long as any other Myth. Especially since I’m not allowed to use my wings. It’s supposedly too far according to Meridith. She’s the whole reason I’m going to this school. Personally I’d prefer to travel around or get a job already, but according to her, it’s the only way to finish your education. Plus, she’s paying. Mum went (forced by Nan) and dad never saw the need. He said he knew everything he needed to become a commander in the dragon legions.
“I suppose so. I believe I'll be able to fly there just fine.” I say looking towards her.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
She chuckles to herself but then replies, “You haven’t made the trek before, so I’ve arranged transport that will fit your fancy.”
I sigh at Nan, then ask, “what time is the train?” She looks over, clearly thinking I’m joking.
“You really think I’d put my only granddaughter on a train with strangers?” Mum looks at her, not surprised at all.
“A kind gentleman, who is travelling to Aquilo will accompany you and make sure you arrive at the school safely .” I sigh to myself looking at Dad, hoping he’ll do something.
“That’s wonderful, but I don’t want to be a bother to him, I’ll just take the train.” She glances over to my mum handing her a piece of paper with a phone number on it clearly ignoring my response.
“No girl of mine will take public transport. It’s a disgrace to the Solace name! I think you’ll like the boy Eloise” I give her a small smile and turn towards Dad.
He has no interest in the current conversation. He is looking out towards the disappearing sun over the horizon, tuning everyone out. I nudge him to get his attention. He whips his head around thinking he’s missed something important. His eyebrows raise in confusion.
“Can’t I just take the train like normal?” I whisper quietly, just so he can hear.
“I can’t argue with your Nan, you know that.” He whispers back in the same tune.
I look away, turning my attention towards the crowd of people attempting to get into the magical eatery.
I came to the conclusion that Nan won’t budge on her decision about my transportation. So, I let the topic go and move onto a more serious one.
“Etheria is a pristine school Eloise, you’ll be required to put in more hours than anywhere else in the galaxy. I have very high expectations for you, but you’re a Solace and you will not disgrace the family name.” Nan tilts her head up, showing her confidence when she speaks.
My grades haven’t always been my top priority when attending school, but Nan will not let her reputation take a hit just because I can’t sort my grades out. I’ll have to step it up if I want to stay for more than a few weeks.
Food arrives at the table two hours after we arrive. It is usual for food to take its time here since the drinks are their main concern. When the food arrives we all fall silent, enjoying the food that is in front of us.
Throughout the whole meal we mostly eat in silence, but it is getting late, and we still need to drive all the way back to Akira. Our plates get cleared away by the staff and Nan stands up, heading in my direction.
“Eloise, enjoy yourself, and I’ll see you next year.” Nan leans in and wraps her hands around me, giving me a kiss on the forehead. We say our goodbyes and head for the car that has been brought around front for us.
It is a slow journey back to the flat. The sea is pitch black with only the bioluminescence to bring some light into the night. I lean my head back and close my eyes, slowly drifting into a sleep. I can hear the waves crashing down against the shore and my breathing gets slower, and I finally drift to sleep.
***
I wake up in a panic, the boiling heat blazing through my open windows. I must’ve forgotten to close them before I hit the pillow, overcome by tiredness. Like Mum said, I’m not packed, not even close.
I rush over to my wardrobe, only grabbing my most precious possessions and start chucking them into my suitcase that probably already weighs a ton. I then run into the bathroom finding my toiletries already packed, thanks to Mum. I throw them into the suitcase as I rush over to grab sort my hair out.
I decide on a leaving it as it is, I run my brush through my golden locks a few times before hurrying towards the door, only sparring a second to look at the room one final time.
Mum greets my eyes as I scurry down the stairs. She hurries over for one final hug. “Elle, call me as soon as you arrive.” She sniffles as she releases me.
Dad comes over with big arms and wraps them tightly around me, not wanting me to leave. “Don’t turn into one of those boarding school snobs.” He kisses my forehead lightly and chuckles to himself.
Mum gives him a side glance and smiles ever so slightly. He releases me, letting me grab a hold of my suitcase and drag it outside into the blazing sunlight. It’s the hottest time in Akira, thankfully not as hot as Selutina. I strip down, taking my jumper off and revealing a light pink tank underneath and tucking the sweater into my satchel.
A bright red Chevy Impala rolls around the corner, slowing down at the house. The car pulls into the driveway coming to a halt right in front of me. The car stills and the door flies open with a dark haired male stepping out, he wears a smile on his face, greeting us all. He wears pitch black pants with a dark-coloured green waistcoat with a night like shirt underneath.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all, I’m Jrue. I'll be taking Eloise to Etheria.” He speaks properly, just as Nan would want, but that isn’t the strangest thing about him, his looks deem him to be my age. His brown hair is slicked back, like he could be attending the school with me. I scrunch up my noise, confusion clouding my features.
“A pleasure to meet you, Jrue, I’m Delilah.” Mum gives him a wary look, I can only imagine it’s because of his age.
He is dressed very well, his car is gorgeous, Nan must adore the boy.
Dad gives him a subtle nod and reaches out to shake his hand.
“May I ask how old you are?” I glance over at mum, shocked at how forward she’s being. Mum tends to be quiet at first, she prefers to listen rather than make the conversation, especially with new people.
“I’m nineteen, I'll be attending the school of Etheria as well.”
Nineteen? That would make him a year older than me, nan had not given me enough details about the boy, let alone that he would be attending the school with me.
He takes a quick look at me, then straightens just slightly, returning his gaze to my mother.
“Just to be clear, you’re the boy my mother has been so fond of?” Mum says with a smile dancing on her lips. I look up at him, even though I’m taller than average he towers over mum and I.
Jrue chuckles, “Yes, I’ve known her for a few years now, I’ve told her many times about how I’m often in Akira for business.”
I must admit he’s very well-spoken for a nineteen-year-old.
Dad glances my way giving me a smirk as Jrue continues to talk to my mother. I smile ever so slightly then turn back to the conversation.
He turns towards my bags, reaching down, “May I?”.
A smile reaches my eyes and I politely nod in agreement. My gaze follows him as he walks over to the Chevy and opens the back, lugging my massive case into the classic old car. I race over to mum and dad, giving them one final hug.
I look up at them and just take in this final moment. “I’ll call you once I’m there!”