Bird stared at the old dust covered walls of her magic training room. It was evening, the brazen glow of sunset filling the rafters of the room revealing the dust swirls that sparkled like trails of miniature stars. Though there was sun, the room was cold for winter had settled outside and Bird hugged her arms trying to keep warm. Yena hugged her enveloping Bird in the heat that all dragons seemed to share.
“What is this place to you?” Yena asked as she looked around.
“This is the place where my ma and I used to practice magic. We would come once a week to practice in secret away from the village. The walls are thick enough to withstand large amounts of damage,” Bird said. She was still staring at the wall before her where a crude drawing had been painted. Bird remembered painting it for her mother; it was of the two of them casting spells to make different designs in the air. The red paint had turned brown and had cracked and peeled from the wall in spots, but most of the shapes could still be made out.
“Yena, is there a reason tigers can’t see us when we spirit walk?” Bird asked suddenly as she heard movement on the other side of the wall.
“Only those with magical ability or heavenly beings can see us. Though the Heavenly Tigers were created by Lun and Hexa, they lack divine power such as we dragons have. They can shapeshift and are formidable fighters, but lack the blessing of the Creator that is why they need Seekers.”
“So they need witches to make up for their lack in power.”
Yena nodded. “We dragons have vowed to protect humanity, but most especially those witches that would be exploited by the tigers. Now that we have the book of the Creator, we will be able to restore his kingdom and cast out the usurpers and all their progeny.” Bird felt Yena’s heat spike for a moment and flinched at the suddenness. “I apologize Bird, let’s return home.”
Home, thought Bird, was Uler really her home now? Woodbridge had always been her home even though her parents were dead. She had never imagined that she would leave her cottage, but now here she was with dragons living on a sub-tropical island. Could Uler ever be her home? Would Nettie be willing to live here?
Yena took Bird’s hand. One moment they were standing in the old castle room, the next they were lying on the atrium floor. The sun had moved closer to the horizon making the air cooler. Clouds had begun to form promising rain before evening fell. Yena moved to close the windows of the atrium while Bird secured the door to the outer porch.
“Does it always rain so much in Uler?” Bird asked as she pulled down the latch.
“During the winter yes, we’ve hardly seen snow here. I think I would prefer snow; it has its own beauty. As a child I used to make snow people with my sister. Did you ever do that Bird? Make snow people.”
“With my ma, yes. We would dress them in old rags and give them names. Sometimes my cousins would visit and help us,” Bird replied.
“Snow people, that sounds like fun!”
Bird whirled around to find Lore leaning on the door frame of the atrium with a smirk on his face. He crossed his arms and winked at her. “So Briar how was your lesson with Yena?”
Bird felt heat rise in her cheeks and bumped up against the porch door. “It was a good lesson,” she said softly. Why is my heart beating so fast? she thought.
“Is that so,” Lore said drawing close to her. He touched her chin. Bird’s head banged against the wood of the door. “Are you okay?” Lore asked as Bird hissed in pain.
“I will be once you give me some room! What are you doing here, are you stalking me?”
Lore backed away surprised then flipped his hair onto his back. ‘”Dear lady,” he said bowing, “You would accuse me of stalking a child such as you?”
“Yes I would, and stop calling me a child, I’m almost 19.”
“Almost, as in your birthday has yet to come?” Lore asked sweetly. Bird’s eyes narrowed. Lore smiled once more and she felt her heart skip a beat. What was happening to her? Why was her heart pounding after seeing the dragon smile? Why did she feel excited to see him? She frowned and moved closer to Yena. Lore tracked her movements and Bird felt heat in her cheeks once more.
“Lorcan,” Yena said. “You are upsetting Bird.”
“I didn’t mean to, I only came to ask if she wanted an escort to her quarters.”
Bird shook her head. “I’m fine, Apple is going to meet me there.”
“Oh, well,” Lore said. “Have a good evening, Yena, Briar.” He bowed to each of them and left.
Yena placed her hand on Bird’s shoulder. “Did Lore seem to be acting strangely to you?” she asked.
“No, he always acts like that.”
“Hmm,” Yena murmured. “Have a good evening, Bird.”
Finding herself alone in the atrium, Bird felt her burning cheeks. “What is going on with me?” she whispered. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts she left the atrium for her room.
As she reached the main floor bells rang the top of the hour. The halls began to fill with dragons and humans alike as they left their offices for home. Bird was fascinated by how the dragons looked almost indistinguishable from humans. Their natural grace and air of solemnity gave them away. Most dragons, at least the older ones seemed to lack joy or had learned to suppress it.
The only time they seemed to show any gayety was during their weekly choral session when thousands of dragon voices could be heard singing in unity the praises of the Creator. Bird enjoyed those times when the island hushed just before filling with song.
Apple had begun taking her to these sessions the first week she had arrived in Uler. The experience was like none other than she had experienced. Energy and peace had filled her until she thought her soul would burst. Every week she looked forward to it as her only solace from her thoughts.
As she opened her door to her room Sarene met her there. “I thought the worst when you didn’t come back from class. I heard you collapsed,” the woman said swiftly while taking Bird’s hand. “Please sit down, don’t try to exert yourself.”
“Sarene, Sarene, please, I’m fine,” Bird said as the other woman dragged her toward their only chair. Bird sat in the chair and took the glass of water offered her.
“If anything had happened to you I… I…” And Sarene burst into tears which was a common occurrence when she became stressed. She sat down on her own bed and covered her face with the hem of her dress. “I have so few friends, you see, that if anything were to happen to you I would be devastated,” she sobbed. Bird knelt in front of Sarene and patted her knee.
“I know how you feel Sarene, I’m alright. I ended up spirit walking in class.”
“They say people with restless minds are prone to that. I’ve never done it myself. Do you think I’m restless?” Sarene asked in one breath. Bird shook her head. “Thank goodness. Is that why you were gone so long?”
Bird straightened up and went to sit on her own bed. “I’ve told you about my cousin. I saw her again today.”
“Poor thing, is she well?”
Bird nodded and Sarene smiled; she couldn’t tell Sarene the whole truth, not the way Nettie had glared at her or the lost expression in her eyes as she pushed Bird off the roof. Better to keep those to herself and spare Sarene the extra burden.
“Are you ready for the Assembly tonight?” Bird asked. Immediately the expression on Sarene’s face changed into a blush.
“Yes, Jack said he wanted to attend with me, I hope you don’t mind since you always go with Apple. I feel like a third wheel when I’m with you two,” Sarene replied as she wiped the tears from her face. Bird grimaced and looked away.
“You needn’t worry, Apple and I aren’t together. He usually picks me up first because his fiancée works with the Oracle.”
Sarene’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh, I didn’t mean to imply…”
Bird waved her hand as if to clear the air when there was a knock on their door. They shared a glance between them before Bird stood up to answer. Opening the door she did not find Apple, but Lore. Immediately her view was blocked with a bouquet of flowers. “What are you doing with those flowers? They better not be from the garden,” Bird hissed. Lore patted her on the head and brushed past her before she could close the door in his face. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to bring Sarene some flowers,” Lore said handing them off to Bird’s roommate. “I knew she would be in such distress over you. And no, these are not from the garden, I have better sense than to anger Nana again, they’re from your window.”
Alarmed Bird rushed to their window and pushed aside the heavy drapes. Outside every window in the sleeping quarters were window boxes. For those inclined to nature, flowers were grown in them. Bird had started growing crocuses in her window box, it was a flower that her mother had loved. Looking out the window, expecting the worst, Bird found no sign that her small garden had been tampered with. Turning back she glared at Lore who tried to look innocent.
“Do you enjoy angering me?” she demanded.
“Only a little,” he said before pulling a red carnation from behind his back. “This is for you,” he said bowing slightly. Grudgingly, because Sarene was watching, Bird took the flower from him.
“Isn’t this out of season?”
“Nothing is out of season for a dragon. Now come, we must be off,” Lore said taking Bird by the elbow and pushing her out the door. “We don’t want to be late.”
Sarene stood up as if to protest, but Lore placed a finger to his lips and winked before shutting the door behind him.
“What are you doing?” Bird hissed under her breath as Lore ushered her through the women’s hall.
“Taking you to Assembly.”
“No, Apple-,”
“Does not know that I have already taken you and this will irk him to no end,” Lore said smiling slyly. “You see, he sees that it’s his duty to bring you to Assembly as your protector. I see that as your friend I should take you in his stead.”
“But Apple is my friend too.”
“And you’ve been neglecting your other friends,” Lore said as they rounded a corner to find Fel waiting in the garden for them. Bird felt her face heat as she realized that she hadn’t seen him in three weeks.
“Hello m’lady,” Fel said giving her a bow. “It pleases me to see you in good health,” he said softly. Bird noticed that his hair had been cropped close to his head and instead of the fancily designed clothes she had known him to wear he was dressed in a more somber black that looked striking on him. Not knowing what had brought on the change, Bird stepped closer to him.
“Fel, it’s good to see you. Why are you dressed so?” she asked. Bird saw the color rise in his cheeks.
“My squad leader said if I wanted to be a fighter that I need to start dressing the part,” Fel said. His eyes shifted to the flower in Bird’s hand then back to her face.
“Oh,” Bird replied. Lore tugged at Bird’s elbow and the three of them began to walk together in silence for a few moments. Bird looked up at Lore who had tucked her arm under his. There seemed to be an unreadable expression on his face. She poked him on the cheek with the flower and he glanced down at her. “Is something wrong?”
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He shook his head and they continued on in silence.
They soon left the building and joined the growing crowd in the streets all headed to different places of Assembly. The one that Apple usually took Bird was a part of an annex of the main council hall where they lived, but Lore had turned away from the path that led to the building and instead took them outside the council hall and the palace’s walls.
Bird began to feel anxious as they drew farther away from the building and into the city of Uler. They passed buildings that were clustered together, then they became fewer and far between. Soon she noticed that they were heading uphill into the forest. The sunlight was swiftly fading and a lone dragon was making his way down the street lighting the lamps. He nodded to the trio as they passed and continued his work.
“Where are we going?” Bird asked as the treetops blocked her view of the starry sky.
“You’ll see, it’s not much further,” Lore said patting her hand.
“You’re not luring me into the woods so that you can eat me?”
“Only if you want me to,” Lore replied.
Bird’s jaw dropped and she tried to wiggle out of his grasp. “Let go of me pervert,” Bird yelled. Faster than she could blink she found herself cradled in the dragon’s arms. Fel sighed and rolled his eyes.
“Dear Briar, I honestly hope that you don’t think that I would harm you in any way. Please relax and we can walk peaceably to where we are going. It's not far.” The strange look was in Lore’s eyes once more. He seemed to be begging her to understand him.
Eventually curiosity won Bird over and she patted his arm. “Let me down, I promise not to yell or escape.” Lore’s face immediately brightened and Bird felt her heart begin to race in her chest. She swallowed back a lump in her throat and looked away as he set her on her feet. Lore offered his arm again and she took it.
Up ahead the darkness was held at bay by a soft light. As they drew closer Bird gasped. The path they traveled ended at the edge of a clearing. Surrounding the clearing were hundreds of candles that illuminated the benches placed at even intervals. In the center of the clearing was circular stone stage made of granite and in the very center of this stage were two half circle benches made of the same material. Lore ushered Bird on to the stage and made her sit on the right side bench. Fel reached under the opposite bench and pulled out a lute. He tuned it then stepped back to the edge of the stage.
Lore moved back to the edge of the clearing and began to shimmer. Suddenly five other dragons stepped out from the darkness shimmering. As one they turned into their dragon forms and lifted their heads to the stars. At some unspoken cue Fel began to play his lute.
Bird felt her body vibrate as a sound played on the very edge of her hearing. Soon she realized the dragons were humming as the sound grew. Fel’s lute weaved in and out of the melody as it grew more complex. A change came in the melody as the dragons began to sing. Bird felt her eyes drawn to Lore. His long graceful neck was curved back, the brown scales taking on a bronze hue in the candlelight.
Energy stirred within her belly responding to the song of the dragons. Bird closed her eyes basking in the harmony as more dragon voices could be heard far off. With her eyes closed one voice seemed to stand out among the others. An ache began in Bird’s throat and her lips quivered as she listened to the voice that seemed to call out to her.
A sound escaped Bird’s lips, softly at first. She began to match the voice note for note, word for word though she did not understand the language that was spoken. Gradually her voice became louder and she stood up raising her arms as they tingled with energy. Bird felt her heart yearning for something; the desire entered her voice.
Suddenly she felt hands clasping hers and a part or her that she did not realize had been empty became filled with intense energy. Bird threw her head back as her whole body thrummed with the new energy. She felt lips on her own and she welcomed them. Her body felt aflame and the arms that now encircled her only increased the heat until she felt that she would turn to ash.
A thumb traced her chin and she moved her hands up until she was clutching strong shoulders. A smoky scent met her nose and Bird wanted to cover herself in it so that she could smell nothing else.
What is this? Bird wondered just before her power spilt over consuming her in a rush that left her knees weak. She moaned and collapsed against the person holding her up. Immediately she felt her face heat in embarrassment. Why did it feel right to be in this person's arms? Her heart felt whole and her power wild.
What had happened? Why had she been kissing? Who had she been kissing? Her lips felt tender and swollen as she touched them gently, afraid to look up. Bird closed her eyes, took a deep breath and looked up.
Bird felt her heart stop then work itself into a panic. Why him? she thought and took a step back covering her mouth. Lore’s hands clutched her own and he pulled her close once more then knelt in front of her. “Bird,” Lore whispered. His voice sounded loud in the silence that was left after Assembly.
“What happened to me?” Bird asked. Her body began to shake as she stared at Lore. What was this feeling that she felt? Why did she feel indestructible, complete, happy? Why was her energy fluctuating so wildly within her?
“You joined with my harmony,” Lore said. He pressed his hand against Bird’s forehead then moved it to cup her chin. “Don’t worry, your energy will settle soon.”
“I joined with your harmony? I’ve sung with the Assembly before, what’s different about now?” Bird asked. Her stomach rolled and bile rose in her throat. Lore pushed her back onto the bench.
“Joining a harmony is different from singing in Assembly. This is something more intimate.” Lore looked away then back at Bird. “When I sang tonight, I did not expect anyone to match my energy. I didn’t know that you would be the one.”
“I still don’t understand you. We’ve cast spells together before, how is this different?” Bird asked.
Lore looked her directly in the eyes. “Harmonizing our energy as we just did is something different than casting spells. Our energy became one which is something that only happens between fated souls.”
Bird began shaking her head. Tears formed in her eyes and she let out a sob. “Bird, I love you,” Lore whispered.
Bird stood up abruptly and backed away from the bench nearly tumbling off the stage as she did so. “No,” she said. “No, this can’t be right; I love Apple. You’re my friend,” she said pleadingly. She ran her fingers through her hair and continued to back away.
“Bird!” Lore said standing up swiftly. “Bird , please.”
“Don’t say my name,” Bird said hoarsely. She wiped tears from her face.
“Bird…”
She shook her head, created a doorway and fled.
***
Apple stormed into the courtyard in front of the council hall with Fel and Sera following in his wake. He found Lore leaning against the iron gate with tears in his eyes. “Have you found her yet?” Apple demanded. Lore shook his head. “She has been missing for two hours, where could she have gone on this island?”
“I’m not even sure if she’s on the island,” Lore replied. Apple narrowed his eyes.
“What do you mean by that? How could she have gotten off the island without a boat?”
“Bird can open gates! This is something she showed me the first time we started lessons together. I had thought the talent had been lost to witches, but she could do it perfectly.”
“You mean to tell me that Bird can open gates and you never thought to tell me?” Apple roared. Smoke escaped his teeth as he snarled. His body began to shimmer and Lore took a step back. “Bird could be anywhere now, and why did she run off in the first place?”
“We harmonized during Assembly.”
Shock fell across Apple and Sera’s faces as they stared at Lore. The dragon man had undone his hair and it now fell about his shoulders in a tangled black curtain. His body began to shimmer while he choked back a sob. “It scared her. We had kissed…” Lore covered his mouth and stared at his feet. “What have I done? She must think I’m some monster forcing himself on her.”
Apple hugged his cousin. “No Lore, you’re not a monster. She’s just a young girl. She’s frightened, which is normal when something like this happens. We will find her, but you need to calm down. You’re the only one who can probably locate her now, but you can’t do it unbalanced.”
Lore nodded into Apple’s shoulder. Sera placed her hand on Lore’s shoulder. “Cousin, it will be okay,” she said smiling sweetly.
“Don’t forget I’m here to help as well,” Fel said.
***
Bird’s chest would not stop aching as she rocked herself in the corner of the castle room. This was the first place she had thought to flee it was also the closest thing that felt of like home. There were no lights to illumine the cluttered storage room, someone had removed the torches and cleared away some of the old junk.
The cold winter air sent shivers down her spine, but she lacked any motivation to warm herself. She blew onto her hands then stuck them in her armpits. “This is ridiculous,” she said aloud. “I love Apple, so why did I kiss Lore?” Hot tears burned her cheeks anew as she thought of the kiss. She had enjoyed it, she had wanted more. The feeling scared her.
She wrapped her arms tighter around her knees.
Assembly had been beautiful and amazing up until the point she had opened her eyes to find Lore had kissed her. She remembered the feel of his skin and his smoky scent that she wanted to wrap herself in. His scent was different from Apple’s.
Where Apple’s scent made her feel calm and safe, Lore’s excited her. During Assembly she had felt a strong inner connection that she had never had with anyone before, even Apple. How was she supposed to explain what had happened between them? Why could she still feel a faint connection to Lore even now miles away?
Why did she not love Apple as she had before?
A noise came from across the room and Bird looked up to see Yena standing in front of her. Bird saw that something was off then realized she could see Yena as clear as if she stood in sunlight rather than the nighttime gloom of the castle. “You’re not entirely here,” Bird said.
“No,” Yena said sitting beside Bird and offering her, her warmth. “I am not. Why did you flee?”
Bird bit her lip hard enough to draw a drop of blood. “I’m not in control of my emotions anymore. I’m getting flashes of heat as if I’m sitting next to an open fire in the wind. I don’t know what to do about Lore or Apple.”
“Hush.” Yena kissed the top of Bird’s head. “This is natural, I went through it myself when I met Adwin. We had hated each other at first, but then when we harmonized we realized it was such a childish thing that had kept us apart. I knew from that moment that I would walk the ends of the earth to see him happy and he would do the same for me. I don’t think you’ve lost control Bird, I think that your head has finally caught up with your heart.”
Her heart? Were all the moments that she had felt her heart skip around Lore a signal that she had started to love him? When she had first met him she had found him irritating and loud; and now? Now she had found herself losing the ability to speak when he was around. His smiles evoked her own, and when he had held her arm thrills had gone through her body. It was easier to be sarcastic with him to hide the how excited he made her feel.
With Apple she had felt safe and protected, but not once had he shown any romantic interest in her. She had cried herself to sleep when she found out Sera was his fiancée and it was Lore, not Apple who comforted her then. Lore was constantly by her side and always seemed to notice before anyone else that she was feeling unwell.
Did Lore truly love her? Did she love him?
She cringed when she thought of the way she had spoken to him in the clearing.
Bird touched her heart. She had had few examples of love growing up, but had always imagined what it would be like. She had pictured a handsome champion that would carry her away from her problems and take her to live in a place that she could be accepted as a witch. When Apple had appeared before her in his human form, she could not help but fall in love with him then. He seemed to be the champion she had waited for to save her from the memory of her lonely days in the cottage.
Apple was brave, confident, gentle and kind, while Lore was loud, obnoxious and teasing, but beneath all that teasing was a kind and fierce heart; a heart that had bared itself completely to her in sincerity.
“I’m ready to go now,” Bird said.
“Good. Go back to the park Lore took you to tonight. It’s best that you not surprise any dragons with your talent,” Yena said softly. She gave Bird one last squeeze and faded into mist. Bird wiped the tears from her face and created a new gate.
As Bird passed through the gate she realized that she was not alone. Lore was sitting on the stage of the clearing with his back to her. His long hair, usually kept in a braid, was now undone and falling about his shoulders like a soft wavy curtain. A lantern sat next to him, which he almost turned over as he jumped to his feet and faced her.
“Bird, I know that what happened tonight scared you. I want to say I’m sorry and I won’t push any more of my feelings on to you. I brought you this lantern since the street lamps are now out,” Lore said quickly bowing his head. Bird crossed the distance between them swiftly and threw her arms around the surprised dragon.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for hurting you and running away,” Bird said into his chest as her head could not reach his shoulder. “I was being unfair… Kiss me.”
Lore hesitated and Bird drew his head level with hers until their lips almost touched and their breath mingled. “Are you sure you want this?” he asked.
“Yes,” she breathed. Lore kissed her and Bird felt her energy finally settle as joy rushed through her heart. “What do we do now?” Bird asked after Lore pulled away.
“We set a wedding date,” he said winking.
“Don’t you think it’s too soon? I barely know you.”
“Barely know me? Haven’t we traveled together and lived under the same roof for half a year?”
“I don’t think the open air and inns count,” Bird said smiling. She began to back away. “Besides, who would want to share a roof with a pervert like you?”
“Pervert am I? Dear lady you wound me once more. Come back here and take ownership of the damage you have dealt me,” Lore said miming a knife in his heart. Bird stuck out her tongue and raced down the path back toward the city. Suddenly she was picked up off her feet by a transformed Lore and she let out a shriek.
Lore held her tightly to his chest and carried her back to the Council Hall. Apple alone stood waiting for them, a stern look in his eyes. “Lore, I need to talk to Bird for a moment,” he said as Lore resumed his human form.
“As you wish,” Lore said.
Apple led Bird a few steps away and hugged her. “You had us worried! If you disappear like that how am I to protect you?”
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking,” Bird said.
“What’s more you revealed that you have the ability to create gates.” Bird took a step back when Apple spoke. She felt her stomach twist as she remembered opening a gate in front of the dragons at Lore’s Assembly. “I already told you what happened to Elys, his story is not the only one. There are hundreds here that were attacked because a witch opened a gate into protected land.”
A cold chill went down Bird’s spine. Was her ability so evil? Was it best to never use it again to ensure the protection of others?
“Bird, do you understand what I’m saying? You can’t use this spell anymore.”
“Yes,” Bird said nodding. “I understand.” Apple kissed her forehead and brought her back to Lore.
“I would prefer it if you wouldn’t be so intimate with my fiancée,” Lore said.
Apple smirked and put his arm around Bird. “Fiancée?”
Bird rolled her eyes. “I’m not your fiancée, I’m not sure what we are right now,” she said.
“I proposed,” Lore said in a lilting voice.
“I never said yes…” Lore drew closer, lifted Bird’s chin then kissed her deeply. Apple took a step back to give them room. Bird buried her face in Lore’s chesr. “Fmm,” she mumbled.
“Excuse me?” Lore asked.
“Fine! I’ll consider it,” Bird huffed. “But I’m tired. I’m going to bed.”
“Want me to join you?” Bird smacked his shoulder. “That’s a no I believe.”
“Don’t believe, know it!” Bird took his hand in hers and began to walk with him toward the Council Hall. “You can escort me to my room though. Good night Apple!”
Apple watched the two of them walk away and scratched his chin. What was he to do with Bird now that she was with Lore? He felt a small fear in his heart which he quickly squashed. It was for the best that Lore was with Bird. A change seemed to have overtaken his cousin. He was happier than he had ever been since the attack that had left him and Nana wounded with Brigid nowhere to be found.
Lore had distanced himself from all but Apple, but he was starting to see it begin to close swiftly since Bird had come into their lives. Would Lore continue to grow with Bird?