“That part still doesn’t make sense to me. I have read so many dragon stories and all of them that are born from a dragon parent can shift into dragons.”
“They’re not dragons, Elena, they’re shape shifters. It’s a completely different thing.”
“How’s that different?” I asked, confused again.
“Shape shifting is a gift, just like the ones we will receive when we ascend. The only difference is that you're born a shape shifter. Turning into the form they shift into, now that is genetic.”
I finally understood what he was saying.
“Are there any shape shifters in Paegeia?”
“There used to be a long time ago, but,like the dragons, most of them were hunted down and killed. I imagine the ones that are still left this side hide it because there haven’t been any sightings for a long time.”
I sighed. “That's just wrong.” It was quiet for a while. “So what will happen if you don't ascend?”
“Nothing. You make your own future.”
“But how do you know what dragon to choose then?”
“You can choose anyone. It just makes it harder without an ability. Three of the Metallic dragons don't even have abilities, and yet they are the most important dragons of war. Without them, the chances of winning are very slim.”
“Most of the Metallic dragons don't own an ability?”
“Yes, it's only the Fire-tail and the Swallow Annex that have them,” he said. “The rest have to rely on their speed and strength. Their exterior is much more advanced than the Chromatic dragons. They are the attackers and not scared to fly in and take out the enemy in close contact.”
“Why do you fight?”
“We fight for the same reason war starts on the other side; freedom, peace, love.” He smiled on the last word and stroked my back.
He leaned in for a kiss, and I knew that it was my favorite thing in the entire world, kissing him.
“We need to go, it is almost dinnertime,” he whispered as our noses touched. I looked at my watch and saw that it was half past five. I sulked which made him laugh.
“I know I have been neglecting you this last couple of days, but I promise it’s going to change,” he said, and kissed me one more time.
The ride back was too short. We ended up talking about him trying to claim Blake again.
“Lucian, Becky told me the last time you got seriously hurt. Why do you keep on trying if he can kill you?”
“Blake won't kill me and the girls are real drama queens. They make things sound twenty times worse than they are. I barely broke a rib.”
I didn't know if that was supposed to be a joke.
“It's nice that you worry about me.”
“Of course I worry,” I yelled, thinking what kind of a girlfriend I would be if I wasn't.
“Are you ready to find out how it feels when Ginger runs,” he said, and I shrieked. “Fine, I will keep it at a gentle gallop.” He clicked his tongue again, and she started to walk a little faster and then turned into a smooth gallop.
Arriving back at the stable, our ride ended, and I waited while he took the saddle off Ginger's back. My head felt much lighter, and I was amazed at the effect a horse could have on a human. They were so gentle. After the ride, my problems didn't seem quite so big anymore.
“Thank you, Lucian, I really needed that.” I hugged him from behind.
He turned around. “Everyone needs a break now and then. You will see everything is going to be fine.”
We entered the cafeteria hand in hand, and my eyes caught Arianna’s. She glared at me, clearly pissed, as if he belonged to her or something. I looked away, ignoring her, and walked with him to the buffet line.
The dinner conversation revolved around Becky complaining about George and how difficult he was making it not cooperating with her in class. I said goodnight to Lucian by the stairs and went to my room. I struggled to fall asleep, thinking about finals and Lucian. I didn’t want to fail.
When I finally drifted away, I found myself standing alone in the forest once again.
When Becky's alarm woke me up, my head felt stuffed, and the effects of the horse ride had vanished.
My first two periods of the day were Latin.
“Elena, Master Longwei wants to see you in his office,” Sir Deisenberg said, and I packed away my books once more.
Just like yesterday, I found him sitting behind his desk buried in a stack of papers.
“Sit, Elena. I have spoken to a couple of the staff, and each gave me a name of their best student in all the subjects that you struggle with. Here is a list. They all agreed to help you.”
I looked at the piece of paper with the names, times, and who was willing to tutor me. I froze when I looked at Monday and saw the name written next to Enchantments; it was Arianna's. History was on Tuesday and someone with the name of Cheng. I smiled as I saw Lucian's name on Wednesday right next to Art of War. My heart stopped on the name next to Latin that was on Thursday; Blake.
Chapter Fifteen
After I left Master Longwei’s office, it was time for lunch. I swiftly entered the cafeteria and found Becky's table. Lucian was not there yet.
“Are you okay?” Becky asked as I sat down.
“Just don’t make me think about anything.please,” I pleaded.
“Elena?” They both wanted to know what was going on.
“Hey, babes, you ready for sparring classes?” Lucian plunged down on the pillow right next to me, and I couldn't help but smile at him.
“I probably don't have a choice.” I sulked and he chuckled.
“It’s not that bad.”
“Excuse me, you are a slave drivingdemon when it comes to fighting,” Becky snapped at him playfully.
“It got you your dragon,” he countered.
“Not the one I was hoping for.”
“Sorry." I stood up. "I need to get something in my system before Professor Mia’s class. Collin’s probably going to kill me today."
“He’s a push-over,” Becky said, using a singsong tone.
“Give it a month, and he is going to be the one sulking,” Lucian promised and was right next to me. He gave me a side hug.
“Collin, enough!” I shrieked as he hit me with another blow that landed me flat on my butt. He laughed. Now I was sure that Lucian would deliver, because I was determined to kick Collin’s ass.
“Elena, go to Constance. She can heal the cuts and bruises,” Professor Mia said in a concerned tone. Blood soaked through my sleeves and my elbows felt raw and painful. “You don't need to walk around in agony.” A small smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, and I nodded before running to the exit.
Maybe it was all I needed, to see Constance's friendly face again. She somehow made me feel like I wasn’t an outcast. I knocked on the door, and she smiled, nodding for me to enter. “Look who’s here,” she sang, but her smile disappeared as she saw the agony on my face. “Come here.” Her arms were open and she hugged me tightly. Her arms felt so motherly, and she even gave me a soft kiss on my head.
“It's so hard,” I sulked, and my mouth felt parched. She poured me a glass of water and handed it to me. “Just look at me.” I showed her my elbows.
She took my arms softly and examined me.
She's really beautiful.
“It's going to be okay, Elena. Before you know it, everything is going to make sense and I'm sure with the help of Lucian, you’ll not have these anymore.” She gestured to my bruises.