Chapter one: Last day

 

On the edge of the capital sat a row of big houses, not as big as the mansions for the mercheens but big, nonetheless. In the brick house on the far left is where I live with my grandmas—an Apothecary named Rose-Mary and Noble chairwomen named She-Ba. I just recently moved here. I can get to school from here visa my own magic, even though it’s in the next village over. A nice little town where… “Rising-Lotus…are you awake”? A rose-colored haired woman says, knocking on my door, “You’re going to be late.” I open my eyes and jump out of bed, “Nana Rose-Mary why did you not wake me sooner” I run face first into my closet. Ms. Rose-Mary laughs and returns to the kitchen. What a scatterbrain I am. The light shining through my window reflects off my scales in a simmering rain bow as I change out of my pajamas. I put on my brown tee and thrift store jeans of the same color, my scale rips a small piece of the fabric, “These clothes are not made for dragons” I roll my eyes. I open my door and walk down the hallway. I pass pictures of all my siblings and cousins. I enter the kitchen and see my Coco sitting at the table reading the Capital Press.

The sun shines thought the window as the sound of bacon sizzling on the stove fills my ears. It’s not the biggest kitchen but it’s home and I wouldn’t want it any other way. “Morning Coco sorry I’m up late…again but I have a good reason” I say grabbing toast from the toaster and some bacon from the plate next to the stove nearly being swatted at by Nana Rose-Mary.

                    “And what is it this time, Rising-Lotus?” she says, sipping her coffee and shaking her newspaper; peering over just enough that I catch her gaze.

                    “I was texting Sunny.” I say shoving the toast and bacon into my mouth, “Mmmunh muungh.”

                    “Who,” She fully looks up from her paper, “Slow down and do not chock.”

                    “Oh um…Sunny Alquist he was really excited to tell me something” My phone buzzes “…he still is.”

                    I make a portal, grab my bag and hug Coco. “You two aren’t dating are you.”

                    “No, Coco,” I chuckled. “We’re just friends” I jump through the portal the clouds cover my face as I sour thought the sky; the wind brushes past my face, the smell of sweat and hormones filling my nose. I land on the cloud pavement, dodging a football “Watch it nerd!”

The quad is abuzz about graduation plans and summer assignments. The sun beams past the building, and the sound of chatter fills my ears as I walk past the cheerleader’s sitting on the stair’s pillars, jock-heads—who though the football—and the band kids. I enter the building and greet my old teachers as I run down the hall. Locker slamming, books flying, girls giggling as their partners nibble at their necks. I roll my eyes and get to my locker “Well isn’t it the muard wage” my bully a—golden haired magic user a long horn sticking up almost as high as her nose—says slamming my locker.

“What Kitten…” I say reopening my locker “…and I am not a warrior mage, anymore if you’re going to insult me do it right.”

“I heard you moved, and your parents abandoned you; I was right all those years ago…no one loves…”

“First…” I slam my locker tears forming in my eyes. I feel my power heating within my wings starting to scale. I turn towards her and open my mouth, but a guy’s arm lands between us a gust of body spray insults my nose “Hey Kitty baby” I turn and run to homeroom. As the most popular girl everyone hits on her, even the lesbians, and she is straighter than a line. I am Bi and still have nobody. I wipe the tears from my eyes as I walk into the homeroom, and it is a mess…more than usual. My homeroom class is full, almost everyone is one time; the fighters are throwing a football, and the Archers are gossiping. My friends are playing Witches and Warlocks. I do not play but I like watching them.

I sit at my seat and then Daffodil—a dark pink haired magic user—sits on my desk “Oh Rising-Lotus how are you my little guy” I blush like crazy trying at avoid the…view “After your…these people left I thought you would go home.”

“Wait, they really left Pearple Farms, do you know when?” Just then Rockne Candy, a dragon half breed like me but pink scaled and blue haired and is a flyer; runs in. “RISING-LOTUS” She pushes Daffodil off my desk.

“Yeah Rockne…what’s up” I ask as she slams the newspaper on my desk. 

“Read this!” A copy of the Dragon Gazit is laid in front of me, a photo of a younger me in a hospital bed on the cover, I grab the paper, and flip thought the pages and stop on a page called The Return of The King:

News from the Empire the Fallen prince and the Flyer princess after all these years returns with sad news that the youngest royal Rising-Lotus Moon Lilly Bolt has passed due to illness and declares themselves as King and Queen with the support of the royal court Sir Flaming crowing sr. and The Lady of the mist although Sir Flamming Crown Sr. seems a little ad misted. However, we have confirmed that our young royal is safe in the Capital of the Kingdom of the Sun with Lady She-Ba and Lady Rose-Mary to our prince we say “We will be fine your brothers and sisters will protect us through the system you made please continue your path my prince and may the thorn be taken by your beloved brother Flaming Duke. Long Live House Flaming Lotus.

I cannot believe what I just read. I slam the paper onto my desk, causing the whole class to quiet down for a second and the noise returns. They really tried to lie their way to power by faking my death. “Ouch…Rising-Lotus help me please.” I use my elemental power to lift Daffodil to her feet. The bell rings and Mr. Ax-Head walks in “Mx. Rockne, I do not believe you are in my homeroom please go to the correct room or you will have detention on the last day we do not want that do we?”

Rockne Candy walks out apologizing as Mr. Ax-Head passes out little envelopes. Sunny texts me and says to meet him at our spot at Sweet Square after school. “Mx. Bolt no phones it is still a school day albeit the last.”

“I’m sorry sir, I…don’t have a good reason” I put my phone on mute and put it in my pocket. Mr. Axe-head hands out the envelopes; inside had a letter entailing the King’s plan for us after Highschool, we each got courted into aur courts as we are all of noble birth. “Does this have anything to do with what we had to do in the first grade,” Spring Diamond asks?

“Yes Mr. Bow-arrow in the first grade you all picked at least one element and as you all are of noble stats…or rich *cough Kitten* you will be sorted into your courts.”

I raise my hand “Sir mine says CPI.” Then Night runs in and jumps in his seat in the back. “The front seat Mr. Gem you must pay attention today; and yes, Rising-Lotus you are…special and so will be your peers.”

“You’re poor” Kitten yells.

“Yes, that too you will get aid for your tuition fees but…you're more special than you know” he says walking over to his desk “…and Kitten detention today…with Ms. Vex…” the whole class laughs as Kitten yells “now, now settle down class, rain it in.” He explains that we are the Kingdom’s last defense against the supernatural threading are land and CPI are the strongest and ironically do not come from noble families normally, but I was the exception for some reason., being the last royal child of Prince Flaming Crown Jr.—my father—I am of noble birth and that stats is acknowledged by the royal families but I was raised as a farmer’s grandchild.

The bell rings and that is it. Normal schools let out last week; we had to get our job assignments from the kings and our diplomas. The Highflyer school for the cursed and gifted. My…parents enrolled me after I took down the Poug King at the age of six, leading to the youngest king in Ekhaya history. King Mitch, my brother, adopted me as his sibling after the whole fiasco.

​

 

 

 

Chapter Two: The Market

 

On the way-out Purple-Flame runs by fast with Night on his heels “You little…get back here” Purple-Flame—a flyer of purple hair— loops around and hides behind me “Rising-Lotus-er-ing help me you know him.”

“Not my show, not my monkeys, don't hurt him on school grounds, have fun.” I portal away. I land in town. Stales line the walkway, and banners fly in the wind. Women chatting and laughing, children running around and sales signs everywhere. I take out my phone, and I got a text from Ms. Rose-Mary, thank you again for shopping for me while I’m at work, Rising-Lotus please get gold peppers, some Pareplle jam, yes mushrooms, noodles, tomatoes, and some catfish I’ll make it before you go to CPI, Coco and I just got the information thanks again.

“Mushrooms?” I say with disgust.

“Mushrooms,” a little voice says from behind.

I turn to see a little green dragon half-breed holding his leash, “You got away from your mom…come on she’s not nearby.” The little dragon stands up and transforms into his normal state “Hi, Rising-Lotus it’s nice to see you again.” He says wagging his little tail.

“As for you young one, how is Papay?” I say as we start walking.

“He is even better now that these people left the farm three fourth nights ago, mother was not,” he says, turning his leach into a necklace.

“One and a half months ago…did they say anything to you or around you.”

“From a cloud I heard your father tell my mother that they will be on the throne again and to enact state step two.”

“As of now they are merely living in the castle. The public knew it was coming and that I am alive. Was that you pray-tell?”

“Of course, my prince my father has influence and is loyal to House Flaming-lotus as am I.”

“Thank you now, let's stop with the formalities, how are you, little buddy.”

“I’m okay Rising-Lotus it’s…just hard without you…you saw.” He looks at his necklace.

I hugged him to reassure him it would be okay. Just then we hear Ms. Pareplle yelling from across the market “Where are you…you…my little bundle of joy.” Fallen-Shard runs behind me and turns back into his feral form. I freeze in place and try to calm myself as her voice gets closer and closer. “Rising-Lotus?” Fallen-Shard runs to get help. This feeling is like he is here watching me from the crowd. I cannot move or think clearly as the yelling continues. I can hear the sound of my heart in my ears. Boom-da boom!

My mind spirals back into that dark place, the yelling, the hitting, being too scared to say anything—to try to save her was it risk my own life—then someone grabs me and holds me tight “Rising-Lotus I’m here it’s okay I sorry I had to grab you like this Fallen Shard said you had a panic attack in the middle of the town square I had to get you out of there.”

“Sunny…” I come to realize we are in a field; I grab on his arm tighter closing my eyes, just feeling his warmth “…Where what happened…Shard he’s.”

“With Papy in the Farmhouse let’s focus on you Rising-Lotus…He’s not here you're safe” Sunny’s words calm me, and I look up at him. His emerald, green eyes with a shine to them. The sun shines off his hair forming a halo around his head. As if I am seeing him for the first time, His beard freshly shaved, his hair styled and his shoulders now broader than my own, “Long time no see Sunny.”

“Yeah, I was…preoccupied with princely stuff.” He says letting go and turning around. We walk down to the watering hole, the water shining looks like diamonds, we drink the water to cool off.

“How did you know I was thinking about…”

“He is the only thing that triggers your attacks…and other black arras.”

“Not the only thing that does it” I say getting up “I should be over this already…shouldn’t I?”

He grabs my hands quietly than let’s go “No you shouldn’t, and you have the right to be mad and scared they ga…”

“I need to be strong for…I need to be…”

“You need to be you, Rising-Lotus…” he walks around and grabs me from behind hugging my close. His soft fur rubbing up against my scales, his strong yet gentle hands cradling my arms and shoulders “Rising-Lotus you are strong, beautiful, independent and you don’t I repeat don’t have to prove anything to anyone ever especially that…”

I get out of his embrace and grab my face, a little heated from the interaction. “You…I have to go” I say turning to face my friend Sunny looks at his phone puzzled “first let us get some lunch from the one store you have never been to. He grabs my hand and leads the way. His hand is bigger than I remember. He is no longer the little prince I once knew. Even though he is two years younger than me he was always a little childish, not that I am not the same; but right now, something is different “Can you still fly,” I ask spreading out my wings?

“Yeah, I can” Sunny responded levitating up. The wind blowing past my face calms my nerves and I feel a little better.

Flying up into the clouds I get a weird feeling “Sunny” I look around, but he is gone. I check inside the clouds and say, “Sunny Nightshade this is not funny.” Lightning strikes almost hitting me. I fly above the clouds and see a huge feral dragon flying ready to attack. His red scales shining in the sun the purple tip of his tail gives him away.

“Dad! what do you want!” my dad let’s out a loud roar before darting at me “so it’s like that then.” I form a shield of hardened fire to block the attack. On impact I get knocked back and fall through a cloud. Stabilizing myself, I look into the cloud his claw appears from the white cotton of the cloud.

“Phoenix’s light” the claw slashes my face, drawing blood. I turn to escape and fly like the wind. In a low grumbly voice almost like he is in pain, he speaks “This…is…he…her doing…I... Lo...ve.”.

I lose sight of my foe…he comes from the back, and I am too slow to react, and he nearly takes off my wings; but I transform them into their small form just in time; drawing more blood the dragon scratches my back. The blow sprains my wings, and as I plummet to the ground I look up and see him transform into his tames state, a tear falls from above me as I turn back towards the approaching ground

“Remember you are one with wind my child” I hear a voice coming from somewhere I put my hands out in front of me and yell “Umoya-wamanje” forming a wind current to break my fall. I landed in the middle of the market. “Some-one help someone was attacked by a feral dragon,” a woman says, dropping her bags. “Su...sunny” I say before losing consciousness.

                    I wake up in the ER “What where….” The doctor comes in and is shocked “You are lucky to be alive Mx. Lightning-Storm and…sadly we do not allow your…we do not allow though who live outside of town in the hospital. We have changed the rules since you have been here for treatment, I am afraid.”

                    “Yeah, I got it doc, about my….”

                    “The bill has been paid by Papy Pareplle. He and his grandson are waiting for you in the lobby…you will have scars on your eye and back also…” The doctor leaves.

                    A nurse brings me my clothes and asks about my mental state due to my history and what happened. I tell her I am okay and get dressed. Walking down to the lobby I see reporters as they rush to talk to me.

                    “Prince Rising-Lotus, can we have a statement about what happened?” one reporter says.

                    “Are your siblings losing grip on the people of the Empire?” a woman says shoving a camera in my face.

                    My horns are out; they must be no one knows I hid them to fit in more with my ponian side. I calmly walk past avoiding looking into the cameras. Lights flashing as I walk by head up and back straight. These vouchers will do anything to see a royal fail at anything; looking for the next big story. I will give them something to report on “My father is a…” I stop and think “my father has done many bad things in his life and time as king, he left the Empire to save my life as well as my sister Candy-Gem”

“What does your father have to do with this?” asks a teen reporter.

“This sad attempt on my life was orchestrated my mother” I turn back and see the Dragon Empire news camera “…as of right now she is trying to take my rightful place; I am now the overlord of Dragon Market and will be attending the Academy next term to further my education and to promote peace in The kingdom of the Sun.”

“My sources say she wants to be queen” A female reporter says rising her hand “and I believe it is high time that a…”

“She is a coward…” I raise my voice a little “she nearly hit me with lightning and missed,”

“That was…”

“I know my mother’s lightning” though the pain I rise my wings the biggest I can, “She is unfit to rule, he is under her spell so to say, and I gave the crown to my brother!” a tear runs down my check from the pain on my back and my right eye. I drop my wings and turn my back to the sea of reporters. They start yelling my name trying to get more answers.

                    I continue walking to the lobby as the sea of reporters goes mute; the youngest and quietest royal who had never appeared on tv specks with reporters, I can see the headlines know. Papy and Fallen-Shard Walk over to me and hug. “Your sister just called.”

                    “Am I summoned home.” I ask.

                    “No, she wanted to say thank you Flaming Duke didn't know to say it, and you handled that well young prince.”

                    “Papy…” I sink to the ground and tear up “that was the scariest thing I have ever done.”

                    “The kings know now…you know you might become a…”

                    “Please don’t jinx it sir.”

                    We leave the hospital and head to the farm “Lady She-ba called.”

                    “By the stars…”

                    “She told me to keep you here until school and to help you heal… your room is the way you left it.” I smile to myself, knowing that I have helped my brother, but I may have made my life that much harder.

​

 

 

Chapter Three: The Party

 

            I wake up “Sunny” I yell shooting up into a sitting position with tears and beads of sweat running down my face. That was so real he was screaming; his howls echoed off of the walls as the only thing I could do was watch. I look around my old room. The poster of King Mid-Night Sky hanging on my wall, the smell of apples wafting thought the open window. The sun rising over the trees shines into my eyes as I look out onto the orchard. The trees sway in the wind, the sound of the leaves calming me as they once did long ago.

I get up and change, my scales now a roasted orange from the summer sun as I peer into my draw. The now smaller gray and black shirts sit untouched as if they were waiting for me to return. The tares from my scales, in the same places as my clothes now. I take out a shirt, now too small, short and tear stained, and my pants from the day prior. I hear voices from downstairs; I can’t tell how they are it sounds like a man and a woman. So, I run down, ready for a fight. I turn the corner flying, with fire fueling my speed. It is not the people I thought, and I hit my brother Shock in between the eyes. “By the moon’s light Rising-Lotus calm down” I look up and see Candy-Gem.

            The siblings, I haven’t seen them in a long time. My brother and sister flyers like our mother. Shock with yellow hair with a black stripe, Candy with Blue hair with a purple stripe. My eyes tear up, and I jump into my sister’s arms “CANDYYYY!!!!!!” Shock gets up holding his head “Nice left.”

He walks over to the table and takes food out a bag “Oh…food” I say looking over Candy-Gem’s shoulder. The three of us sit down to eat. With me sitting at the head of the table—Papy gave me the house yesterday after we left the hospital.

“Rising-Lotus do you know who tried to kill you yesterday…and how do you know it was him”? Shock asks lifting his fork to his mouth.

            I look up only slightly as I eat a piece of bacon “The day I left for good she said, and I quote I can kill you anyway I want can benefit from it” I go back to eating while Shock and Candy-Gem just stare at me, the room falls silent only the sounds of the wind thought the window and their forks clattering on their plates.

            “And you didn’t say anything to us.” Shock yells standing spreading his wings.

            “And the article from yesterday…they tried to…” Candy-Gem is so mad she almost hit me with lightning her wings flapping nearly causing my cup to spill. I just keep eating dodging all the lightning going off in the kitchen, my siblings calm down and finish eating. I haven’t seen them in three years. Shock has longer hair and is wearing a wedding band and Candy is wearing a betrothal ring; I don’t bring them up, but I am really happy they found their life partners. I grab the dishes and take them to the sink as my siblings think of who to call.

            “I’ll call Lady She-ba” Shock says pulling out his phone.

            “She and Nana Roes-Mary know” I say rinsing off the plates, I live with them too”.

            “Crystl fire will…” Candy-Gem starts.

            “I told her, Flaming Duke, Mitchelle and Papadis Pareplle the day it happened and like with Candy-Gem, they helped me move” I say starting the dish washer “You guys are too busy watching over your treaties and… working to keep up with my mess of a life…and the charm Papy placed on the edge of the farm to keep them out will keep me safe while on the farm.”

            My siblings just stare in astonishment at what I said, their baby sibling is all grown up and taking care of their self. For the first time they really looked at me, I could see it in their faces—my fully grown horns, the grown in scales, my new scar—I am a fully grown dragon. I could tell they wanted to ask about my scar, but they didn’t, Candy started to ask but stopped herself. The rest of the morning we talk and joke about the memories we have together. Comforting each other about the tough times and sharing the good times.

            “Rising-Lotus you’re going to the castle for school, right?” Shock asks pulling out his wallet.

            “Yeah, after the summer program I’ll an official student and maybe a Prince of Soslands if the Kings saw the news…or if they find out somehow.”

Shock chuckles and hands me a card “This was Pop-pop Lightning-Storme’s it’s a magic library card for the Crescent Moon Library use it well…Moe.” Shock says walking out with Candy-Gem. I look at the card in my hand. It’s gold with flames carved into it. I go upstairs back to my room to put on my heeled boots. I look out upon the orchard, the bright red apples, and vibrant green leaves. Elk frolic thought the trees and an Ursa Minor reaches and tries to grab an apple, but Papy drives him away. As I turn to leave out the door and start my day I get a text from Nana Rose-Mary, Coco and I want you to stay in the Village until the program starts your grandparents are here asking about you to take you to the Empire, we called Crystl Fire, and she agrees see you in two weeks.

As I read the text as I walk out the house, “What are you doing here.”

I look up and see Autum Pareplle—a non-Magic user like her father—walking towards me “Ms. Parelle what are you doing one this part of the farmstead.”

“This is my land…”

“No this is Papy’s land, and your younger brother is going to take over” I say walking past “And he gave me the house.”

“That disease should have got y…” I use my power to lift her up into the air by her… “m…my heart.”

“Sorry…” I turn around and drop her “…but know that the mere fact that you are Papy’s daughter and my friend’s mother is the only reason you’re not in the hospital right now.” She says nothing as I walk away. I feel her gaze on me as I walk thought the trees onto the path. I am a really chill guy unless I have to fight, or someone says something they should not to anyone. The crisp air is refreshing and calming. The apple trees sway in the summer breeze as I head to the main house. “Rising-Lotus-er-ing I thought you left for good.”

I look up and see a butt “Night-Gem Phoenix’s light, why.”

“Be happy Sunny convinced me to do it with clothes on” he says landing and putting his arm on my shoulder.

“You were going to fly here to scare me in the nude letting your terms and contains hang out all out for all to see”? I ask as we start walking. He rolls his eyes and pulling out a small bag “What’s this.”

“A…graduation gift for…you don’t open it till the first day of classes…any way good luck at the mages school.”

“I’m going to the academy like Yellow-Topaz and Golden-Flower.”

“So am I, I guess you will be my boss again,” he looks down at the bag “This is from Sunny by the way.”

“It is” I chuckle “Then give him a big kiss for me when you see him.” Night Flies off in a huff. He forgot to give me the bag. I open the door to the main house. The walls are made from an old oak; they are lined with pictures of people I have never met and baby photos of my friends Apple-Core and Apple-Seed. The fireplace is all nice and clean, seemingly unused; it is summer after all. I turn and enter the kitchen and see Papy eating breakfast. We have a little chat about what happened yesterday and what I said on the news. He was shocked that I kept my composure and looked like a real prince when doing so without formal prince training.

“I am more than a handsome face Papy.” I say sitting down.

“Have you…chose…”

“Papy I am Gender-Fluid I have both genders and neither at the same time…” I look down at the cup of tea I made “…At least that is who I am…I love you, Coco and Nana Rose-Mary with all my heart but please don’t ask me those questions.”

Papy gets up and grabs a box from the upper cabinet “Have you chosen to wear the bind or the tape when you don’t feel like looking female?” In the box there is binder tape and seven chest binders. I tear up as I give my answer, grabbing the binder and going upstairs. I thought he did not understand the whole gender thing. I change into my new binder and look in the mirror “there I am” my eyes start tearing up.

I come back downstairs and see the Apple twins “Howdy y’all” Apple seed blushes as his sister bops me in the back of the head “Bind or not your dumb as a mage.”

“Mages are smart and have…”

“Mages have what” Apple-Core says grabbing her bat. I turn around and she is ready to spare. With a swing of her bat, I jump over the coffee table. I throw shuriken her way catching her dress and ripping a piece off “Spare outside you two” Papy says opening the door. I fly out the door with Apple-Core in toe. A sword nearly hits my hand as I turn around. “That’s new Core.” King Mitchelle glares at me with tears in his eyes.

“Hey Mitch, how are…” I untie my mage pouch and though it to the side “…Mitch I…we were sparing I would never hurt my friends.”

Mitch turns to Apple-Core and makes a face “It’s your job to scold her now” Ms. Pareplle walks up from behind laughing.

“Autum, what did you do” she laughs and walks away bellowing for Fallen Shard “I swear to the great light if you.” Mitch grabs my arm and pulls me over to where Apple-Core went. The shadow of the trees covers our heads as we walk deeper into the orchard. The way Autum Parelle looked at me with sheer joy on her face, like the night the barn was ablaze. We get closer to the center of the farm Mitch lets go. I jump in in front of Apple-Core and summon my shield and a dagger. “We both know you can’t take me, brothers and not.”

“Calm down Rising-Lotus I would never hit a non-male you know that we… were dating for like three years.” Apple-Core pushes past me and hugs Mitch “He is going to help me leave and get her off the farm Papy is on board too.” She holds my hand “Just think instead of being like siblings we will be siblings.” I smile and look at Mitch. “He doesn’t scold me or hit me, Rising-Lotus.”

“Okay, I know he is a good guy.” I give them my blessing as Mitchel’s sibling and as a prince. Since I cooled down, I headed back to the farmhouse. We went far, man. I peer out from between the trees and overhear Papy yelling at Ms. Pareplle.

“I am done with your attitude, and I am doing what I should have done a long time ago…I am giving Orange cream and Apple blossom your share of the farm and disowning you.”

“Fine, I will take my…”

“I already have custody of my grandkids with help from King Midnight-Sky and Prince Rising-Lotus.” Autumn storms off in a huff while Papy looks relieved to see her walk away and Fallen-Shard runs and jumps into his arms. I do not know when this mess started but this whole mess started with my father. Now that all the negativity is off the farm the inn and restaurant can run again at least.

Walking down the end of the farm I see Spring Blossom walking towards me, “Rising-Lotus darling, how are you dear.”

“I’m good just heading into town Papy wants a bear claw…he also said to take my time and have fun.” I say taking out the pouch of coins from Papy “…this was yesterday but he said buy it today.”

“Okay be careful my…sister is trying to…okay here is the rub, she is somehow still friends with your mother and is spreading rumors about…”

“Me…?”

“The kings, she, they are trying to commit a coup against the kings, she is…this is the dragon rebellion.”

I burst out laughing “The dragon rebellion was my sister seizing power from my parents after the assassination attainment.” I summon my bow-staff and hit it on the ground forming a flag. A levanter base with a lotus that is on fire in the middle on top of a white x. “Oh that was the Dragon rebellion…” Spring Blossom says grabbing the flag “…The colors…”

“Yeah, it’s the original Dragon Market colors and I made the design, so I keep the flag” I send the flag back to my room and turn my bow staff back into flame. We finish our convocation and part ways. I head into town. After school lets out the village is a hot spot for teens and college students. The village is a tourist hot spot with all our festivals and watering holes. Year-round there are beings from everywhere. Well not everywhere, dragons from the empire and the Land of the Phoenix’s first step are not let us say welcome in the Kingdom of the Shining Sun. Some Dragons are the exception like Fallan-Shard and I being Half breeds our scales are softer and lest dangers.

The official name of the village is The Village of the Great Light is said to be the very first settled land by the ten powers after they came here and named the planet Ekhaya meaning home in draconic, but others say this is where the first demi-god was conceived. The hottest attrition, the cherry tree of love— is said to be the first place Phoenix, the first flame and Harmony, the first Lord did they do, and the tree grew, and the First wind was conceived. And now whoever stands under the tree with the one they love, and their love is pure, the peddles will shower down and their love will last forever. It is just an old wife’s tail anyway.

This is where I grew up kind of, I was never allowed to be alone so I would not talk about what was happening at home to the “wrong being” and get taken away. They were not the best at raising us. Candy-Gem and Shock raised me, and they left. They were not treated right; I was in the spotlight with my disease and all, so they did not care.

Almost walking past Sweet-Square because of overthinking someone grabs my wing “Ekhaya to Rising-Lotus come in Rising-Lotus” I look up and see Rockne-candy “Hey Rising-Lotus are you okay” Staring at her I do not know what to say, I was really deep in thought. I look down at my phone then she says “Oh...one of those days it’s okay.”

“No…I was just deep in thought” We Walk into Sweet-Square, but it is louder than normal even on the hottest day. Music is blasting and beings are dancing. The banner hanging up says “Graduation Party: Good luck to all going to the capital.”

The music is so loud I feel it in my soul. Someone came over and started talking to Rockne-Candy, so I walked away. What Autumn Parelle said got to me, no one has ever said that to me and then again...she never liked us she hates anyone who has wings or magic, and I have both “Pink-Mello, Pink-Mello...” Just then she runs in the door “Pink-Mello my...my babies were taken from me I need help building a case.”

Mrs. Tart comes out holding Lemon, her youngest son “No... I know how you treat those kids and how you treated Shock, Candy-Gem, and Rising-Lotus.” The two women start a standoff; the music dies down.

“And the way you...you are working for the Dragon Rebellion and...” Autumn Pareplle says pulling out her phone.

“Yes, I am in support of House Flaming Lotus, and have fun reporting me, my family is under the protection of...” Mrs. Tart says putting Lemon down “...Go over to Rising-Lotus” she says pointing towards me.

“Who the stupid dragon royals”?

“Yes, and the King of the Moon”

“Who little Morning Star he can’t...” Autum Pearple stops as she turns to see me.

I walk over with Lemon holding my hand, so I do not lose control “King Midnight-Sky is better has been for a while...” I bend down to Lemon and tell him something and he runs out “He was poisoned you know slowly over time by a...” Just then Mr. Acquis pops in with Fallen Shard and Lemon under his arms like potato sacks “That was fast Lemon.”

“Did Sunny tell you yet...he is so jazzed to tell you.” Mr. Aquas says putting the boys down “...Anyway that Purple-Flame guy got into a fight with him, and I don’t know why also...I forgot”?

“We are in the middle of something...” Autum Pearple zips her lips when Mrs. Pink-Mello shoots her a look. After that, the party went back to normal, and everyone was having a good time. Mr. Acquis got a hold of the music and was playing banger after banger. Purple-Flame finds me in the corner sitting on the phone going through my texts. I look up and he sits at a different table. I go back to my phone and see a text from Sunny; Hey Rising-Lotus I am sorry I cannot make it to the party I will see you at the start of school. I find myself looking at Sunny’s name in my phone. His smiling face in the profile picture, his perfectly asymmetric face. His four freckles on his left cheek and the pink freckles across the bridge of his nose.

“Hey, are you okay” Purple-Flame says walking over to my table “Your...crying.”

I wipe the tear off my cheek and look up at him “Yeah...my…friend didn’t come...”

“Spring Diamond, Yellow Topaz, Golden Flower and Rockne-Candy are here even to others from class” He sits down at my table “Come on cheek up we’re going to one of the best schools on Ekhaya” The waiter comes over and places a slice of sweetheart’s cake between us. Purple-Flame looks around to see who sent it while I reach for his hand, “Thanks but...”

“I...” he starts blushing and turns his back to me “This was...was...”

“Thank you, Purple-Flame this is, what I needed after...yesterday and all” We continue to talk and time flies as we talk. Every now and again I would check my phone of a text from Sunny. I get pulled away by Bleu Flame to the dance floor “Shake it queen” I just sway to the music as Purple-Flame cheers me on from the table.

“It’s…king” I cheekily say, In the art of the wails, I start by grabbing Blue-Flame and swirling on the dance floor I take a quick look at Mr. Aquis, and he changes the song. ‘You are the light of the Night’ By: Sir Lavender. Reaching the end of the dance floor I twirl him into Night-Gem’s arms and wink. It is like the music takes control. Someone grabs me from behind and spins me. At the end of the spin, I am facing Purple-Flame. The feeling of his hand on my back guiding me across the dance makes me confident. At the end we take a bow and the crowd claps.

We sit back at our table and eat the cake even though we are not sweethearts. We take turns eating from the cake, so our forks do not touch. We share memories from class and how we were underearners, but I somehow did more than him. The two of us were on our phones most of the time and got the same grade. As the party dies down, Lemon runs over, asks us how we liked the cake, and admits that he asked his mom to make it for us. We laugh and thank him as we leave.

The stars above twinkle like I am looking at a geode. The night air blows as the sound of the trees results in the distance. The walk is nice and quant, but a little wired because we are not talking so I try to start a conversation “I heard you fought with Sunny...he is so sweet what did he do”?

“He…Some guys were clowning on you, and he thought I was too and punched me, so I punched him back,” he says looking away.

“Who was clowning on me?” I ask looking his way. Purple-Flame does not respond so I change the subject. I grab his arm and pull in close “Thank you for hanging out with me tonight...do you want to walk me to my house on the farmstead?” He places his hand on mine and says yes.

We walk through the orchard and enjoy the breeze as we go “Here we are” I say pulling out my keys.

“Umm... Rising-Lotus I...”

“I’m in-love with someone else” I say laughing. Why did I say that I just blared that out? I hear a chuckle behind me, “I am sorry I... forget I said that...” He hugs me from behind chuckling. We walk in and Shock, Candy-Gem and King Midnight-Sky are sitting in the in the living room, “Hey...bro... sis...your.”

King Midnight-Sky stands and bows “Your Majesty apologizes for entering your house uninvited, but we have important matters to address concerning...your... whom do we have here.”

“Purple-Flame...sir I am Rising-Lotus’s.”

“Friend...or Paramor”

I face-plum while Purple-Flame asks a question “What is a paramour” I turn and whisper the answer in his ear “BRI...WI...GIL...”

“We are not...”

“Rising-Lotus is not my husband we are just...” Purple-Flame says flustered.

We talk about how we are not married or even dating but my brother says he does not buy it saying, “it’s an act.”

“I asked him to walk me home because it's dark, you know I hate the dark and on the way I…that does not matter.” While my siblings give Purple-Flame the ninth degree King Midnight-Sky informs me that they all saw the news report because Solar-Flare told them, and I am now a candidate for the Princes of Soslands—no that I am not going to be king or Queen— and it was not up for discussion he gave me a package “My…son” he stops and takes his leave. I sit on the kitchen table as my siblings leave.

“Use protection and…” Shock pushes Candy out the door “Have fun.” I walk over to Purple-Flame, and he is holding a condom from Candy Gem.

“I…she. She said if you want…to” Purple-Flame turns towards me and asks “Do you have any pjs I can…wear…, like something light.