Find the Magic (Under Revision)

We ate dinner in silence. Lucia left halfway through, telling me that the maids would clean up, and that I was free to explore the grounds to my leisure.

After I finished my dinner, I walked outside.

I followed a gravel path that led to a large building with huge doors.

Stepping inside, I realised it was a two-floored stable, although the second floor was accessible only by staircase.

A stable hand told me that I could ride whoever I pleased, after I assured him that I knew how to ride, and that I should holler if I needed any help.

I went upstairs, and nearly fainted.

It made sense why there wasn't any ramp for the horses, but rather a large platform hovering in the air. Filling the stable stalls - which were MASSIVE, by the way - were dragons.

I gulped, but decided to try it, picking out an opalescent dragon nearest to the exit.

The nameplate said 'Pearl - Irish Shinesnout'. I gently rubbed her nose, tentatively stroking her smooth scales. She vibrated, a growl rumbling in her throat. She closed her eyes and stretched her wings, flaring them out so that rainbows of light sparkled throughout the stable.

I stepped back, only to fall onto someone.

He - the stable hand- helped me stand again. "You alright?"

I nodded, shaken. "Yeah. I think she might be angry."

He laughed. "Who - Pearl? She's the gentlest of them all - unless you hurt one of her friends. That growl you heard was almost like a cat's purr - a rumble of appreciation. She did it all the time for her past rider, but..." he looked away. "She hasn't done it in almost a year."

"What? Why not? What happened to her past rider?" I asked, curiosity spiking.

"She was the second lady of the house - Lady Amaranda. Lady Amara was the most gentle, sweet, and harmless girl anyone had ever met. I reckon she was only a few years older than you are. She bonded with Pearl right from the get go. They were inseparable. But one day, Lady Amara got into some trouble with the government. About a year ago, she disappeared, leaving only a single notebook behind. Pearl hasn't been the same since."

I swallowed. "Wow... May I ask what connection Lady Amara had to this estate?"

He nodded again. "She was Lady Lucia's only daughter. Lady Lucia showered her with praise and gifts, and also love. You see, Lady Lucia's husband, Phillip, died two years into their marriage - a month after Lady Amara was born. She and Phillip were very much in love, and I reckon that Lady Amara was the only reason that she didn't shut down completely. She stayed strong for her daughter. Even now... the only thing keeping her together is the hope that she will return." the stable hand shook his head. "Enough depressing nonsense. Pearl has taken a liking to you,and I suggest you take her out for a ride."

I stared at my feet. "Well, you see, I'm a great rider... on horses. I've never ridden a dragon."

He nodded slowly. "Well then, I can teach you. It's very similar. Why don't you tack her up - same as with horses -and I'll meet you on the platform, 'kay?"

I nodded, confused as he started snickering.

A few minutes later, I led Pearl to the pavilion, where the boy was waiting.

"I realise that we don't even know each others' names." I commented. "I'm Alexia."

He smiled. "A beautiful name. Long though. I think I'll call you Lex, if that's okay? And I'm Kay."

"Kay?" I tilted my head. "How... exotic."

He grinned, a lopsided, mischievous smirk. "It's short for Kayden Arthur Yordershen."

I gulped at the intimidating name. "So... it's a nickname and your initials?"

He nodded. "Cool, ain't it?"

I agreed.

"Now, mount her like you would a horse - feet in the stirrups, and be careful with the reins."

I pulled myself up with ease. I sat comfortably in the saddle, the reins loosely but firmly in my fists.

"Now, this is different. The steering is the same, and so is the speed. But to get her to fly, you have to kick with your feet and pull the reins up. And make sure you do it up, not back. If you pull back she'll rear up and spit fire."

I gulped. "Alright. That's not dangerous at all."

"Now you get it!" Kay leaned forward, nudging his black dragon forward, until he suddenly leapt off the platform.

Taken by surprise, I urged Pearl forward, following his instructions and pulling the reins up at the edge of the platform.

Her large wings flapped powerfully, and I pulled her up beside Kay, who was hovering nearby.

"This is Onyx. She's one of our more exotic species of dragons. She's one of the last Greek Gemstone dragons in existence."

"How many are there left?" I asked.

"Well, we have a few here. Onyx, her sister Opal, as well as Emerald, Granite, and Topaz. That's about 5% of the existing world species."

I gaped. "There are only 100 left?"

He nodded. "They were hunted to near extinction around 100 years ago. The Keepers are trying to repopulate them, but it's going to take a while."

"The Keepers?" I asked.

"The Magical Law Enforcers. Extremely powerful, and very dangerous." Kay said darkly.

"You sound like it's personal." I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"They killed my mother, and drove my best friend away."

"Oh." I said, blushing fiercely. "Might I ask who your best friend was?"

"Lady Amara." he answered briskly, his face turning red. "We'd best be getting back." he spun Onyx around, and flew back, leaving me shocked, and hurrying to catch up.

* * *

That night, once I was in bed, I lay awake, alone with my thoughts once again.

Kay's reaction clearly proves how much I don't belong here. Maybe I should leave. My parents would certainly be glad to have their little slave girl back.

But I don't think my parents deserve to have their little slave girl back. I mean, even though Kay was acting weird, he was pleasant and helpful enough before. And Luke was quite kind as well. Maybe I can learn to fit in here.

My mind flickered to Sophia, her face contorted in a sneer as she cackled at me.

But do I want to?

My mind then flickered to Lucia.

Do I have a choice?

AUTHORS NOTE:

First impressions: Kay and kind of Amara.

Kay: So as not to spoil the book, I will remain silent on him. <3

Amara: She seems kind of mysterious at this point in time.

I like to think this chapter sets the stage fairly well, but I also am quite biased. <3

~ Rainbow