Between Fire and Nightmares

There weren’t always dragons in the valley. But that didn't stop me from falling in love with one.

6 months earlier

I was at home preparing dinner, attempting to tune out my brother, and contemplating the best way to extricate myself from this situation without another blow-up. Our sisters had just gotten home from their lessons and Ash was pestering me again about how I was wasting my potential. Like every other day.

As the only member of a talented fae family without actual power, I am an easy target for lectures along with bearing the brunt of their pranks. But that is the beauty of the valley, the mix of powers and people.

The Firelands, Gale’s Current, Water’s Edge and Terran make up the four main countries where fae dwell. Ruled by Fire fae, the people in these towns are forced to stay within their walls and marry within their element. Those found in violation are sentenced to death and never seen again. No one knows why the kingdom is run like this or how the fae in the Firelands gained so much power.

The valley is where fae seeking a different life find their freedom. In this place, we are free to fall in love with who we choose rather than adhere to the strict elemental pairings that the other kingdoms enforce. The lifeblood of our village is the underground operation that brings in hundreds of fae fleeing these countries each year. As fae living in the valley, we are expected to use our abilities to further the operation and protect our people from discovery by the Fire fae.

“Senna, you need to try harder. I know you’re struggling but everyone else in your year has already mastered their elements. Now they’re leading shielding spells in the monthly binding ceremonies”, Ash says.

Violet and Magnolia look at each other uncomfortably, clearly knowing where this conversation is headed.

Not this again. How am I supposed to find a use for my powers and unlock my element when they’re seen as taboo? Every time I have tried to use them, bad things have happened.

I remember the first time like it was yesterday. I had been thirteen years old and a late bloomer. Most fae abilities emerge around age 8 or 9 so I’d already been lagging behind my classmates for years at that point. My parents were extremely concerned, thinking I may be powerless and would be a regular fae despite being born to one of the most powerful bloodlines in the valley. In hopes of moving things along, they provided me with a private instructor who was known for helping latent fae to unlock and develop their abilities.

I was able to sense their growing disappointment in me compared to my siblings since I had passed ten years old, and no powers had emerged. Ash was the golden child who had always more than fulfilled any expectations set in place for a fae born of our bloodline. 2 years older than me, he had the ability to transform into any other living being just like our father, a common Earth trait. Violet and Magnolia were 3 years younger than me and had unlocked their powers early at the age of 6. By that age, the only thing I had realized about myself was that the powers of others did not work on me. A useless ability in everyone’s eyes.

As Air fae like our mother, Violet had the power to turn the ugliest of things beautiful while Magnolia could twist the emotions of those around her to bend to her will. Mother was known as the valley’s seer. She read the stars to see what was to come and could see when bonds were formed. She used to hold me at night and reassure me that I would be of use to the community when I was older. By the time I reached twelve, she’d stopped telling me that altogether. I had desperately wished I could do something, anything with my power. At least then I would be normal.

I had had exactly one session with the private instructor. That was the last time I’d intentionally used my power. The entire experience was so traumatizing that I had decided then and there to avoid using it at all. Whatever I had unlocked was dangerous and nothing to play around with. Sometimes when I am restless at night and cannot sleep, I can feel it calling out to me. Waiting at my command.

I snap myself out of the memory and realize Ash is still ranting. Hands shaking, I take a breath and turn to Violet and Magnolia, “Any chance you guys want to take over cooking? I need a second.”

As they nod in agreement, I notice Magnolia shoot Ash some calming energy. That was her way of saying, We got this. Just go cool off. I start to back away, giving them quick instructions on what is left to do before running to the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face. I take some deep breaths and think about what Finn is always telling me in these situations.

You are only weak if you allow those around you to believe you are, I repeat again and again in my head until the shaking stops. This has become my mantra over the past several years. No one has ever understood me the way Finn does. Finn is my rock in the valley. He is a strong Water elemental with the biggest heart, probably because he’s a literal empath. According to our mothers, we were destined to be best friends from conception, just as they were and their parents before them. If it were not for Finn, I’d probably never have been able to survive being the valley’s social pariah.

He’s supposed to stop by tonight to celebrate the solstice, but I need to get out of the house for a second to clear my head. I have an hour or so more to myself until the festivities begin. I head to my room to grab a jacket then run out the door and down my usual path, towards the edge of the valley’s shield.

This place has become my sanctuary whenever I need somewhere to clear my head and get away from everyone. We are not supposed to come here unless it’s time for the monthly binding ceremony, but I’ve always loved the way being on the edge of the valley makes me feel.

As I get closer, time slows down and my previous irritation drifts away. I smell a familiar scent that reminds me of smoke. It seems dark and dangerous. Something deep within me begins to race in excitement and I continue following the scent as it gets stronger. The heady odor leads me to a large tree with roots twisting all around me.

I touch one of the branches and look up to see that some of them form what appears to be a ladder. Despite knowing that this probably isn’t a good idea, I pull myself up to where the ladder begins and start climbing.

As I make my way up the tree, I notice a small box out of the corner of my eye and feel it drawing me in. I reach out to touch it. As I grasp the object in my hand, I’m startled to realize that I’ve felt this warmth before. That I have held this exact box before. This is the very same box that first unlocked my power in my private lesson all those years ago.

Not only does it give off the same strong, smokey essence, but I also begin to feel lightheaded and drained. Before it can completely sap my energy, I quickly throw the box into my jacket pocket and sit back on the tree, breathing heavily. I look out into the distant sky beyond the shield and try to catch my breath as memories flood my mind about the first time, I’d touched that box.

Suddenly, I realize the sun is now setting. This mini quest made me lose track of time. Shit. I’d completely forgotten about the solstice celebration. In a rush, I climb down the makeshift ladder and begin racing home.

I’d just made it back to my house when the front door opens. Clearly headed out, Finn lifts a basket of leftovers out of my way just in time as I rocket to the door, unsteady on my feet. He smiles as if he’d expect nothing less.

My mom looks at me, clearly annoyed with my tardiness. “Senna, you knew how important tonight was. Where have you been? Finn’s been waiting for you for hours now.”

“Sorry, Mom. I took a quick walk to clear my head before dinner. I didn’t mean to be gone so long.”

“Dear goodness, child. We already finished our solstice feast. You had me so worried!” Suddenly, she stops, cocks her head, winks at me, and says, “You really need to get better at keeping track of time. A man does not like a tardy woman.”

“Ok ok, enough,” I say as I feel my face flush bright red. “I’m just going to walk Finn out. Be back in a second to grab some food.”

As I motion him toward the door and away from my embarrassing mother, Finn turns around to chuckle at me and whispers, “I wasn’t aware your mom was such a traditionalist.”

I shove him through the door, causing my mother to clear her throat pointedly at me. I’m used to this and simply reach behind me to slam the door shut before she can say anything else. Geez, are all families this annoying?

Once outside, I walk Finn quickly down the street, away from prying eyes, and start profusely apologizing for leaving him alone with my family for so long. “It’s all good,” he says. “I haven’t seen Ash around much lately and it was good to catch up. Minus all the times your mom tried to butt in and ask if I was crushing on anyone in particular.” He rolls his eyes at me. It’s almost a running joke at this point that my mother desperately thinks Finn and I are meant to be.

“Ugh, I don’t know why it’s so hard for her to respect boundaries,” I say, still annoyed. “I know she sees all in the stars but sometimes I think she tries to manipulate us into following specific timelines that make her happy rather than the other way around.”

Finn laughs, reaches out to give me a hug goodbye and starts backing away slowly. “No worries there. I’m used to your mom acting like this. She’s practically my mom and it’s entertaining if nothing else.”

“Yeah, extra emphasis on the mom part of that statement. You’re basically my other brother at this point,” I say, grumbling. His smile falters the slightest bit, so I quickly continue, “But anyway, sorry again to keep you so late. I really didn’t expect my walk to take that long. Ash and I got into it again and I needed to step away before attempting to spend any more time around people.”

He nods in understanding, backing away. “Seriously, Senna. Don’t worry about it. You know I’m here if you ever need to talk it out. I may not 100% understand what you’re going through but that’ll never stop me from trying.”

—---------------------

A few hours later, I’m getting ready for bed when I remember what I found on my walk. I pull the small box out of my pocket and its greedy energy washes over me again. It’s as if the box itself is calling out to me and I can’t understand why. And more importantly, why was it just sitting in the tree waiting for me?

Curious, I open the box to find a beautiful gold ring with a small but intricate design on the band.

I take it out and the second we touch; I’m assaulted by a slew of random flashbacks of people I have never seen before and places I’ve never been. The one thing I’m sure of is that these people are running for their lives.

I hear screaming, pleading, crying and an almost burning sensation passes through my body. As the warmth passes over me, I turn to look over my shoulder. There is a large creature flying close behind me in the sky. It emits a roar that must have been heard across the world.

Terrified of what I might accidentally witness, I drop the ring immediately back into its box and place it inside my wardrobe for safekeeping.

I pace around my room, feeling absolutely drained, and try to calm myself down before I start to panic.

What the was all that and what does this ring have to do with my powers? What does all of this mean?

After taking some deep breaths, I tell myself that it doesn’t matter because whatever my power is, this is exactly why I’ve steered clear of it for the last 5 years. Having no power at all is better than reliving the worst memories of those around me. The difference is that touching regular everyday objects has never left me feeling this exhausted. What is it about this ring?

Once I’ve regained control of my emotions, I lay down to settle in for the night and fall into a deep sleep.

Almost immediately, I am dreaming and realize that I’m seeing through someone else’s eyes for the third time in my life. Peering around, I feel a shiver creep up my spine. The room is warm in temperature, yet cold in ambiance. I do not recognize my surroundings but know the voice speaking to me is that of a male.

I focus on the tall, black-haired man with a heavy crown on his head and pointed ears in front of me. Clearly fae. The man looks to be around the same age as my father. His shrewd eyes are a cold amber brown and he’s sitting on an elaborately designed throne that’s surrounded by gold and other excessive opulence.

The man then begins to lecture me, saying, “Boy, you must not fail. I’m placing my trust in you to do everything you can to eliminate the threat to our kingdom once and for all.”

Could he be royalty? A king?

In turn, I find myself replying, “I will not let you down, Father. I know my mission and will allow nothing to stop me in my pursuit to protect our kingdom.”

Interesting. The regal man seems to be his father.

The king grunts, seemingly dismissing him and he begins to make his way down a dark hallway with large photos of what looks like royal family members. They all have the same shrewd but noble look of his father. He stops and turns his attention to a photo of a beautiful woman. She has long hair so black that it’s blue. It falls to the middle of her back. She stands wearing a silver gown with a crown atop her head.

While he looks at the portrait, I’m able to catch a glimpse of his reflection. My breath catches as we lock eyes. His golden-brown eyes are like those of his father, yet rich with warmth. We gaze at one another, suspended in time, until he shakes his head, as if dismissing my presence and quickly looks away.

I jerk awake with a cold sweat not knowing where I am or who I am.

Smelling the dark burning scent again, I open my eyes. As I take in my surroundings, I realize that I’m lying in the forest near the shield’s border, next to the tree I found the ring in earlier.

I never sleepwalk.

What’s going on? How did I get here? Who were those men?

That dream felt so real. I felt like I was in the room speaking directly to that king.

Confused, I start on my way home, passing by a group of fae coming through the shield freshly rescued from the lands outside the valley. They’re on their way to town for initiation.

I see Finn’s dad leading the adults at the front of the group while my brother, Ash, chats with some of the younger fae in the middle.

Suddenly, my body tenses in excitement and the dark, heady scent reemerges stronger than ever as the group grows nearer. Everything slows down. Am I still dreaming?

I hold still, watching as the group passes. Bringing up the rear is a man with broad shoulders and jet-black hair that almost looks blue. He is easily the most handsome man I have ever seen. Then he looks up and we lock eyes. His brow wrinkles in confusion.

I stumble backwards.

It's him. They’re his eyes. The rich golden-brown eyes.

He starts walking toward me.