Dragonscales

Chapter 35|Family Bonds

A knock rapped on my door, making my pointed ears prick up. My fingers clasped the polished doorknob. Snowdrop stood in the doorway, a stack of paper folders haphazardly piled in her arms.  "I was searching through old records, and I think I found something." 

I studied the different scrolls and papers. "These are just old records of births and prenatal care; the year my mother left." I noticed her name scrawled on a ledger. Or her fake elven name, at least. She had used illusions to disguise herself as an elf to live in Stardust Grove with my father. "Your mom had gone to the healers a couple times. Thistle, your mom was pregnant when she ran away." The news struck me in the chest like an arrow. "I could have a sibling?" Snowdrop nodded. 

"And so I started searching for them, considering they are a member of the royal family. I sent letters to the other rulers of elven tribes, asking if an elf had seek shelter, and I got a letter back confirming my suspicions. It was from the king of Solaris." "Marigold's old village?" I pressed a finger to my mouth in thought. "Solaris wasn't a village, Thistle. We covered this in Geography class. It was a much larger city than Stardust Grove. The reason I'm telling you this, is because Marigold is your sister." Confusion and elation flooded through me.

"What?" A young voice said. Marigold stood in the hallway, knuckles poised to rap on the ajar door. She held a hairbrush in one hand, and ribbon in the other. Her blonde hair fell in waves, poking through the gold were two tiny horns. "But... Mother told me she was a faerie." "I'm half faerie, too. My horns aren't just from being a dragon rider." Marigold's chocolate eyes grew wide. "I have a family!" I made an 'oof' noise as she engulfed me in a hug. "You have our father's eyes." "You have Mother's."

Loki embraced his mother in a hug as they prepared to leave via Bifrost. They had duties to tend to on Asgard and needed to return home. Thor engulfed Frigga in a hug once Loki released her. He said his farewells to his friends, also. I stepped forward and bowed to show my respect. "Farewell, Queen Frigga. We shall meet again soon." Snowdrop said while dipping into a curtsy. "I shall look forward to it, Queen Snowdrop." The two giggled at the pretend formality. They had gotten close over the course of the three days we had been in Stardust. Frigga had basically adopted Snowdrop as her own. She had also taken in me, as I was courting her son. I said my goodbyes to the Warrior's Three. The Asgardians stood together in a clump as a colorful beam of light cascaded upon them. I instinctively covered Marigold and I's eyes, as the burning color hurt. Loki and Thor were unbothered, from being around the Bifrost their entire lives. 

Tourmaline perched on my shoulder, the size of a house cat. I scratched behind her ears, earning a dragon purr. Loki's hand intertwined with mine as we left the open field. We only had a few more days in Stardust Grove before we would have to go back to New York City. After all, they needed their superheroes. My name Eclipse had gained popularity over the course of my time with humans. They adored Tourmaline and I soaring through the air bringing justice to those without. Or whatever the humans thought I did each day. 

But today I wouldn't have to worry about being a hero. Today I promised Veronwe I would help at the bakery. Besides, it gave me an excuse to make a surprise treat for Loki considering he was always a slut for chocolate. I arrived at the bakery, surprised to see Steve helping Cirren decorating cakes. "Hello Thistle!" He greeted me cheerily. I grabbed my apron off the hook, tying it behind my back. I traced my fingers along the different flowers embroidered in the fabric. The apron had engulfed me as an elfling, causing me to trip a lot. Now I had grown into it, which meant I could help more. "Could you please mix up the fudge frosting? The recipe is on the  counter." Cirren asked. "Sure!" I walked over to the back of the bakery, where a bowl, ingredients, and the recipe were laid out for me. 

Verwonwe entered the bakery, a basket of ingredients in his arms. He stole a kiss from his husband and set the basket down on the counter. Steve looked up from the rosettes on his three tier cake. He almost looked in longing, but then turned his attention back to the cake. I raised an eyebrow. I'd have to ask him later. After I was done stirring the frosting I stuck it in the box of ice to chill. I then took a batch of fruit tarts out of the oven, and assisted the bakers with whatever they needed of me.

My feet ached as I walked back home. Tourmaline was curled around my shoulders, napping. Loki met me by the fountain, a potted orchid in his hands. We kissed, his cold lips against mine. "It's beautiful." I grinned against his lips. We parted as I took out a parcel from my cloak. "I made you something." I offered up the parcel. He unwrapped it, revealing a chocolate dessert. "A chocolate pastry, like the one we had on our first date." He leaned in for another kiss.