Death and Howls Part Thirteen: Riding and Surprises

Felina:

Jumping onto Darwin’s bed, the springs squeaked in protest. Lifting me up in the air, his big grin never left his face. Dropping me into a hug, Luna yawned next to me. Ruffling my hair, her lips curled into a tired smile. How could she be patient with us?

“Maybe you should take her out before the twins wake up.” She yawned groggily, Darwin’s lips parting in protest. “Before you protest, we can all meet up for dinner. Then you can be on twin duty all night long if it makes it better.” Caving in a second, his arms released me. Scurrying over to the door, a tuckered out Darwin slid out of bed. Tugging on one of his ivory blouses, the hem floated below the waist of his pants. Slinging his leather jacket over his shoulder, dirt crunched as he slid his feet into his worn boots. Blowing Luna a kiss on the way out, his arm dropped a miniature version of his leather jacket over my shoulders. 

“It gets cold up there. The morning winds aren’t friendly to those who get cold easily.” He whispered to not wake up my siblings, his hand shutting the door behind him. Sliding on his coat, dirt crunched while he crouched down to my level. Smoothing out my matching outfit, my breath hitched at how smoothly he tugged on my coat. Buttoning it up, his hand cupped my cheeks. Fear mixed with excitement, my ears pinning back. Why was he being so comforting when I didn't deserve it?

“Don’t be scared! Today I will be on Miss Dusk with you. Helios is going to fly underneath her. You know, to catch you if you are falling.” He assured me in his deep voice, his steady fingers twisting my hair into a simple side braid. “As time goes on, you will fly her on your own. Would you like to hop onto my shoulders?”  Hopping onto his shoulders, the bright oranges and pinks had gasps of wonder tumbling from my lips. Glancing up at me lovingly, his parenting skills were something that most kids would ask for. Resting my chin on his head, my tail wagged away. Making our way through the silent courtyard, Dusk and Helios waited for us. The attendants held a silver saddle awkwardly, Darwin setting me down in front of him. 

“Saddle or no saddle?” He queried while cupping my cheek, my mind racing uncontrollably. “If you want to ride with a saddle, it will be rather difficult to train her out of that. I ride without a saddle ninety percent of the time.” Wanting to be like him, a lump formed in my throat. Would he hate me if I chose wrong? Why was I  like this?

“Without the saddle.” I choked with a nervous grin, Darwin asking them to take the saddle away politely. “Doesn’t that connect you closer to your dragon?” Kissing the top of my head, his hand held mine on the way over to Dusk. Dusk placed me onto her back, my hands beginning to shake. Lifting up Darwin, his hands held mine. Shivering in his arms, this could be deadly. Dusk gazed back at me lovingly, her claw tapping my head. Basking in the warmth of her affection, most of me felt as if I didn't deserve it.

“I won’t let a darn thing happen to you.” She comforted me sweetly, my arms hugging her claw. “Mister Darwin is here to protect you as well. Let’s have fun today!” Bringing her claws to the dirt, Darwin guided my hands to the base of her horns. Moving my hands back, a rush of air caused any loose strands of my hair to float up upon her takeoff. The rush of it had my heart beating out of my chest, her heart beat echoing in my ears. A cloud of dirt obscured Helios taking off, his wings glinting in the morning rays. Catching up to us, the cool air smelled of freedom. Darwin helped me to my feet, my big grin never leaving my lips. Feeling the air tickle my bare skin, something told me to look back. Dar looked to be in pure bliss, a single tear sliding down his cheek. Smoke curling into the sky had him snapping back to reality, a slap on her leg had her zooming towards a raging fire. Landing a good hundred feet away, Dar slid off of Dusk, his boots beginning to pound towards the danger. Skidding to a stop, a stern expression came over his features. Did he almost forget about me!

“Stay hidden, no matter what. Something isn’t right about this!” He ordered with a deep frown, his hand resting on Dusk’s snout. “Blast that fire when I shoot up a ball of flames. Thank you.” Stunned by his respectfulness, Dusk clearly admired him. Branches crunched with every footfall away, my feet hitting the grass. Dusk held me back, her head shaking. Rushing past her, a fire was dangerous for anybody. Hiding behind trees, my eyes tracked him clearing a path with water. Sprinting into the shrinking pathway, my sleeve covered my mouth. Skidding into an open circle of blackened homes, a couple hid behind a large rock. Jet black hair floated up, bright emerald eyes meeting mine. A lock of lilac waves poked out from around the rock, his emerald leather coat glistening in the light of the flames. Dar caught me, a mixture of panic and fury flashing on his face. Snapping his head to where I was looking, his expression softened. Approaching them with his hand out, a tall elf rose to his feet with who had to be his wife. Clearing a path for him with water, hesitation had the elf’s ears pinning back. Please let Dar rescue you!

“Get her out of here and relax by Dusk. She is the pink dragon, her wings should provide you shelter and cool you off.” He urged with a friendly smile, a fireball floating over his palm. “Things are about to get a little chilly. Don’t worry about that group that did this! Consider them punished.” Pounding down the path, his sweat soaked skin shimmered. Her waves bounced up and down, Dar summoning a golden dome of energy. Glaring down at me, my body shrank back in response. Softening his expression, his hand tossed up the ball of flames. 

“Sorry for getting mad but I love you too much for you to get hurt.” He apologized sincerely, his hand resting on my shoulder. “Since you won’t listen, I need you to stay behind me. Let’s get you home in one piece, yes?” Nodding my head vigorously, his other hand tossed me a sleek silver dagger. Flipping it over my fingers, slaves in my group were trained to fight at a young age. Granted, he didn't need to know that.

“Use that if you must.” He continued while watching a wave of ice crack over the dome, a wave of flames melting it. “I love you like my daughter, Felina!” Scarlet painted my cheeks, my ears pinning back. Kissing the top of my head, the dome glitched out. Motioning for me to follow him, olive green trolls trudged by. The seven serpent mark glowed on their necks, their bodies smelling rather soulless. Tugging on his sleeve, a short huh met me. 

“They don’t have souls.” I pointed out simply, realization dawning in his eyes. Ruffling the top of my head, we moved along the walls. Sniffing the air again, Dar caught me smelling it. Crouching down to my level once more, his hand cupped my cheek. Snuggling into his palm, the loving action had my heart skipping a beat. Was this what a parent should do? Ash danced behind him, the words struggling to come to the tip of his tongue. Perking my ears up, guilt dimmed his eyes. 

“Can you sniff them out? The smoldering remains are blocking my senses.” He pleaded dejectedly, his thumbs wiping away my abrupt tears. “You don’t have to if it causes trauma. Did you hear that?” Shaking my head, I climbed onto his back. My hearing wasn't as sharp as his, a bit of guilt creeping in. Sniffing the air, he followed where my finger pointed. Every breath shortened, broken memories had my heart beating out of my chest. Digging my claws into his neck, a loud ouch whipped me out of it. Lowering me into a bear hug, my emotions soaked his shoulders. Sitting down on a stump, his chin rested on my head. Apologizing profusely, his finger lifted up my chin. Smiling tiredly in my direction, his kind gaze lingered on quivering lips. Don't treat me so well! My past is too sorted for your kindness!

“Sorry for pushing you. I get a little ahead of myself sometimes. I can sense them now.” He assured me in a fatherly tone, the tone of lies tainting his attempt to comfort me. “Don’t worry about me. I will always risk my life for yours. You are a wonderful girl who I can’t wait to see grow up.” Holding his hand over my chest, his finger poked where my heart was. 

“This organ here is as big as mine. Keep that compassion with you for the rest of your life.” He continued with his real smile, my hands cupping his. Snuggling into his hands, a knife whistled by our heads. Rising to his feet, the metallic sound of him pulling his scythe out of its case had chills running up my spine. Scurrying behind the tree, every part of me adored me as his father. Was this what love felt like? The emotion had evaded all of my memories, my ears pinning back at his scythe clashing violently with three rusty machetes. Pushing them back, lightning crackled down his arms. A swing of his scythe had trees crashing down, the large trunks blocking them into a makeshift fighting square. Remembering what they made us do, my hands cupped my ears as I slid down the trunk. Every breath grew shorter, the clangs and grunts of the battle becoming background to my increasing heartbeat. A throat clearing had me glancing up with wet eyes, the jet black haired elf had a light green handkerchief swaying on his finger. Accepting it cautiously, he dusted the ash off of his dark leather pants. 

“Looks like he needs help but are you okay?” He inquired honestly, his sharp eyes watching me dab at my tears. “Trauma taints your aura. I know how you feel. All I knew was lost today and I need to get revenge. Oh shit! I am Phantom and my wife is Cia. You guys came at the right time. Stay safe.” Running out from his hiding spot, emerald water swirling around him had my breathing going from normal to hitching. Tapping his giant wavy blade against his legs, the way the emerald metal glittered had wonder brightening my eyes. Raising it over his head, a swift warning had Dar creating a dome over me. Wave after wave of emerald water flooded the space, a small line of blood dripping off of Dar’s chin had concern darkening my eyes. Tapping my feet on the dry dirt, a tree croaked to life underneath me. Lifting me out of the water, my father, Dar, released the dome. Sitting on the flat surface, the words father felt so fuzzy to my brain. Tapping the trunk a couple of times, fireproof vines snaked up the thick trunk. Pulling my knees to my chest, my chin rested on my left knee. Sniffing one above me, a flick of my wrist sent the borrowed dagger into his chest. Decaying to ash, my father narrowed his eyes in my direction. Catching the dagger in my palm, a flick to the right of it had the darkened ooze floating towards the rising levels of water. A feminine scream had me leaping onto the nearest tree, the branches groaning in protest with every leap. Landing clumsily by our dragons, ten corrupted trolls were circling them. The immense damage of a dragon attack would kill Phantom and my father, Cia's heavily pregnant body hiding underneath Dusk’s wings. Creeping along the treeline, a pebble rolled to my feet. Tossing it in the opposite direction, the trolls crashed into the opposite treeline. Pulling myself back onto a branch, short leaps kept my noise down. Hating my past, the ugly side was about to show itself. Catching up, a couple were right below. Hanging on the branch by my knees, a stab to their hearts had them decayed to ash. Shame built up in my soul, the weight of my sins bringing me down. The crunch of them falling had the others sprinting towards me, the crispy vegetation not standing a chance. A snap of my fingers had roots climbing up their legs, Phantom and my father pushing off of each other's backs allowing them to cut down the others in one swing. Landing gracefully, my father’s strong arms lowered me into a desperate embrace. Sobbing into the top of my head, his tears soaked my waves. 

“Don’t you ever do that again!” He berated me between sniffles, his embrace growing stronger by the second. Burying my head into his shoulders, the exhaustion from the magic usage had me passing out with a broken smile. 

Standing outside of an elven village, my blonde haired target chatted pleasantly with a couple of his villagers. The stone homes reminded me of my own, his eyes meeting mine. Coming up to me with a loaf of bread, my gaunt body seemed to tug at his heartstrings. Choking on my tears, his slender fingers curled around mine. Guiding me to his slightly larger home, a crackling fire threatened to knock me out. Chewing on the bread, the softness was a far cry from the hard ones they gave us.  His ocean blue eyes met mine, the tears coming on their own. Was this a good home? Why did I have to assassinate him? Crouching down my level, shock rounded his eyes at me sliding a silver dagger into his chest. Stumbling back, my handlers ripped me away from the scene. Tossing the bread, the treat rolled across the dirt. Throwing me into a cage, my shaking hands clicked my own shackles into place. Bowing my head in shame and guilt, someone was going to come home to him being dead. A familiar deep voice calling my name snapped me out of it, the memory blurring away. 

Groaning awake, a crackling fire highlighted the shadows of my father’s face. The wear and tear of war showed on his face, his bright smile meeting my groggy yawn. Clutching me close to his chest, my past would break his heart. Refusing to let go, Cia chuckled lightly next to me. Phantom worked on a couple of fish, the communication ball seeming to be hot from a recent call. What would Luna do? Would she throw me out like everyone else?

“I love you.” I spoke into his chest, his tears soaking the top of my head. “Sorry for killing a few trolls!” Squirming out of his arms, my hand cupped his cheek. Phantom passing him a plate of fish brought us out of the moment, my father placing me on his lap. Accepting my plate, a bit of drool pooled at the corner of my lips. Phantom crashed onto the long next to Cia, his lips grazing her forehead. Such a lovely couple, a pressing matter haunting his features.

“What is a former assassin doing as what has to be your adopted daughter?” He interrogated him bluntly, my plate hitting the dirt. “Don’t be scared. My heart always went out to you guys. To tell you the truth, we were assassins ourselves. That job weighs down on you. Honestly, in the worst ways. The way you killed a troll without thinking kind of gave it away.” Struggling to pick up my lost food, my father gave me his plate as shame flickered in Phantom’s eyes. Had he thought he had gone too far? 

“I am glad to be in your company. How about you work underneath me in my army and you repay back your sins. Sorry about your village. I would have been here sooner if I could have.” He chuckled heartily, Phantom and Cia visibly relaxing. “As for her, my love isn’t any less. She will always be my daughter. I love her with all of my heart.” Ruffling the top of my head, pride glistened in his eyes. Did he actually mean that?

“Training her isn’t going to be that difficult. In fact, it might be fun. Is that alright with you?” He continued sweetly, his eyes meeting my panicked expression. “Don’t you ever forget that I love you. Am I understood?” Nodding my head vigorously, he urged me to eat up. Leaning against the trunk behind him, snores were soon echoing in the air. Phantom slid his fish onto my plate, his sympathetic smile meeting mine. 

“You saved us back there and my dear Cia. Let’s move forward and forget about our past.” He smiled brokenly, his hand running through his short hair showing his stress. “Thank you for finding us. You have a heart of gold.” Blushing a deep scarlet, a warmth washed over me. The flames of hope burned bright within us, our luck turning in the right direction.