As far as I can remember all I have ever known is the darkness of the caves. Of course a little bit of light comes in here and there but we are supposed to be sleeping during that time. However there has been a few times that I have woken up and tried flying to the top but I am not able to fit through the small space above, even though I am no more than five hands tall.

Of course we also venture out in the land but only when the skies are dark. The moon is amazing at night with a zillion stars above us. But the sun however is not our friend and begs us to stay in the darkness. It's all good though we have adapted to our confinements of the cave and we have the ability to see in the darkness as if it was day time.

Many moons ago the elders say that we were nothing like the way we are now but something drastic happened and we were trapped in this area. The explosion caused the earth to create a mixture of chemicals in the air and somehow we were created. We are from the earth and the gemstones that surround the mountain Orestes.

I hear that there are others out there beyond the gigantic trees but we are not allowed to go past the line. When the explosion happened Malachite cast a spell on the land and it's like we are trapped in this one vast area. Malachite is our leader. We obey him; he even rules out our parents if that tells you anything. We abide by all his rules. Like the stupid one of not being able to marry until he says you can. And get this, there is only one wedding per twelve full moons. One. And within that time only one should be born. This way it keeps the population down.

In our world we only go by the full moon for days and every twelfth one that goes by one of us gets married. It's really big ordeal in this land and the girls have to search for the Painite which is a very rare gem that is this orange red color. We only have one and Malachite likes to hide it in the most difficult places. All the girls of age have to search for it and bring it back. The girl that brings it back gets to marry the next boy in line to be married.

Needless to say the next boy to marry is Scolecite and I have had some strong feeling for him in the past few moons. Of course we are not allowed to express those feelings for each other. I plan on winning the quest. I plan on marrying Scolecite because we were made for each other. I have never had any stronger feelings over any of the others the way I do for him and I think it's because we are always flying together.

Ever since I can remember before we were granted our wings he was there. We use to climb the trees and swing from the vines. Once I almost fell and he commanded the trees to catch me and they did just like that they listened and caught me. He rushed to check on me to make sure that I was alright. It almost happened then, the kiss but we stopped. It wasn't the last time either. It is getting harder and harder to stay our distance from each other. I just want to be able to feel his lips against mine. Just once.

Now that we both have our wings we fly right beside each other. We have always had each others' wings and I be damned if that Jade is going to win him. I don't care if she is Malachite only grand-daughter. She will not win the quest. I see how she is always showing off in front of him and it make me enraged. Can't she just leave what is mine alone. She knows how I feel about him and she is going to be the death of me.

There are only four of us going on the quest this year, yes four. Amethyst, Ruby, Jade and myself. To get ready for the quest we all go to Shimmering Falls. This is the most amazing place in our land. The water is crystal blue and there is this mineral within the water that gives your body this shimmering sparkly glow, so when you get out your whole body glitters and sparkles and it's like your whole body glows for everyone to see. Really it is spectacular to see in the darkness of night.

When we get out our mums braid our hair and then find the most delicate flowers to add in for a nice sweet touch. My dress today for the quest is from the one of the rarest blue trees. The leaves are fabulous against my body and it flows just right above my knees. I will say my mum did an awesome job creating it. I look like a goddess of course when I look up and see the other girls they as well look just as pretty. We all support our family within the colors we wear.

"Mum...what if I don't find it...what if I don't get to marry Scolectie...I love him. I would die if one of them marries him. It's just not fair...why do we have to do it this way?"I normally don't say anything but today I have this small fear that this will be the end of us. I fear that I just might not win.

"Azurite...you know the rules...look at me; you can do anything if you put your mind to it...I know you can and you will be the one tomorrow...up there on the Dias. It will be you with Scolecite...you will see." She touches my check lightly and then leans over to give me the softest kiss on the forehead. "I love you Azurite...make me proud."

"Yes...mum...I will...and I love you too."

We all fly back to the Dias where he is standing up high on the pedestal. He looks down at all of us. I don't know why I am scared of him but I am. I hate the way he looks down at all of us like we are nothing but a nuisance to him. I guess his dark green eyes don't help much either or the fact that he is like the largest of all of us. His wings are massive and I mean massive and over the years they are turning more of a darker shade of green almost into black.

He makes his god awful screeching sound to get everyone attention. "Today marks a new day...a new beginning. This full moon our Scolecite will be joining the love of his life. This full moon we will have four of the finest young girls go on the quest to find the Painite...the one that makes it back will be the chosen one to live with Scolicite...the two will join in hands. I wish all four of you the best of luck on your journey. You four will be granted to take along your dragon if you wish. You may not have help from anyone in the land. If you ask you will be penalized for the count of one hindered before being able to join back so needless to say...no help from anyone if you plan on winning."

I look over and Jade is sneering at me, if she does it long enough I wonder if her face will stay that way. I roll my eyes and look at the other girls. They are full of smiles and waving at everyone in the trees. I'm not sure they even want to win. So the only one I really need to be concerned about is Jade. I watch her as she looks towards Scolecite and gives him a wink. He smiles but then looks over at me and our eyes lock with each other. He doesn't have to say a word. I see it in his eyes; he is hoping that I find the gem first. That is all that matters, me finding the gem and then we will be together forever and there is nothing she could ever do about it. We will finally be granted to be together. I have wanted this for so long, him being allowed to touch me.

Everyone's eyes glow in the darkness. They are all watching the four of us as he grants each of us one by one to do our best. He leans in to Jade and I wonder if he is giving her a hint after all it is his grand-daughter. I can't let her win. I just can't.

"If you four are ready...let the ceremonies begin..."

We all stand out on the edge of the stone. We stand straight and flutter our wings behind us. Within seconds he makes his screeching sound and we are off. Of course we have to call for our dragons if we want them to help.

I make my call and he comes flying towards me. His wings are impressive, way more than mine. His are magnificent and strong and they too glow with this shimmering glow of yellows and blues. Our eyes interlock with each other and the moment he lands beside me he rubs his scaly head up against me.

 Rowan has been with me forever. He knows everything about me as I do him. We were meant to be together. I rub his head close by his ears. "Hi there...are you ready for this. We have been training a long time my friend for this quest...you will guide me in the right direction. We got this..." I tell him as he nods and lets me climb on top of him.

Within seconds we are in the air and gone. I let him guide me. I let him take in the surroundings and search for where the gem shall be.

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Author's Note: Sorry if started out boring...I promise...there will be a lot going on in this book. This is my first attempt at fantasy. Hopefully I can pull this off. I am always daring myself to write out of my comfort zone. So please give me some feedback.

Also add this to your reading list so you will get updates. I will try my best to publish as much as possible. I wanted you to get an idea of the next book...so here is the first chapter so far.

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