Chapter 2

Aubrey flung the capsule to the ground near the shrubbery and reached over to grab the dress she had hid earlier. Glancing around, she made sure that Daisy's tail covered her body before pulling the pants and shirt off. The gown fell down her body with ease. Reaching a hand back, she flicked it towards her hair. For once, she wished she was standing in front of a mirror. Watching her brown locks twist and turn until it made an intricate design, was one thing that she never got used to. Magic was in her every being, but she still found the simple mechanics of it fascinating.

Shaking off her thoughts, she turned towards Daisy. "Down girl, you know father doesn't like when you cause a scene."

The dragon's large head moved in her direction. Daisy gave a dignified huff before slipping into her smaller form. Strutting away, its tiny tail flicked wildly. Aubrey let out a laugh at her friend's antics before realizing where Daisy was going. Taking off in a run, she dived. Instead of landing on the scaly back of her dragon, her body hit the cold ground. A groan escaped her lips, but she didn't move.

A rough tongue ran over her arm. Opening an eye, she glanced down at the tiny dragon. Daisy had her head down as if she was waiting for a beaten.

Sadness coursed through Aubrey as she remembered the state she had found her dragon in. The poor thing was beaten to near death. Its wings had been ripped; its scales had been skinned. It had took all of Aubrey's willpower not to go back and kill the men who had done this. Two good things out of the situation; Aubrey acquired a best friend, and Daisy got a protector. Of course, there was not many things the dragon could not protect itself from, but with a little magic, Aubrey was one to worry about.

"Sister, what are you doing on the ground? And please tell me you do not have that creature with you. You know how much Mother is frightened over it."

She turned and glanced up at her brother. Siblings, they may have been, but not a single person could tell by looking at them. Where she was dark, he was light. His white blond hair looked almost silver in the moon light. His eyes could not be seen at the moment, but the rumors were that his were the prettiest, lightest, blue in all the lands. The rumors were true, Ainsely's eyes were magnificent.

"We have no time for you to stare, sister. Father is waiting. Hide your dragon under your skirts, and come," he said in a frustrated tone. Turning his back on her, he walked away.

Aubrey knew that she was meant to follow, but she ignored the demand. She may have been cursed as a child, but following everyone's command was not it. Ainsely's footsteps halted. His back stayed frigid, and Aubrey knew the reason. He may try to fool others, but he could never fool his sister.

Turning, he stomped back towards her with a scowl imbedded in his face. She just lied there in waiting as he bent down next to her and held out a hand. Grabbing it, he pulled her up. Before she could brace herself, his arms were wrapped around her in a bone crushing hug. Laughter shook his chest as he rocked them back and forth. "I missed you, Aubrey. Do you really have to stay gone so long?"

"Yes," she answered automatically.

He nodded into her shoulder. "I understand. You may not be going about it in the right way, but I understand."

"That is good to know," she joked. "I can now die happy knowing that my brother understands."

"We all understand it, Brey. You are the one that thinks we do not."

She pulled away from him with a smile. "I know my family will always support me that is not the reason why I do not visit. You know the reason; I need to rid myself of this curse. I need practice if I want to accomplish my goal."

"Is it such a bad thing? It seems like a minor curse in my opinion."

"Yes and your opinion is completely wrong. Come, let us go find father before he sends people to find us."

Linking their arms together, they began down the pathway. Anyone who saw their presence dropped what they were doing to bow. It was an annoying trait that came with being part of the family. It was another reason she tried to stay as far away as possible. Why would she come home where she was treated differently because of the family she was born too?

"They are staring," she hissed.

Ainsely sent her a tiny smirk. "It is me who they are staring at, sister; do not forget it is I who got the looks. You were cursed."

"We both were, you fool. My curse just wasn't as physical as yours."

"Being found handsome by women is not a curse," he assured her.

Aubrey shook her head at her brother's foolishness. "It is a curse when women would do anything for you, and men hate your presence because of it. In my opinion, you should be finding the cure to your curse as I have been doing with mine."

"What are the words? Ah, yes, I remember. Your opinion is completely wrong."

Letting out a chuckle, she felt no need to reply. The man had his mind set, and nothing but time would change it.

The stone walls of the old castle came into view. The structure had been in her family for as long as they have been settled on this land. While others built more modern homes, her father stuck with the cold stones. It may have looked frightening, but the place was strangely warm. It could have been that Aubrey grew up there in the comfort of her family, or it could be the magic that seeped through every crack.

"Must they always do that?" she questioned while darting her eyes towards the man kneeling.

"You know they must. Do you think I enjoy it? Seeing my friends fall to their knees when I walk by? I wish that I wasn't-"

"Hush! You never know what happens when you make a wish."

"You are right," he mumbled looking abashed.

She smiled at him. What an adorable picture her brother made. No one could stay mad at the man; no one could admonish him without feeling guilt. It was lucky that Aubrey already knew what it was like to feel guilt. She knew what it was like to carry that emotion around with you your entire life. It was something she was good at, harboring her emotions.

The bridge lowered on its own signaling that her father knew they were here. Only people of the blood line could lower it, and their mother was not one of them. Their mother was in fact, human, a magic free being that they all loved dearly.

"How long has he been waiting?" she whispered with a wince as it slammed down.

"Weeks, Brey, he has been waiting for you to come home for weeks."

Stepping onto the wooden boards, she braced herself for her father's presence. The man could be intimidating to others, but Aubrey had figured him out as a child. The man loved his family, and when it came to them, he was soft. A tall silhouette drifted closer to them. With a smile, Aubrey freed herself from her brother and flung her body at it. For the second time that day, warm arms surrounded her. Taking in a deep breath, she basked in the smell. He smelt like home.

"If you ever leave me for that long, I shall lock you up in the dungeons. The guards would not even blink an eye."

"I missed you too, Father."

He pulled away and sent her a matching smile. "Yes, my dear. Your mother is waiting. You know me, I have never been patient."

"No you have not," she replied while lifting to place a kiss on his cheek. The brown beard hindered her plan, but it was the thought that count.

Not a minute later, they stood in the doorway. People milled about in frenzy. Some did not even spare them a glance as they darted around the room. That only meant one thing. Her mother was throwing a party. There was only one question Aubrey had.

"Who is the guest of honor?"

"You, of course," a warm voice answered.

Letting out a groan, Aubrey turned and looked into her mother's blue eyes. "I do not want a party. I only came for a short visit."

"Yes, well, we cannot have that can we? I plan on keeping you here as long as I can, and if that means throwing a three day party in your honor, then that is what I shall do."

"Yes, mother," Aubrey said with a sigh. The woman could never be talked out of anything. It was a feature Ainsely inherited also.

Her mother took a step forward, and Aubrey did not wait for an invitation. This time, it was her who crushed her mother into a hug. It was her who held on to tight for too long. Out of all the people she left behind, her mother was the hardest to let go. Worry had haunted her every day. How could she survive with no magic?

"I'm fine, dear. Oh, I missed you so much. You will not believe-Aubrey? Why do you have a tail?" her mother screeched with pulling away from her.

Aubrey sent her mother a sheepish smile. "I brought Daisy."