Music is Feast of Starlight from The Hobbit The Desolation of Smaug. Play it!

The grass curtains opened and all eyes turned to the woman, her shadowed body a stark reflection against the brightly colored background. She held the air of calm façade, stealing the curiosity of the audience—all as it should.

A symphony of volucris stood on either side of the stage, their voices weaving a gentle rhythm for the dancer.

The young girl raised her hands in the air, not yet putting on her best smile. Her feet slipped under her and she arched backward into a flip. Gliding forward into the light, she raised her hands into the air, her lips parting into a smile. The crowd clapped, though one girl didn't; instead leaning closer to a man next to her.

"She didn't wait long enough. There was wasted suspicion," she whispered, shaking her head. Glancing up, she caught the eye of someone and grimaced, pulling her leaf hood closer to her face; vision now zeroed in on the dancer. If one more person recognized her and insisted to kiss her hand, she swore that she would cut her hand off. Her mouth moved with the words, the threat tasting like her favorite treat; familiar. In her memories could already hear her mother singing on and on about how it was "proper".

Ditch proper, comfortable met her needs best.

"Don't be so critical, princess," the man next to her replied, his breath tickling her ear despite the hood.

She bristled. "I'm not critical! I just like things to be precise."

He chuckled. "That's the definition of critical."

Brows furrowing, her brain processed the remark. "No it isn't."

The dancer was now spinning, her purple vine dress flying around her. She brushed her fingers across the vines of her own dress, elated that she didn't have to wear extravagant flower dresses and corsets. Much to her dismay, the feat could only be accomplished when her royal parents weren't looking.

Verana watched as the young woman sashayed around the stage, raising her arms into the air as her eyes turned green, glowing in the low lighting. Vines grew from both sides of the stage, seeming to dance around the girl. Verana remembered when her heart had longed to be a dancer. She remembered receiving her elite light gem and being dismayed. Dismayed that her power wouldn't be as cool as any other. That she wouldn't be able to create pretty water displays or people made out of vines.

She laughed at her own childish thoughts. It had taken time for her to realize how beautiful her light actually was. She could still create different things with her light, as well as people. Verana thought that she could make details much better, but to each their own.

Through the years, she lost her interest in dancing. It was a beautiful art, but her personality developed, bringing her to other amusements. Verana pursed her lips, wondering if she should have tried to keep her interest in the art.

"Has anyone noticed you yet?" her friend asked.

The side of her mouth twitched in annoyance, seeing the image of someone from not two minutes before. "No."

"Are you sure?"

She turned to her friend. His silver eyes sparkled in the dim light, almost twinning with the deep blue storm gem that stood out on his right shoulder blade. He was one rank lower than her, an intermediate. "I brought the Master Guard to watch out for me so that I could enjoy this performance. Should I be sure?"

There were seconds of them just staring at each other, then she arched her brow and he leaned down, lips pressing against lips as a fire ignited in her mind. His fingers caressed her cheek and he pulled away, a smirk gracing his face. She pursed her lips, holding back a fond smile. "That doesn't really cover up the pertinence of no one recognizing me."

"You know you liked it," he said, pressing his forehead against her temple.

She shrugged him off, holding back a laugh. "Possibly, but now I've missed the show!" she said, watching as the woman sashayed over to the edge of the stage, blowing a kiss to a random man.

"If we get out of here quickly, I can perform for you."

She scoffed, turning to him. "I'm sure it wouldn't be very good."

He shrugged. "I practice a lot."

"Sword fighting with my sister."

Mocking a blow to the chest, his face contorted in fake pain. "Blow to the heart." She shook her head, smiling despite herself. "Though, you know that I love you the most."

She hummed, looking back as the crowd erupted in clapping. "Perhaps it is time that we take our leave."

"As you wish, Princess Verana."

—

She stared up at the sky, watching as it shifted in vibrant colors of light magenta, chartreuse, and teal. It was like a magical dance as the sun rose, bringing everyone another day closer to her presentation. Her presentation. Verana sighed. It didn't matter how much she went over the facts, how many times she re-ran it through her head or tried to memorize everything—she didn't feel like she was ready.

She moved onto her side, brushing her fingers across her pillow. She wasn't even sure that she wanted to become a professor. Would all of this stress be worth it? Yes, it would be. History was something that she loved. Something that she loved to talk about, loved to study, loved to learn more about. The littlest details were the ones that always piqued her interest. The ones that weren't always mentioned.

Verana smiled. Sometimes, when doubt clouded her thoughts, she forgot why she pursued the things she did. It was always easy to forget, but all it took was a small memory and the fiery love would flood back into her heart.

Her feet hit the floor, cold stone crafted by Supremes sending shivers up her spine and through her wings. She shook out her wings, flexing the feathers as she tried to rid herself of the sensation her pesky shivering had brought on. Walking up two steps into the center part of her room, she approached her vine table. Her eyes flitted across nearly thirty scrolls, each holding parts of her presentation in order.

Planting her elbow on the table, she ran her fingers through her auburn hair, messing it up just like Zan always did. He thought it funny because girls liked to keep their hair perfect. Her fingertips found the golden gem on her forehead and she rubbed it.

Picking up one of the couple leaf pouches that sat among the organized chaos, she remembered that she still needed to get her dusts. I hope they're impressed with that idea, she thought fondly.

Her powerful wings flapped, propelling her into the sky. The hood that was on her head fell away at the force and she quickly replaced it. There weren't many volucris flying around that morning, but the amount would multiply in no time.

Verana had one mission, acquire her dusts, and get home.

The Academy of Skills looked magnificent in the low sunlight, every tiny piece of glass working together to make it glitter. She had so many fond memories of each other rooms inside, like everyone did. Each and every volucris with a gem learned how to control their gift at the academy. Verana remembered her first day; with her light, she had exploded a particularly valuable vase. She had thought it was the end of the world, but being the king's daughter sometimes had its perks.

A rainbow of colors littered the floor of the academy, passing unnoticed by most. Verana didn't look down this time, marching through the halls towards her destination. Some idle volucris nodded to her in respect and she smiled, nodding back. Women were usually the ones who paid attention to how she hated being treated like a royal. Men, on the other hand, well, that's exactly what they wanted to kiss.

Becoming a professor at such a young age was very honorable. In the beginning, she had insisted that she be treated like anyone else wanted to gain the title. Not everyone was intelligent as they had thought in their skill when they decided to apply. Therefore, not everyone could be a professor. So she asked for no special treatment and no exceptions. If she was going to be what she wanted, she would work hard for it and gain it fairly. Look at me like I'm anyone else. Verana hoped that her future students would look at her the same way. In fact, she hoped that her presence as a royal would cause them to pay more attention.

Verana walked up to one of the few doors that were made of vines. She took a glance inside before trying to open it. Locked. Pursing her lips, she found a small package at her feet. A note tied to it read, I hope these serve you well, my lady. Thank you for giving me the honor. -Leo

She smiled and unraveled the message. Tucking the package under her arm, she brought her pointer finger up to the small piece of parchment. Her light flowed through her veins as her finger drew letters in midair, the action bringing gold to the paper.

The trick was one she remembered learning very well. Her teacher, Mrs. Yune, had been a grumpy old woman, but taught Verana many of the things she now knew. She had told her to imagine that her light was occupying every little niche in the paper. That if one visibly saw something, then it occupied the space. How do I do that? She had asked. Your light is real. But in order for this to work, you have to push that realness into another thing.

After she was done, golden letters sparkled in front of Verana's silver eyes reading, You're very welcome, my friend. Wish me luck!

Dropping the paper into a part of the vine door where she hoped Leo would notice it, she began heading back through the halls. A few more volucris stood around and she ducked her hooded head, hoping no one noticed her.

In her periphery, Verana saw someone slide next to her and her lips pulled into a smirk. "You know," the girl opposite to her began, looking at the ceiling lazily. "Walking around in a dark hood isn't really the most conspicuous thing you could do." Verana watched as her pointer finger flew up into the air. "For instance, you could totally make a cape that has much brighter colors and instead throw yourself at people."

Verana chuckled. "And what purpose would that serve? I'd still be recognized."

"That's the point!"

Planting a foot in front of her, she turned to her friend, who barely stopped in time. "Did you know that made no sense?"

Elonan smiled, the sides of her eyes clinking with the motion. She tossed her blonde locks behind her shoulder, a few of the shorter hairs falling back and showing the dark red ends—the sign of a supreme gem. "I know. I was just poking fun." The girl jabbed her elbow into Verana's side.

Her eyes widened for a split-second. "As I've very much noticed."

They started walked again and Elonan continued the conversation. "So, how is your presentation planning going?"

Verana shrugged a shoulder. "Good, I guess. I've practiced a bunch, but I'm really just going to let the presentation come out on its own. I know a ton about history, that's why I'm even applying to be a professor, so I think it should, and will be natural."

Her friend grunted. "Well, I have been slaving over this one piece of music that Mr. Onye gave me. It's so hard. I feel like I'm having to re-learn the harp."

"You'll get it."

"Easy for you to say," she muttered. "Not everyone is smart enough to drop out early from school to become a professor!"

Verana smiled. "Hey, I can't help it; I love history!"

"I like it too. . ." Elonan sighed. "Okay, I'm sorry. I just don't know what to do—ugh, things are just getting hard—I mean. I don't know."

Verana bumped her friend in the arm, recognizing the distinct rambling. "Sounds like you and Calek had a fight again."

"Is it that obvious?"

"You're an open book, Elle."

She sighed again, her wings slumping. "I hate that. I can hide my emotions from everyone else, except you."

Verana spared her friend a look as they neared the entrance to the academy. "Isn't that a good thing? Keeping everything in isn't always good."

"Yeah." She drawled the word out as she clamped a hand on her upper arm. It was true. To everyone else, Elonan was a shy little girl, but Verana knew the fierce warrior that laid beneath the surface. A girl who's fire burned bright in her eyes with passion. It probably burned just as bright as her fire would look like, not that Verana had ever seen it.

They had grown up together—two very different girls from completely different backgrounds. It always surprised Verana when she looked back. Elle was a year older than her, so she had received her gem first. Blonde hair turning red at the end hadn't been something either of them had expected. Nevertheless, Elle's supreme rank had made Verana jealous—when they were children.

Now, rank didn't even mean anything to her anymore. The words of her predecessor always reminded her that she didn't need more power than someone else. What extent of power she had now was enough.

"So," Verana said, looking over at Elle, who still clutched her hands. Her angry eyes studied the floor. "Are you going to tell me what happened?"

"It's Calek. He just won't stop being a jerk."

"A jerk?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Usually he's pretty nice."

Elle rolled her eyes. "He's nice to you! Every time I try to get around him, he insults me and tries poking fun."

"He's just trying to flirt."

"Well, he's doing a terrible job at it. Flirting does not consist of insults." Verana smiled despite herself and her friend caught the look, her face contorting. "What are you smiling at? This isn't funny!"

"I'm sorry," Verana said, taking one of Elle's hands. "I just don't understand why you can't see this. Calek likes you, a lot, but it's hard for him to say the right things around you because you intimidate him."

Elle raised an unconvinced eyebrow. "Just because I can wield fire?"

"No, I never said anything about what you can do. You're a hard person to get close to, and you know that. Let your guard down. Let him feel comfortable. Stop getting defensive and just sit with him. Everyone feels better when the person they're trying to talk to isn't giving them a judging eye."

Elle's face softened and she quirked a smile. "Do you really think that will work? You do remember last time. . ."

Verana nodded, squeezing her friends hand. "Yes, but Calek is different. I've seen it in him."

The murmurs of the growing amount of volucris heading into the academy swelled around them. Elle leaned forward and the girls embraced. It was all of the confirmation Verana needed to know that her friend would be okay.

"Princess Verana, I'm afraid your sister has had another incident."

It took all she had not to sigh in frustration.

Thanks for reading everyone!

Picture above is Verana's room.

What did you guys think of this new and improved chapter? Do you think you've had an insight into this world? Do you like Verana? What about the mysterious Zan? Thoughts on Elle? Excited for coming chapters?

Shoutout to @Queen_Of_Coolness for the cover in the media section!

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