The kids shifted into their human forms and Gray ran to me. “You have to play with us because Kaya
and her sister are on one team, so I have to be on the other with mine.”
I was surprised to hear Gray call me his sister. “Y-yeah,” I stuttered and got up. We played a few
rounds of freeze tag until we got tired out. Polly was tired out first. We all laid down next to each other.
“Your sister is fast Gray.” Polly said. “You're fast Aqua.”
“It’s because she’s older than us Polly.” Kaya said. “I’m going to be that fast when I’m her age too.”
Gray laughed. “You might be.” He looked at me. “Are you coming with us on our picnic Tuesday? We
always do something once a week out of the castle and that’s what we’re doing next week.”
I smiled. “If our father asks me to come then I will.”
My answer made him happy. “My mom said that full siblings and half siblings aren’t the same thing, but
I don’t get it. I know my mom isn’t yours, but my Dad is so your still my sister. That only makes you a
little different than Cade. Cade said it doesn’t matter but why did my mom say it mattered?”
It was clear to me that Lynn didn’t like me. I didn’t think she would try to invalidate my relation to my
brothers to the youngest. “It doesn’t matter because we are still siblings, it’s just a little different. I have
siblings back home who don’t share parents with me at all, but we were raised together as family so
they’re my siblings.” It made me feel better than they are my family by blood. Technically they were my
cousins, and my adoptive parents were my aunt and uncle.
“My mom’s been acting weird lately.” Even Gray was able to notice Lynn’s broken heart. “I’m glad
you’re here Aqua.”
Kaya sat up. “You shouldn’t complain about your mom Gray.”
Gray looked at her. “I’m not complaining, she’s just been acting different.”
Kaya was probably sensitive to the subject because she didn’t have a mother at all. “I’m going to be a
mom one day and I don’t want my son talking about me like that. She’s probably trying her best.”
Gray playingly tackled her and they wrestled. I looked up at Stewart as he walked to us. “We should
start walking back towards the castle now.”
We all got up and started walking down the trail the way we came. “Aqua.” Polly said tucking on my
jacket. “Can I get on your back? I’m tired and my legs give up.”
I smiled down and her and lifted her onto my back. “Better?”
She laid her head on my shoulder. “Perfect… your hair smells good.”
Kaya and Gray started running around pushing each other. “Hey quit that.” Stewart said but they didn’t
listen, and Gray slid off of the edge of the trail. “Shit.” Stewart shifted into his dragon and dove off the
edge. My heart dropped and I was afraid of what would happen to my brother. I held Kaya back
because she was trying to look over the edge.
Stewart flew back up with Gray on his back. Gray was in his dragon form. He probably shifted before
he fell to try to fly. Gray flew off and landed in front of me then shifted back. Stewart shifted back and
scolded Gray and Kaya. “We’re high up enough for Gray to have been hurt even in his dragon form. No
more pushing.”
Kaya hugged Gray. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to push you that hard.”
“It’s okay, I’m sorry I was pushing you hard too.” Gray looked at me. “Are you okay Aqua?”
I nodded. “I’m fine I was just worried about you.” I felt terrible that I could shift and save my own brother
from a fall. I felt like not being able to shift was becoming a real problem while living in this world. I felt
so helpless.
We walked back to the castle and I let Polly down. “Aqua can I hang out with you?” Gray asked as
Polly and Kaya went inside.
“You can stay with your brother; we probably don’t need any more extra help. I’ll head back to make
sure and text you.” Stewart offered and left.
I looked down at Gray. “What do you want to do?”
Gray walked towards the castle entrance. “Let’s watch a movie.”
“A movie?” I followed him inside.
“Yeah, we can watch one in your room. Don’t you have a tv in there?”
“I do but… I don’t really know how to work it.” It was a bit different than the ones back at home.
Gray laughed. “I’ll do it, where’s your room?” I led him to my room, and we walked in. He walked to the
TV and he was able to get it working pretty fast. He taught me how to turn it on and use the remote
then he turned to a movie. He sat on my sofa and I sat on my bed.
Halfway through the movie I heard hard knocking on my door. I walked to the door and opened it. It
was Lynn and my father was behind her. “Do you know where Gray is?”
“I’m in here!” Gray walked to the door. “We’re watching a movie.” He looked at me. “I paused it.”
“Is that okay?” I asked. I didn’t think it mattered because Gray seemed to float around the castle
regularly.
“I need to know where he is at all times.” She looked at Gray. “Come on we’re going to go eat.”
Gray frowned. “I’m not hungry, I want to finish the movie. It’s a cartoon movie, Cade never watches
them with me, Dad is busy, and you always fall asleep. Aqua likes them.” Animated movies were
comforting for me and I never watched one with dragon shifters made by dragon shifters. Lynn crossed
her arms. “Fine.” He looked up at me. “Are you hungry? You can come with us.”
I actually was hungry, but I was obviously unwanted. “No, I’m fine, you go.”
Konn looked like he felt bad, he stayed while Gray went with Lynn. “Sorry about that Aqua, she’ll warm
up to you. Thanks for spending time with Gray.”
“It’ll take time but hopefully. No problem, he’s a nice kid, he insisted we watch a movie.” I chuckled. “He
asked if I was going to the picnic on Tuesday with you guys.”
Konn sighed. “Lynn doesn’t feel comfortable with it. You’re being punished for my affair, I’m sorry for
that.”
I shrugged. “I wouldn’t be here without it,” I muttered. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Konn nodded. “Do you have something to wear for the ball?”
“I could probably put something nice together.”
“Okay, I’ll see you then.” He left.
I closed the door and pulled out my phone. I texted Lexus: Let’s meet at the river near the hiking trail
tomorrow when the moon is at its peak tomorrow.
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