Tuesday Tales – Chocolate {Hybrid}

Apr 14, 2013 | Books, Hybrid, Tuesday Tales, Writing

Hybrid_MEDThe prompt this week was Chocolate.

I have created a cover for it…see?  I have my reasons for the cover, and for saying that I’m unsure how long this story will continue through Tuesday Tales. Thoughts and plans are brewing, but until I’m set in what I want to do, Hybrid and Jyoti and Jdyne will stick around for a couple more weeks.

Remember, this is a meme with many contributing authors, so make sure to click the link at the bottom of the image to take you to see more!

Anyhow, as always this is un-edited mostly, so forgive any errors. :

“If I’m to speak before the assembly I should change. These human clothes are already too small.” I held out my arms to demonstrate the way the sleeves now only hit three-quarter length when they’d hit my wrists earlier. Of course, I wouldn’t mention the chocolate kiss melting in the pocket of my jeans in this heat.

“We’ll return to the castle so you might change. Will you be dressed as a warrior?”

“Testing me, Father? Of course I won’t dress as a warrior. They’ll think me hostile and side with Alatus more firmly before I ever open my mouth.” I set my hands on my hips and frowned. “What about the family? My appearance is already altering, if I go back to them.”

“You forget what powers I have, child.  You’ll be restored if that’s what you wish. If you think it’s safe for them.”

“I guess we’ll find out soon enough.” With a sigh, I lifted my arms and gave a great stretch. I grew taller, but more impressively, flames travelled along my arms to add to the decorations. I could feel the same sensation crawl along the flesh of my face.

Jdyne diverted his eyes as the transformation took place and the human clothes burned away. “I wasn’t aware that’s what you meant by change, child.”

My eyes closed and I let the fire take over until it had replaced my clothes in the form of an almost living dress. It ebbed and flowed when I walked, draped to cover what humans found indecent, and slipped along my flesh like a second skin, which it was. “Did you not tell them the truth, father?”

“They don’t know about it. No one but Addrannyn knew of the phoenix. Only five other hybrids had the birds influence before he figured out how to create eggs without the birds influence and brought in enough helpers to make more hybrids, so I didn’t think it was necessary.” Jdyne shook his head and the last of the human illusion shivered away to reveal his fully scaled self.  Now on all fours, his head swung to face me. The voice carried the same, but rang through my head instead of my ears. “Some secrets were meant to keep you safe.”

“All the secrets in the world failed to keep m safe. They did the opposite. It’s time for truth, Father.” I slipped my hand along his nose, then through he comb atop his head. The rough scales scratched my flesh, but by the time I lifted my hand, they wounds had healed. “Shall we fly?”

The long elegant head dipped in a bow. After a momentary crouch, he took off into the air. Long silver wings unfurled and he offered a long call to the heavens. It echoed around the countryside and calls of all kinds were returned.

I couldn’t stop my grin as the king took his place in the sky, his scales and wings reflecting the glory of our two suns in an almost blinding display.

After several minutes of enjoying the sight, I spread my arms.  The flames spread to reflect my arms and formed into long elegant wings.  For the first time in fifteen years I crouched and took off into the air, letting the wind almost blind me as I raced higher than my father.

I let out a call like his, more high pitched, similar to the bird, while still all dragon. Familiar calls of welcome were returned and I chuckled, dropping down to fly next to Jdyne.

His silver eye blinked at me before he flew toward our castle. Once again his voice entered my head. “You have never flown these skies with the wings of a phoenix. You’ve always clung to the dragon. Are you sure you want to do this?”

“The time for lies and secrets is over.” I repeated. “I am all of these things, and will not hide it any longer. Alatus will have his war if he is determined enough. I prefer he do it with the full knowledge in the open.”

“You’ll test the limits of the Assembly’s tolerance.”

“I always have, Father.”

*~*
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*~*

 

 

Sarah

17 Comments

  1. V.L. Locey

    Love this story and that cover!

    Reply
    • Sarah

      Thanks, Vicki! I’m proud of the cover 😀 I’m so glad everyone likes it!

      Reply
    • Sarah

      Thank you, Kathleen. I’m trying to do better with descriptions in this story…glad it’s working 🙂

      Reply
  2. Lindsay

    Great cover to go along with a great story

    Reply
    • Sarah

      Thank you, Lindsay. I was worried the cover would be ‘too simple’…but I wanted simple 🙂

      Reply
    • Sarah

      Thanks, Rosalind. This story has quickly become a favorite of mine when I started it without knowing where it would go.

      Reply
  3. Jean

    Rebellious and free thinking. I like that! Also love the description of the dress and how it drapes and feels like a second skin. Nice! Story is heating up. Looking forward to more.

    Reply
    • Sarah

      LOL. Yes, Jean. That is Jyoti. I have a thing for heroines with fire 🙂

      And thank you, I don’t know what compelled me to create the fire-dress but I’m quite proud of it. 🙂 We’ll see what next week brings.

      Reply
  4. Karen Cino

    Love the cover and the story.

    Reply
    • Sarah

      Thank you, Karen. I’m glad everyone is enjoying the story.

      Reply
  5. Tricia

    Your cover is beautiful! And I love the descriptions of this world and these characters and the interaction between father and daughter.

    Reply
    • Sarah

      Thank you very much, Tricia. I was very happy to find the image of henna that perfectly matched what I’d pictured several weeks ago when I started this story.

      I’m enjoying the interaction between father and daughter as well…it’s unusual to not right a romance, but this is quite fun!

      Reply
    • Davee Jones

      Stunning cover! I enjoy your descriptive writing, I could almost feel the wind when she climbed the skies. Lovely

      Reply
      • Sarah

        Thank you, Davee!

        I’m glad the description of her ascent spoke to you. I hope the story continues to do the same!

        Reply
  6. Sherry Gloag

    Great descriptions, and I like the way her strength, physical and mental showed through.

    Reply

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