How Far can You Trust a Serpent?
Chapter 1
“I didn’t think you could reach up here” A quiet voice echoed around the cave, breaking through my thoughts. I sighed and shrugged.
“I climb. Safer up here than down there anyways” I gestured towards the ground where glowing eyes were visible.
“You’ll starve”
“Nuh-uh. Just gotta wait a bit then I can get down and get found” The avian settled beside me, sighing.
“Nova-”
“Don’t you Nova me, Alan! I’m capable of taking care of myself” I growled, my teeth in full view as I turned defensive.
“Nova...when?” He asked, reaching for my face. I backed up further. I bit my arm and gave him a fake smile.
“Just a way to defend myself” I closed my mouth quickly, trying to calm myself. I couldn’t risk being caught, not so close to my birthday. I thought I’d be safe up here.
“Don’t lie to me. Show me” He reached for my face again and I startled further, my fake form slipping from my careful control. My fangs were the first to be revealed, followed by my more delicate build. Before more than a few minutes had passed, I stood there in my true form.
“Shit. I miscounted” I glanced at the moon, rising once again in the past midnight arc. His hands were no longer reaching for me, not when I was so fragile looking.
“Nova?”
“Yea. Yea. I lied. You would too if you were one of the few left of your kind” I grumbled, rubbing at the base of my spikes. I hated how small I looked.
“How..? You can’t be. We wiped out your kind before you could have!” He babbled, reaching for his sword. I raised my hands defensively, rearing back on my tail as my wings flared.
“Whoa! Whoa! I promise, I’m not deadly, I just...It’s still me Al! It’s Nova! I’m still me! I’m just...not what you thought I was” I lowered myself, trying hard to look nonthreatening.
“You could have eaten us at anytime! Dirty Serpion, you could have already! I bet you killed the real Nova!” He raised his sword, ready to stab me. I sunk my fangs into my arm, tensing up for the blow.
“Nova!” My older brother screamed, and I heard the sword clatter to the ground. Before me stood Nik, his frills spread.
“Nik, no!” I screamed, trying to get between the taller men. Neither paid me any mind, and I winced when Nik approached.
“Nova did nothing. She always comes here on her birthday, to make sure this doesn’t happen. If anyone is to blame for this, it’s you, Your Royal Highness. Now, go home, and forget this ever happened” My brother hissed, and Alan obeyed without a word.
“Stay” Nik then growled to me and took off.
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