All I could remember from the day my memories started is that all I ever did was hurt people with my “gift.” I belonged to the fire fae of the Summer Court, and it seemed like everyone had more control over their “gifts” than I did. Even going through the academy, while everyone else grasped the idea of taming their fire, I had only lost more control of it. It made me angry. Which only fueled my “gift” more. I became a dangerous force. Even after finishing the academy, I was way behind my peers, who had all found jobs outside the Summer Court.
Although I was frustrated and gave up on myself, my mentor, Dasha, stayed by my side and always provided wisdom on how to calm myself. Dasha was an older lady, the age a grandmother would be. Within our court, every elder was considered a grandparent. My own grandmother had passed away, and she felt a need to take me under her wing. I’m grateful to have her. If only I could get a hold of this stupid-
“Careful, Talia! You’re going to catch the herb garden on fire again!” I heard Dasha shout as she rushed over the tame the flame. I clambered out of my thoughts, stood up, and backed away so Dasha could once again, fix my mistake. “Girl, you are strong, that is for sure, but you test me so.” After the fire went out, she looked at me with soft, gentle eyes. I knew that look of pity and turned away. Crossing my arms, I went over to the scorched spot in the garden to see how much damage I did. A few plants burnt to ashes. I knelt down and pressed on the area, the earth was hot, and it didn’t seem like we could grow anything else there for awhile.
I bowed down my head and sighed. I straightened out and faced Dasha. Clenching my fits, I attempted to hold back my anger, but to no avail. “Look at what I did again Dasha! I am a freaking failure, and even after 16 years at the academy, I’m still horrible at controlling anything!” Dasha just continued to look at me with those gentle eyes and listen. She knew my fire was far from burnt out. I felt my power get out of control, but no flame appeared. Dasha had taken responsibility for making sure I didn’t start more fires. I felt like a child who still had to be monitored to make sure I didn’t kill anyone.
I calmed my nerves because nothing felt worse than having Dasha play as my clean up crew. Not even having no control over the flame. I notice Dashaw stagger a bit after I had relaxed. She was getting older; she couldn’t babysit me forever. I had to get a hold of this “gift.”
This is the first part of a short story I started. I plan to finish it within the next month or so. Look forward to another update!