Lovebell

"What do you think of this one?" Lovebell held a pearly teardrop-shaped choker up to her shimmering golden hide. "I haven't worn it since last week. Do you think it accentuates my scales?" Across the room, Heatherwrought's gaze flitted from where she'd been folding her lace collection over to Lovebell.

"Everything in your wardrobe matches your scales," her sister teased. Lovebell flicked her tail at Heatherwrought, and it jingled with the baubles decorating it.

"I suppose you're right," Lovebell said, using the mirror to carefully fasten the choker around her neck. Her face quirked into a smile. "Though, the same could be said for yours as well."

"But of course," Heatherwrought responded without turning away from her own mirror. She draped a silk veil across her snout that twinkled with glitter meant to replicate a starry night sky. Lovebell resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Her sister had always been one for softer, fabric adornments, while Lovebell much preferred jewelry. Mango sometimes commented how it was hard to believe the two of them were sisters, considering their vastly different appearances and the fact they weren't even of the same flight. Lovebell had always considered their opposing flights to be meaningless in their relationship. She and Heatherwrought had been practically inseparable for as long as she could remember.

Plus, flights didn't mean anything in the face of the Shade. Lovebell supposed that was a good thing. A single deity to unite all, rather than warring in an endless struggle between elemental gods.

Lovebell gingerly picked up a golden chain from one of the hooks of her jewelry tree. From it hung a pendant depicting bright sunrays. It was one of Lovebell's most treasured possessions, but looking at it always gave her a twinge of sorrow, deep in her chest. It was the reason why, despite how beautiful it was, Lovebell rarely wore it.

Heatherwrought came up next to her, peering at the jewelry. "Elaine gave that to you, right?" her sister asked quietly. Lovebell nodded. Painful memories of her former mentor and mother-figure flashed through her mind as she dropped the chain over her head and the pendant thumped against her chest.

Elaine reading excerpts from stone tablets out loud to a young Lovebell. Elaine reassuring Lovebell in her own abilities as a light dragon. Elaine, sending sharp glares at Heatherwrought whenever Lovebell played with her sister. Elaine mumbling incoherently about the Lightweaver. Elaine attacking both Lovebell and Heatherwrought, a crazed look in her eyes as blinding light poured out of them.

Lovebell shuttered and pushed the memories away. It was in the past now, and she was safe in the care of both Renzati and the Shadesworn.