I had thought that my world had frozen when his lavender eyes met my gold ones. It felt like nothing I had ever experienced so far. He seemed to be coming closer and closer, but all I could see were his eyes. I don’t even know how I kept my footing. And then it felt as though my world stopped for a moment.

I could hardly I have been many things so far, especially when considering I am not that old. I have been a bird, a ghost, a wolf, a fairy hunter, and many more things. But when Edrick brushes up against me, there is nothing else I would rather be. To be there, right then was perfection. And one thing I had not ever been before was perfect. And it was almost more than perfect, if such a thing existed. It was warm and comforting and home. Maybe this was what home felt like.

Home. No, I can’t think of home. I tore my eyes away from his, again looking in front of me, although I was quickly drawn to him again as he spoke. This time it was my feet that drew us together again while he spoke, the relief touching me again, though slightly less this time. Perhaps I could get used to being around him. I do not know that I could feel this level of...whatever it is indefinitely.

“I guess because sometimes, it’s just nice to be yourself,” I said, my voice quiet. And it was. Right now, I would enjoy nothing more than simply being Neverland.

But then he is no longer next to me. I skid to a stop so quickly that my rump almost goes flying into the air. No butt, this is no time to be a bird.

But then Taika is flying by, with Edrick right beside her. I see him against her the same way we had been, and it hurts. I don’t understand why. It doesn’t make sense. Nothing is touching me, so why does it hurt in my chest to see them like that? But at the same time, they are too important to be parted from. Seconds after they have passed, my own legs push me forward again, quickly catching up, Edrick on her side and Taika on the other side of him.

It was Neverland that had the pain in her chest, and so I was not Neverland. I was an eagle, soaring through the skies, with an Edrick-eagle and a Taika-eagle flying with me! I run, knowing that next to them, I would not be guided to harm, although I must admit I was not quite paying attention. I am startled as I suddenly find myself submerged in water. Eagles don’t swim! But that is okay, because beavers do! Beavers also taste good, but that is another point.

I had run far enough into the lake that my feet were no longer touching the bottom, so I paddle about, my tail behind me as a beaver’s would be, until my feet again touch ground.

Edrick had said he was the King of the Fairies of the Air, so I turn toward him, a question evident on my face.

“If you are the King of the Fairies of the air,” I say thoughtfully, “then why are you soaked?”

I could not help but emphasize his predicament with a toss of her nose, splashing water in his direction.

I turned then, looking towards Taika.

“And you!” I said, bouncing through the water towards her, “What fairies do you rule?”