Adventure Three: The Wings

12 November 1908

Freddie's Point of View

In the span of almost a month, Freddie had discovered that Bella had quickly become his best friend and first mate (a pirate captain always needs a first mate to make sure the Pirate captain's head is screwed on straight.). They studied under Ragnor Fell (he was in charge of Bella's mundane schooling) and they often played together. Bella was so much fun and unlike the spoiled, bratty girls of their age. She didn't mind if her boots got all muddy after searching for treasure and she didn't cry when she hurt herself (which was basically all the time.) She was a good gambler and practically an expert at marbles! She could eat as much candy as he could and she could run almost as fast as him (and Freddie Prince Jr. was pretty damn fast.) She knew a lot of swear words and she knew what berries you could and could not eat. She was amazing.

"Freddie? Is that you?" Bella said, not turning to crane her head. Bella lay sprawled on the ground. If it wasn't for her chocolate locks and her dark trousers, he was sure he wouldn't have been able to see here lying there in the huge array of flowers. Today, Bella had asked him to meet her at their secret spot* and she'd beaten him there.

"No! It is King Frederic of Platypus." He says dramatically, putting his hands on his hips and tossing his head back in an arrogant manner like a king would.

"Whatever," she laughed and the sound was sweet and lovely like a church bell. "Come and sit." She patted the grass next to her. He flopped on the ground, his lengthening limbs sprawled everywhere. Distinctly, he could feel the heel of her boot pressing into his kneecap but he didn't mind. He'd rather like the feeling.

"Now, what are we here for? I thought we'd go fishing by the River some." Freddie waggled his eyebrows. "Mum says if we catch some, she'll fry it for our lunch."

"Nice but-" Bella sat up and took a deep breath. "Maybe later but I need to talk to you Fred."

He sat up too. "Is it something serious?" She sighed again and bit her bottom lip. "Yes, well sort of. Just listen to me, okay?"

"Yeah, of course."

"You know how Magnus, Ragnor, and Catarina are warlocks?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm one too." She said, twirling her hair in her hands. She wiped her hands on her trousers. "Magnus adopted me after my actual parents-" She paused.

"It's okay, Bells. Take your time. I'm here." He put a reassuring hand on her shoulder and she smiled at him gratefully. "Magnus adopted me after my mother tried to hurt me. She's a Shadowhunter and they're supposed to kill demons. And since I'm a warlock, I'm part demon."

"That's bloody* horrible! That isn't your fault!"

"I know but it isn't hers either. She's a Shadowhunter, destined to kill demons, and one raped her." Bella looked up at the sky and paused. "But that's not why I'm telling you this. I'm telling you this because of my mark."

"You mean your Warlock's Mark?" She nodded and stood up.

"Promise you won't get scared or freak out?"

"Promise," he said, biting back a smile. As a mundane with the Sight, he could see things that a normal person could not like faeries or the occasional werewolf. He had seen actual demons being slayed by Shadowhunters and some gruesome looking warlock's Marks. He was certain that whatever hers was, he wouldn't be bothered by it. She'd still be Bella.

"Okay." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. After a moment, there was a whoosh sound and there it was. Small, white wings. They stood proud and open like a bird getting ready to take flight. Her eyes opened and they glowed gold before turning back to their normal chocolate brown color.

"A bit anticlimactic but I give it a 7." Bella shook her head, laughing.

"Of all the things you could say, you choose to rate my wing reveal?" He shrugged.

"Well, they're very pretty." He offered. She smiled and started fidgeting again. Her hand went to her trousers, her hair, and the very bottom of her left wing.

"We're still okay?" Freddie shook his head and rolled his eyes. He stood up and stretched.

"Of course, shortstack." He ruffled her hair. "We're still best friends."

"I'm not that short, cara*." She pushes his hand away and giggled.

"Can you fly?"

"Not yet." She sighed and her wings went away again.

"I guess that means we have to walk to the river." He said disappointedly.

"I'll race you there," Bella proclaimed loudly and took off running.

"That's not fair! You little cheat!"

"Life's not fair," she called back. Freddie took off running. With the sun shining brightly on his back and a nice breeze blowing through his hair, Freddie decided it was indeed a wonderful day.

A/N:

The Secret Spot- is a meadow that Freddie and Bella had discovered during one of their many adventures. They come to hide from Freddie's mother or Ragnor, do work, etc. The Secret Spot is an important place in the story.

Cara - is Irish for friend

Bloody- is often an English/Irish swear word. You will see Freddie pick up a lot of Bella's language.