Hey guys! Sorry this one took so long. I was working on a Christmas Special, but… I didn't get to finish it. Sorry. You know how much rush and work there is around Christmas, right?

So anyway. With Christmas and New Year behind us, I hope and believe you all had wonderful times whether you celebrate Christmas or not.
Anyway, here's new chapter. So ENJOY!

PS: Reply for Guest: Nope, we're just friends. Also, I did use word 'he' to describe him and when you check my nickname, you can guess we're both guys. Not that I have anything against gay people. I'm cool with them as long as they do not try anything on me. So, yeah, we're just friends. Also, if you are going to write questions like that, how about making an account and PM me?

"So… the minion was destroyed." Demonic voice echoed through metal halls "Anyone wants to explain themselves?"

Seven men in dark armor were kneeling, trembling in fear before their master before them. One of them finally spoke "Master… minion was mine. I take full…" He didn't even get to say anything more before gush of wind threw him to the far side of room, smashing him against wall.

"I don't want excuses. I want an explanation as to how a single little girl manages to single handedly annihilate a demonic minion."

"Sir…" another knight stood up, bet did not dare to look up and meet his master's sight "She willingly gave drop of her blood to some tree. It was that tree that destroyed your majesty's servant."

"Hmm… you say she shed her blood willingly. That is not something her kind does."

"My lord." Man that was by master's side all the while saluted "May I ask what is so special about it?"

"Ha ha ha. You will find out soon enough. She will bleed for us after all. Soon. She will be ours. They can no longer stop us."

Meanwhile on Domino

I was standing in my and Alessa's chamber. There was a big mirror reaching from ground to roof… now that I say it out loud, that's a huge mirror. The chambers in this palace were pretty high.

Anyway… I was checking my wings. I could see new feathers slowly growing on missing places. For now it was just tiny balls of fur on my naked skin, but it was there. Soon enough, these balls will start getting shape of feathers and grow to fill the gaps.

I was wandering if there was maybe faster way to make them grow. Maybe some magic? But what magic would allow feathers on wings to grow faster? There was nothing to heal. Maybe… something that makes hair grow.

One way or another, my wings will take weeks to recover, maybe even months.

I suited up, or more like I picked a suit Aunt Stella left for me. It was pretty golden dress with white edges. It was typical summer dress with knee-long skirt. It also included matching shoes. Of course, since I couldn't just dress up in it, it was magical. I measured it up to my body, it broke into thousands of threads, wrapped around me and formed again. Out of curiosity, I also tried putting it backwards, but it always set up right as it should, with holes on back perfectly fitting my wings.

Today was a special day. One I was looking forward to, but also was afraid of. Erendor, my new step brother and Sky, my new father, would come today. I wanted to look pretty for them. I wanted them to accept me. I wanted… to accept them.

It's too bad my wings are pretty ugly right now. Feathers are slowly growing back and skin beneath them is now covered, in a layer of white fur, future feathers.

"Starsha?" knock on door cut my train of thoughts. Door then opened to reveal Bloom… I mean Mom… I mean… I will have to figure that one out later "Are you ready?"

I nodded "Yeah." Although I was really nervous "Do you… think they will like me?"

"Not a doubt in my mind." She giggled "Come on, let's go to the gate." She extended her hand to me.

I quickly grabbed it and we walked out of the room. Although… after few steps, the moment door shut behind us, I was stopped dead in my tracks. Sharp pain ran through my entire body. I lost balance and was pulled back, while my legs kept the momentum forward. I fell down on my butt "Ouch!"

"Oh my…" Bloom quickly realized what happened and moved back to open the door.

My wings, or more precisely feather on their ends got slammed in door.

Moment door opened, I moved my wings out of there. I wrapped them around me and held the still hurting spots. I was sitting on floor, holding place where feathers grew. It hurt like hell.

I would compare it to pulling your hair out. A handful at once, I mean.

"Are you alright?" Bloom kneeled next to me.

"Ou, ou, ou." I whined a little. Pain was going away, but I thought I was going to feel it for a while.

"I'm sorry. I didn't notice your wings were still in door."

"No, it's my fault." I said, releasing and folding them behind me "I shouldn't have dragged them behind."

"I guess we both need to be more careful." She smiled and let some of her healing magic flow into my wings.

"Mom? What happened?" Alessa peeked from around the corner. I was really surprised when I saw her outfit. She was wearing beautiful pink gown with pearls all around. It kinda reminded ocean waves. But what surprised me was a tiara on her head, coming over her forehead… and a big snow white feather seated in tiny golden spiral above her right ear. Remember that single feather that floated to her in bath… that was the feather.

"We accidentally closed door on Starsha's wings." Bloom helped me back on my feet.

"Oh, are you alright?" She ran up to me.

"Yeah." I smiled at her and looked up at the feather "Is that…?"

"Oh, this?" She touched the feather "It's the feather from bath, remember? What do you think?"

"It's cute." I replied. It really did look good on her. Although it felt kinda awkward… seeing how it was part of my body, but still, I didn't mind much. After all, it was one I already lost and new one is about to grow back.

"I agree." Bloom giggled "I think it looks lovely."

We all made our way downstairs, to main gate. Bloom was holding our hands as we walked outside of palace and towards a big courtyard. We came there just when a bright red spaceship was landing there.

I was nervous as hell. I was about to be introduced to very important people. Both socially and in my life from now on. If I am to be Bloom's daughter, I have to be Sky's as well. And of course Erendor's sister.

I must've tightened my grip on Bloom's hand. She looked at me and smiled "It's gonna be alright. Don't worry."

I nodded and took a deep breath.

When ship landed and door opened, my heart was racing. I was so nervous I didn't even know my own name. Although to be fair, I had it just for few days.

Two figures stepped outside. King Sky was tall, muscular, but thin guy. He was really handsome. Blonde hair, baby blue eyes, with stature that earned respect just by being in sight. He also had a beautiful thin sword by his hip.

Next to him stood Erendor, young boy, about the same age as Altair. He was thin, blonde hair… pretty much just like his father, but his eyes were brown. He also had a short sword by his hip.

"Welcome home honey." Bloom stepped closer.

"Daddy!" Alessa rushed in to hug her father.

"Oh I so missed you girls!" Sky hugged his daughter and took her up into his arms before giving a kiss to his wife "It's good to be back."

"Hi mom." Erendor said.

Bloom lowered herself to hug her son "Welcome home, Erendor. Had fun?"

"I sure did." He smiled and hugged her back "Too bad you couldn't come. Aunt Aisha says hi."

Bloom giggled and finally, turned towards me. I stayed behind, blushing and kinda… not feeling right to join the family. Sky was smiling as he put Alessa down and walked up me. I didn't move. He took a knee before me so we would be same height "You must be Starsha."

I nodded "It…" I wasn't sure how to address him. My mind went through thousands of variations that second, but I decided to go with social one "It's nice to meet you, your highness."

Sky chuckled a little "Come now." He put a hand on my cheek "You are very well mannered, but we usually don't call each other by titles in this family."

I looked into his eyes and saw the same passions Bloom had. I guess… he accepted me long before he even saw me.

I smiled and nodded "Dad."

"You're so cute." He retreated his hand and dug for something in his pocket. He took out a beautiful necklace. A stone, shining in all colors of rainbow, reflecting light like I've never seen before "This stone is Alachyte. It is said to be pure light taken form. In old times they were used in lighthouses, leading lost sailors home." He reached behind me, putting it around my neck "So it may always help you find a way back here… home."

I blushed and could only utter "Thank you."

"Welcome to our family, Starsha." He patted me on head and stood up. Stepping aside, still laying a hand on my shoulder, Erendor approached.

"Hi, name's Erendor. But I guess you can call me bro." He extended his hand for me to shake. He was much more composed than his sister, I'll tell you that much. Well mannered, kind looking. Although even then I had a hint of intuition that if I were to anger him… he wouldn't be too nice.

Glad I was right in that regard.

"Hi." I took his hand he shook it "I'm… I'm Starsha."

"Nice to meet you, sis." He seemed really accepting. Or maybe he was just playing it. We didn't even know each other. But… it's true that we are now brother and sister.

"Kids, how about you go play. I need to talk with mommy about adult stuff." Sky said, slowly turning his sight towards Bloom.

"Alright." Erendor said "How about we go to town?"

"Yeah, let's get some of those sweet rolls from bakery!" Alessa pumped her hands all excited.

"Sounds good. How about you, Starsha?" Erendor looked at me. Of course I was uncertain. I've never had a sweet roll.

"I… sure." I nodded. It must be good. I mean… Alessa seems happy to get some.

"Alright." Sky reached into his pocket and took out a wallet. He handed Erendor some paper… I guess money. Honestly… I've never bought anything. I either had to rely on kindness of everyone or… if things got though… take food to survive.

Well… I guess the fact is I still rely on kindness of others. In this case… Sky and Bloom, aka dad and mom.

"But you should change first." Bloom snapped her fingers. Magical dust floated towards us and moment it touched our clothes, they shone bright red, as if burning. Then light disappeared and we all had different clothing. Erendor had white silk shirt, blue trousers and black belt over them.

Alessa's and my dresses changed into cute sleeve-less one pieces long down to our knees. Mine was silver, while hers was cute baby blue. Both were sparkling in the summer sun.

"Wow…" I exhaled. So… she could change clothes with magic? That's so cool. Also mine were revealing my back, giving wings more than enough space.

"Now don't forget to have fun." Mom said as we headed towards the main gate.

Even before we left the palace walls I noticed someone was following us. Although it was more like a feeling, I sometimes caught glimpse of blue cape whenever I turned around. But I figured it was one of the guards following us in secret, probably to allow three of us to have our own fun.

I mean… there's no way they could just let royal children unguarded.

"So, Starsha." Erendor started "I heard from mom you came from these streets." I must say I didn't like where this was going. I feared he despised me because I was no noble. Which means I felt real silly when he continued "Any tips on good snacks?"

"Hmm…" I looked down as I thought hard "There is this grandpa who has a meat shop. The ham is great."

"He was giving you ham?" He asked.

I nodded "What he couldn't sell he left for me. It was always good."

"Let's go there!" Alessa cheered "Where is it?"

"There." I pointed at a wide street to our right.

"It's on our way to the bakery too." Erendor chuckled "Let's go then."

"Yay!" Alessa cheered again.

As we walked down the street, I started noticing things. Some people were looking at me… a lot of them actually. My wings were catching a lot of attention. Others were observing three of us, recognizing Alessa and Erendor as royal prince and princess.

Mom said they'd let everyone know I am not princess too in a big announcement, but waited for Sky to return. That reminds me "Oh.. um… Erendor?"

"Just call me bro, OK?" he patted me on head. I must say it felt rather nice. He was kinda cool "What is it?"

"Um… Bro… I was wandering where you were."

He chuckled at me "My, you're so cute." He's not one to filter his speech either, is he?
"Dad had some state leader stuff he needed to settle. I came with because I need to observe such talks and learn how to be good leader."

"Big bro will one day be the king of this kingdom." Alessa added.

"Precisely." He chuckled again "Plus it was opportunity to meet up with cousins and have some fun."

"Not fair." Alessa punched his shoulder "Having all the fun while I am stuck home."

"Careful. If you were with us, you wouldn't have fun with Starsha." He pointed out.

"Hmm…" she thought for a bit and second later I had her around my neck as we still walked "That's true. Starsha is the best sister ever."

People all around us were going 'aww', seeing this scene. I guess they thought we were cute.

Alessa then let go of me and touched the feather in her tiara "She even gave me this feather."

"Oh?" Erendor exclaimed "So it's one of your feathers?"

I was blushing, I felt my cheeks burning as I nodded "Yeah."

"I've been wandering where you got it." He continued "It looks really cute."

"It floated away when I and mom washed her wings." She continued "Starsha said I could keep it."

Erendor was smiling at us both. He looked at my wings and asked "Well feathers cannot be reattached. Plus I see they are already growing back."

I flapped my wings a little "Yeah. But I cannot fly yet."

"It's alright." He gently grabbed my wings and slowly pushed them down so they wouldn't hit anything "There's no need to rush. You'll hurt yourself otherwise."

He was honestly really cool. Active, had same aura like Alessa. I bet he is the same and would do rash decisions, but he is self-aware enough to keep these tendencies in check… most of the time.
But… I somehow felt I could trust him. That he would protect me. He didn't even ask about my wings. Any way you look at it… he was a prince of this kingdom, heir of throne and last but not least… brother of two little sisters.

Little did I know though… that somebody else for following us.

Several figures stood in dark alleyway "It's her."

"This time she will pay."

Sharp edge of knife spun through the air before landing in a hand "This time… let's cut those pretty wings of hers."

Phew… this one took longer than usual.
Sorry again for making you all wait. I needed to decide on the heading where I wanted to take this story. Don't worry, there will be more bonding with Starsha's new family. I am not planning to be like "Oh, you're my new sister. Let me die for you." right from the get-go.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed it. See ya later!