Fragile Destiny (The Aether Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF Page A

every day and have the body whenever I want. The sprite preened.
    Noli had no idea what would happen to the sprite when they finally found a way to make her normal again. In fact, she hadn’t thought of anything but simply getting rid of her, so she could have full control of her being again. Now that the sprite, of all people, had brought it up, it made sense.
    Yes, if it was possible, the sprite deserved a body of her very own.
    Vix’s eyebrows rose. “I thought you wanted to go university and study botany?”
    “It will be a while before V can take back the earth court,” she replied. That was partly because V wasn’t of age yet, but also he genuinely disliked the idea of having to kill his uncle and was hoping to find another way. “Perhaps we’ll apply to university for next fall, like we’d planned.”
    Jeff gave her arm a squeeze. “Let me know and I’ll help get you set up.” His eyes twinkled in the way that meant he had an idea. “How much do you bet I can discover where Mother hid the money I sent her?”
    Noli paused, fork of cake halfway to her mouth. “Really?”
    If anyone could locate it, he could. When Jeff had left to seek his fortune as an air pirate, he’d sent money home to support them. However, her mother disapproved of air piracy, and even though they’d desperately needed the money, she’d hidden most of it away. Noli had never discovered it.
    “I haven’t found it yet. But I will.” Those eyes continued to sparkle. “It should be enough to set you up at a university for a little while—especially if you wish to go off on your own, without Darrow.” He glowered as he said that.
    “V and I have worked everything out,” she assured him, not wanting them to be at odds.
    “If he ever hurts you again … ” Vix stabbed her cake with her fork for emphasis.
    It wasn’t V’s fault. He’d just been obeying the high queen’s orders—not that she expected them to understand.
    The back door flew open. “Flying figs, you’re actually having cake for dinner?” James strode in, bringing the cold air with him. “Vix, Jeff, what are you doing here?”
    Noli shut the door behind him and got James cake and tea. “They bought the house.”
    “You’re not retiring from being air pirates, are you?” James plopped down in the wooden chair next to Vix.
    “Never.” Vix squared her shoulders. “But we could use a base, and Jeff didn’t wish for his home to be sold to strangers.”
    Noli carried the cake and tea back to the table and set it before James, along with a fork.
    “Noli, please aethergraph your mother if you don’t plan on returning to Boston or staying with us. She’s nothing but a giant ball of worry and the last thing I need is her blaming me because you ran off to fairyland without telling anyone,” Vix told her.
    Noli sat and took a sip of tea. “What exactly did you tell Mama so she’d permit me to return to the Otherworld with V and James?”
    It wasn’t as if they could tell her the truth. Her mother knew nothing about the Otherworld, faeries, or that the Darrows weren’t mortal.
    “Um … ” A flush rose on Jeff’s cheeks. “We told her that V and James took you to a special hospital.”
    “I see.” Noli glanced out the window at the Darrow house, where a single light was burning. “V’s still at it. Should I bring him some supper?” Not that she wanted to venture into that house, especially after dark.
    “I should get everyone some supper.” Jeff stood. “Cake isn’t supper.”
    Vix’s dark eyebrows rose as she speared the last bite of cake on her plate. “Why not?”
    Jeff shook his head and held out his hand to Vix. “Let’s find some takeaway.”
    Noli finished her cake as Jeff and Vix grabbed their hoverboards and left.
    “That was interesting.” James shot the back door a long look.
    She cleared away the plates. “I fixed Jeff’s room for you.” Noli started up the stairs.
    “Where are you going?” James shoved more cake in his