Chapter Text
"Nick!" My head is screaming and my throat is tight. Nick is in danger. A hellsnake emerges out of the forest and it has Nick wrapped up in its coils. I leap at the hellsnake without thinking about it. I let the aether swell up inside me and allow the demon's rage to take over.
The hellsnake drops dead and releases Nick. I move to help him but Bree gets to him first. Ugh, the girlfriend. I watch jealously as Bree dotes over Nick. I can't help but think that it should be me taking care of Nick. Instead, it's some mystery girl. Tor gives me a strange look. I turn and stalk back to the lodge.
I practice my violin, hoping to get rid of the jealousy that gnaws at my stomach.
"That's a nice song," I whirl around, aether at the ready. Tor leans against the door frame. I mentally slap myself. How could I allow myself to become so distracted?
"Relax, I'm just here to talk," Tor walks in without waiting for an invitation. She sits on my bed and motions for me to join her.
"What do you want to talk about?" I say, making sure she knows that I'm annoyed.
"When are you going to tell Nick how you feel?"
"Umm, how about never?"
"Sel, you have to tell him…"
"No, Tor, I don't. Nick hates me, he has a girlfriend, and Kingsmages aren't allowed to be with a first-rank," I sigh, "are we done here?" Tor stands up and moves to leave.
"I think you're making a mistake,"