Work Text:
Elderwood University’s imposing gates gleamed in the moonlight. For some students, the university was a second home. For others, like Children of the Flame, it could easily become a prison. Erin Dreadbane had quickly learned that all too well upon her arrival at Elderwood, but it hadn’t bothered her much. As the child of a revolutionary, all she’d done when she enrolled was to trade one prison for another.
Fortunately, the school was beginning to feel more like home now. Erin was focused on her studies, honing her magic and proving that the school’s staff had made the right choice in sparing her life. But she also knew they weren’t the only obstacle. She was about to head away from the school when a familiar voice washed over her like Fyrebrew.
“Where in the six hells do you think you’re going, Ember?”
“By the Shapers, Talyn. Make some noise when you move,” she hissed. Damn him, why was Talyn everywhere that she tried to go? Was he serious about protecting her? She shook the thought off before it could dwell. She did not need to get involved with anyone right now.
He may be one of the few who understands, but someone’s trying to kill me, and I don’t have time to let myself become distracted. No matter how handsome he is. Talyn was everything she knew she shouldn’t want, and yet he was one of the few who understood. After all, his father and hers had been close at the time of the rebellion.
Erin had tried to push away the thought of him. He couldn’t possibly be interested in her. Even if he were, there was no way things ended happily for Children of the Flame. She was doing what he had taught her — focus on the anger. Anger for her father and what he had become. Fury that it meant no one trusted her. Rage every time someone spat out the name Dreadbane as though it were a poison.
It wasn’t that she didn’t have allies. Brusque though he was, Talyn was one of them. She wondered if perhaps they were trauma-bonded by all that their parents had done. The truth was, he was one of a select few friends. Erin could count them on one hand, of course; her father’s little gift to her, if one could call it that.
She had shoved it down, convinced herself she didn’t have time for love. Talyn was a friend, an ally. He could be nothing more. If that happened. . . Even her affinity couldn’t save her.
Erolis. The affinity of love. That’s ironic for me. But Talyn is barely my friend, and he keeps pushing me away.
“Hey, Ember.” Tayln’s voice broke into her thoughts at last. She’d nearly forgotten he was there. She turned and found his eyes, warm and glistening with an emotion he rarely showed.
“Please tell me you’re not going to do something stupid. Just when I thought we were getting to know one another so well.”
“Talyn, I....”
“No. I don’t want to hear it right now. I tried to tell myself to just be your ally. To stay away from you, but. . . Well. . . Do you know why I call you ‘Ember’?” Talyn’s eyes gleamed in the moonlight for a moment, making her wish he’d come closer. But they couldn’t. He was her friend, but he couldn’t be more. Not yet. Not until they knew who was after her. Someone at Elderwood was clearly trying to make her a scapegoat for her father’s old plans. If she was at risk, so was every Child of the Flame at the university.
“Because of who we are?” she asked, her voice failing her at the last words of what she knew was a wrong answer.
“Because I tried — I tried to tell myself you were just a friend. But the nickname suits you. You’re only an ember because you’re just learning your power. But you could be a flame. When you become that. . . Well. . . Let’s just say I’m already burned. Shapers know I tried to stay away, Ember… but you burn so bright. I can’t just be your ally or friend anymore. And I shouldn’t want more.”
The statement hung in the air, damning them both. He shouldn’t want more, but he did. That was where the true magic would begin. It would be a fight for their lives, but hopefully, it would all be worth it in the end.