Chapter 17 #2
“Is there something going on between you and Alaric?” The words ripped out of me harsher than I meant, my jaw clenched so tight it hurt.
Her arms crossed, classic Rynlee. “No. We’re friends. Or do you have a problem with him, too?”
My laugh was sharp, humorless. “Yeah, I know, you’ve been best friends since we were kids. But I don’t ever remember him touching you like that.” My voice dropped lower, edged with heat. “So, which is it, friends, or something else?”
Images slammed through me: Alaric gasping for breath during drills, my father’s cane raised high, me stepping in to take the blow instead.
I bled for him. Carried him when he couldn’t keep up.
Shielded him from the worst of our father’s wrath.
And now? Now I had to stand here and watch him lay his hands on her as though he had the right?
Jealousy twisted hot and wrong in my chest, but gods, it burned all the same.
Her eyes narrowed, sparking like flint. The bond tugged hard, shadows whispering at the edge of my mind, but quieter than usual, hushed in her presence.
“We are just friends, Aiden,” she shot back.
“Gods, this mate bond has made you even more insufferable.” A smirk pulled at my mouth despite the fury in my chest. There it was, that fire.
“Just friends?” I echoed, voice dripping with disbelief. I placed one hand above her head, leaning in closer. “I know you’re lying, Ruin.”
Her chin lifted, defiant. “Why do you even care? Last I checked, you had Jasmine. So, what is she to you? A friend, or something more?” My gaze narrowed, heat curling in my veins.
Gods, she was infuriating. Annoying. And yet the bond clawed at me, begging me to press my mouth to hers and silence her with a kiss.
“Fine,” I bit out. “Don’t tell me the truth.
But for your information, Jasmine and I are closer than friends.
Happy now?” She didn’t answer, but I didn’t need her to.
The jealousy rolled off her in waves, threading through the bond, sparking against my own chest. And for one dangerous second, I almost regretted saying it, especially with Khonsu’s warning echoing in my head. Try.
“Is that all, then, unit leader?” she asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm, those blue eyes blazing.
I pushed away from the wall before I did something reckless.
My voice came out gruff, harsher than I intended.
“Don’t be late for training.” And then I stormed back into the feeding hall, leaving her standing there while my own thoughts tore me apart.
Jasmine. Alaric. Rynlee. The bond. It was too much, all at once.
And for the first time, I wasn’t sure if I was more furious with her, or with myself.
“You, okay?” Jasmine asked as I took my seat beside her again.
“Yeah, sorry,” I replied, lifting my mug and taking a sip of coffee. Across the hall, Rynlee settled back into her seat beside Alaric. He leaned toward her, clearly questioning what just happened.
And I hated that I noticed.
“Aiden,” Jasmine said softly, guiding my face toward hers. Her brows were furrowed with worry. “Why do you keep looking at her?” I let out a slow breath and dropped my gaze to the table.
“Sorry, Jasmine. It’s just been different.” And it was true. Part of me hated that I kept searching for Rynlee in every room. The other part couldn’t seem to stop.
“Hey, it’s okay. I get it,” Jasmine said gently before lifting my face again and pressing a kiss to my cheek.
My chest ached. For a second, I leaned into her touch.
I rested my forehead against hers, closing my eyes as the shadows stirred beneath my skin.
At least, for a moment, everything felt normal.
Later that day, I stepped outside onto the training grounds where Elemental magic class took place.
Today my unit was out here to practice. I glanced over to my right, Professor Deylin stood near the back wall, hands loosely clasped behind him.
He was there for extra protection, in case things went south.
If they did, he could form protective shields before anyone lost control.
But this lesson was mine. As the first years filtered in, I unsheathed a dagger and let the steel catch the light.
The air was thick with energy and anticipation, a low hum of nerves and excitement vibrating through the room.
“Today,” I announced, holding the blade out before me, “we’ll learn how to project your powers onto weapons. Those of you with elemental abilities, this should come easy. Focus on the object, think of it as an extension of yourself.”
Frost crackled across the metal as my ice crystallized the dagger in my hand.
“If you’re in conjuration and manipulation,” I added, summoning another dagger forged entirely from shadow, “try forming your own weapons.
“A ripple of awe traveled through the group. “And for those with body augmentation, project your enhancements through your strike. Channel your power into the weapon.” My gaze scanned the room and lingered, just a second too long on Rynlee. “Let’s begin.”
I watched her as they moved into practice.
She was focused, her brow drawn in concentration.
Her fire danced down the dagger, wrapping it like a ribbon of flame.
But then the steel melted. The blade hissed and pooled at her feet.
Gia, just off to the side, wasn’t having the same problem.
Her weapon glowed with stable, contained fire.
I walked over and touched Rynlee’s shoulder lightly. She flinched before I could even speak.
“Yeah, yeah, I know it melted,” she muttered, irritation clear in her voice.
“Do you want my help, or should I just let you keep ruining perfectly good steel?” I asked, folding my arms across my chest.
“Let’s see…” she snapped, glaring up at me, “I’d rather stab myself than ask for your help.”
I exhaled slowly. “Too bad. I’m your unit leader. I don’t need your permission.”
“Well, I don’t want your help.”
“And I don’t care, Ruin.”
“Well, I do!” she yelled, flames flickering up her arms. Gods, why did she have to be so stubborn?
“Fine,” I snapped, spinning on my heel. I stomped to the side of the scorched slab of stone, the fury bubbling in my chest like magma.
Around the corner and out of view, I slammed my fist into the pillar.
The pain split up my knuckles, and I welcomed it.
I reached out, and she pushed me away. I hold back, and she still hates me. There’s no winning with her.
“Unit leader Dagon?” I looked over, trying to steady my breathing. One of the cadets stepped forward—Alina, I think. “I’m struggling with my water channeling. Can you help me?” I ran a hand through my hair, swallowing down the lingering frustration.
“Yeah,” I replied, forcing a smile. “I’d be happy to help.” But as I followed her back into the circle, my mind stayed on Rynlee.
Throughout the rest of training, I kept one eye on her. Rynlee was burning through steel like it was water, her fire flaring hot and unfocused. Sweat slicked her brow, her shoulders trembling as she forced the flames over the blades. Too much power, not enough control. I sighed and strode over.
“Look, you can hate me all you want, but clearly you need assistance. And I’ve been in your shoes before. A god’s power doesn’t sit quietly; it consumes. So…” I arched my brow. “Will you let me help you?”
She hesitated, chest heaving, before sighing. “Yes.” That was all I needed. A corner of my mouth tugged upward before I could stop it.
“Alright,” I said, holding my palm out. Ice bloomed, curling into the shape of a dagger.
“Your power sits at your core. But with divine power, it feels everywhere. Like one wrong breath and you’ll burn alive.
” I let the frost sharpen into a blade before deliberately shattering it against the steel. The pieces glittered, then vanished.
“That’s what happens when you allow it to control you.
The key is to stop treating it as a weapon.
Think of it as part of you. Focus on the heat, not the fire itself.
Channel it around what you want, not on it.
” I pulled a dagger free from my thigh, this time letting ice swirl like smoke around the metal without touching it. “Now you.”