The Lovers VI

After class, you went straight to the east corridor where instead of Kieran, you saw Caelum there, leaning on the column, looking bored and straight-faced as always. When he saw you walking towards him, his eyes widened ever so slightly, but he didn't move and instead looked away.

You sighed, knowing that this was something that Kieran would definitely do, so you took a deep breath and gathered up all your courage, and said, "This is the first time you aren't running away from me, ran out of excuses?"

You stopped just a couple of feet away from him, and you stood there waiting for his response, "I heard what happened at P.P.E, congratulations, the training from Dorian must've paid off," he said nonchalantly with a hint of sarcasm, making you think if he truly was happy for you.

You were waiting for more, but he remained silent, "That's it? That's all you have to say?" you asked disappointed.

He sighed, then stood up straight, he turned to you, "What else is there to say?" he replied coldly.

"That's it?" you asked incredulously, "We kiss, and suddenly you decide that you're over and done with me. I did as you asked didn't I?!" you exasperated, "I stopped practicing with Dorian, and I even went out of my way to train alone in the woods if that's what stops you from acting this way, but I suppose it was all a lie then?" you fumed, "Now who's playing with who's feelings?" you said before turning away.

"Now you're walking away after saying your piece?" he bellowed, exasperated.

You quickly turned on your heels to face him, "What do you expect?!" you shouted, "You don't even want to talk to me! I've been trying to console you all week and the most you could do was walk away from me before I could even get a word out, and now here we are with a chance to properly talk about things and all you say is 'What's there to say?" you were fuming.

"I'm jealous alright?!" he admitted. You were taken aback by his response, but it wasn't an excuse to act that way, you thought.

You scoffed, "But that isn't an excuse to act that coldly towards me, because you know I was trying, and you wouldn't give me a chance to coax you." you answered lowly. "You were the one I kissed, not him," then you turned away.

You haven't gotten two steps when two arms circled around you, stopping you, "Don't you get it?" his voice was barely a whisper, as he tightened his hold on you, "It hurt when you said he was your Knight before you even met me," it dawned on you, the words that you regretted saying the moment it went past your lips.

"And I know that more than anyone," he said as he buried his face in the crook of your neck, "I'm sorry for acting like that, but I couldn't control my jealousy, and it hurt knowing that he was there for you instead of...me," he said apologetically. In truth, you don't know what you were, or what your relationship was, but one thing was for sure, you matter to one another.

"I didn't mean it, " you whispered, "It was more on the literal sense of the word," you answered hesitantly, as you slowly turned towards him to face him, "When I said that, I meant him as an actual Knight, I didn't mean it any other way than that," you answered.

He sighed, "I know, I too was only frustrated that you may have kissed me, but you were still spending time with him alone, and I couldn't even have that," he admitted, making you blush.

"I just felt useless, that you've been putting up an effort to help me with my situation but there's always nothing I can do when you need help the most," he said while staring straight into your eyes, searching, as he took your hands and trapped them in his.

It was surprisingly warm despite his cold nature, "I forgive you," you replied with a shy smile. These past few weeks, it dawned on you that despite gaining a new sense of confidence, this boy in front of you still manages to make you feel bashful.

He then embraced you, and you buried your face in his chest, it smelled of sage, lavender, and mint--of him. "You mean a lot to me, Emilia," he said which surprised you, making you stiffen, "And I may not always show it, but for the first time in my life, I feel like I have something I want to protect, and it's you," he added as he tightened his hold on you.

"Just promise me next time," you began, "that the next time something happens, tell me what you feel instead of ignoring and avoiding me," you grumbled, "It's called healthy communication you know," you added before letting go. You looked at him and when you saw the smile on his face, you knew, you like this boy--a lot.

"Alright, I promise," he smiled as he offered you his pinky like a child, making you laugh.

You hooked it with your own pinky, "Promise," you said. And he pulled you once more for another hug, making you laugh, "For someone who doesn't talk much, you sure are clingy." you chuckled.

"Don't tell Kieran, he won't let me hear the end of it," he replied, resting his cheek on top of your head.

After that, the both of you made your way to the mess hall for dinner, "By the way, Kieran told me about the Inter-school Elemental Competition, and that you joined." you brought up, suddenly remembering it.

"Oh, yeah, I joined," was his reply. You rolled your eyes at the shortness of his reply. 'And he's back to being the boy with little to no words,' you thought to yourself.

"And? Do you need a sparring partner?" you offered, slightly hesitant. His attention was piqued and he stopped walking, pulling you back with him because he was holding your hand.

"And are 'you' going to be that partner?" he asked, his tone teasing. You turned back to face him and indeed, a smirk was displayed on his face, an eyebrow raised.

You cleared your throat, "Do you want to or not?" you grumbled, making him chuckle before placing an arm over your shoulder.

"Alright then, you're hired," he replied, still teasing you, "But I can't promise I'll go easy on you," he whispered to your ear.

You rolled your eyes once more, "Oh please, have you forgotten how I practically beat Ascian's arse this afternoon?" you replied. Remembering the memory was still thrilling and infuriating for you.

"Yes, of course, I'm looking forward to getting beaten up," he laughed. And he kept teasing you until you reached the mess hall, where he retracted his arm but then took your hand, and you walked to your table hand in hand, while the students you passed by oggled you both with an unreadable expression.

When you reached the table, Kieran all but spat his food, choking, "You--you!" he exclaimed, pointing at your intertwined hands.

The girls were wide-eyed and slack-jawed, but to them, it wasn't that unexpected. Damara was grinning ear to ear as you both sat down at your usual table. You tried taking your hand but Caelum only tightened his grip, and you realized why when Dorian slammed his hand on the table really hard before walking out.

"Oof, what do you think his problem is?" Damara asked, clearly oblivious.

Briony stood up, "Uh, I'll go first," she excused herself and immediately went out. You knew why, and it was to console Dorian. Ever since you were in seventh grade, Briony has always liked Dorian.

One day Briony accidentally tripped from the staircase and was about to fall to her demise when Dorian caught her, but he too lost his balance, and they both fell together. But Dorian used himself to cushion Briony's fall, but he broke his arm in the process.

He didn't blame her for it, and he was even more worried about her than he was about himself. Since then, Briony has liked Dorian, even thinking of confessing to him one day.

You sighed as soon as she got out, "He'll come along," Sitara said. She winked at you as a sign of her encouragement towards you and Caelum, "But I can't say this wasn't unexpected," she voiced your thoughts.

You slowly retracted your hand to start eating, and this time he didn't stop you, which confirmed your thoughts that he was trying to purposefully show it to Dorian.

The Elderwood Seer wasn't joking when she said that your path towards your love isn't easy. But you have yet to understand what she meant by paying the price in order to keep it.

"I thought you said he rejected you!" Kieran exclaimed, making you choke on your food. Caelum immediately handed you a glass of juice to swallow down.

You coughed, "Thanks," you responded to Caelum before you turned to face Kieran, "When have I ever said that?" you asked incredulously.

"Well, you didn't exactly deny it! And based on the way you've both been acting recently, I thought that's what happened!" he answered, equally exasperated.

You sighed and shook your head, "I said he won't talk to me, and he's been ignoring me, but I never said anything about him rejecting me," you answered, finally clearing up the misunderstanding.

Kieran only nodded his head in understanding, "Then what exactly is it then, the reason he's been ignoring you?" he asked.

You shrugged, not wanting to get into fuller detail, "It was only a misunderstanding, that's all. But we're good now," you said, looking sideways at Caelum to see his reaction, but he remained expressionless as he ate his mushroom gratin.

"Psh, that's all? All that week of pining for a misunderstanding?" Kieran asked, incredulous, "And I thought you were the mature one," he added, which made you somewhat laugh.

"Oh yeah, I heard you joined the Elementals competition, good luck mate," said Sitara towards Caelum, and he only acknowledged it with a nod. "I heard they're inviting two schools from the neighbouring kingdom, and that they're coming here!" she added excitedly.

"Oh really? Which schools?" you asked, suddenly interested. You haven't been to the other kingdom before, and it was a good opportunity for you to learn about the people that came from there.

"I heard it's Ardenlinton Academy of Arts and Dark Oaks School of Magic, from the kingdom of Ravaryn," Sitara answered, just as excited and intrigued.

"It doesn't matter where they're from, Cal can kick all of their arses back from whence they came," Kieran joked, imitating an old man.

But nevertheless, you may not have witnessed Caelum's yet but you're already sure and confident in his abilities. It goes to show that people truly are biased when it comes to those they like, and you have no qualms with the matter whatsoever.

"I heard you're a triple elemental, that's brilliant! You'll definitely kick their arses then," Sitara stated, agreeing with Kieran, and the both of them high-fived.

Your attention, however, went on Sitara's statement, "How are you a triple elemental exactly?" you asked, curious to know more about this boy who's been nothing but mysterious and filled with conundrums you aren't able to solve.

He shrugged, "My mother was an elf, and my father was an Elemental Warlock," his answer was short, and straight to the point. Leaving nothing to be desired for further questions.

You realize that the more answers he gives, the more questions you have. You may have discovered his biggest secret, but it's nothing compared to all the other things that you don't know about him. To all the things that he either refuses to tell or is just unable to.