The Raven's Source

Chapter 2 - Secrets

The next couple weeks pass and much to Twyn's gratification, pass without Shej trying to kill himself. The night before Leena and Twyn's birthday, Twyn is somewhere off in the village doing what he does best and most likely flirting with every Lady Of Age available. Probably even bragging about it being his last night before he can offer his hand to one of them. Leena was probably off in her room reading a book.

"It's late, I'm turning in. Good night, Leena," he shouted across the house. "I'll leave the living room light on for when Twyn comes home." He closed his bedroom door all but a crack, noticing she didn't reply. Maybe she didn't hear me... Oh well, not the first time she's been buried in a book. He sighed and took off his pants, standing in just his shorts and an undershirt, thinking over how she had been more quiet than normal since his last source incident. He decided he would talk to her in the morning about it and make sure she was okay.

Somewhere in the distance, a low but calming toned bell tolled once, signifying midnight. Shej smiled, realizing the twins were now Of Age and chuckled, knowing Twyn would be kicking things up a notch. Probably even getting drunk now that he was legally allowed to and letting himself a little looser than he really should. Idiot.

Suddenly, gentle arms wrapped around Shej's middle, a warm body pressed against his back while hands gently pressed flat against his chest and stomach. He tried not to jump but his heart raced from shock, his whole body tensed in full alert. He felt a face press to the back of his shoulders. The door never moved and let additional light flood in, so this person had to have been waiting in the dark of his room before he came in.

"...Leena?" He tried to turn his face to look from his peripheral, but the room was too dark for his barely adjusted eyes.

"I'm sorry to intrude and scare you," she whispered, confirming her identity.

"Leena, what are you doing?" he asked softly. They had always cuddled up together on the couch or out on picnics, it wasn't out of the ordinary for them to be completely platonic in things that would sometimes come across as romantic. They had even spent nights in each other's beds before after talking themselves to sleep. But there was something different with this embrace she had on him.

She stayed silent. Her hands seemed to press a little harder into his abdomen, as if she were afraid he would float away if she let go.

He took her hands and turned around, continuing to hold her hands in front of him. "Leena, are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?" He started to reach up to move hair away from her face, to try and examine what he still couldn't fully see in the dark.

She gently pulled her hands from his, reaching up and placing them on his neck, quickly extending up onto the balls of her feet to press her lips against his. Shej placed his hands on her hips and after a few seconds carefully pushed her away, a small gasp leaving her lips from his response. She looked at him as he tilted his head down and off to the side, looking away from her almost shamefully.

Leena quickly put her hands to her mouth, "I'm sorry, Shej. I...I shouldn't have come in here...." She suddenly turned and grabbed her extinguished candle on his bedside table without another word. The flame came to life from no obvious source and she turned to quickly leave the room.

Shej's eyes went wide at what he just witnessed and he grabbed her arm to stop her. "Leena, wait! You're a Taboo? You can use magic?" He asked her, shocked. Leena instantly seemed in a panic.

"Shit! No, I'm so sorry you saw that...please, I won't do it again...and please don't tell Twyn! He doesn't know and small flames are the only thing I can do, I swear I don't have much for magic to make me unworthy of—"