Flashback
Aelin
"How much longer?"
I roll my eyes at my brother's impatient tone.
"Be patient." I chastise him.
"I know..." I can't help but smile a little at his whining tone. Nikolai is my older brother, but you wouldn't know it by the way we acted. He is the more spirited of the two of us, he gets it from my father. I happen to take after my mother, she prefers a calmer approach to life.
"I won't be long Nik... Now leave me, I need all my concentration to find you."
He laughs. "Give up while you can, you won't find me."
I feel his presence leave and silence returns.
The forest is beautiful this time of day. The sun had begun to set and I could hear the animals preparing for the night. My mother and father always took us on picnics during the sunset because we had enough room to play and they had enough time to do whatever they wanted.
I arrange some stones I picked earlier and prepare a magic circle. Being half fae and a novice at magic I always needed a space to contain my power. Mother always made sure I started out that way to avoid instances like Nikolai's lump.
"Sit still Nik, I need to be able to see you for this to work." I had said reapetedly.
"My ear." Nik had screamed.
"Oh hell.." Was all my father could muster as he waited for my mother's reaction.
"I told him to stop fidgeting."
To be fair it was rather funny watching him squirm so much. I tried so hard to contain myself as Nik begged my father to return his ear. I almost broke but my father's rather stern glare forced whatever joy I felt to be swallowed.
Perhaps we ought to leave you with that monstrosity for a few days and see how you like it. Mother had threatened, after all we'd been warned not to be so reckless.
Through that period, I tried to avoid the rather swollen and bump-like mold that was my brother's new ear. My other siblings treated it like it was the plague. I was sequestered to the kitchen as my punishment for so long, I could only dream of pans and plates and Nik's ear remained that way for almost four days before mother reversed it. Throughout she made sure to express her dissatisfaction and disappointment. I lost so many of my favorite toys and dresses and Nik never let me practice on him again.
If I was doing this right though, each stone I had gathered would form a border for my magic to be contained. I touch each one and connect them to the ones before it, coming full circle. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and relax. Before long, I feel the presence of my magic pulsing around me.
I reach into my mind and call out to Nik.
"I'm ready, hope you're prepared to do all of my work."
I laugh at the thought of my brother working all day rather than playing with the animals and my siblings. Th easy part is done. All I had to do now is follow my connection with Nik and really concentrate and I needn't do any housework for a long time. When I close my eyes, I see darkness. But that is only on the surface. If I dig deeper, I'm presented with a sight I marvel at each time. An intricately built abyss of every bond I have ever made. Like little strings interlocked with one another. Some shine brighter than others, some thicker, longer. I go instantly for my coveted thread and have no trouble latching on to the very thick band. Before long, I'm sprinting down the paths, chasing what I hope is the right lead to my brother's hiding spot. I make my way through clearings of broken branches and leaves. I run and I run until the path becomes faded and then gone.
