Bonds of Light and Fire

10. Shapes

The artwork above is not mine.

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    "Luci!" Aeron exclaimed, catching sight of her. He swung off his horse and sprinted over to her. Luciana didn't protest as he swept her into a tight embrace. He set her down after a moment, a slight frown on his lips. "You smell like Vaughan."

    Luciana offered him a halfhearted smile. "I stayed with him while you were gone. Something happened and we agreed it wouldn't be safe for me to stay in the hut alone."

    Aeron narrowed his eyes. "What happened?"

    "I'll explain later," Luciana promised.

    "All right." His wary look remained, although he asked no more questions. Aeron straightened suddenly and Luciana glanced over her shoulder. Commander Kyllian was approaching. Beyond him, Aedion and Captain Elgan were locked in conversation.

    "Welcome back," Kyllian said.

    Aeron gave a short nod in response. "I have copies of my reports ready if you want them now. The others do too, I'm sure."

    Kyllian flashed him a sideways grin. "Collect them, then. You can deliver your own and bring theirs along when you and Aedion fill us in on what you found later."

    "I'm attending the debriefing?" Aeron's brows lifted in surprise. He schooled his features shortly and Luciana hid her smile, spying the hint of pink that lingered in Aeron's cheeks. "I mean, yes, Sir. I'll be sure to..." He stumbled as he backed away. Aeron lowered his gaze. "I'll just...tell the others to have their reports ready."

    Luciana let her smile show as Aeron hurried away. Nascha was already hot on his heels. She slung her arm over his shoulder and brought her mouth close to his ear, whispering something that earned her a solid punch on the arm. Kyllian watched them go, then seemed to remember that she was there.

    He blinked rapidly, clearing his throat. "You should find Vaughan. Aedion was already asking about your progress."

    Luciana's smile disappeared. She turned away from the Commander without a word and quickly sought out Vaughan. He was still making his way towards the group. Lysandra was a few paces ahead of him, already running to Aedion.

    Luciana rejoined Vaughan, hoping she didn't look or sound as nervous as she felt. "Kyllian said Aedion was already asking about my progress."

    "Of course he was." Vaughan paused and shook his head with a sigh. Luciana caught his obsidian gaze and was surprised by the amount of remorse and determination she saw. "You don't have to go back to your father, no matter what happens."

    "Why are you so eager to help me? You're always so withdrawn from everyone, but you're willing to let me stay with you?"

    "You're my responsibility," Vaughan answered simply. "I promised Nascha I would help you, and I will. You still need help with your magic, and no matter what Aedion, Lorcan, Elgan, or anyone else says, I know you can learn to fight. You just need time."

    "As everyone likes to remind me, we don't have time right now."

    "Then we will make time. I'm not giving up yet."

    "What if I am?"

    Vaughan tilted his head, dark locks falling over his shoulders. "Then, you will have wasted my time. Time spent helping someone who doesn't want to be helped is time wasted."