Bonds of Light and Fire

19. The Gift of Laughter

Vaughan lay awake, listening to the gentle scrape of snowflakes against his window. The snow had begun earlier that evening, just four hours after Aedion, Elgan, and Kyllian returned to the Bane after seeing off their two battalions of soldiers who were bound for Eyllwe. Vaughan didn't envy those men and women. They were traveling down the Florine River towards Suria, where ships were waiting to take them to Eyllwe. Ferrying would be miserable in this weather.

He had to fly home in the first flurries of the storm, having stayed at the camp longer than usual. Vaughan had been keeping an eye on Kron and Malik himself, making sure they stayed away from Aeron and kept to themselves. He was still unhappy with Aedion's final decision, and he knew Aeron and Luciana were as well.

Aedion had forbidden Luciana from returning to the Bane's camp, for her own protection. She was unhappy about it because she wouldn't be able to see Aeron as often. Aeron was upset for the same reason, and he was angry that Kron and Malik were being allowed to stay. Aedion promised to write to Aelin about the matter, claiming that he didn't want to make a decision without her input.

Luciana had spent most of the day following the incident angrily training. Vaughan was surprised when she told him over supper that she'd worked out five new moves and offered to demonstrate them for him. They decided to save the demonstration for another day, after the snow began to come down harder.

Luciana had seemed worried when he went to bed early, although he'd reassured her that he was just tired. It was true. He was tired, but now he was unable to sleep. His mind was churning with more thoughts and questions than the ones pertaining to everything happening with Kron and Malik.

Namely, he was questioning his sudden change in mood. After talking with Luciana almost four days ago, he'd found himself feeling more optimistic about things. He didn't have the urge to cut himself. He wasn't plagued by memories and dreams every night. He wasn't quite so listless and agitated. Talking couldn't have made such a change, but he wasn't sure what other explanation there was. That was all that had occurred, and he felt...better.

Vaughan rolled over with a sigh. It was clear that he wasn't going to get much sleep tonight, but lying awake didn't seem like a pleasant way to pass the time. He couldn't do anything to wake Luciana either. Gods knew she needed to rest. Her training, physical, mental, and magical, was taking a toll on her. She was pushing herself hard, but he was worried that she might be working too hard.

Vaughan stared at the wall, thinking for several minutes longer. At last, he stumbled out of bed and grabbed a shirt. He fitted it over his head as he left his room on silent feet. The cabin was colder in the main room than in his bedroom. He snatched a peach from the fruit bowl on the table and drifted towards the hearth. Black and silver flames sparked to life at his fingertips. He hurled them into the fireplace and the logs began to glow with warmth as his flames were replaced by an actual fire.

Vaughan sat down, resting his back against the sofa. He bit into his peach and studied the leaping embers. If only his fire were as lively as this one. If only it glowed with warmth and life, instead of radiating cold and death. He might actually like it then.

A door creaked in the hallway and quiet footsteps padded towards him. Luciana pulled a blanket tighter around her shoulders as she rubbed her eyes wearily. "Are you all right?" She mumbled. "I heard your door open."

"I'm fine," Vaughan replied. "I just couldn't sleep. You should go back to bed."

Luciana sat down beside him and spread her blanket over her bare toes. Her head tilted towards the nearest window. Briefly, Vaughan wondered if she was falling asleep again. Her round lips lifted in a smile.