Hidden Magic

Chapter Twenty-Five

Had I only known these men for a little over a week for one of them and only a mere two days for the other two, it didn't feel like it. I wouldn't say that we instantly loved each other or something, it wasn't anything nearly so silly as that, but there was an instant connection, or attraction at the very least. Though the more I talked to them, learned about their likes and dislikes, the more I spent time with them, I knew the connection was only growing stronger. I had always scoffed at people who said they met and fell in love instantly, and while I certainly hadn't experienced that, I think this might be as realistically close as one could get, I cared for these men already, they were definitely friends, maybe even more than that, but I didn't love them yet.

That I was sure of, but they were sure making it hard to keep any sort of distance between us, they weren't pressuring me or anything, hadn't even tried to even kiss me, they seemed content to just be able to speak to me, hear me laugh at their jokes, to just be near me as cheesy as that sounded. We had gone to the Lava falls, and just as Ryker had promised they had been beautiful, and using fire element, or maybe it was Thane with his air element if his hair was anything to go by, we got to appreciate the view without having to suffer the immense heat.

We had spent hours munching on the food and just talking, it was nice, really nice actually, so nice I forgot about all my problems, if only for a little while. Though I admit I realized it was time to go when Thane decided I had earned him braiding my hair, and decided to give me an amazing scalp massage that I actually fell asleep part way through. I was very apologetic, worried he would take offense to it, but he had just shrugged and said it meant he was doing something right if it was so relaxing, I fell asleep.

They had dropped me off gentlemanly at the mirror to Sira house, though they hadn't asked to come inside, to join the events no doubt already taking place inside, late in the day as it was. It was refreshing to be around men that didn't just think about the best way to get into my pants as quickly as possible, strange because I knew they found me attractive, but refreshing enough that they were okay waiting until I was ready to bring that situation up.

Being in Sira branch I suspect that they thought it wouldn't take me long, but they didn't seem to care either way. Which was great, because every other guy I met at the academy save for a few others, seemed to think that being in Sira branch made me want to sleep with everything that moved, and though I had by no means met every single guy here during the short week I had been here, I believed the majority at least held that consensus as well.

As I was lying in bed that night after they had dropped me off, each of them admittedly getting a kiss on the cheek for the great day, I laid awake, thinking about what I had avoided thinking about while I was with them. The prophecy regarding my death, the consorts I would have to gather in order to stay alive, I had a feeling the three of them were among them, whenever I tried to picture someone else in their place it just felt wrong, which meant I had light, fire, and I believe air, though Thane had never explicitly said that was his element.

Meaning I had three left, more like two really though, I was pretty sure Seth would by my consort from shadow, I had met what I considered as most of the men from Sira branch, either in a polite greeting or a passing glance at the very least, and none of them drew me quite as much as Seth. Which I thought I had made clear, but when I woke up this morning, bright and early because of my pixie, to get ready for class, he seemed surprised when I practically dropped myself in his lap at the dining table.

I was leaning in for a kiss, intending to get some much needed energy before my classes, but with the way he was staring wide eyed at me, I did not feel comfortable taking energy from him anymore, especially when he seemed so uncomfortable with him. "Sorry, I just assumed you'd be fine with it." I move to stand up, intending to shuffle away and get some food, to pretend like his rejection hadn't hurt, I knew that it didn't mean much to him, that he thought it was just the same as the other members of Sira branch who fueled up off each other, no strings attached.