Bloodlust

Chapter 20

"You made it," Adelis teased as she pulled Serephina into a warm hug. 

She sighed, slouching her shoulders.  "Barely." 

Serephina bit her lip looking away as Nicolas passed behind her entering the institute. He didn't look her way though, instead he hurried own without even excusing himself.  Serephina fought the urge to pull him back and slap him. The embarrassment he had made her pass today, the looks that were thrown her way as she made it done the hall after the incident. Coming in late to class followed by him everyone already getting the wrong idea.

 Seriously today had been a disaster. She wanted to strangle Great Willa for having arranged for them to have the same classes. It was better when they didn't have to see each other. Now they would twenty-four seven. Serephina wanted to scream. 

Instead, she put on a fake smile and excused herself. Adelis pouted exclaiming that she had planned for them a tea session so that  Serephina to tell her all about her day.

"I'm sorry, Adelis, but I can't. I gave my violin lessons a break but now I have to get back to them. This blood-bond won't keep me from auditioning on the Night Solar Symphony."

 Adelis nodded in understanding, though her eyes remained with a glint of sadness. "Its fine, I understand. I'll just come by later...?"

"Great...or maybe dinner?" Serephina didn't want to dismiss Adelis but she didn't know how to evade her either. And Serephina wasn't sure if she could contain herself from spilling everything if they got a chance to talk. Cause she did want to talk. The gods knew she wanted to, but what could she tell her exactly, when Adelis could go right back to Great Willa and spill. That was her job and no matter the friendship they were building Serephina knew that duty came before relationships here in Quinwal. 

"Umm, sure that's okay," Adelis nodded before she had to watch Serephina go. And Serephina tried her best not to look back. 

"Ugh, why can't I get it right?!" Serephina growled as she turned back the pages to the recent sheet. The chords were the same yet she wasn't. It was her or maybe her violin. But it couldn't be the violin cause it had just been tuned. So it must be her...Serephina eyed the sheet again going from one chord to another looking for something she was missing playing wrong. But she wasn't. She got everything right. But then why did it sound so...soulless? 

She set it down next to her on the bed, sighing. Lightly, she trailed her fingers over the delicacy of the wood, her heart yearning to play like she once used to. 

"Can I come in?" 

Serephina shrugged, uncaring. It's not like if she said no he would respect her decision. She buried her face in her hands setting them on her knees. 

"Is everything alright? You sounded really nice." 

She snorted. "Nice? Nice won't get me into NSS. Nice won't even get into this stupids institute's local band!" 

Nicolas flinched at her rise of voice. Serephina figured she shouldn't be raising her voice like that, but she was so tired and drained from all that had happened and all that he had put her through, that she really couldn't bring herself to care. Let him leave if he wanted to. 

Slowly, he moved to sit next to her, picking the spot where her violin had once rested but now laid in Nicola's lap. "Its kind a work of art," he whistled as he traced his left hand on the wood. 

"Isn't everything in this place?"

He cracked a smile. "I guess that's why we were to stay then." 

She groaned, rolling her eyes as she bolted up, snatching her violin from his hands. "Its not the time, Nicolas." She walked over to her music stand. Not facing him, she said over her shoulder, "You won't fix this with jokes and charms." She heard him rise to his feet and walk up behind her. 

"Then let me fix it," he said a mere whisper. "Let me help with your music."

 She twirled to look him in the eyes. "What do you know about music?" His lips slightly turned up. 

"I can help. Trust me." 

Trust him? 

She snorted, turning back to her sheets. After a few seconds that she realized he wasn't taking no for an answer she grounded out, "Whatever, fine." 

She straightened her back placing her violin on her chin. Slowly the song began. Still it sounded off, even as she went from chord to chord on a delicate rhythm. She gasped when she felt Nicolas' hands circling around her waist coming close behind her. She felt like objecting when he buried his face in her neck trailing his nose up and down her neck...but she couldn't. Not when her music was starting to sound like true music again. Pure and melodic. She sighed with relief, and her music came to its end and Nicolas withdrew his arms from her waist.

 "I-I hope that...helped," he muttered walking up to the door stopping by the doorway. "You play really beautiful. NSS would be a fool to not accept you." 

She blushed, looking at her violin. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction that he had made her blush. 

She knew she was going to regret this, but to hell with it. "Nicolas, wait!" He stopped short, picking his head into the room. "Can you stay? I...kinda could use...your help."

 A corner of his lip tugged up as he nodded entering the room. "It would be my pleasure."

                                                                     ***

Hi there! Sorry it took so long to update, I've been really busy and my lack of  schedule has been affecting me. This isn't my favorite chapter, Nicolas did really do us dirty by treating Serephina like that, but hopefully further on he apologizes maybe...? 

I'm currently working on a new novel and thanks toTenaciousPterodactyl I'm considering trying out for a ONC, my first ever contest. I'm extremely nervous, and it's not for certain but I would love to try it out! If anyone whose out there is joining too or has any experience, feel free to comment and let me know. I have so many questions!! 😅

Anyways don't forget to vote if you think Serephina should forgive Nicolas that easily...?