A Raven's Darkness (Book 1)

Chapter 34: Combined Powers

Wane's Point Of View:

Something was wrong and Melkin wasn't telling me the truth. I could sense it, almost as if I could sense my own feelings through him. I glanced at Melkin as he continued to pack his things into a small bag on the ground, closer to me (I had the bottom bunk). I believed what Melkin told me, that he created me from magic. But, I was beginning to doubt this as my actions were becoming more like Melkin's actions. What was it? I grinned at one thought in particular. Melkin stopped packing, a white shirt in his hand as he looked at me. "What is it, Wane?" I chuckled and turned my head toward him. "Do you like Noame?" Melkin dropped the shirt he was holding and froze. "What do you mean?" I blushed and looked down. "Like...do you like her?" Melkin rubbed his neck. "What are you talking about?" He asked in frustration. I sighed and looked away, still blushing. "Do you love her?" Finally, Melkin got what I meant. He blushed and looked away from me. "Yea, I do." I felt his heart beat through my body, as if we were one. I glanced at Melkin to see if he felt it too. However, he did not. "Does she love you?" I persisted. Melkin sighed, picked up the dropped white shirt, packed it, and turned to me. "I don't think so, Wane." He said it so sadly that I felt like my heart would break. "Why not?" I kept pressing it, hoping he didn't yell at me. He sighed deeply and looked toward the door. "She is in love with another man." I gasped and my eyes widened. I felt hurt. "And you're OKAY with THAT?" I managed to mumble out. Melkin stared at me in anger. "You're not old enough to understand." I didn't break my gaze from his eyes. "Try me." I taunted. Melkin sighed and sat by me on the bed. He turned to meet my eyes.

"When you know the man is a good man, you can't really complain." He smiled sadly. I sensed that was a lie, which was weird. "Don't play with me. What's the real reason?" Melkin's eyes widened at my directness. "Why do you want to know so bad?" He asked cautiously. I held his gaze. "Because you have been LYING to me!" I nearly shout in anger. Melkin slumped away, keeping me at a distance. "What are you talking about?" I stood and looked away from him. "I know you love Noame, because I love her too." I clenched my fist with tears flowing from my eyes. I paused and continued when he stayed silent. "I know now that I was not created by you, that in face, I am y-" He slammed his hand over my mouth, with his eyes narrowing. "Don't say that out loud." He warned me. I nodded and he took his hand off. "How did you figure it out?" He chuckled in depression. I sighed and looked down at my shoes. "Ever since I laid my eyes on Noame." I mumbled. Melkin's eyes widened yet again. Melkin stood and rubbed his head in stress. He started to pace and eventually stopped and slammed his fists on the wall. "Crap it all!" He shouted, making me jump in surprise. Immediately afterwards, our room door opened, revealing Noame. My heart seemed to merge with Melkin, as our heart beats were beating at the same fast pace. Her red hair was neatly put up in a bun, like usual. Her scar moved as her face scrunched up in worry. "I heard a yell. Are you two alright?" Melkin and I respond in unison, "Yes." Melkin glared at me and quickly looked back at Noame. She raised her eyebrow in suspicion. "Whatever. Are you ready to go?" Melkin sighed. "Sure. Come on, Wane." I stumbled as Melkin lifted up his bag. I walked by him to the door, with Noame moving to the side so we could get out of the room. I saw Queen Magpie and rushed toward her, hugging her tightly. Magpie laughed. "Goodness child, are you alright?" I nodded vigorously. "I just wanted to apologize for being rude before." Magpie smiled and patted my head. "I forgive you, child." I grinned and looked back at Melkin and Noame. My highly trained ears picked up the conversation. "Are you sure?" Noame asked with worry. Melkin nodded and sighed, blushing and looking away from Noame. "I'm scared, Noame." Noame's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You're scared? I thought I would never live to see the day." Melkin chuckled a little. "Let's talk about this later, I fear we are being spied on." Melkin's eyes contacted with mine. Oh, snap! I quickly looked away, hiding in Magpie's dress.

Noame's Point Of View:

I smiled as I saw Melkin glaring at Wane, scaring him into Queen Magpie's cloak. Melkin rolled his eyes and looked up at me with a grin. "So, are we ready to go?" He asked. I giggled inside, but remained calm and collective on the outside. I placed my hand on my hips. "I don't have all day." I teased Melkin. His eyes widened, but he quickly recovered. "Okay then." Melkin walked over and pulled Wane off of Queen Magpie. "Forgive him, Your Excellence." Queen Magpie shook her head. "No need for that, dear."  Wane whined until Melkin finally shoved him by me, instantly shutting him up. Was it just me or did this kid hate me? Well, I guess I was pretty intimidating. Not wasting another second, I stepped forward, flopping open the door. "Let's go." I announced. I walked outside and pulled out my sword communicator. I could see a faint blue dot flashing on my communicator. It was Brady. While I was preoccupied, Melkin was talking to Wane quietly by the tent. Queen Magpie walked up behind me and tapped my shoulder, throwing me off balance. I fumbled with my communicator in my hands. Queen Magpie giggled behind me and I turned on her in anger. She saw one white line appear around my eye. "Control your anger, dear." She warned me. I instantly sank back into my calm state, the white line disappearing with my anger. I took a deep breath out and placed my communicator in my Bunard robe pocket. "What did you need , Magpie?" I forgot I was so informal with her. She smiled at me. "I just wanted to tell you that I am thankful for you sewing up my injuries." My face relaxed a little in joy. "Oh. No problem, Magpie." She pivoted her right foot in front of her as she looked down and mumbled. "What was that?" I asked. She blushed and looked up at me. "I'm going to accompany you until your reach the barrier between the Bunard and the Craven land." I was confused. Why wouldn't she want to help save a man she knew like a nephew? Even though Queen Magpie's friend adopted Brady, Magpie was constantly looking after him. "What? Why?" I spat out in an aggravated tone. She looked off to the west, ignoring my confused gaze. "I have to return to my home. It is my duty."