Crown Of Thorns (Black Veil Brides Fanfiction)

Chapter 8 - [Revised - 3-23-22]

Chapters Eight and Nine have been conjoined.

"Well, are you ready Ever?" CC grins, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and pulling me to his side.

I smile, nervously, "Yeah, I guess."

Giving me a noogie, careful of my crown of white flowers (the same that were in my eye socket), he states with utter confidence, "You'll be fine! You've been doing great in training, I'm not sure there's much more I'll be able to teach you at this point! Might have to have Jinxx mentor you now!"

Slight sadness overcomes me. I don't really want CC to stop mentoring me. He's so very nice to me, and fun to be around. I wouldn't be as adept as I am with my dagger if not for him, and I most certainly wouldn't be going on my first raid so soon. It's not like I don't want Jinxx to teach me either, I just don't know him as well even though he seems kind. "Isn't there more things you can teach me?" I murmur, looking up at him.

"Possibly!" He grins.

"I just don't want you to stop talking to me or something cause you're no longer my teacher, no longer obligated by your word to hang around with me." I relent, finally telling him exactly how I feel about the situation.

"Ever, you're like family to me at this point. I would never do that to you." He frowns, seemingly disappointed that I would even think he would do such a thing.

"Hurry up you two!" Jinxx calls sternly, a serious expression on his face as usual.

I admit, I know the least about Jinxx out of all of the Wild Ones. He's quiet, but not in the same way as Jake. Jake engages in conversation way more than Jinxx does, who only puts in comments here and there every once in a while. I will need to make it a point to talk to him more. CC ruffles my hair once more before walking ahead, and I most certainly don't miss the frown evident on his face. I begin walking too, much slower than I probably should have been.

"Are you alright?" Well, speaking of Jinxx, here he is.

"I'm fine." My answer is clipped, though not rude or angry, more sad than anything.

"You don't look fine. You've got purple hyacinth's growing all over your arms and in your hair." He states, slowing his stride to walk at my pace.

"You know what they mean?" I blurt in surprise, truffle flowers blooming next to the hyacinth's.

"Just a few of them, like how the lobelia black truffle flowers represent surprise, or how those purple hyacinth's mean sadness... and how you're always shy, the magnolias show that. So, what has you sad, Maiden?"

"Maiden?" I tilt my head in confusion as the truffle flowers are overtaken by sycamores, trying to focus on anything other than the fact I may have just ruined whatever friendship I had with CC.

"Ah, Jake and I have been thinking of a Wild One name for you, as every magic user eventually becomes a Wild One due to their rarity. The Maiden is associated with springtime. We thought it fitting because of your magic. Can't keep calling you by your name on missions or else your safety is compromised." He explains, and I think I'll always be surprised that he is actually making conversation with me.

I meant what I said when I thought he was a quiet one, or perhaps he only speaks when he has something to say. I nod my head in understanding, deciding it best to finally answer his question, "I'd said something to CC that might've made him mad at me."

"CC isn't one to just get mad at a person for something they'd said. He especially wouldn't so easily get angry with you."

"Well, I told him that I thought maybe he'd ditch me once he had nothing more to teach me regarding the dagger." I call down, climbing up the ladder that leads to the surface.