The Twins of Fire and Ice

Chapter Twenty-Two

A knock sounded on Nix's door right as she finished putting her dress in her saddle bag.

"Come in," she called out as she ran to and from her room to finish putting some supplies in her bag.

Jaydon peered at her room as he entered it. "Hey, Ice Queen. The Headmaster called us to his office. Although I'm sure he would understand if you were late, what with all the packing."

She hummed without answering, clearly not paying attention. He sighed and took several steps forward until he was next to her.

Catching a sliver of blue in the bag, he reached into it. "Cool! Is this your dress for the dance?"

Nix didn't hesitate. She whacked his head with all of her strength, which was a surprising amount.

"OW!" Jay shouted, prancing backward in disbelief. "What the hell was that for?!"

"No one but Flamma has seen this dress, and no one will. At least until we start dancing," Nix told him firmly, all the while packing odd things in her saddle bag.

He carefully approached, and when it didn't seem like she would hit him again, he stood next to her, staring at everything she was putting in her bag.

"What in the world is this? Some sort of knife?" Nix didn't answer him, too concentrated on packing more things.

"Hey," Jay said, snapping his fingers in front of her face  a few times. She barely blinked.

With a sigh, he caught her wrist. Now she was paying attention.

"Jaydon, let me go," she said quietly, her head tilted down.

He shook his head and sighed again, gently brushing a strand of her hair from her face. "What's wrong, Ice Queen? You seem to be having sort of a panic attack."

Her lip wobbled and her eyes welled up with tears. She lifted her head to look at him, causing his eyes to widen in surprise and sudden alarm. 

She bit her lip. "I don't know," she sniffled. "I have to answer the Headmaster's question, for one thing, and then we have to go to the dance at the royal palace. I forgot there was even a royal family!"

Jaydon frowned, looking perplexed. "What do you mean, you forgot? How do you forget the people who govern our world?"

"I lived in Sword Heart, Jaydon. It's a small village, and while Dragon Riders go to it every year, it's pretty easy to forget. The royal family is supposed to go to every village or town once a year, and the last time they were in Sword Heart was a century ago. My people don't do well teaching their children about a government that forgets us."

By the look on his face, it was clear that Jay didn't know that. He blinked rapidly. "Well, ok, that's a good reason to be nervous. . . but I'm sure that the Headmaster would let you choose what to do after the dance, if you really wanted to think it out."

Nix sighed, letting her hand go limp in his. "Yes, I know, but I hate to ask for more time. It just makes me squirm. And the way their eyes are so judgmental! I don't like it."

Jay's eyes darkened, an odd look appearing in his face before he carefully hid it. Nix narrowed her eyes, opening her mouth to say something when Jaydon interrupted her. "Did you know that I'm nervous too?"

Nix blinked in surprise. No, she hadn't. "No, I hadn't noticed it."

He smiled, although it looked a bit jittery. "Don't get me wrong, I am not nervous about the quest. I know that'll be an awesome adventure." He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Nix was looking at him curiously the whole time. "I'm nervous because I know it's way too late, and you might already have one, but I was wondering if you wanted to go to the royal dance with me?"

She froze, staring at him in astonishment. Her mouth was dry all of a sudden as she replied. "N-no. I don't have a date to the dance yet. . ." She hesitated. Should she do this? What about her heart?

Suddenly decided, Nix straightened and tipped her chin up to look at Jaydon directly in the eye. "Yes, Jaydon. I would love to go to the dance with you."

A goofy, relieved grin appeared on Jay's face. It was clear that he wasn't sure if she would say yes, and was completely and utterly relieved that she did.

They stared at each other for another few seconds before Jay shook his head, breaking both of their trances. His grin turned into a rueful smile. "I think that the Headmaster is waiting for us."

Nix blushed, triggering a delighted look from Jaydon, and she nodded, gently freeing her wrist from his hand and instead catching his to drag him to out the room and to the Headmaster's office.

It took a few minutes, and the whole time Nix held unto his wrist, only letting it go at the door of the Headmaster's office himself.

The Headmaster raised his head, looking tired even through the mask. "Ah, there you are, Jaydon. Miss Noctis." He gestured to the chairs in front of him. "Please take a seat."

And they did, closing the door behind them and waiting patiently for him to begin speaking.

It took several moment before he began. "Miss Noctis, I am aware that you have not yet come to a decision. I am also aware that Jaydon has decided to accept the quest.

"Now, even though I would prefer you both go, it is perfectly understandable if you don't, Miss Noctis, because this is a very dangerous matter. And there is another variable in the equation."

Jaydon and Nix exchanged a look, clearly confused about what he meant.

The Headmaster cleared his throat slightly. "You two balance each other perfectly. Jaydon's fire to Miss Noctis's ice, shadow to light, and earth to air. But there is one element missing."

"Water," Jay and Nix said at the same time.

The school's leader nodded. "Yes, water. And water is essential, not only for basic necessities and easier passage on rivers, but because one of the Originals is Water."

Realization dawned on the two students. That made perfect sense.

"So that means that a water element will accompany us, if the Ice Queen chooses to go?" Jaydon inquired.

The Headmaster nodded. "That is correct." He took a deep breath, leaning back on his chair and rubbing his face over the mask. "I know that this is a big decision, so I won't pressure or rush you, but please, Miss Noctis. Consider going. I have a feeling you will be needed."

Nix bit her lip, uncertain. He shook his head, as if dismissing a thought. "Now go, the both of you. You must finish packing and get ready for the dance!"

The two triple-element students chuckled, standing up with their own goodbyes' and left the Headmaster's office.

They exchanged a look outside it. "I need to go finish packing, but I'll think harder about it now than ever," Nix promised.

Jaydon's lips quirked into a small smile. "Good luck stuffing your entire room in that poor bag, Ice Queen."

Nix shot him a grin before Flashing away, disappearing into thin air and reappearing in her mess of a room. She groaned in defeat.

This was going to be a stressful day.