The Twins of Fire and Ice

Chapter Thirty-Two

Nix's POV

Nix tried not to laugh at the memory of Jaydon struggling to get out of the cot after she made her announcement. He had told her, "Then what are we waiting for? Let me just get dressed correctly and go!"

And then she had to correct him and tell him that they were still supposed to stay at the palace for a week, not only to completely explain what happened, but also because something was going to be given to them.

He had groaned. "Seriously? You energize me and then just take it away? So cruel."

She had laughed and kissed him again, this time for longer and deeper, and then she pulled back with a smirk before standing up and simply leaving.

Glancing back only once, she had seen the incredulous expression on his face from that, and his mouth was hanging open in complete shock.

After, she managed to find the Headmaster alone and told him about her decision. He had been ecstatic and told her that he would start organizing their trip immediately, and left without another word.

So she was regulated to wandering the halls of the palace, bored out of her mind but not exactly sure where she was going. That's were she was now.

Huffing, Nix stopped walked and placed her back to a wall, sliding down until she was sitting. She wrapped her arms around her knees and put her chin on them, thinking.

It's been about a month and a half since she entered Draco Academy. A month and a half of change and pain and power happiness and confusion and peace.

She could still remember how she was before the Academy. Her eyes always hard and cold, never laughing or smiling and on constant alert for whatever might come. Her hair, that was just white then, fit her personality exactly. Cold and bland, only a single color because that was all she would show.

Then she came to the Academy. It was a huge change for her, to suddenly be thrust out of her normal life and into another one with dragons and magic and power. She never would have had that if it weren't for the way life had gone.

Now, her hair has shifted to further match her personality. The white was still there, showing that there were still some cold and severe things about her, but the two other colors showed the change.

The silver streaks shimmered in the way her smile made her eyes shimmer. It showed the peace she felt anytime she actually smiled, because the stars know that she never would have smiled again if she didn't let her guard down occasionally.

The tips of teal were as bright as her laugh, showing that it was very, very rare for her to laugh, but it wasn't impossible. Her heart has been warming for some time, and that was just another breakthrough.

Everything had changed so much. She went from a simple village girl that went out hunting with her twin for her family to one of the most powerful people in the Academy that had a faithful dragon, a loyal sister, a steadfast friend, and a powerful sort of boyfriend, not to mention her own power that had nothing to do with her elemental abilities.

As her mind reveled in the changes she has just now realized happened, two legs appeared in her view. Lost in her thoughts as she was, Nix jerked back with shock when the hands that belonged to that body snapped their fingers in front of her.

Unfortunately, because the wall was right behind her, Nix's head slammed into it.

She clasped the back of her head and groaned as the tiniest amount of tears welled up in her eyes from the sudden pain. "Oh, stars, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to startle you, Nix."

Nix glanced up with a grimace, her mind registering the voice as Princess Temperance's before she saw her. "It's alright," she grit her teeth as another wave of pain came from the back of her head. "It's just a minor concussion. No need to worry."

Temperance laughed, crouching to peer at me in amusement and touches of genuine concern. "I don't think there's such a thing as a 'minor concussion,' but I'll take it. Here, let me help you up."

She stood back up, offering her hand. Nix took it and stood up with a wince, one hand still carefully shielding the back of her head. 

Slowly letting her hand drop away, she looked at the princess in curiosity. "So, why are you here, Your Majesty. I don't think that a member of the royal family would be wandering around their own castle for no reason."

The princess grimaced. "Please, never call me 'Your Majesty.' I hate it. Just call me Temperance."

Nix nodded like she had made up her mind. "I will call you Ran."

Ran faltered, a startled look crossing her features. The two girls stared at each other for several moments before they burst out laughing.

She had to lean on Nix so she wouldn't fall down. "Oh, stars, I didn't think I would ever here someone call me that," she gasped, Nix's giggling prompting her to continue laughing. "I've been waiting for that. Thank the Originals, I finally met someone that's going to call me Ran."

At the mention of the Originals, Nix tensed slightly, but Ran didn't seem to notice. She smirked at the girl who looked like a new friend. "I guess it is a good thing you met me. But don't go thinking I won't still call you princess, Your Majesty, or Your Highness sometimes just to annoy you."

Ran smirked right back at her. "Never did."

They exchanged grins, Ran's chocolate eyes meeting with Nix's startling blue ones and seeing each other in one another. They were like the twins that Nix and Flamma were supposed to be, but weren't at the same time.

That was an odd thought. Nix shook her head, her grin lessening to an amused smile. "So, what are you doing here?"

"Ah," Ran said with a wince. "I'm waiting out the screaming match between my parents. My father went from 0 to 100 in the snap of a finger when he heard that my brother tried to bed you against you will. My mother still doesn't believe it, insisting that her son is an angel and would never do such a thing." At this she rolled her eyes. It seemed like she had to deal with that a lot.

Nix looked at her curiously, and when Ran saw, she grabbed Nix's wrist and started tugging her in one direction. "Well, come on then. I can see that look you have. You want to know why I feel strongly about this particular subject, and I'm going to tell you, just not here. Let's go back to my room."

The Frost nodded, letting herself be lead to the princess's room without a fight.

It was time she got some answers.