My face fell.
“Come on, it's not that bad,” said Ikovos, obviously humored by Jaden's exasperation.
The darker boy's eyes grazed mine. My expression must have been overly revealing, because he offered up an apologetic smirk. “I'm kidding.”
I kept my mouth shut, sorry that he noticed anything. Though I did consider mentioning Nathan while we were on the subject . . . maybe asking him to be a little more encouraging towards the young boy.
Ikovos stopped me with a sigh and tossing of a book. “Not there either.” His expression was glum.
“What isn't?” I asked.
He picked up another tome. “My name.”
My face perplexed as he scanned the pages. Jaden took my attention.
“You know how he likes to look up name meanings?”
I nodded.
“Well, he's never been able to find his own.”
Ikovos continued skimming. “I got a few books from Adzamaruha's shop that I thought would have it, but . . .” he tossed the one in his hand “. . . no luck.”
My eyebrows knit. “I suppose it is an unusual name.”
Jaden smirked. Ikovos didn't say anything.
I smiled warmly. “You're just too original to be limited to an exact meaning.”
Now Ikovos was the one with a smirk. Jaden's had disappeared. At this point he was leaning back across the couch, arm covering his eyes. I turned to Ikovos.
“What does Jaden's name mean?” It was almost a whisper.
Ikovos grinned immediately. “You won't believe me.”
“This one is so boring,” muttered Jaden.
“You just don't like how predictably right it is.’
Jaden lifted his arm up to eye him incredulously.
They still hadn't told me.
Ikovos smirked at Jaden's face then looked to me. “It means fiery.”
I couldn't help but smile. “Really?”
He nodded.
Jaden sighed. “See? Boring.”
I thought about this. Sure, there was the obvious ‘he can use fire’ thing, but . . . “There’s a lot of things it could mean,” I noted. Then I turned back to my studying. I knew better than to let my mind wander down this subject.
“Did you have something particular in mind?” asked Jaden. He was leaning forward now, though still casual.
I let my eyes graze his. Yeah, dangerous. I quelled this. “Well . . . fiery, like, impassioned or spirited.
Ikovos pursed his lips in consideration beside me. I couldn't tell what Jaden thought.
“Sounds a bit like yours,” said Ikovos.
I stiffened. This was much more fun when it was someone else's name. Mine made me feel much too vulnerable . . . especially after the conversation last time.
“You already looked hers up?” questioned Jaden.
Ikovos nodded. “It means 'like a bird'.” He smirked while saying it. “Good one, right?”
Jaden laughed slightly. “Oh yeah, she's totally a bird.”
My eyes narrowed at him. What, were him and Ikovos on the same psycho wave-link or something? Before I could voice my protest, Ikovos threw another book down and stood up.
“Okay, well, I have to go watch the gate tonight.” I perked up. “And no, I'm not letting you come with me this time.”
I pouted my lip considerably.
“But I'll see you guys in the morning when I get back.”
“Will you have to sleep all day again?” I asked.
He shook his head. “No. I'm going with Holdan so me and him will take shifts.” I winced and Ikovos nodded to Jaden. “Thanks for that by the way.”
Jaden raised a hand. “No problem.”
I turned back to Ikovos.
“Good luck on your studying, don't stay up too late.”
I nodded. “I won't.”
His mouth tipped then he walked off through the library.
When I looked back, Jaden's eyes were on me. “You miss him a lot when he's not around, don't you?”
It wasn't really a question. My throat constricted instantly. I tried to think of something diffusing to say . . . but none of them were true.
I lowered my eyes from his slowly. He must have gotten the message, because he picked up a book and went back to reading.
After a few quiet minutes I heard one of the boys shout behind me. At this time of night the small library was buzzing with people, though they seldom came by my spot near the fire. I peeked up at Jaden cautiously. He was writing out something from a book, probably for a lesson.
I looked back down, then took a deep breath. Come on, Evelyn, you're brave.
“Um, Jaden?”
His eyes lifted to mine.
I chewed my lip. “I was wondering, well . . . Nathan has been a bit down about his magic abilities lately . . .”
Jaden made no reaction. I continued
“I know he thinks a lot of your opinion and I was hoping, I mean I wanted to ask you . . . if you would encourage him a little.”
Still no change.
“You know, just sometime . . . when you get the chance.”
A bit of a smirk slid up then, along with a single eyebrow. “Sure.”
My breath exhaled.
“You know, you don't have to be so nervous to ask me for something,” he added assumingly.
I felt my face flush. Was I really that much of an open book to him? . . . It must make it awfully dull to be around me. . . .
I smiled, mostly because I couldn't help it, being uncomfortable. “Okay.”
He went back to his writing casually.
I rolled my eyes and did the same.
*
Alright. Concentrate, Evelyn. Think about what's going on inside of you, focus on your hand, imagine conjuring the fire. My jaw tightened, all my muscles were tensed . . .
Nothing.
I sighed dejectedly. Since Ikovos had left, I'd been working on the same simple fire-spell. Thus far I hadn't even managed so much as a spark. I had no clue what time it was now . . . late. The sun had gone down forever ago, and the study was completely abandoned of boys. Dark, quiet, calm . . . the opposite of how I felt.
I let my hand fall, sighing again.
“You shouldn't get so upset every time.” That was Jaden. He'd been studying so quietly that . . . well, that I should have forgotten he was there . . . but of course I hadn't . . .
He was still on the other couch, not looking up at me. I assumed he meant every time I failed the spell.
“Easy for you to say,” I muttered. My patience was running low. “You probably did it like, what -your third try?”
He looked up. “First actually.”
I tossed a hand. “Of course.”
He made a pitying face, then set his notebook down. “Well I said I would help if you wanted me to.”
I shrugged, somewhat angrily at first, but I was too disarmed by his soft demeanor to hold it. “You've told me everything I need to know at least a dozen times . . . and shown me. . . . I don't know what good it would do.”
He leaned up, looking a little bothered that I would dare mention he wasn't of supreme use. “Are you doing everything the way I told you to?”
My brow furrowed. “Of course.”
He looked unsatisfied. “Well . . . Try it and I'll watch you.”
My eyes tightened. I didn't want to try and fail again under scrutiny, but his gaze was direct and his tone was all commandy.
I sighed, lifting up my eyes then turning them down to my hand.
It was flickering with shadows, barely visible in the firelight. I took a breath.
Okay, concentrate on-
“Roll your fingers out straighter,” said Jaden firmly.
“I was getting there,” I noted, then turned back down, doing as he said.
Now, just imagine what the flame will look like in my han—
“You don't have to close your eyes,” he said.
I glanced up darkly. “Okay,” I muttered, then turned back down, eyes op
en.
Just relax, Evelyn. Think about the fire, think about your thoughts . . .
“You still don't have them out all the way.” Jaden reached his hand over to straighten my fingers.
As soon as he touched me, I pulled away.
He gave me a “what gives” face.
“I can't do it with you interrupting me every two seconds,” I snapped, it was loud enough for the empty library to echo significantly. The fire seemed to shutter beside us.
“Do you want me to help you or not? You were doing it wrong.”
I gave him a face. “I don't think stretching my fingers out an inch further is going to make a difference, I've seen you do it without even blinking.”
He scoffed. “Yeah, well, you're not me.”
My chest rose violently. “Obviously.” Then I dropped my head into my hands.
“I give up. . . .”
After a moment I felt a body sit down on the couch. Jaden’s voice came softly beside me. “Hey, I've seen what you can do, what you're capable of . . . you'll get this.”
I sighed once, then turned my face up to him. His expression was severe. My heart started to beat off-kilter, but his stare was unflinching. He moved his eyes down and I followed them to my palm. Without a word he slid his hand under mine, cupping it gently.
I thought about asking him what he was doing, but the words wouldn't come out. My chest was rising heavily now, I couldn't even look up at him. His grip tightened. I could feel every finger . . . hard and rigid, course compared to mine.
Just when I thought I might lose it, I felt a warmth come from my palm, like it had originated within the hand itself.
The blood around it was rushing, hot, it was almost enough to make my whole body shiver. I narrowed my eyes on it . . . then, suddenly, a small violet flame sparked up above my palm.
Breath escaped me. It grew larger, turning pinkish at the tips. A fluttering smoke, but it glowed so brightly . . . the most magical thing I'd ever seen.
Then . . . just like that . . . it was gone.
My heart beat wildly. I was speechless.
Jaden slipped his hand away from mine and I began to trace the spot where the flame had lit.
“See. I told you coul—”
I flung my arms around his neck, interrupting his words. “Thank you, Jaden!”
His body constricted. It seemed my outburst surprised him. He wasn't the only one.
I let go quickly then he cleared his throat, leaning back straight.
“Yeah, well, I just . . .” His voice trailed awkwardly. I'm sure he wasn't a fan of the hug thing. I was too happy at the moment to let it get me down.
“So I really did it? That was really me?”
He smirked. “Yeah. It was you.”
Excitement grew in my chest and I looked to the fireplace. I thought I might burst.
I turned back to him beaming. “Would I be able to do it without you?”
His smirk leveled a bit, something I couldn't read. “After you do it once, it's much easier to repeat. It's like that with most spells. . . .” His eyes fell for a moment, then lifted assuringly. “Anyways, you should be able to, yes.”
I smiled, readjusting to face him. “But, why? . . .” My fingers lifted to my lips. “Why could I do it—”
“With me?” he finished.
My eyes held as my head bobbed up and down.
He let out a heavy sigh. The fire followed this, causing the whole room to flicker, but I was used to that . . .
“To be honest, I wasn't supposed to do that. . . .”
My head tilted and he looked back up.
“The rule is, you have to let the person do it on their own. There aren't any side-effects or anything,” he added quickly, “it's just . . . I guess it's a way of making sure the person is ready.” His mouth lifted. “But don't worry, you were.”
I smiled, though it was a little subdued. Something more was hitting me now. Something strong enough to overpower even my delight at using magic. My teeth clicked nervously.
“If, ah, well, if you can it'd be better if you didn't tell anyone,” he said, eyes pinching a bit.
I nodded. “Of course . . .”
His smile returned.
I looked down at my hand. “But . . . Jaden?” My voice was soft. I lifted my eyes to his and leaned forward a bit. “If you aren't supposed to, if . . . if you could get in trouble . . .” his face narrowed “. . . Why did you do it?”
My heart beat furiously. He held my gaze without so much as a blink, only the fire stirred. It looked like there was much he might say, but maybe I was wrong.
His head turned, as the corners of his mouth tightened. In that moment, with the drawn expression and flickering, orange, shadows, he looked just like he had the night I'd first met him. All hard and indifferent, nothing sensitive or mindful of me, so far beyond me. . . .
My jaw tightened.
“It's late,” he said. “I'd better go.”
I looked down. “Yeah . . .” I guess that was my answer.
He looked back once, after getting up. “Congratulations, again. I'll see you tomorrow.”
I nodded, forcing a smile. Then he disappeared out of the room.
I turned back ahead, sighing slightly. Hmm. . . . Then my features lifted as I remembered what had just happened. This was no time for fretting. I leapt up, grinning and beginning to pace.
I did it! I can use magic! I can't believe I can actually use magic!
I paced around the table a few times then hopped back into the couch.
Through the rest of the night I worked on the spell, succeeding a handful of times in repeating it.
By the time I fell asleep the sky outside was turning blue. I never went back to study. Instead I just collapsed on the couch of the library.
*
“Evelyn, Evelyn! Wake up!”
My head pounded groggily. I brought a hand up to it.
“Evelyn, it's lunch already. You have to get up,” sang the voice again.
I squinted my eyes open.
The bright light made my head hurt even worse. I saw the large fireplace first, then heard low murmurings. I looked around more to see that there were four boys crowded around me.
I leapt up onto the couch.
“Ah! You're awake.” That was Nathan. He'd obviously been the one doing all the shouting. His face was bright, eyes almost pinched shut with a wide grin.
Trevor pushed him back. “Jeez, calm down, Nate. You're gonna scare her to death.” The other boys nodded in agreeance, waving to me as I looked at them.
“Good morning, Evelyn,” said Trevor.
I blinked, sinking down to sit. “Oh. Morning guys.”
My head was pounding significantly at this point, but I was too concentrated now to care.
“Did you sleep here last night?” chimed Nathan.
Trevor gave him a sideways glance. “Course she did. Why else would she be here looking like that?”
I moved a hand up to my hair self-consciously.
“There are sweeter things to say to a lady in the morning, Trevor,” said Ikovos, who'd walked up suddenly, lifting Trevor and swinging him around in the air.
Trevor struggled. “Ah!”
Nate and the other boys laughed.
Ikovos lowered him with a smile, then tousled Nathan's hair. “Now, why don't you guys get back to studying and let Evelyn wake up in peace.”
They all nodded, happily waving to me.
When I watched them run off, I saw the tables were already filled already with dozens of boys. I ducked my head immediately behind the couch.
Ikovos laughed fully.
I looked back at him. He seemed light today, almost gleaming. But maybe it was just his clothes. The pants were pale tan rather than the usually dark leather, and his shirt was blue enough to match his eyes.
“Is it already that late?” I asked, wincing.
His grin spread. “Eleven-o’clock. Did you really sleep here?” He fell solidl
y into the couch.
I peeked over at the boys cautiously, then sat up straighter. Why was I here?. . .
Oh yeah!
“Ikovos!” I started, smiling wide. “I did it!”
He coked his head at me. “Did what?”
“Magic!” I beamed, leaning forward. “I did a spell.”
He brightened immediately, a wide grin spreading across his face. “Really?! I knew you would get it! What did you do?”
I laughed, then bit my lip considering. “Ah, just the basic flame spell . . . It's the easiest I know, but—”
Ikovos shook his head. “No, that's amazing.” He looked ahead. “You actually conjured fire. I can't believe it.”
I smiled, tapping my feet happily.
“Was Jaden there?” he asked, looking back at me.
I tensed immediately. What was it that he told me to say? “Um . . . he . . .”
“Wait,” interrupted Ikovos, eyebrows rising.”What color was it? Was it the same as anyone else's?”
I thought about it, a little fluster by his many questions.
My head shook. “No . . . I don't think so. It was purple.”
He grinned. “Purple, you like that color, don't you? That's great.”
I nodded, joyous again, almost vibrating.
“Well, we have to celebrate!” he declared. “Remember I said I'd take you to the pool? It's a perfect day for it too.”
I looked outside. The sun was bright . . . and the idea of swimming actually sounded wonderful.
“Okay!” I smiled.
“Great, it'll be a blast.”
“What will?” asked a high voice. It was Nathan. Trevor stood beside him.
“Ah . . .” Ikovos scratched the back of his head for a second, then grinned, abandoning. “We're going to the pool to swim.”
Nathan's eyes got wide. “Wow, really? Can I come?”
Trevor knocked the back of his head. “Of course not. Evelyn and Ikovos are going, it's obviously for older kids. . . .”
Nate frowned. It was heart-wrenching. Even Trevor looked glum.
Ikovos lifted his shoulders. “Well, I don't care if you guys wanna come . . . As long as it's alright with Evelyn.”
He gestured to me and the gaze of both boys followed.
“Of course!” I said without hesitation.
Nathan practically jumped three feet. “This, is, awesome!”
Trevor nudged him, I could see his excitement despite the cool veneer. “Come on, Nate, let's go get our stuff ready.”
Ember Page 29
