Fan Fiction ❯ No Regrets ❯ I'm learning, I'm yearning ( Chapter 6 )

Title: No Regrets

Author: I_nv_u50

Warnings: Slash! Whoo! One whole kiss!! Plus multiple innuendos >.>

Pairings: Arical + Nicolai; Devika + Alexes, Nicolai + Alexes

Claimer: They're all gay, so they must be mine or some other yaoi fan. And as I'm the one writing this, they're mine. >.>

Chapter Rating: PG13 sexual innuendos…

Author's Note: Whee! You get a whole weird dream sequence in this one! And I finally sort of know what the difference is between Kindle and Cerise and Cal's reaction to their kisses! It's fairly simple, really :D Anyhoo, hope you enjoy this one! Please review!! ^^

I could feel 'Vika's suppressed sobs making his entire body tremble, and I tried to ignore, or at least tone down my own fear and horror so as to make him feel better. It didn't seem to be working, but then, I guess nothing would have helped.

I was just to shaken, and any attempts I made to make myself, and therefore, both of us feel better, would have just made us both feel worse, by amplifying the whole mess of feelings.

Keri tentatively stroked the back of my neck. "Cal, are you all right? What's wrong?"

Nicolai and Alexes didn't say anything.

'Vika raised his head from where it had been resting, cheek to hair, on mine, and surveyed them with tear tracks running down his cheeks. "It was another nightmare. He'll be fine in a bit. We'll be fine in a bit. Just go back to sleep."

Keri nodded, albeit disbelievingly, but seemingly willing to try it 'Vika's way. "Okay. Would you like some sleeping pills, or pain killers or something?"

There seemed to be an odd part of my brain that was recording this, but I didn't notice it at the time. Everything was distant and vague, and after I had come to the conclusion that Nicolai and Alexes were lovers, I really did not want anything to do with reality anymore.

'Vika only nodded, and rested his chin on my head again, still rocking back and forth, although it might have been a little awkward, considering I was sprawled half on him.

Keri left quietly and quickly, presumably to get the drugs, and Nicolai hesitantly came forward. I held 'Vika tighter.

"Is he okay?" Nicolai's voice was as hesitant as his movements, and although the tone was soft, I knew he wasn't feeling at all gentle right now.

Alexes grabbed his arm. "Of course he is. He's had nightmares before. Let's go, Nic." His tone turned pleading. "Come on, Nic."

Nicolai shook him off angrily, and sat carefully on the edge of the bed. Alexes shut up.

'Vika regarded them both, his eyes, for once, hostile; something I was quite sure neither of them had really seen. "Just leave us alone." He spat. "It would have been fine if you had never come, and we could have carried on alone."

Alexes reeled back; visibly hurt, and Nicolai recoiled a little as well. Then his expression hardened. "If you really think two fifteen year olds can take care of themselves, by all means, go right ahead. We wont stop you. I would have thought the incident on the train was enough to show you that you cant take care of yourselves yet. What would you have done if Kindle hadn't been there?"

'Vika opened his mouth; his brow furrowed in anger and thought, then shut it again.

Nicolai leant back a little and smirked. "Exactly."

'Vika's expression turned into a pout I knew so well, and his arms around me tightened as the rocking motion got slightly jerkier. "I don't care. All I need is 'Rica, and if one of you keep refusing to like one or the other of us, we're going to keep running away, because we like you both, and we don't want there to be favourites." His arms tightened again, and his rocking stopped completely. "So if you're only going to like one of us, don't like either of us, because it's ripping us apart, and we'd rather live in the world together than alone."

'Vika buried his face in my hair, and I attempted to turn my head to look at them, the horror slowly receding.

"'Vika's right. Like both of us, or neither of us, and we can live with you."

Nicolai's face was thoughtful and surprised, as was Alexes', and I got the distinct feeling that they would think about it.

Then Nicolai's face softened, almost unnoticeably. "We didn't know. We'll try and make things better, all right? But you have to promise not to try and run away again."

Before either of us could answer, Keri rushed in. She still hadn't noticed that the other two were only wearing towels. "I got you some tranquilizers, but we didn't have any pain killers. I'm sorry, Cal. But the tranquilizers should knock you out until you get back to Nic's apartment."

'Vika blinked. "Isn't that a little strong?"

Keri sighed and nodded. "Yea. But I'm afraid it's the best I can do."

I groaned. "Are you trying to kill me, Keri? You know I can't take tranquilizers."

Her face fell again. "Oh dear. I forgot about that. I'll go look again."

Alexes watched me, his expression one of the nicest I'd seen on him for a few days. "Why can't you take tranquilizers?"

I buried my face back into 'Vika's chest and mumbled something. 'Vika giggled.

Alexes stared at me blankly. "What?"

"He said," 'Vika said around his giggling, "that this one girl in our eighth grade medical class tried to have her way with him when he took some."

Nicolai blinked. "And you find that funny?"

"Oh yes!" 'Vika gasped, and I pinched him maliciously. "Ouch! It was terribly funny because what she didn't realize was that Kael and his friends were there, and they're some of the biggest gossips in the school…"

I finally raised my head from 'Vika's heaving chest. "They thanked her in front of everybody for knocking me out, but suggested that next time she try it, not to use someone who was fatally allergic to the drug."

Nicolai glanced at Alexes. "Is this funny to you?"

Alexes shook his head, shrugging.

'Vika laughed harder. "It was… it was just so… it was… and…"

Alexes started to grin, if only at 'Vika's reaction. "You're hopeless."

I raised my head and grinned at him. "Isn't he though? You should see him when he's reading this book that Kael's got. It's got horrendous dinosaur jokes."

"They're classic!" 'Vika argued.

I snorted. "Classically awful."

Nicolai smiled at us. "I suppose… Might we see this book one day?"

I grinned at him, and he looked away suddenly. "Kael's got it. I'll have to ask him if we can borrow it again. I loves that book, it's not going to be easy."

"Maybe if we…" started 'Vika.

"Then we could…" I continued.

"And if he doesn't…"

"And she can…"

"But then if we…"

"We could…"

I grinned up at him. "We could."

He winked at me, and I choked with laughter.

Nicolai and Alexes were watching us with confused horror.

"Ok, that's just creepy." Alexes shook his head again.

"How on earth do you guys do that?" Nicolai sounded fascinated.

"It's not on earth."

"It's on a far away plant of Zartha."

"Where people connect telepathically every day."

Nicolai shook his head. "Alright, you can stop it now. It's freaking me out."

Alexes grinned at us, actually including me in the expression. "We could sell you to a freak show."

'Vika's body tensed under mine, and I glanced angrily at Alexes. He winked at me.

Nicolai joined in. "Then you can finally travel and be rid of both of us."

They actually looked serious. I felt a lump rise up in my throat, and my chest tightened. 'Vika felt pretty bad as well. I had thought we were actually sort of getting along with them, and they wanted to sell us?

"You… you wont really, will you?" 'Vika's voice trembled slightly, and both Nicolai and Alexes regarded him with concern and horror.

"Of course not!" Nicolai sounded vehement.

"Idiot. Did you take us seriously?" Alexes actually tousled 'Vika's hair, and 'Vika relaxed.

Nicolai shook his head. "You're both stupider than we thought if you believed us."

'Vika tensed again, and I pinched him, beaming at Nicolai. "And you're stupider than you look if you thought that would get rid of us now."

'Vika giggled suddenly. "We're like the plague…"

Alexes shrugged at Nicolai's questioning look. "I wont even pretend to understand that one."

I laughed, and Keri came back in, smiling to see us all happier again.

"You're in luck, Cal. I found some sleeping pills and some painkillers for you. And there's even enough for tomorrow."

I stuck my tongue out at her. "You wait and see if I accept anything from you tomorrow."

She blinked at me. "What on earth did I do now?"

I stared at her. "You don't know?"

"Of course I don't."

"You let them take us to hospital."

Keri rolled her eyes. "Oh for Christ's sake, you were in the hospital already. I thought it was ok."

'Vika poked me; he obviously wanted me to stop before the entire mood soured. I 'hmphed' and twisted away from him, and burrowed my head under a pillow.

"What's up with him?" Alexes asked 'Vika.

'Vika shrugged and turned over to lie down. "We're just tired."

They took the hint, and after a few whispered goodnights, went off to their own bedrooms.

I rolled my head to face 'Vika. His eyes were open and watching me, the green sparkling in the shadows of the room, his gaze searching. He sighed. "'Rica, you cant blame Keri for what happened."

I scowled at him. "'Vika, you're either with me, or against me."

He scooted closer and lightly threw an arm around me. "I'm always with you, but I cant help feeling this is a stupid move to be making."

"Let me be the judge of that."

He gave me a small, sad smile. "I always do."

"Your king is very pleased with your service, Arical Firestorm. Your partner is Kindle Firestarter, and your group is The Elemental Section of your king's court. This is an exclusive group; you are very lucky to be included. Kindle will show you what is expected and what isn't. You may leave."

I bowed, and the cloak flared out behind me as I walked to Kindle, who was standing by my king's side. His red eyes were burning into mine, and I thought I saw him wink.

"Welcome, Arical Firestorm. You will follow me. Your Highness." He swept a bow and left, going into the private room situated behind the throne.

I knew what was coming. I didn't flinch when I bowed one last time and followed.

Kindle shoved me up against the wall. "Congratulations, little Firestorm. What would you like to do?"

I didn't say anything, but lifted my face for a kiss I knew was coming.

He chuckled and bent slightly, lowering his head so his lips could meet mine, and he could plunge his tongue into my mouth. His chuckle quickly became a groan, and I pressed myself up against him, feigning eagerness.

I knew how to work things my way by now. I had known Kindle for years now, and ever since that first time after my first Close Sacrifice, I was a favourite of his, although it was illegal for him to take any lovers outside the royal family.

I lifted me higher up the wall, and my hands clenched on his shoulders so I could keep my balance. A soft cough stopped us from proceeding further, and Kindle growled, spinning away from me so fast I almost fell off my feet when I landed.

Behind Kindle was a pretty girl, maybe a little older than us, maybe a little younger. It didn't matter. Her eyes were soft, and friendly and shy, and she had a shimmering presence that leaked into her aura.

Kindle actually smiled at her kindly. Kindle never smiled kindly. "Kellan. Arical, this is our water controller, Kellan. Kellan, he's another fire type."

"I know." Even her voice was soft and gentle, sounding shy. "You've talked about him often enough."

She looked at me, and her eyes were the same blue as the lakes between the mountains: deep, tranquil and mysterious. "I'm Kellan. It's a pleasure to meet you."

She smiled shyly.

I fell in love.

Kindle and Kellan and I were the best of friends. Within The Elemental Section, there were hundreds of different controllers, who could work magic with just about anything. There was a wood elementalist, a metal one, and earth one, and hundreds in between, as long as the more primitive forms such as fire, water and wind.

Kellan took me under her wing. She protected me from Kindle's advances, even when I began to long for them, and Kindle would never fight back with her. It seemed she held his heart as well.

The primitive elemental section was a close-knit group.

So we began to resent it when Cerise, a non-primitive magic controller began to try and force her way into it.

The first thing Cerise did wrong was to be bitchy to Kellan. She probably knew it went against everything Kellan was to even try and be bitchy back.

We all adored Kellan, even then.

The second thing Cerise did wrong was to lure me into bed with her. I was the baby of the group, and, therefore, the most impressionable, even at that age.

Kindle didn't stand for it, and he led the others in a silent rebellion. I couldn't join, because Cerise was marvelous in bed, and loyalty was nothing compared to physical pleasures. At least, at that age, where I could still be overwhelmed with it all.

Cerise was, however, our princess, so we eventually had to relent, and let her into our group, where she promptly seduced Kindle, and half of the other males. But she kept coming back to me…

"Kelly, why me? I don't even like her!"

Kellan regarded me solemnly. "Don't lie, Arical. Not to me."

I flushed. "Well, I don't. She's great in bed, but she's so mean."

Kellan flushed. "Arical, you shouldn't lie with people you can't stand. It raises their hopes and then what?"

I grinned at her. "And then I can move onto the next one."

Kellan shook her head. "I don't like this Arical."

"Huh?"

"This Arical you're turning into." Kellan watched me, her swirling blue-green eyes serious. "He's not a nice boy, Cal. Don't turn into him fully."

I felt tears come to my eyes. "Kelly…"

She gave a small smile. "Look at this."

Kellan held a hand out in front of her, between us, palm turned up. Within a second, there was a small sphere of rippling water, placidly accepting the barriers.

"That is how you used to be, before you left your family."

I felt a spark of pain at the mention of my beloved family, and the way they had inadvertently died.

She smiled at me again, sadly, and the water grew more violent, the ripples forming tiny waves that something would have bobbed in. "This is after you joined us, sometime before your 90th day."

Then the water grew muddy, and swirling every which way, the waves crashing against each other. I felt a splash on my cheek. "This was when you made your first sacrifice…"

"'Rica!!"

And then the water became a tidal wave, sweeping everything into chaos and disorder. It would have been impossible to survive.

Kellan raised her eyes to mine slowly. They were glowing dark blue slightly, and the water suddenly disintegrated into thin air. "That's where you're going, Arical. That's where you'll be if you're not careful. And those you like and love will be the first to be swept away…"

I took Kellan's advice to heart, and started spending more time with the original primitives group again. I took care not to ignore Cerise completely, as that would have invoked her wrath, and she had the full power of the crown behind her, as well as her own talents, which would overtake mine anyway because of nature's laws. But if my fire was strong enough, it could melt her ice. All I had to do was make sure there was enough fuel.

It was hard work, working for my king. He worked all of us hard, even Kellan, because there was a war coming up, and Kellan was expected to participate in it. It would not go well for her.

Though she had to have killed people to make it this far, I doubted it had been easy. I talked to it with Kindle one day.

"Sure, she'll find it difficult." Kindle's voice was lazily concerned. He was trying to work up enough energy to be fully worried about Kellan.

"But how will she manage?" I asked him, shifting backwards into his personal space, his own fire aura warming us both.

"Cal, do we really need to talk about Kellan now?" His fingers were trailing their way lightly up my leg.

I looked at him over my shoulder and grinned at him. "You ought to be ashamed, corrupting a youngling like me."

He snorted and his fingers started tracing circles on my hip and thigh. "You were never a youngling when I met you."

"Sure I was. I was so overwhelmed by your beauty and flirtatious manner…"

He kissed my nape. "Were you?"

"Mmhm…"

"Are you still now?" His lips lowered to my shoulder.

"Mmhm…" I was starting to feel dizzy and lightheaded, a regular occurrence when with Kindle.

"Prove it then."

"'Rica!! Please!"

Kellan was missing. It was the way Cerise reported the news.

"Kellan's missing. Would you like me to wash your back later, Cal?"

We stood shell-shocked for a few seconds, disbelieving. In a war, missing meant dead.

Kellan couldn't be dead. Not that gentle soul we all loved so much.

Kindle cursed, and almost launched himself at Cerise, if Zephyr hadn't forcibly held him back. My legs gave out, and Cerise immediately became more sympathetic.

"Oh love, it's all right. I'm sure she died honorably, it probably didn't even hurt much."

"Shut up! Just shut up Cerise!" The words ripped out of my throat before I could censure them, and Cerise's eyes narrowed, the air freezing over.

Kindle muttered something, and glowed a bit, and the ice melted slightly.

She glared at Kindle, and whipped around, walking confidently from the room…

"'Rica!!" 'Vika's voice was breaking, and he was sobbing somewhere around the vicinity of my neck.

I groaned in pain. My head felt like it was on fire, and millions of little feet were trying to pound it out in the same overbearing beat of my heart. It hurt.

'Vika looked up at the noise. "'Rica!" He cried, and I yelped as he hurled himself into me when I tried to sit up.

"Ow! 'Vika! Ouch! Stop it! What the hell is wrong with you! 'Vika! Ow!"

He pulled back a little, sniffling. "Oh 'Rica, you idiot. Everyone's been frantic with worry."

I rubbed my head, trying to persuade the little people to stop thumping. I winced. "What do you mean?"

'Vika shook his head at me and hugged me closer, settling half on my lap. "You've been asleep for about sixty hours."

I blinked at him, startled. "What?"

"There was something wrong with those drugs Keri gave you, or with the way you reacted to them. We didn't think it was any trouble when you slept all through the trip here without waking up once, but then you didn't wake up by evening, and we started to worry." His faces tried to burrow into my skin, and I pushed him away, brushing the messy bangs away from his face.

He looked at me, his eyes as relieved as I had ever seen them before, and hurt. "I couldn't feel you…" 'Vika whispered. "Usually when you're asleep and I'm not, I can feel you, you know?"

I nodded. It was true. I could do it to him as well.

"Well, you just weren't there. You were gone. And we didn't know where, or how to get you back."

'Vika started trembling again, and I leaned forward to hug him.

"It's ok, 'Vika. It was probably that stupid drug. And me not knowing what I'm allergic to."

He nodded sleepily, and I pushed him down before settling onto my stomach beside him.

"Sleep. You haven't yet, have you?"

"Nuh uh." 'Vika yawned.

I threw and arm across his chest. "I'm here. Shut up and sleep. You're making me tired."

'Vika smiled sleepily and within seconds had dropped off.

I contemplated my dream and the effect the drugs had had on me. Neither really made sense.

Could I have been missing Kellan? I'd have to ask Kindle about her, because I would definitely be seeing him again. One did not shake off the royal consort easily.

One was also not supposed to be unconscious for sixty hours after taking a few mediocre mortal drugs.

A few hours later, the front door slammed shut, and Nicolai came carefully into our darkened room. "Dev? Has he woken yet?"

"Shh..." I whispered. "'Vika's sleeping."

Nicolai looked startled before rushing forward. "Cal! We were so-"

"Shut up!" I hissed, and 'Vika stirred slightly.

Nicolai immediately quieted down. "He hasn't slept at all for the past few days…"

I nodded in agreement, and slowly removed my arm. 'Vika murmured something, but he didn't wake up.

I got up slowly, swaying with dizziness and weakness, unused to being upright.

Nicolai caught me before I fell, and hugged me tightly. I tensed up, surprised, and startled, and gratified when he laid his cheek against my head and exhaled softly.

"I was so worried. We all were. We didn't know what had happened, and we didn't know how to fix it. We couldn't even call in a doctor because 'Vika warned us not to."

"Why did he do that?" His shirt muffled my voice, but he didn't seem to care. His arms tightened around me, and I tentatively raised my own arms to wrap them loosely around his waist. It felt fabulous.

"Some reason about you not wanting to talk to doctors ever again, and he threatened to leave and take you with him."

I giggled a little at the idea of 'Vika lugging around my body as he tried to escape from Nicolai, Alexes and a horde of doctors.

Nicolai kissed my hair softly, and I stiffened again.

He ignored it.

"You know," he whispered softly, "you're going to have to tell us why you're so afraid of hospitals and why you've waged war on doctors."

"Nuh uh." I breathed in the scent of him. It was a soothing smell, like cinnamon and sugar, and so, completely him, the different aspects of both seasonings mixing and merging together when one wouldn't have thought they'd equal a perfect balance.

"Why not?"

"Because I can't."

"Why not?"

"I can't." My voice cracked, and his chest heaved in a sigh.

He pulled me a little way away from him. I hated the distance. "'Rica…Tell me."

I gazed up at him, feeling much the same way I did when I had first followed Kindle into bed.

I knew it was wrong, knew it would hurt, but oh, how I wanted it, needed it, especially right then when he knew it too. It was a low, liquid yearning that made my chest tighten, and my throat constrict, and I gave into it.

I slapped his hand away and threw my arms around his neck and kissed him as hard as I could.

He was obviously startled, he stumbled back a step, and his arms came up around me to keep us both upright.

He even returned the kiss for a second, his mouth opening when I asked, before he gasped and jerked away, shoving me back.

"Cal! You can't!"

I stared up at him from where I had landed on the floor, and felt my eyes tearing up. "But…"

His dark eyes lightened up a little, softening, before they became resolute. "No, Cal. I'm sorry."

I scowled at him. "Fine." The door closed again, and some voices were coming down the stairs. I smirked at Nicolai evilly, standing up and joining 'Vika on the bed again. He cuddled into my embrace.

"Look's like Alexes is back. Go on then. Tell him the good news."

Nicolai actually looked hurt for a minute, and really regretful, but it was too late for him to say anything, as Alexes and, surprise surprise, Kindle and Cerise came in.

"Is he awake yet, Nic?"

Nicolai barely covered up his jump. "Huh? Oh. Yea, he's awake. Dev's sleeping now though."

Cerise shrugged. "It's Cal we want to talk to."

Nicolai and Alexes both stared at me, but I ignored them, glaring at Cerise.

"What do you want?"

Alexes grinned suddenly. "Forgive him his manners, Cerise." He winked at me. I was completely forgiven by him. "He hasn't learnt how to treat such pretty ladies like yourself."

Kindle sniggered and I grinned at him.

"Yes, well…" The air had gotten colder.

Alexes looked around, and jerked his head towards the stairs. "Coming, Nic?"

Nicolai took one last look at me, which I steadfastedly ignored. I hadn't forgiven him yet. The rejection hurt more than I cared to admit.

They went upstairs again, Alexes complaining to Nicolai about how fast the heating went in these rooms.

Kindle sniggered again. "How's it going, Cal?"

"Is the mortal asleep, Arical?"

"Yea." I yawned and sat up again.

Kindle regarded me with interest. "Who have you been kissing?"

I shrugged.

Cerise glared at both of us. "He hasn't been kissing anyone, you imbecile. Arical, we need to ask you… How did it feel when I kissed you?"

"It hurt. It tasted disgusting."

Kindle whistled, long and low. "That's a shot down, isn't it your highness."

"Shut up, Kindle." Cerise snapped. She turned back to me. "And when Kindle kissed you?"

"It hurt."

"It didn't taste bad?" Cerise sounded somewhat insulted.

I grinned at Kindle and winked. "He tasted as good as he ever did. Except for the acid burning my tongue, of course."

Kindle smirked back. "It must be Cerise then."

She scowled at him. "Shut up. Address me by 'Your Highness'."

Kindle leapt up and swept a bow. "Yes, your highness." His eyes refused to leave hers.

I could see Cerise resisting the urge to stamp her foot. "Stop it, Kindle!"

I suddenly turned to Kindle. "Is Kellan alright?"

He smiled at me, a genuine smile. "Yea. She misses you."

Cerise snorted. "That soft hearted bitch."

Kindle growled at her, his eyes flaring red. "Watch it, your highness. She's far better mannered than you will ever be."

Cerise opened her mouth to argue, and, although I agreed with Kindle, I intervened.

"Shush, Kindle. Cerise, let Kellan come down here. We'll see how it feels to kiss her, and she's clever enough to find out a reason why the difference in reactions."

Cerise narrowed her eyes at me, but couldn't think up a logical, working argument. Kellan was one of the cleverer ones in our clan.

'Vika stirred, and I hastily lay down again. "Pretend you're just visiting. He's suspicious enough of you as it is."

"Then we shall kill him." Cerise said smugly. I could imagine how much she wanted to, and I shivered.

"You do, Cerise, and I will kill myself. Then you will never have me back. Ever."

She glared at me. "You wouldn't."

"Try me."

Kindle scowled. "How can you love a mortal so much?" His voice was disgusted.

I sighed, and tried to explain it, for his sake. "It's like there's one soul between us… It'd just be impossible to live with half of yourself missing, or dead."

Kindle shook his head, utterly confused by my behaviour. The concept was beyond him. It was saddening, to think that this had been our lives in the other world, not knowing what true love and loyalty was.

Or maybe we did. Kellan and our loyalty to the primitive group was proof of that. So where did it separate. Where it became family? Or where it ripped lovers apart?

"'Rica?" 'Vika's voice was slurred and sleepily thick.

"I'm right here, 'Vika. How did you sleep?"

He gave me a bright smile, not knowing there were other people in the room. I could almost hear Kindle's breath catch. He had always been fascinated by beautiful things, and 'Vika was nothing but beautiful when he smiled like that.

I smiled back. "Are you hungry?" He probably hadn't eaten at all while I had been out.

"Mmhm…"

"Kay. Let's go bug Nicolai and Alexes for food then, shall we?" I glared daggers at Cerise and Kindle, who angrily took the hint and left quietly.

"Kay…" he yawned, and I slid off the bed to help him up.

He hugged me once he was up.

"I was so worried…" he murmured into my shoulder. "Don't ever do that again, please? I tried and I tried but you never answered."

I nodded, hugging him back, before letting him go. "Okay now?"

He nodded, and slowly wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
"All right." He looked at me suddenly and grinned.

I blinked at him. "What?"

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Huh?" I actually backed up a pace, shocked. "You know I'd rather have a boyfriend if the choice was open."

He grinned at me. "I know. But then who's Kellan?"

I stopped and turned to look at him. "Huh?"

'Vika shrugged. "Kellan. You were muttering about her going missing and how much you loved her." I gave me a sly look. "I was almost jealous."

I groaned. "Kellan's just a friend. I loved her, but like I love Keri. Maybe a little more." I paused, considering. "Yea, a little more."

'Vika grinned at me. "Okay. It's a good thing I wasn't jealous."

"Why weren't you?"

'Vika shrugged, and overtook me on the stairway. "I thought she sounded like a dear. If you ever see her again," he turned his head to look at me over his shoulder, "I'd like to meet her."

I could only wish she would come, and hope that he could.