“A kinship?” the shadow demon asked.
The witch rolled her eyes. “Even after that spectacular display, youstillhaven’t worked it out? How embarrassing, Del’Raxxin. I thought more of you.”
“Worked what out?” Zelrus asked.
“To put it into layman’s terms, Faye and Raxx are soulmates. What you saw in the courtyard yesterday was their majick ‘bonding’, if you will.”
Raxx closed his eyes, exasperated and embarrassed.
“Soulmates?” Zelrus replied incredulously.
Tabitha’s eyes shimmered as she spotted Vorg. The witch reached out and smoothed her fingertips over the bird’s feathers. The raven cocked his head, looking up at her almost quizzically.
“Kindred spirits, one true love, heart’s desire – whatever you want to call it,” she said. “Raxx and Faye share a bond, one that has been laid out for them since the beginning of time. Their elemencia are mirror images of one another and, in a curious way that I am yet to fully understand, this enables them to share their energy with one another.”
“If we are such a good match for one another, why was I unable to touch her?” Raxx argued.
Tabitha scoffed. “A good match? That’s putting it lightly.”
Raxx scowled.
“When I told you that you needed to persevere, I meant it both literally and metaphorically. You’re each harbouring a strong elemencia, it made sense there would be sparks when they clashed. You just needed the right motivation to see the transition through to completion,” the witch explained.
Zelrus released a long sigh. “I’m not following.”
“The details do not matter. Bonded elemencia are far stronger than you can begin to imagine. Simply? It boils down to Raxx and Faye being inseparable here on in,” Tabitha replied.
“Hang on, that’s a bit keen,” Raxx argued.
Tabitha turned to look at him. “Oh really? So, you’re not itching all over right now, wondering where Faye is and what she’s doing?”
Raxx hesitated, before answering. “No.”
Tabitha continued to stare at him.
“...Because I already know she’s downstairs with her sister. I sensed her arrive a few moments ago,” he muttered.
“See?” Tabitha grinned and turned back to face the king.
“I really haven’t got time for this shit,” Zelrus muttered under his breath. “Do whatever you need to do, Raxx. Hold hands day and night for all I care, just make sure you’re available when I need you – and that goes for Faye too. Don’t make things more difficult than they already are.”
“Is that possible?” Raxx smirked.
“Well, my younger sister is in Banesteppe and her body is inhabited by a witch, so I would say yes – it’s entirely possible at this point.”
The king headed back to the door and both Raxx and Tabitha followed behind him.
“Thank you for your insights, witch. You may take your leave with Raxx.”
“ I will stay a moment if it’s all the same to you. I am actually here to speak with you, King Zelrus,” Tabitha retorted.
They emerged into the corridor and Zelrus paused, his brow furrowing with confusion.
Raxx glanced between Tabitha and the king. Eventually, Zelrus nodded his head and gestured for the witch to follow him back into his office.
Relieved to be dismissed, Raxx turned and hurried from the compound. Though his curiosity burnt at him to know what Tabitha wanted with Zelrus, he wasn’t keen to hang around a moment longer than necessary.
Raxx let himself out into the courtyard. Though thankfully the bodies had been removed and the worst of the gore scrubbed from the cobbles, some patches of snow still remained a dirty, dark red. Raxx would be glad when a fresh dusting of snow fell.
