There was a heavy, tension-laden pause. Raxx sat still and silent, desperate to know what question lingered on Faye’s tongue.
“What does that mean for us?”
Raxx quirked a brow. “Elaborate.”
“Well, if your elemencia is shadow and mine is light – those are opposites, right? What happens when two opposing elemencia enchantments are used against one another?”
“I’ve never experienced it, but I’ve seen some of the more common elemencias used against one another in the past. Usually, whoever is the most powerful will succeed,” Raxx replied.
“Oh.”
“Oh indeed. I wouldn’t recommend blasting me with one of your enchantments, princess. It probably wouldn’t end well for you,” he teased with a cocky grin.
Faye scowled. “I wasn’t planning on doing anything of the sort.”
“Good. Now, gloves off – I want you to try to conjure and maintain a small flame just like this.” Raxx held up his still flickering violet flame.
“I’m not sure if I’ll be able to,” Faye mumbled, obediently tugging one of her gloves off.
“Just focus. The same way you just re-lit the fire, but less force – unless you want to singe the eyebrows right off your face.”
Faye shot him a playful scowl. Pressing her lips together with determination, she clicked her fingers together. Sparks flew, but no flames. “See, I told you I couldn’t do it!” she whined.
“Try again.”
Faye clicked her fingers together once more. More sparks, brighter this time. The faerie tried another five times before a small flame flickered to life. It was small, barely surviving a couple of seconds, but it was there. Raxx schooled his expression to one of no emotional response, masking his surprise. The flames were pure white – brighter and more dazzling than anything he had ever seen.
“This is hard,” Faye complained with a heavy sigh.
“It is when you first start learning, but it will get easier,” Raxx replied.
Faye looked pale and drawn. Dark circles marred her pretty face, betraying her exhaustion. Raxx allowed the flames at his fingertips to disappear. “That’s enough for one night. You need to rest.”
At the suggestion of sleep, Faye’s eyes flickered with concern. “You’re right,” she murmured, pulling her glove back on. She stretched her fingers inside the leather, taking her time to tuck the end beneath her sleeve.
Raxx watched silently as Faye readied herself for bed. Every move was slow and deliberate, like she was dragging it out, avoiding the inevitable. She clambered gracelessly into the tent and fluffed the bedding that was already laid out inside. She hesitated, smoothing her hand across the small travel pillow.
“So, um, are you sleeping?” Faye shot him a confused smile. “Is that a weird thing to ask?”
“I was planning to, but I doubt I’ll need more than an hour or two. You can rest assured that I’ll be standing vigil nearby.”
“How near?” she asked quietly.
Raxx hesitated for a moment, weighing up his choice of answers. “How near would you like me to be?” Though he hadn’t meant for his response to sound like a solicitation, Raxx couldn’t deny the surprised flush he elicited from the faerie was a desirable reaction.
“Raxx,” Faye scolded with a short laugh. She stared at her hands in her lap. “I’m serious.”
“So am I. Innuendos aside, I wouldn’t be against staying close, if it would put your mind at ease.”
“Yes, I’d like you to stay here with me. It was scary enough when you left me for a few hours in the day, never mind…” Faye trailed off.
“In the dark,” Raxx answered, finishing her sentence.
Faye fiddled with her bedding, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth.
“Is something on your mind, princess?”
Faye paused thoughtfully for a moment. Her fist tightened into a ball and she turned to look up at him. “Forgive me if this sounds forward, but would you be happy to spend the night with me here?”
