~Vaxan~
I had another lead pertaining to Winter’s situation.
Just not the particular one I’d told him, Evira, and Zayn that I was researching. The one they knew about—Winter’s issues with his feeding—was still in progress. Unfortunately, it was dearly time-consuming, and I also had to be careful with who I reached out to, which resources I tapped, when I tapped them, and also how I went about doing so.
In essence, I had to do it in parts, so that word wasn’t put out there to anyone as to the precise nature of what I was investigating, because it wouldn’t take much to make the connection to Winter being the one I was trying to assist. And if that became the case, it would become known he was in distress, which would lead to panic about him being unstable.
He wasn’t.
He just needed help with this.
Care and understanding. Support.
The feeding situation was already a difficult enough task to see to without any of that further complicating matters. This was something that had never existed before, and never would again, given Winter’s miraculous one-of-a-kind nature. And, yes, I wasconcerned that Winter had been right—Ruxnoth may hold the only solution. He’d clearly overridden Winter’s ability to use thelifebloodof others to make himself feel alive, to give him temporary reprieve from his death-cold state. That also meant that he had a means stronger than the feeding. Otherwise, how would it have been overridden in such a profound way? Winter hadn’t divulged these specific details—due to that shame he carried so deeply… with so much—but it hadn’t taken much for somebody like me versed with deep knowledge on a wealth of different magic systems and supernatural physiological makeups to determine that.
So, while I was pursuing that, and being driven into a state of frustration even I, as patient as I was known for being, could barely contain, I was also pursuing something else.
Whenever I’d left campus over the last few weeks, only half of my time had gone to the feeding issue, the rest had been seeing to this.
And fortunately, things were close to reaching fruition where this was at least concerned.
I rolled my shoulders as I strode out of the main building, the sun setting, meaning I didn’t have to concern myself with timing regarding my crown’s Sunveil shield.
I adjusted my black leather blazer, this one without any fancy spikes or embellishments, just necessarily plain for this mission, so I didn’t draw undue attention to myself.
I had to stop briefly to properly tuck my black jeans into my boots, as I’d rushed out. Yes, jeans. For me. I was on a mission, not looking to make an impression. Although, yes, they were of a luxurious material and design. I wasn’t a savage.
“Vax! Hold up!”
I jolted at the sound of that beautifully familiar voice.
Although, also one of my reasons for rushing.
I’d wanted to leave and return while my loves were otherwise engaged. I hadn’t wanted to entertain more questions that I’d then have to evade or redirect. Winter was supposed to be in his dormitory working on complex spellwork puzzles that Sylas had given him to complete before their next training session. He wasn’t to perform them, only to rewrite the spells accordingly, then they would test his success practically during their next session. Zayn was in his Flamecraft class. And Evira was working on her Exalt project. I’d purposely taken a step back for a couple of the gatherings so as not to overshadow her. She could most definitely shine on her own, but due to my seniority and being involved more deeply in the political aspect of being an heir to a formidable kingdom, I’d noticed her second-guessing herself and starting to defer to me. I didn’t want that. She needed to shine so very brightly.
I spun just as Winter reached me halfway across the quad.
“What’s the matter?” I asked, registering the urgency all over him. It was in his mussed hair, his racing pulse, his wide eyes darting about erratically.
He sucked in a breath, trying to steady himself. “I just… you didn’t text me back.”
I’d checked my phone not four minutes ago. Since then, I’d put it on silent.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t see it,” I said, reaching out and stroking the arm of his hoodie that was shrugged on over his gray tee haphazardly, half off one shoulder, in fact.
“I just… I was asking if you wanted to have something to eat while I took a ten-minute break from all that heavy spellwork.” He winced. “Then I… might have tracked you with Soul Track and it looked like you were leaving. You only head through the quad in this direction when you’re about to go off campus.”
This was deeply concerning.
“Winter, I’m merely chasing down another lead.” I noted the few students milling about, and spoke carefully, “Regarding the issue we discussed at Zayn’s former home.”
“You… really?”
I frowned. “What did you think I was doing?”
“I thought you’d been called back home. Forced, actually. And that you didn’t want to tell us.”
I took his hands in mine. “I’ve told you that I won’t be summoned home, that I’ve dealt with it via texts and calls to the satisfaction of all involved. The only way I will return home will be when I wish it. There will be no orders coming down from on high to make it so.”
