Page 18 of Heatbound Hearts

Naia's grin widens. "It feels... right. Like I've found a part of myself I didn't know was missing."

I nod, understanding all too well. "Magic has a way of doing that. Now, let's see if you can maintain that sphere while creating another shape..."

I find myself constantly adjusting my teaching style. Naia's rapid progress demands more advanced techniques, while Kairos requires a more methodical approach but no less challenging. It's different from how most noctari learn, but I find myself enjoying it immensely.

I watch Kairos intently, my eyes narrowing as he manipulates the shadows with increasing skill. His fingers dance through the air, coaxing the darkness into intricate patterns. There's a glint in his silver eyes, a hunger for knowledge that both impresses and unnerves me.

"Excellent," I say, keeping my voice neutral despite the mix of emotions churning inside me. "Now, try to condense the shadows into a solid form."

Kairos's brow furrows in concentration. The air around him seems to thicken, darkness swirling and coalescing into a sphere of pure shadow. It's not just the speed at which he's grasping these concepts that catches my attention, but the raw power behind his manipulations.

Maybe it has something to do with the same gods creating us both.

I circle him slowly, my wings twitching with a hint of unease. "Remember," I caution, "our magic is about balance. It's not just about how much power you can wield, but how precisely you can control it."

He nods, but I'm not sure he's truly listening. His eyes are fixed on the orb of darkness, a predatory smile playing at the corners of his mouth. With a flick of his wrist, the sphere elongates, morphing into a wickedly sharp blade.

"Impressive," I admit, unable to keep the wariness from my voice. "But let's focus on defensive applications for now."

Kairos looks up at me, and for a moment, I catch a glimpse of something in his eyes - a hunger, a desire for power that sends a chill down my spine. He nods again, the shadow blade dissipating into wisps of darkness.

As we continue the lesson, I find myself constantly adjusting my teaching style, pushing Kairos towards more controlled, subtle uses of the magic. But with each new technique I demonstrate, he seems to instinctively grasp not just the mechanics, but the potential for more... aggressive applications.

I make a mental note to keep a very close eye on his progress. While his aptitude for our magic is undeniable, the ease with which he bends shadows to his will is concerning. In the wrong hands, these skills could be devastating.

"Well done," I say as we wrap up the session, my tone carefully neutral. "You've made remarkable progress for a beginner. Tomorrow, we'll work on finer control and defensive techniques."

Kairos nods, a satisfied smirk on his face. As he turns away, I can't help but wonder what I've unleashed by teaching him our ways. The power of twilight and shadow is a delicate balance - one that I hope Kairos will respect.

Just as it has the whole time, I find my gaze drawn to Bronwyn. Her intense focus captivates me, the way her brow furrows slightly as she watches Kairos and Naia manipulate the shadows. I notice the questions forming in her eyes, unspoken but burning with curiosity.

A strong urge wells up inside me to include her somehow, to bridge the gap between her world and mine. Even though she can't perform magic herself, I yearn to share this part of my life with her. It's more than just a desire to teach - it's a need to connect, to let her experience the wonder and beauty of noctari magic through my eyes.

With each passing moment, this feeling grows stronger. My heart races when our eyes meet, and I feel a warmth spreading through my chest. It's as if an invisible thread is pulling us together, growing tighter with every shared glance, every silent exchange.

Keeping her eyes, I perform a particularly intricate shadow weave, and her green eyes widen in awe, a soft gasp escaping her lips. The pure wonder on her face sends a thrill through me, igniting a fierce desire to show her more, to immerse her in the magic of my world.

My mind races with ideas of how to involve Bronwyn. Perhaps I could channel my magic through her, letting her feel the ebb and flow of twilight energy. Or maybe I could create shadow puppets for her, bringing to life the creatures and landscapes of her old world in swirling darkness.

The urge to reach out and touch her is almost overwhelming. I want to take her hand, to let her feel the magic coursing through my veins. I imagine the spark of connection, the shared moment of wonder as she experiences noctari magic firsthand.

It hits me hard. I want to show her everything.

10

BRONWYN

Iwatch, mesmerized, as Zyx guides Kairos and Naia through another magic lesson. They've been doing them intermittently over the last few days as we travel, and I watch…

Though I mostly watch Zyx.

I thought he was handsome when I first saw him…But looking at him every day as he laughs, his muscles on display, the way his wings move and he commandeers magic…

Gods help me.

Right now, I try to stay focused on their lesson. I need some semblance of control over myself. But even that is difficult because I'm trading one want for another.

My fingers itch with the desire to join in, to feel that power coursing through me. But I know it's impossible. Still, I can't tear my eyes away from the spectacle before me.

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