Chapter Five

The next day was similar to the last, but we made great progress. I rose up two ranks just from our training. We were beginning our next phase when Simeon came in and whispered something to Morgyn.

Morgyn nodded. “Right, break time,” he nodded to me. I also nodded in response and stepped outside. I laid in the grass and gazed out into the vortex. It had become one of my favorite sights. The endless beauty of it’s swirling, the quiet howls that accompanied it, and the various colors it changed to. I loved it all, and it gave me serenity during these stressful times. I thought back to what Morgyn had said about a dragon war. Casualties. I couldn’t bear the thought, but I knew I needed to keep reminding myself of it in order to unleash my full potential. I didn’t realize this would happen, but like Morgyn, I was happy I was in the right place at the right time. 

I laid there for a long time, just imagining what could happen, but in a sense of conditioning myself to be ready for various scenarios. I needed to be ready. 

“Tired?” I heard. I looked up and saw Morgyn standing over me, his hands on his hips and smiling.

“No,” I smiled. “I find peace in this vortex.”

Morgyn looked up. “Ah, yes. It is quite breathtaking.”

I nodded. “Care to skywatch with me then?”

“Of course,” he accepted with a smile. He laid beside me, and we just gazed up at the picture perfect scenery around us. We stayed like that for a long time before we decided to get back to training. We stood up together, and I was extra careful to not bump into him, since that seemed to be happening a lot.

Morgyn took one last look at the sky. “It really is breathtaking,” he smiled. “I haven’t stopped to look at it in a long time. So thank you.”

I smiled triumphantly. “It really is. And no need to thank me.”

Morgyn sighed a little. “I need to do some different training now.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Spellcaster combat.” He looked down at the ground. 

I nodded.  I understood why. “Alright,” I said simply.

He pulled me into a hug, and I yelped in surprise. We didn’t say a word. I wrapped my arms around him, holding him tightly. It wasn’t desire or attraction. I could literally feel his fear, and I wanted to make it better. His heart was racing, his breaths short.

“Thank you,” he said in a near whisper.

I pulled away gently and looked into his eyes. “Morgyn, there’s  no need to thank me,” I said. “I just want all of this to end and put your mind at ease.”

He nodded and smiled warmly at me. I noticed his eyes were glassy, as if he had started to cry. “It will.”

I smiled. He was already trying to look on the bright side. I knew he was still really scared. Everyone was. We didn’t know what would happen from here on out. 

I realized that Morgyn was still gazing at me. I blushed and looked away.

“Right, sorry,” Morgyn also blushed. “Let’s train.” He walked away from me, but close enough to train me. I was actually feeling quite amused. There was something going on in his mind, and it wasn’t just about the dragons.

I ranked up even faster than I had earlier in the day. Combat training was my strong point. I became a Virtuoso, the same rank as Morgyn within a couple of hours.

“I think we are ready to duel,” Morgyn grinned mischievously. 

I laughed. “Shall we?”

Morgyn nodded approvingly. “Yes, let’s. This way.” He walked down a small set of stairs into a little indentation on the floor specifically for duels. I followed him. I was nervous, but confident.

We pulled out our wands, and the duel began. Several people started to crowd around to see the sage kick the student’s ass.

But they didn’t get their wish. I won the duel, picking Morgyn up with magic, officially tapping him out.

I placed him back down gently, and he immediately came running toward me. He hugged me tight. “You did it!” He exclaimed happily. “Great work!”

I smiled happily. “Thank you.”

“You are free to go, if you’d like.” Morgyn gestured outside. “Of course, you don’t have to, but training is over, so do as you please.”

I pondered my options. I could use the down time, as I had trained a lot in the last couple days. On the other hand, though, I really felt like Morgyn and I were getting close, and I didn’t want to appear that I was only in the realm to train.

“I’ll go home,” I said, smiling. “But I could use some company.”

Morgyn smiled too. “Well, that can be arranged.”

I felt giddy, but didn’t want to show it. I just smiled again, heading to the portal. We stepped in and headed to my apartment. We went in, and I flopped down on the couch.

Morgyn laughed. “Tired?”

I nodded. “Yes,” I held up a thumbs up sign. “But it was worth it.”

He laughed again.

“Come sit,” I offered, patting the couch beside me.

Morgyn sat beside me, and I sat up.

“Is it odd that even just  after a couple of days, I already see you as a good friend?” He asked suddenly.

I smiled warmly. “No, it’s not weird,” I assured him. “I see you as the same. Some people just click, you know?”

He nodded. “Yeah. That definitely happened with us.”

I blushed and giggled. He wasn’t wrong.

“So, you asked me if the power balance between us could cause…” he paused. “Attraction.” He looked at me, his green eyes curious. “What made you ask that?”

I blushed. “Oh, I was just wondering.”

He grinned playfully. “No you weren’t.”

My eyes widened. “What?’ I looked at him.

He laughed. “I’m kidding. But it really did seem suspicious.”

I looked down at the floor. I didn’t want to say anything about it. “Yeah, I guess it was.”

“Sorry,” he said, gazing at me apologetically. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“You didn’t,” I smiled. “There’s just a lot on my mind.”

Morgyn nodded. “I know. I think it’s doing that to all of us.” He leaned forward, resting his arms on his legs. “I honestly don’t know how this will play out,” he said. “My only hope is we can nip this quickly.”

I put my hand on his. “We will.”

He blushed and laced his fingers with mine. “You certainly keep my faith strong.”

My eyes widened, and I looked at him. “I-I try,” I smiled nervously.

He smiled warmly back. “It appears we have some hurdles to jump through.”

I looked down and mumbled, “like the fact that I just want to kiss you.”

“What?” He asked.

“Nothing,” I looked up and smiled sweetly back. “I was agreeing with you.”

He raised an eyebrow and slightly tightened his grip on my hand.

Our eyes locked, and just like before, I froze. This really needed to stop. It was making our mission quite a bit harder. At least on me.

There was a knock at the door and I practically jumped up to answer it. Any saving grace from that awkward moment was a good one.

It was Caleb. “Hey!” He smiled. “Sorry, I didn’t call. I was strolling through the city, wanted to stop by, but when I attempted to call, my phone died.”

I giggled. “It’s fine. Come in!”

Morgyn walked up behind me, and Caleb’s expression shifted to uncertainty. “I can come back later if you’d like.”

“No,” I smiled. “Morgyn and I were taking a bit of a break. I’m at the highest level now.”

Caleb looked shocked, but happy. “That’s great!”

I smiled wider, triumphant. 

“She really is incredible,” Morgyn mused. “I’m proud to have her on our side.”

Caleb nodded at him. “She is.”

“Especially with all that is going on,” Morgyn continued, hanging his head.

“The dragons,” Caleb looked at him.

“Yes, the dragons,” Morgyn nodded. “None of us alone are strong enough to take them on. We need all hands on deck, and she will be our biggest asset.”

“Would outside occult help?” Caleb asked, shrugging as if he already knew the answer.

Morgyn also shrugged. “I’m honestly not sure. If it gets really bad, I may try to pull others in.”

“I’ll help in any way I can,” Caleb smiled warmly.

Knowing that the two of them had been together at one point made my heart melt seeing this play out. 

We all went into the living room and sat down. I made sure to stay behind Caleb so he would sit between Morgyn and I. 

“So, Morgyn,” he said. “I almost never see you out and about.”

I grinned. Caleb seemed like he was fishing to see if we were an item.

“Once she ranked up, she wanted to go home and relax. She offered to have me come by to take a break.” Morgyn smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to take your girlfriend.”

My jaw dropped, and Caleb laughed. “Oh, no, we’re not together.”

“But you want to be,” Morgyn winked at him.

“I–” Caleb stopped. “I won’t deny that,” he chuckled nervously. “But it hasn’t happened.” He looked at me. “And I don’t mind if it does or doesn’t.”

I nodded.

Morgyn laughed a little. “Alright, I won’t tease you any more about it.” He looked at the clock. “I should get back, though.”

I smiled. “Call me if you need anything.”

He stood up. “I will. Thank you. And seriously, great work today.”

I stood up and hugged him. “Thank you.”

As Morgyn left, I sat back down.

“Well, that was interesting,” I teased Caleb.

He laughed and started to blush a little. “Well, I don’t like to lie.”

I playfully pushed him down, pinning him with my body. “Well that’s a good quality,” I grinned seductively.

He looked up at me, confused. “I thought you didn’t want this.”

I shrugged. “It’s like another part of me wants this. I just like to follow it.” I leaned toward him and kissed him deeply.

He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me back, closing his eyes. We kissed for quite a while, before he pulled away.

“Jade,” he said, holding his hand up. “I see the way you and Morgyn look at each other.”

I sat up. “What?”

“I don’t want to get between you two.” Caleb sounded hurt. 

“We aren’t an item, and don’t plan to be,” I explained. “And you and I aren’t either.” I furrowed my brow. “I mean, I’m stuck in a weird loop.”

“What do you mean?” He asked.

I needed to tread around this topic carefully. “I’m torn.”

Caleb leaned in to listen.

I sighed and continued, “something is pulling me toward you, and I so badly want to follow it, but…” I stopped myself. Caleb wouldn’t believe the bogus feelings that just suddenly appeared as strong as they did. Even if there was a magic related reason for it, it was just too silly to be taken seriously.

“But?” Caleb nudged my arm gently.

“The moment I met Morgyn, and I guess it can be explained by our power both leaning toward untamed magic, as well as my unexplained power level, but I was immediately drawn into him as well.” I sighed again. “I went from being upset and disgusted with myself that I couldn’t even make it past a first date, only to end up with two guys I’m literally attracted to like magnets.”

Caleb smiled. “Both are explained,” he said. “Why are you beating yourself up over it?”

“Because it’s not fair to either of you!” I exclaimed. “And it’s not fair to me.”

“But what if they both understood and didn’t mind?” Caleb asked.

“Morgyn doesn’t know how I feel, and I don’t plan to tell him,” I glared at Caleb, telling him with my eyes that I didn’t want Morgyn knowing.

Caleb nodded in agreement. “Well, it’s safe with me.”

I smiled. “Thank you.” I had started to feel better. “I’ll tell him when I’m ready.” I looked at Caleb. “But as for us, are we still whatever we are?”

He laughed. “Well, what exactly is that?”

I giggled, realizing how silly I sounded. “Friends, but maybe a little more?”

He smiled, nodding his head. “Sure. That works for me.”

“Good,” I practically pounced on him. 

               (In edited version, this will be a “spicy” scene….)

Chapter Six (click here)