by Talia Jager
“I know,” I answered. “Thank you for considering it.”
Once out of the room, I smiled. Not only was I thrilled my father would think about my suggestion, but I’d see Sorin in three days, which seemed like a lifetime, but I knew they’d go fast.
Three days later, dressed in a short, white, backless dress, I stepped outside the castle after lunch. My father caught up with me as I was walking to the stables where my horse was kept. “I know you don’t want a guard, but Zev goes with you.”
I glanced down at the wolf and nodded. “Okay.”
“Don’t be nervous. Think of him as any other student that needs to be trained,” Father said.
Knowing I wasn’t nervous and this wouldn’t be an issue, I nodded and said, “I can do this.”
“I know you can.” He stepped away so I could climb on the horse.
I raised my hand and took off. The horse galloped down the path toward Summer Land, with Zev running next to us.
When we got to the gate, I slid off the horse and patted his head. Then I bent over and rubbed Zev’s head too. “Watch from here. I’ll be fine.”
Zev blew air through his nose and sat down.
“Thank you.”
I felt weird as I passed through the Summer gates, like I was trespassing.
Sorin waited for me against a tree. The smile on his face when he saw me coming made the heat rush to my cheeks.
I wanted to run to him and throw my arms around his neck, but we were in a public area. Even if there was nobody around, I didn’t feel as if I should.
He had a piece of Timothy grass sticking out of his mouth. “Wow! You look amazing. I’m lucky to have such a good-looking teacher.”
“Stop,” I said softly. “I’m trying to be professional about this.”
He took the grass out of his mouth and flung it to the side. “Okay. I’m ready. Teach away.”
“Fire bending, as you know, is the element of power. You being a Summer Fae know your main source of power is from the sun. Fire bending is aggressive and intense, and because fire is the element of power, you are all about striking first and intent on staying on the offensive. In fire bending, there is very little defense, there is blocking and dodging but not much else. Fire benders try to be on the offensive all the time using swift kicks, whirls, precise punches, and countless diverse shapes for offensive attacks. And in doing this you overwhelm your opponents.”
“How do you know so much about fire bending?” He arched a brow.
“I pay attention in school. Now, onto the next element, earth.”
“Ah, the element of foundation.”
“Very good.”
“You weren’t the only one paying attention in school.”
“Well, we’re still going to discuss it. But you were correct, earth is the element of foundation. Earth is substance. It has solidity. Fae who can earth bend wait and listen for the right moment to strike. They are decisive and patient fighters. They will endure countless attacks from their opponents until the perfect opportunity presents itself to begin a counterattack. Earth bending differs from other bending because earth bending maintains a balance of both offensive and defensive techniques, when other elements favor one or the other.”
Sorin stopped walking. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course,” I said, stopping to look at him.
“Why are we going over this stuff? I’ve heard these things from my previous teachers; granted, they didn’t go into each element, only their own, but for the most part, this is stuff I’ve heard before.”
“For the most part?” I reiterated his words. “So you think you’re ready to go straight into water bending? To understand something like water bending, you need to understand how it works and how it differs from what you already know. Once you know that, the easier learning will be. Yes, you just mastered air and it’s the closest to water in the element cycle, but it’s still so different.”
“I get that they are different.”
I smiled. “Copy me.”
Pushing my left arm toward a small creek that ran not far from where we stood, I turned my hand as if I were scooping up the water and brought it toward me. I raised my arm, palm up toward the sky. The water hovered into a ball about an inch above my hand.
“All right.”
I stood and watched as Sorin attempted to mimic my movements, but they were too stiff, hard, and powerful, and when nothing happened, he looked confused.
“Watch more closely this time. It’s not enough to just do the movements, you have to feel them too.”
Using my right hand, I bent it gracefully up and down, which caused the ball to turn into a stream of water that moved like a ribbon in a gentle breeze.
“Now try again.”
Sorin’s movements were still stiff and hard, but not as much. The little difference he made caused him to move a bit of the water I controlled.
Sorin sighed. “Man.”
“You see it’s not enough to know. You also need to learn, feel, and understand. Just because you are an Elemental doesn’t mean it is all going to come easy to you. You can’t learn all of this with brute force and strength. To learn water bending, you have to be able to let go and let your energy flow through you and direct it but not control it. With the three elements you’ve been trained in comes a lot of strength, but as someone who is gifted in being able to bend and connect each element, you need to understand that the only time faeries should be harmed by your abilities is when you’re protecting others. Even then, if they see your strength and power, sometimes a demonstration is more powerful than an actual hit. Water has the potential to be threatening when demonstrated correctly, but the lessons in learning how to water bend will eventually help you focus and have ultimately better control over the other three elements. Being an Elemental, it is not your job to harm, but to show them the power you possess. To let others know you will do what’s necessary to protect the fae, the land, and the realm.”
“I understand.”
“Okay, so back to the lesson?”
“You mean back to training?”
“Good, I’m glad you are seeing this as training now. So where were we?”
Sorin smiled and motioned for us to continue walking down a path. “Well, before I stuck my foot in my mouth, you were about to start on air.”
“Air is the element of independence, an element of freedom and release. Air benders search for connections around them and spiritual enlightenment. So they utilize their bending every day to connect to the element they are able to bend and the connections around them. The key to air bending is flexibility but also resistance. Air bending is notable for being almost purely defensive, as well as the most dynamic of the four elements. Air benders have the ability to overwhelm their opponents at once with large and powerful attacks that have the potential to be fatal. But, as you know, because of their peaceful nature, they rarely use those types of those attacks unless absolutely necessary and there is no other option. They adapt well to changing situations, so because of that, they prefer using evasive maneuvers as opposed to direct confrontation.”
“So now water bending?”
I smiled. “Now water bending.”
“All right. Teach me something new.”
“Water is the element of change. The fighting style of water benders is fluid, graceful, and in sync with the environment. We deal with the flow of energy; we let our defenses become our offenses. We turn our opponents’ forces against them. Even when we take an attack stance, our moves flow from one to the other. Water benders’ strength is great in its versatility: rather than having offensive and defensive moves, water bending’s defensive techniques can be transformed into attacks and counters, defense into offense. Water benders get their main source of power from the moon; it’s when we are the most powerful. Before there were teachers, faeries learned to bend water by watching how the moon pushes and pulls the tides. Water is a flowing element, an element of change; water teaches
us forgiveness and healing. To be able to master water, you must first be able to release your emotions wherever they find you or wherever they may lead you. You have to be able to let go of what you cannot change, so that you can learn acceptance, because acceptance flows like water.”
“Wow.”
“What?”
“The way you talk about this stuff, the respect you have for all types of bending and the other elements. It’s pretty amazing. But the way you talk about your own bending, well, it’s something else.”
“How so?”
“The pride you show when you speak about it. It’s amazing seeing that kind of passion; it’s quite a sight to behold.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. What now?”
“We’re done for the day.”
“So we’re not going to do any more bending?”
“Nope. I’m sure I’ve given you a lot to think about.”
“That you did. When will we train again?” he asked as we made it to the gates that opened to Winter Land.
“Next week. We’ll do once a week until you’ve mastered it.” I fought the urge to put my lips on his.
“Your place or mine?” He inched closer.
“Your place. I need you in a familiar and comfortable setting and relaxed before we move training to my land. But until then really think about what I said about water bending. Letting go can be one of the hardest things to do, but once you can, the water will flow.”
“Okay,” he said as I stepped through the gate.
As soon as my feet touched the snow, I turned to look at him. We gazed at each other in silence for a long minute.
“Aurora,” he said, nodding, keeping it professional.
“Sorin.”
“Today was enlightening. Until next time.”
I smiled. “Yes, until next time.”
Then he grabbed hold of the bars of the gate and said, “Always.”
With my heart leaping, I responded, “Always.” Taking a deep breath, I turned and walked back to my horse.
Only a few days later, I waited until the castle lights were turned off, then I peeked out the window watching the village. The moonlight bounced off the snow, and I could easily see there was no one about. I cracked my door and shut it behind me, then tiptoed out of the castle to the barn where the horses were. It felt weird sneaking off without Raina and Ivy. I led Mistale out beyond the tree line and then got on. I rode her for a while, before letting her fly.
Sorin’s horse was already there when I landed. I slid down and patted Mistale’s nose before hurrying off to the falls. Sorin stood by the water skipping rocks. My heart filled with joy, and I pulled up my long, silver dress and started running to him, wings fluttering behind me.
He turned around with a smile on his face and opened his arms, catching me as I flung myself into them. I held him tightly for a moment before pulling away. He looked at me with an intense desire that made me want to melt.
The back of his hand gently brushed my cheek. I shivered. His touch was like fire against my skin. Slowly, he pressed his lips to mine. I knotted my hands in the back of his hair and deepened the kiss. With his hand on my back, he gently laid me on the ground and swept the hair from my face. He kissed next to my ear, then my neck, and our eyes met. It was a moment of truth. A moment of love. As if everything in the realm was waiting on this precise second in time. We didn’t move, didn’t think, didn’t breathe. It was as if time stood still.
I parted my lips, and as if it were a signal, he lowered his mouth to mine in the most tender kiss. I pull him closer, and a warmth started deep within me and spread out so hot tingles ran through my whole body. I let myself get lost as I focused on his caress and warmth. I felt him everywhere, and I didn’t want it to stop.
He finally broke away, his breathing ragged, and I could see in his eyes just how much he loved me. He fell beside me, and I snuggled up next to him.
As we lay watching the night sky, he ran his fingers up and down my arms. “Tell me, if you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?”
“That’s easy. The land I come from. I’d be a Summer Fae, and we could be together,” I answered.
He shook his head. “No. Not that. Something physical.”
“That would be…my whole look would change: hair color, wing color, all of it.”
“Don’t you like it now?”
“Yes. I do. But I’d rather be with you. Would you? Change the land you’re from to be with me?” I asked.
“In a heartbeat.”
“Okay then.”
“What about if I was a Winter faerie, so you wouldn’t have to switch. What would you change then?”
After thinking for a minute, I answered, “I’d like to be a little taller. Not too tall, just a little.”
“You’re the perfect size.”
“What about you? What would you change?”
“My hair. Too boring, and I’d like to grow it out a little longer, but my mother says it’s not appropriate.”
I laughed, propped myself up on my elbow, and ran my hand through his hair. “Your hair is fine, although you’d look just as handsome with longer hair.”
There was a noise behind us, and I jumped. Looking over my shoulder, I saw Zev coming toward us. How did he find us? Feeling Sorin tense up, I took his hand and said, “Sorin, this is Zev. He’s my protector. Although I usually am able to sneak here without him, he’s apparently found me. He’s just watching over me, but he’ll attack anyone he thinks is a threat.”
Turning over Sorin’s hand so that it was palm up, I outstretched our hands and waited for Zev to approach. The wolf came over to us and sniffed our hands. I could feel Zev’s confusion as to why we were so close together. “It’s okay,” I told him. “We love each other.” I leaned closer to Sorin.
Zev looked at both of us and then pushed on our hands with his head. I turned my hand over and rubbed his head. “Good boy.”
He sat down in front of us almost as if to say he accepted our relationship. I reached out and stroked his fur. “Wolves are my favorite animals. They’re smart, protective, and loving if you let them be. Not to mention beautiful. What’s your favorite?”
“Bears are interesting animals, but they’re big. I like birds, like the eagle, who can spread his wings and soar.” His own wings flapped a few times. “But I’d have to say my horse is my favorite.”
I leaned into Sorin again and relaxed as his fingers ran up and down my arm, stopping every once in while to trace my snowflakes.
“Do you prefer sunrises or sunsets?” Sorin asked.
“Sunsets,” I said.
“Why?”
“They remind me of you.” I looked at his wings.
“I love sunrises because it means a brand new day has begun.”
Slowly, he ran his thumb over my lips. “Next time would you bring a book and read to me?”
His request surprised me. “Really?”
“I love the sound of your voice, and I want to know what you like to read.”
“Okay.”
Zev let out a growl, and I snapped my head to him. “Someone’s coming.”
“We need to hide.”
We both looked around. We didn’t have time to get anywhere else. We had to find something close by, but I saw nothing…except… “I have an idea, but it’s going to be cold.”
“I can handle it.”
I pulled him to a place near the rocks and with a wave of my hand, raised a wall of ice that wrapped around the other three sides. I wiggled my fingers, making sure a quick layer of snow would cover the ice so nobody could see us through the ice, but that meant we couldn’t see out either.
There was just enough room for the three of us to stand. I thought about the horses for a minute, but even if they were found, wild horses live everywhere.
I could hear voices, but the ice muffled them, and I couldn’t make out what they were saying. The voices traveled from one side to the oth
er and back again. Hurry up and go! What’s taking so long?
Sorin shivered, and I wrapped my arms around him. I wasn’t very warm, but I was warmer than the ice. Zev inched closer to him, trying to help in his own way.
Sorin’s teeth chattered, and I looked up at his face. His lips were slightly blue. Thinking about what to do, I put my lips on his and kissed him.
“You…want…to…make out…now?”
“It’ll keep you warm,” I whispered and kissed him.
After a few seconds, he started kissing back. My whole body flushed with heat, and I hoped his did the same. I arched my neck, allowing him to kiss me there. I bit my lip to prevent a moan from escaping my lips. Guiding his head back to mine, I touched my lips to his again, and the kiss deepened.
Zev let out a soft bark and I pulled away. The voices were gone. Out of breath, I asked, “Are they gone, boy?”
He barked again.
With a flick of my hand, the ice melted. I glanced into Sorin’s eyes. “Are you okay?”
He licked his lips. “Yes. We should probably go. They might circle back.”
I nodded, not wanting to move one inch from where I stood next to him. Gripping his jacket in my hands, I buried my face in his chest and took deep breaths. “I wish we could stay here forever, just the two of us.”
“Me too.”
I leaned in and kissed him one last time for the night.
“I’ll see you in a few days,” he said.
“It’s still too long.”
“I know. I love you.”
“Always,” I answered.
“Always.”
The whole experience got me thinking that even if we were allowed to be together, even if we could get married, how would we live? I didn’t like it when it was hot, and he’d freeze in my land.
Later that day as I was walking from training to class, Tannon caught up to me. “Hey, Rory.”
“Hey.” I looked back up at the sky, wondering what Sorin was doing right now. Was he thinking of me?
“Hello?” His voice cut into my daydream.
“Sorry. What did you ask?”
“I wondered if you’d like to go on a walk tonight?”