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Blane can never be mine.
He was always Avery’s. It's why he hasn’t been chosen for any of the other magi during past tribunals. With her appearing stronger in ether and him a nature warden, they were all but destined to be a perfect pair.
Wardens train alongside apprentice magi the moment their powers are discovered. They’re often moved from coven to coven, unlike magi, who stay at one from the moment their gifts manifest.
The reason they are so nomadic is that strong bonds between magi and wardens are essential, not just to optimize a magi’s use of magic, but because their lives would be diminished significantly if paired wrong.
Blane came to our coven when he was just eight, and we were but six. Twelve years is a long time not to move, and everyone had assumed it was because he was meant to be paired with Avery.
But no, he wasn’t.
He was meant for me.
Nature wardens are never a good match for ignis, as fire consumes and can best be controlled with earth. If they were paired, it’d be a disaster.
He’s probably so disappointed.
Our bonding may not be ideal, but perhaps we could be friends. We could grow close in our studies. Neverthatclose. Close enough to care.
Looking over at Avery, I’m needled with guilt. Her once jovial face looks stricken.
When I’m being honest with myself, I admit how jealous I was of my friend. Never hatefully so, but still.
I’d thought her lucky to be destine to bond with Blane, a warden of unparalleled talent that looks as though he were crafted by the hands of the Great Magus himself.
Dark hair, piercing green eyes, a smile that could melt a magi. It’s a shock he’s not more inclined towards fire with the way he sets hearts ablaze.
And he’s my warden.
Night and day, he’ll always be present. Guarding me, helping me control my magic, feeling my emotions as only a warden can.
He’ll know I want him. He’ll be disgusted by it.
“You look good in ether,” he says, offering a wolfish grin. He reaches over and touches a lock of my now silvery hair, and I realize my eyes are now the white hue of ether magi.
“I’m sorry!” I blurt, my lip trembling. I fight back tears because I don’t want to look any more pathetic than I truly am.
“Why?”
I nod over at Avery, then return my gaze to Blane without a word.
“If that is what has you anxious, you needn’t worry.” The look on his face suggests honesty.
Does that mean he wants to be tethered to me?
Maven Rissa and her warden Feladar take their places on each side of us, one to our right, the other to our left.
“Position yourselves,” the maven says, holding up the binding cloth.
I bring my hands up, embarrassed by how badly they’re shaking. Feladar has to place them crossed over Blane’s because my limbs refuse to obey me.
“It’ll be okay,” Blane assures me.
Maven Rissa clears her throat and begins.“Earth, fire, water, air, nature—blessed be the blood of old that runs through our veins…”
I whisper the words, unable to take my eyes off Blane’s, whose essence is opening to me.
We glow as our union forges, warden and magi, bonded pair.
