Destin appraised the new Fire Journeyman with a hint of suspicion. Never before had he met any human who did not need some healing. Always there was at least a light call that beckoned him to renew or repair what was injured or broken. But from Cyrus, there was nothing.

The Fire Council had taken some time to choose who was worthy of becoming a student of the heir apparent of the Fire Master. It had been Rosemund's call for a healer that had decided Cyrus' fate. Destin had done all that Water could do to heal the wounds the Queen had inflicted on the Priestess, but it was not enough; Rosemund needed a Fire healer. And, just as with Water, healing was a rare gift amongst those with Fire magic.

A hand grasped him, prompting Destin to turn towards its source. Paulo arched an eyebrow before squeezing Destin's shoulder lightly.

"Stop staring. You are making Cyrus uncomfortable," the Master instructed, then transitioned to a quieter voice. "What troubles you?"

"I hear no call from him. Even with those who can heal, they usually have something they cannot touch," Destin whispered back, not entirely taking his eyes off of the Fire apprentice as he spoke with Agnes and Rosemund.

"Ah, yes, that is unusual. Perhaps he can block the call?" Paulo stroked his beard and examined the tall black man who had arrived in the Vale that morning. "I have not heard of such an ability. We will have to ask Rosemund. Now that she has regained her healing gift, perhaps Fire will call what Water does not."

"Perhaps," Destin had not thought of this possibility, there were very few injuries that Water could not heal, but when they were present, it was always in a Fire magicker.

"Agnes seems relieved by his arrival," Paulo shifted the conversation, and Destin followed his cue. There was no reason to dwell on this mystery now; Destin carried enough burdens. He surveyed the Fire Master, who was sister-in-law to Paulo, and agreed that her happiness at Cyrus' arrival appeared to be more akin to deliverance. She was likely relieved to have the burden of teaching removed from her completely. Since the return of her daughter, Agnes had changed. The wound she had carried with such ill grace cracked wide open, flooding Destin with anger and fear before he realized the source. Rosemund had used the opportunity to teach Raja an aspect of Fire healing, searing an open wound. It was not as subtle as Water but effective in its way. Agnes still would not come to Destin for healing. She did not trust the blood that ran through his veins.

"Yes, she has been torn in her responsibilities of late," Leena joined them. Paulo's sister slipped her hand into Destin's companionably. She had decided they would be friends, and Destin did not have the power, or will, to deny her. Her companionship had filled some of the void created by Natalia's choice.

As if summoning her with his thoughts, Natalia walked into the sitting room accompanied by her Bond-mate and lover, Raja. Destin suppressed the jealousy that always rose in his chest when he saw them together, especially now that her belly swelled with his child. Her thin frame revealed her pregnancy even in this early stage. He could feel Natalia's ambivalence about the life growing inside of her, as well as her choice to mate with Raja, and could do nothing.

"Agnes will be happy to spend more time with Rian," Destin agreed. With Cyrus' arrival that day, and Vinder's arrival last month, the Councils had nearly completed their tasks. The Water Council still pondered. Many apprentices had petitioned to come to the Vale run by an Elemental Master who was more potent in Water magic than most Water Masters. Destin did not know for what to hope. He was unsure if he was ready to share Natalia with another Water mage.

"Oh, that child is an odd one. Nothing like the niece I once knew. How the Earth Council could have done that to such a sweet child...." Leena stopped with a quick gesture from her brother. Paulo did not condone any ill talk of the Council, and to Destin's surprise, his brother, Jordan, agreed. The two men had spent hours together in conference when Rian arrived back in the Vale, deciding how best to proceed. Dietrich and Agnes had been understandably angered by the brothers' choice not to confront the Earth Council, but Rian had seemed almost proud.

Politics was something Destan held a strong familiarity with; Castle Miritis was full of court intrigue. Only his priestly robes and sister's fierce will had kept him safe, though his sister did not protect him out of any familial obligation. He would have died with his mother if he had not been a healer.

"I do find it odd that she is also with child. What are the Elements playing at?" Leena wondered aloud as Rian entered with Agnes, her svelte frame also now showing the growing life. This life was more decidedly male than the one in Natalia's womb. His sessions with Rian had been quite strained. She would not let him do any healing and would not let him into her mind. Though the call to heal her was strong, he could only monitor the child. Rian wanted her scars.

"I am not sure if her being with child is the will of the Elementals or the will of Rian," Paulo commented distractedly, his eyes fixed on Mara, who entered with Persephone and Vinder. Destan examined the threesome and wondered what Paulo thought was important. Then, Destan saw the slight touch of Mara's hand on Vinder's arm as they spoke. Knowing her past, understanding her fears, seeing her touch a man so casually struck Destan as curious as well. "She is a strong-willed woman. Never much of a slave to the Mother as equal. Much like her father."

"We shall see, I suppose. And stop staring at Mara. This is new enough for her that she doesn't need your scrutiny," Leena scolded Paulo and Destan. Both looked at her with surprise. "I doubt even Mara understands what she is feeling yet, poor thing. She has always sought the company of women but has never truly been in love."

"But he is her student," Destan protested.

"As is Natalia yours," Leena countered with a sly smile. "And yet,"

"And yet," Paulo's repetition stopped the rest of Leena's words but not her laugh. "There is no rule against consensual relationships between Journeyman and Masters, it is frowned upon when they are officially paired, but Mara is not Vinder's Master. And Vinder will be a Master soon enough. He will leave us soon."

"Yes, but his presence has been such a boon to Raja and Natalia. They are well into their Journey talents now." Leena beamed in pride.

"Journey talents! I know masters who can't do what they do." Paulo rubbed his beard. "We will not be able to judge them as we do others."

"No, but we already knew that." Leena had the last word as Jiyun came in with the servers.

"Please be seated for dinner," Jiyun ordered, and all obeyed without hesitation.

Destan found himself sitting next to the new addition. Cyrus' dark skin was such a stark contrast to his pallor that he felt they must resemble the twin gods of some of the foreign temples. Destan would have to look up their names when he had the chance to visit the library.

"Healer," Cyrus held out his hand, and Destan accepted it. The man's hands were smooth and warm, not the course hands of many who work with Fire.

"Healer," Destan replied. "We are well met."

"Indeed, Master Rosemund has sung your praises since I arrived. I was hesitant to complete what you had started."

"There are things that only Fire can heal," Destan admitted but was pleased with Cyrus' genuine tone.

Cyrus hailed from the same land as Diddero; that much was clear from their skin and way of speech. And from what Destan had learned from Diddero, people from those lands usually shunned magic for logic. Cyrus' presence here already made him unique. His demeanor and authenticity reminded him of Diddero, but Cyrus was full of Fire and burned bright. He did not possess the same reserve as his countryman.

"Indeed, but not many and much more that only Water can," Cyrus answered with a laugh. "I am not fully trained in the healing arts, very few have the skills that Rosemund possesses, and I had never thought to be able to train under her."

"You would have found your way," Destan assured him, wondering if Brother Fire was as thorough a teacher as the Lady was.

"Maybe, but this is so much easier. I would not want to have had to follow your path, Master Destan."

"Priest Destan, or Healer Destan if you must have a title, I am not a Master."

"I think there are many in this room who would disagree," Cyrus commented but did not pursue the conversation further. Destan did not understand all the differences between the Priestly bond and the Master bond but did not want to claim any title he had not earned.

"How long have you been in our lands? Your accent is even less than Didderos," Leena asked from across the table. Cyrus rose an eyebrow at the directness of the question but smiled at The Master's sister.

"I have lived in the Council Lands since childhood. My mother brought me here the first time I caught my room on Fire." His voice held both stiffness and humor. The memory was bittersweet to the young Fire Journeyman.

"Ah, and your father?" Leena queried as she played with the food on the plate.

"He died," Diddero answered for Cyrus in a tone that startled Destan. Leena, however, smiled at him in response. As if this was enough of an answer for her. Destan turned to Cyrus and saw the first crack in the young man's placid demeanor. A slight curl of his lip spoke of anger or grief. Destan wished he had Natalia or Jiyun's gift for empathy. Without Water, he could only guess at the man's mood.

Impulsively, Destan put a hand on Cyrus' arm. A light call answered the touch. Cyrus looked at Destan's hand for a few breaths before grasping it lightly with his. Destan felt the warmth of Fire rush through his body. Cyrus was answering his own call.

The men stared at each other for a moment as Water mingled with Fire in both of them. Destan's doubts evaporated with the steam. Cyrus was as complex and troubled as any human.

"Priest Destan," Cyrus whispered. "Perhaps this is not the right time for this." Destan blinked and looked at the table around them. All motion and conversation had stopped. Destan instinctively looked at Natalia, who stared at the black and white hands that held each other tightly. For the first time, Destan saw a look on her face that reminded him of The Queen, a mix between anger and jealousy. It disappeared as quickly as it had come and was replaced with guilt.

"Yes, perhaps," Destan answered finally but didn't let go of Cyrus' arm. His desires warred within him. He knew Natalia wanted him to let go, and he wanted to please her, but the warmth of Cyrus' Fire gave him the peace that he had not had in weeks.

Cyrus loosened his grip first but did not fully let go. Destan broke his gaze away from Natalia and looked at the man beside him. Cyrus' large brown eyes gave no hint to his feelings.

"After Rosemund is well," Cyrus answered the question Destan had not asked. Destan nodded and let go of Cyrus' arm. His fingers slipped slowly out of Cyrus' grip and suddenly felt cold again.

"Yes, come to me then," Destan breathed, unsure if he had said the words aloud. This meeting had gone so differently than he had anticipated. He turned back to Natalia, who now wore a smile, but one that did not seem as genuine as it should. Destan's heart lifted at her displeasure; it meant she cared.

His eyes met Paulo, who rose an eyebrow and then winked suggestively. Destan felt his cheeks flush and quickly looked at his untouched plate. What had happened? Was it what Natalia and Paulo seemed to think? Destan was unsure, but he didn't dare look at Cyrus again for the rest of the meal. Whoever Cyrus would be to him in the future; it would never be what Natalia was for him, of that Destan was sure.

With this confidence, Destan straightened his shoulders. His life had been lonely, these types of interactions confused him, but he would not shy away from them. He enjoyed the confusion, it represented his freedom, and he would never let himself be alone again.