The cold evening breeze blew Iris' golden hair back as she waited by the treeline. She fiddled with the silver chain in her hands – a sign of her nervousness. Where was he? What was so important to make her wait?
A noise coming from the woods startled her. She flinched and turned to face whoever was there.
"You're too anxious." Aether's familiar voice startled her even more.
"I swear on my family name, I will kill you if you scare me like that again!" She told him off with a harsh voice.
"The family name we share, of course." Aether chuckled, though it was clearly forced. "Iris – this is becoming dangerous." His expression changed. Whatever light was in those silver eyes disappeared, leaving nothing but the dark eyes of a cold-blooded killer. "You know what will happen if he tries something." He warned her.
Iris' heartbeat quickened. "No!" She raised her voice slightly. "You can't!"
"If I must, I will. As simple as that." Aether's cold, emotionless voice sent a shiver down Iris' spine. She had somewhat forgotten this side of the young man. "I forbid you." She responded, raising her chin with pride. "We will not cause a feud between our two clans."
Aether snorted, though chose to remain silent. He raised his sight to meet Iris' gaze. She gulped, and stared into those slit pupils of his, surrounded by the otherworldly silver of his irises.
"Don't do anything without my permission!" She hissed before turning her back on him. She hid her face and took a couple of quick breaths to recompose herself. It was difficult to look him in the eye when she knew what was behind them.
Aether's clenched his fists. "As you wish." His voice was but a whisper. He avoided looking at the young woman before him and walked a few steps away.
Why had Lord Ladran come here now? He refused to believe this to be just a coincidence.
A faint sound caught his attention, pulling him away from his thoughts. Distant footsteps among the trees.
"Iris." He said in a low voice. The young woman didn't need to be told anything else. She quickly stepped behind Aether, her gaze focused on the treeline.
Not long after, Sir Soren Ladran stepped out of the shadows. He wasn't surprised in the slightest to see them here, as his lips immediately formed a kind, diplomatic smile.
"Lady Iris Yotsura," He bowed, though his bright blue eyes never looked away from the young woman. "Such luck to have met you here." He straightened his back and stepped closer.
"Indeed, Lord Ladran." Iris simply nodded. She was of much higher social standing than him. Even so much as a nod was quite generous of her. "It is almost unbelievable." Her sharp voice sounded.
Lord Ladran's smile widened. "Quite so. I almost didn't believe my eyes when I saw you among the students. It was quite the surprise." He motioned to come closer, but Aether stepped in front of him with no hesitation.
Lord Ladran's lips formed a thin line as he came eye to eye with him. "Step aside." He said, only to be met with solemn silence. "I said, step aside. I'm speaking with your mistress."
Despite his words, he averted his gaze, unable to bear Aether's otherworldly silver eyes. "Lady Iris," He said, looking at her. "Please, I almost feel unwelcome."
Iris' chuckle surprised him. "Why would you say that?" She said with the sweetest voice. She smiled and tilted her head to the side as she spoke. "You are still alive, are you not?" Her words were in such a contrast to her voice that even Aether was slightly surprised. "Oh, but I am so very sorry," She continued. "Where are my manner? I completely forgot to introduce you two."
She stepped closer to Aether, taking care to still keep him between her and Lord Ladran. "Meet Aether Yotsura."
Lord Ladran seemed more surprised than anything. He took a couple of steps back and looked at the young man before him. "Yotsura?" He exclaimed. "I was not aware you had a brother."
"Oh," Iris chuckled again. "No, no. I do not have a brother." Whatever sweetness was in her voice before had disappeared.
"What do you mean?" Lord Ladran shot her a somewhat confused glance, then looked at Aether again. The young man's lips formed a faint smile. Lord Ladran's expression darkened. Suddenly confronted with this situation, he wasn't sure how to act towards Aether.
The young man was carrying the Yotsura name after all. He couldn't afford to offend the Most powerful Hexen Clan in the world below.
"I don't quite follow." He said, taking another step back.
"Oh please," Iris smiled and made a vague gesture. "It is nothing of any importance."
Lord Ladran seemed like he wanted to ask more, but Iris continued with her words. "What brings you here, Lord Ladran? I was not aware that the Doirioth Clan was also sending their members to the mundane world."
The middle-aged man shook his head. "I'm here on behalf of the Council of Mages." He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "The Clan has no say in my work here."
Aether slowly relaxed his clenched fist. "I see."
The man seemed startled by his voice. His gaze leapt from Iris to Aether. "Iris," The young man turned to the young heiress of the Yotsura Clan. "It is getting dark."
The young woman's lips formed a thin line. "It indeed is." She shot a glance at Aether, then towards Lord Ladran. "We must excuse ourselves. The curfew should start soon."
"Ah, of course. My apologies for taking your time." Lord Ladran mumbled as the two of them left.
"What was he doing?" Iris asked as they made their way to the dorms.
Aether shook his head. "I don't know. I warned you as soon as I felt him use magic." He glanced at his palms. "I need a day's rest to be back at fighting condition."
Iris stopped in her tracks. "You were ready to kill him."
"Yes." Aether stopped after a few steps and glanced at her. "I never said I would give him a fighting chance."