I raised questioning brows at Nikolas. "Well?"
He crossed his arms, one leg over the other. "'Well' what?"
"You're not going? Everyone's excused themselves, you know." I was preparing to sleep like a log. And I could never get a shut eye knowing Niko was here.
Wait . . . why was I being conscious of him? I slapped myself internally.
He was sitting directly across me, his back on the wall. But then he stood up, and strode toward the windows. "I'm staying. Just so you're aware, I've been keeping a watch on you every day while you were out." Nikolas drew the curtains shut. "There, to keep the summer heat away."
I tilted my head. "You forget. I'm a fire-wielder. Heat is my second nature."
He planted his hands on his hips like an overbearing mother. "Yes, Lily. You also forget, you've been throwing fireballs at me any chance you got when we were at school. How could I forget? But right now, your body is weak. Currently, you're a normal human being."
Indeed, the pulse of my magic was subtle, barely there. A person's affinity to an element didn't only depend on the level of magic they possessed, it was also akin to their physical state. And with my condition as of the moment, I wouldn't be considered a wielder. I didn't even want to summon fire, because I knew I could only produce the tiniest flicker.
I blew out a harsh breath. I hated being a sick person, but what was I to do?
To my surprise, Niko brought his palms forward. He called on water, gathering them in the air. The water turned into two orbs, and he blew air into them. The liquid orbs hardened, transforming into ice as vaporization swirled around them.
Niko thrust his arms forward, as though to push his ice orbs to fly. And they did, stopping to float right above me. They were beautiful, like huge polished crystals. It sunk in to me, then, that everything about Niko—including his creations—was beautiful. His works, his swordsmanship, his stances were works of graceful and elegant craftsmanship.
I blushed for having such a thought. This time, I gave myself an inward punch. How could I think of him that way? The days of me being a love-struck child who was crazy about him was long gone.
I lied down, finally. I supposed everyone thought it was normal for Niko to stay behind. He'd basically made it his job to act as my watcher. Or was he a nurse? Whatever.
I peeled my attention off the ice orbs, grateful for the comfortable cold they provided, and eyed Niko who'd returned to his usual spot. He'd managed to get himself a book which I realized was Erilyn's. He'd probably picked up the random books I borrowed from my sister that were scattered everywhere.
Pulling the sheets up to my neck, I narrowed my eyes at him. "You better not be doing this because we're married."
It was meant to be a joke, but he'd taken it seriously. "I'm doing this because I can't get my eyes off you."
My neck flushed. How could he say that with such a straight face? And I knew there were no romantic implications in his words, but I couldn't help but feel flustered. He was worried, he blamed himself—that was all.
I clicked my tongue, covering my reddened appearance with the blanket which I oh so missed. When I felt that I was drifting off to sleep, I had the urge to say something to him. "Thank you, Niko. For being here."
"I'll always be here, Lily. Always."
I fell easily into slumber. And I dreamt of when we were young, causing any ruckus and mayhem we could possibly do in the city. I dreamt of a boy with honey eyes, and another boy with freckles. In this dream, the four of us were happy.