Chill wind cut through the air and seemed to drive to the bones ? or it would, for any but a Fire. If a Fire was feeling the cold, there was something drastically, horribly wrong. Devin, needless to say, was not feeling the cold. And if you don?t feel the cold, what use is clothing other than for decoration and a concession to the modesty of others? He knew that part of Storm?s dislike for the Fires was the reluctance of most to wear more than a bare minimum. He didn?t know Paola?s feelings on the matter one way or another.

In scant concession, Devin had worn a pair of loose linen pants and a vest of a matching weave. He also kept the warmth that he could radiate tightly contained, causing little but a vague disturbance in the air as he passed through it. It was only a minute or two until the appointed time that Devin paused to trace one hand over the artwork on the door, as unbeknownst to him Paola had done earlier. From that he touched the pendant of tri-colored metal that hung around his neck, and then opened the door to enter with a confident stride.

Confidence born of seeming and pride that would not let him appear less than sure. He wouldn?t show his insecurity, but still it gnawed at him. Lingering remnants of the Choosing Ceremony, where he had been second choice to Faraji. Doubt to the value he could contribute to this search for answers. He might have had an idea, and Shawn found it worth pursuing, but he was no scholar to seek out answers in dusty tomes. Paola was known to have the nature and passion for such things ? he had no such reputation.

Orders, still, were orders. And there was no reason to antagonize another newly chosen Guardian. Devin?s eyes were dark amber-brown as he looked quickly around the room. The fire in the fireplace danced a bit higher in his presence, and the candles ? they sputtered in silent laughter for a moment before they brightened within their glass walls. The mirrors affixed to the backs of the lanterns amplified the light, and the light clearly illuminated the slight figure of Paola. She was perched high on a ladder, reaching for a book, and still bundled in the warm clothing necessary for the outside. He had no idea whether she had noticed his presence or not in her search for books ? and a small pile of them seemed to be balanced on the very top step of the ladder.

After a moment Devin crossed the room to brace his hands against the lower rails of the ladder and look up at Paola. His voice, although he had deliberately kept it quiet, seemed sudden and out of place in the still room. ?Am I late, or are you early? Either way, it seems you?ve already found some things worth exploring.?

?By the hearth suits me well, Paola.? There was amusement laced through Devin?s words as he took the books she handed over. Barest flicker of his gaze caught the direction of her glance, and the sheen of gold in his eyes might have been no more than imagination ? but the candles resumed their steady flame, and the fire subsided to its own level. He took one of the chairs which sat closest to the hearth, and set down the books in his hand on a small table near to reach. ?And I am indeed ready to get started.?

The quiet rustle of pages turning was all the sound that filled the Goddess? Library for minutes that stretched on long. Devin was scanning through the first book of his pile as rapidly as possible. It seemed to be a third-hand account of a long-ago war between Earth and Air. Water had allied with Earth and Fire with Air, and the Realms had almost torn themselves apart. He skipped past sections of self-righteous ranting, justifications for a senseless war. He almost skipped past the only section of worth in the book, one brief sentence. ?They washed us out. Damn the Earths. They didn?t have a Water with them! How did they do it??

He had read the sentence to himself, and then out loud, before he turned his eyes up to Paola. Stray locks of too-long, straight black hair had fallen into his face, partially obscured the glint of light that mirrored the quick flaring dance of the fire in the hearth until the flames resumed their steady glow. Boyish, excitement made him appear suddenly very young, until the grin faded. Composure was put back on, and he swept back the hair from his face.

Paola surely caught the implication of that as quickly as Devin had, if not more so. If the warriors in that long-past battle had been able to manipulate an Element not their own, they had almost certainly been battle-bonded. And that there had not been a Water present meant that the battle bond could be sustained over a substantial distance without losing its effects. It was a bare beginning of a clue, but it was a start.

By the time they were done, the stack of rejected books was much higher than those with useful information. Paola?s neat notes of what they had learned of battle bonds barely filled one page ? and most of that was speculation or conjecture. What they had found was mostly in various journals from what they had taken to calling the ?Lost War?, since there was so little documentation about it. But there was one lead more substantial.

It was in another journal, but one much more recent, from only two generations previous. The words of an Earth elemental, a scholar, who had devoted her life to the study of various forms of bonding. Her journal was well organized, as befitted a scholar, and in each entry she mentioned the progress of her experiments and research along with her ideas and feelings about each development. Unfortunately, for all of that meticulous writing, there were no actual details.

The sun was long set, and Devin had been ignoring pangs of hunger for some time ? there was an excitement in this search for answers that he had never before found in studies. Perhaps because now, with this, he felt they were accomplishing something. His vest had been shrugged off hours before. When he looked over at Paola, he could see the long day had made its mark on her, as well ? specifically with the smudge of ink on her cheek and with the tendrils of curly hair that escaped to fall in her face.

When his stomach finally protested with a very audible growl, Devin smiled wryly and raked his hair back out of his eyes. Somehow the shared excitement of each new clue uncovered and the quiet of the Library let him feel more relaxed than he had in some time. ?I think that might be a sign to take a break.?

Paola was in such a deep thought that she almost did not even hear Devin. Pen gently gripped and vibrant eyes fixated onto the text, it seemed like she was staring off and not reading the text. Yet, she was trying to uncover something that was not in ink, "Hmm?" Her eyebrows rose, and finally she looked back over to him. Knowing she must have looked in complete disarray, she smiled sheepishly, "A break sounds like an excellent idea." Folding the top corner of the book, she then closed it quietly and set it off to the side.

?What were you thinking about, just now? You were miles away.? Interest was in his voice as he craned his neck to see the spine of the book she had been staring vacantly at. As it was unmarked, that didn?t gain him much, and he stood to stretch and raise his arms overhead in reaction to the hunched posture of reading all day. ?And are you hungry, or do you live on your North winds?? A gleam of teasing amber touched dark brown eyes as he asked that.

"Oh, I was hoping that the journal would spontaneously show more ink and give more clues." A soft chuckle, "I do it often, and nothing has yet to happen." His next question seemed to make her think, and at the long pause, her smile grew sheepish again, "I am hungry,yes. Though, I must admit I have missed several meals due to research."

Warmth in his laughter, at her comment and her sheepish admission. ?I think this is the first time I?ve found books that absorbing. What do you like to eat, then? If you don?t mind sharing a meal with a reckless, dangerous Fire, that is.? He reached for his vest as he asked, pulling it on without fastening the front. An easy smile over to her assumed confidently that she wouldn?t turn down the invitation, such as it was. ?Do you have any more ideas of places to look for information??

"The first time?" She did not hide her surprise, her hands tiding the books and parchment without thought. Standing, she began the long process of placing on her several layers of outerwear. "I am not a picky eater, so it matters not to me." At the last question, she frowned slightly, tying the cloak around her shoulders. "Well, it is unfortunate that there are no Elementals living from that war. We could try other races and cities that were a part of it, such as Lladrana," she did not seemed pleased at the thought of the underground city, "and see if they have anything available."

?Yes, the first time. I?ve always preferred being out and doing things to reading about them in books. And if you don?t care what we eat, then how does a stir-fry sound? I can throw one together while we think this over.? As she seemed to have her things gathered and her notes in hand, he moved to open the door for her. He couldn?t help but notice the note of displeasure when she mentioned the underground city of the Earth; he also had the feeling a trip there would become inevitable. ?What about that Earth?s journal you found? Do you think any of her working records would still be there??

"Stir-fry sounds grand." The small moment of displeasure passed with ease, and she gathered their remaining things and headed for the open door, "Thank you." She waited till he closed the door, and she met his pace with ease, "It might be. I am not sure what we will find, to be honest. The trip cannot hurt, however."

Pleased that she could keep up with his long stride easily, he nodded thoughtfully as he considered her words. The chill in the air ended about an arm?s length from his body, and he spared a sidelong glance to see that she wasn?t overheated between that warmth and her many layers of clothing. It would take a bit of a hike to reach his residence. ?I don?t know that I would say that. I can think of a few people there I?d rather not run into, and I know most of you Airs don?t care much for the place. But I think it might be our best chance.?

She laughed lightly, at ease with their teasing. The cockiness of his attitude and smile did not seem to phase her, probably because she held a similar trait at times. "I have heard a few tales of your charm and wit." She grinned, and moved to join him, "Can I help you at all. Though, I must admit," her voice lowered like she was telling a dark secret, "I am a terrible chef."

A laugh escaped him in turn, and then he grinned and tilted his head in the direction of pans hanging neatly from one wall. ?Really? Tales of my charm and wit? I?ll have to do my best to live up to them then. Are you feeling particularly seduceable tonight?? It was so obviously an outrageous question that he couldn?t help but laugh again. ?And as for the cooking - if you can use a knife, you can take over this chopping while I start the wok heating. That should speed things up.?

Paola was not one to shy away from such teasing. Reaching for the pan he indicated, she retorted, "I will have to let you know how I feel after I am well fed." Her own grin held a bit of pride in it. Pan set aside, she took the knife, and gave him the look of 'you are putting me in charge of this?' "Of course I can use a knife. Just very slowly."

?I knew there was a reason I learned to cook. Women always love the cooking.? Flash of metal as his pendant caught the light when he turned, and he added oil to the pan. ?Slowly is fine ? the water chestnuts are sliced already, the peas don?t need it, so once the peppers are done there?s only the chicken.? With the pan on the stove, the burner flared to life, and he returned to the icebox to grab a small glass jar of minced garlic and a bottle of soy sauce.

"You learned to cook for the women?? She gave him a sidelong glance, curious to how much of his words were meant to tease, and if any of them were serious. Keeping that in mind, she was careful in her slicing, trying to make the width the same and done with precision. "It is a step above peeling potatoes, I suppose."

Oil began to sizzle in the pan, and he added a measured spoonful of the minced garlic into the wok before he answered. ?Much better than peeling potatoes. Just throw things into the pan as you?re done cutting them?? Dark brown eyes studied the pan with concentration as he began to shake it over the burner, keeping the garlic from burning. His answer to her first question was in a voice unexpectedly serious. It would take sharp eyes to catch the smile at the corners of his mouth. ?And yes, I learned to cook for the women. A very wise person once told me that the way to a person?s heart was through their stomach. Of course, then I found out they meant that literally.?

She laughed easily, setting in the peppers that she had already cut into the pan, "I have only heard that saying applied to men, not women." More laughter at the notion, "Though I suppose for me, it works well. I wondered why I do not charm men very well. Now I know why."

A careful flick of his wrist flipped the peppers in the pan, and then he let it rest for a few moments as he opened the container of water chestnuts, draining the water they had been packed in before he added them and the snow peas to the mix. A splash of soy sauce and he resumed shaking the pan and giving its contents an occasional flip. A grin crept out from the serious expression when he answered her. ?It couldn?t hurt to learn to cook ? and then you wouldn?t have to suffer through your own meals. But is charming men one of your goals??

"I would not say it is a goal." She frowned slightly, finished with her job. Thinking on her answer further, she cleaned the knife for him, "The Goddess has not graced all of us with your charm and wit, however. I can only hope that one man is not wired towards food and is wired to perhaps something else."

Another splash of soy sauce sizzled in the pan as the chicken began to turn white, cooking through, and the scent of the garlic and soy sauce mingled in the air. It was several moments before he answered her, thoughtfully. ?I think you?re over-rating my so-called charm and wit ? and under-estimating your own. But charm, wit, even cooking ? those don?t really matter a great deal in the long run if what you?re looking for is a partnership. There are plates in the cabinet above the counter; this is almost done.?

It was obvious that she was chewing on his words, as she gathered the plates. She set a larger one out to him to place to meal on, "Is that from personal experience?" She winced, her words quicker than her filter, "My apologies, that was unkind." Taking the other plates, she moved to set the table, "I know those are not thing that truly matter in a partnership, but it must start from somewhere."

Hiding the flinch at her first question in the business of transferring the food from the pan to the larger plate she set out, he nodded of her apology before he answered. ?Yes, to a certain extent, that was from personal experience. But I think a partnership is better to start with a friendship. Equality. Not admiration, or lust, or charm. Definitely not charm, actually. That one usually goes sour. What would you like to drink?? He put the pan in the sink to soak while they ate, and then turned back to the icebox.

She blinked at him, and bit her tongue from adding more. It sounded like he had taken everything the Fire culture had embraced and threw it out the window. "In theory, I could not agree with you more. Water is just fine with me, thank you." She looked through a few drawers to find eating utensils to set on the table, "It smells wonderful."

Paola rubbed her eyes as she awaited Devin?s arrival at the portal to Llandrana. Having only a few precious hours of sleep the night previous, she was certain she did not appear at her best. Curls were pulled into a messy high bun, and hints of red around her vivid eyes gave a startling contrast. A single book of notes in one hand, and her pack in the other, she shivered in the cold wind. Storm had warned that the place was almost always warm and always muggy; Devin should be just content while she suffered.

In her yearning to see new places, Llandrana was certainly not one of them. After discussing the matter further with Storm, it only increased her bitter feelings. They had called her a slave! And yet, the Earth?s continued to work alongside them. For now, Paola could set aside her disliking in the name of research. Almost any sacrifice was worth the knowledge they needed so desperately.

Off in the distance, she spotted a silhouette coming towards her. Even in their short friendship, Paola already knew for it to be Devin. Perhaps it was the amount of skin she that saw, or the way he moved. Either way, she found herself staring, and she had to look away. The last evening they had spent together and probed Paola?s mind so that she could not help but continue to recall and process each and every word until she felt satisfied. She had yet to reach that feeling.

?I hope you are well prepared.? She called out in a cheerful tone as he came closer. She could almost make out that cocky smile, ?I hear it is to be hot down there.?

At his question, she smiled and shook her head slowly, "No, no ill dreams. Sleep was just harder to come across last night than others." She looked at his face for a moment, but did not pretend to be able to read his expression. She was always poor at that. She did however, sigh in mild relief as his warmth encompassed her away from the chill. A brief glance to his pack, before she smiled again. "Ready?"

When she didn?t offer her pack for his outstretched hand, he withdrew it and instead shrugged his own bag over both shoulders. ?As long as you promise to hide me from Bethany.? The teasing note was back in his voice as he followed her through the portal. As many times as he?d done it recently, he still hated the tight feeling portals gave, and the drop to his stomach the travel inevitably produced.

She could not help but laugh softly, before following him into the portal. The sensations did not bother her anymore, and it was almost a nuisance. Once she finished stepping through, it did not take long for Paola to look up and expect to see the sky. Instead, she was reminded that she was underground and separated. She inhaled deeply, and closed her eyes until her initial reactions would pass.

Devin?s first reaction was not to look up, but around. Despite being underground, the area around the portal was well-lit, candles and lanterns around the edges of this cave. It was one of the larger hollows in the rock, since occasionally large quantities of goods traveled through the portal. The guards stationed at the entrances looked at the pair and then nodded recognition of the new Guardians ? there had been no guards on the other end, because only Guardians could access that realm. His stomach settled almost at the same moment that Paola stepped through, and he frowned slightly as he watched her reaction. After a few seconds he spoke, and his voice was quiet, contained to the two of them. ?Right here with you, Paola.?

There was a faint trace of a smile at his words, but her eyes did not open yet. It was an internal fight of instinct and logic, and it was only a matter of time before the scholar's mind won, "I know, thank you." Another deep breath, her eyes opened as she seemed to have adjusted enough to get the work accomplished. She would not truly be better until they left the realm at all. Nodding to the guards, she motioned Devin towards the middle of town, "As for Bethany, I shall throw a book at her, yes?"

A laugh echoed strangely in the stone walls of the cave, and the guards turned to look once again as Paola and Devin made their way into the center of Llandrana. It was only a rough center, since the city had been formed from a series of caves ? some natural, most not ? and the hollows stretched out, tentacle-like, from the middle. ?She?d run screaming. She was sweet, except for the homicidal jealousy, but books were not her strength. Do you have any idea of where to begin? I know most of the older families live around to the south, deeper into this warren.? Planning ahead ? not one of Devin?s stronger suits.

Her laughed echoed as well, and she tried to not linger on the sound, "There is something about red rage that does not seem sweet at all, do you not think?" Despite her disliking for the place, Paola seemed to know it well enough to weave her way around the natural curves of the underground cave. She placed her hand delicately on his arm for a moment, "I have already sent out letters to the families I know. They are expecting us."

Her touch was cool against his skin, despite the warmth and mugginess of the surrounding air. Dark eyes gleamed amber when he grinned at her. ?Very practical ? and very wise. Lead the way then, o thou model of foresight.? He paused long enough to give a bow with a flourishing gesture ahead in the tunnel. When he straightened, the cocky, teasing smile was back on his face. ?And I don?t know what you?re talking about. I?m always attracted to screaming women who want to kill me.? His voice grew thoughtful, then. ?I might have to reconsider that strategy.?

She "pfft" at his comment and bow, and did not have to look to see that cocky smile; she could hear it in his voice. Pursuing her lips as she always did not though, she seemed to talk to herself under her breath, "Jeremiah's family.. or.. " She paused at a fork in their path, and turned to him, "Pick one." Motioned to the tunnels.

At her imperious gesture and command to pick one of the tunnels, Devin halted next to her and studied the openings. There was little to choose between them ? candles and lamps fought with the damp and relatively low ceilings. A hiss of breath was let out through his teeth while he considered. Finally, he nodded to the left-hand tunnel, for no other reason than because that was the side of her he was standing on. ?That way, then.?

She clapped her hands together and rubbed them, "Excellent. Jeremiah's family it is then. You do not have any former flames... ah," she grinned at her horrible pun, "relationships that circle, do you?" She was rather certain he did not, but Jeremiah did have a younger sibling. Either way, she started down that tunnel with assured steps, despite her inward feelings of the under ground.

After another moment of consideration, Devin shook his head and followed her. Long strides had him catching up easily to walk next to Paola once more. ?No ? I think most of those I know live in the other direction from where we started, and shallower.? He refused to acknowledge the pun, it was so terribly bad, but a flash of a smile betrayed the appreciation for it. The growing humidity in the air as they descended was uncomfortable for him, although the heat was not, and he glanced sideways at her to see how she was holding up.

"Mmm hmm." Her thumb idly grazed her forehead at the beading sweat that was forming. Her clothing was already beginning to stick to her form, and rather than acknowledge it and tug, she just tried to bear it. "I know that Jeremiah's grandmother lives here, and his mother, Bakula, is going to be there to help us if needed be." As they continued to walk, she finally gave way and tugged at her top, "Too bloody hot." she muttered, perhaps loud enough for him to hear.

?Bakula? do you know his grandmother?s name? I get the feeling, from the age of that journal, that we might get more help from his grandmother. The scientist should have been of her generation.? A frown turned the planes of his face harsh briefly, until his shook his head.

?The problem with journals is that nobody refers to themselves by name. And you could always adopt my style of dress if you?re too warm.? The last was said teasingly, but at the same time, Devin exerted himself. For every action, there is an equal and opposite ? just as he could project warmth outwards, he could draw it in and thereby cool the surrounding air somewhat.

"It takes more than cooking me a wonderful meal for me to dress the way you do in front of you. Much less in public." Hoping he did not expect her to address his teasing like that, she even managed to faintly wiggle her brows. "As for the grandmother, I believe her name is Malek. I was easier for me to get a hold of Bakula first." She smiled as she felt him contain his heat in gratitude.

Devin?s voice was a soft murmur of agreement to Paola?s words of thanks, and he took the glass and the seat quietly. His brown eyes, flickering with amber and gold, studied the pair of older women, and then he smiled slowly. It wasn?t the cocky grin he more commonly put on, but an unexpectedly charming expression. ?You have a lovely home, here. I?m sorry we have to come on such serious business, instead of simply for the pleasure of speaking with you both.? From another that might have sounded like empty flattery ? but a large part of Devin?s ability to charm was the sincere interest he took in people, when he chose to. The comment was a simple statement of fact, from his tone of voice.

Malek simply flustered up, though her deep skin made the physical evidence of that unseen. "You're welcome to come and chat with me any time, dearies. What have to come to ask me?" Paola drankly deeply from the water for a few moments, before speaking on her and Devin's behalf, "We are researching battle bonds, ma'am. The last time they were used was in the Lost War, and we are looking for first or second hand documentation. We have found this," she produced the old journal, and offered it delicately to the older woman, "We were hoping that you might have any answers to help us on our path."

Devin lapsed once more into silence, watching the exchange between Paola and the older woman. Taking a swallow of the water, he turned the glass around while his eyes flicked around the small room again. Eventually his gaze settled on the blue-eyed Air and the old Earth with the faded brown eyes. He couldn?t contribute much to Paola?s succinct explanation, and so he watched for Malek?s reaction to the journal.

The older woman licked her lips, bony fingers grasping the book, "That was a very long time ago. I am afraid that I have no knowledge of the battle bonds, and very little information of the war." She squinted, and opened up the journal. Giving a small huff of irritation, she held the pages up to Devin, "Can you read me the name, dearie? My sight is not what it used to be."

Setting down the glass with a return of the charming smile, Devin moved to take a knee at Malek?s shoulder so he could inspect the page without taking the journal from her grasp. ?Of course, lady Malek. It?s a pity that a scholar such as this should have such poor writing, isn?t it? Ah ? I think the name is Abeni?? He glanced to Paola, a silent check of his interpretation of the name with her. She had spent much more time reading the book than he had.

Paola gave the faintest nod to him to ensure that his pronounciation was correct as well. "Abeni?" She kept repeating the name over and over again to try and spark her memory, "Oh, Abeni! His family kept a good record of all his things and other journals. I believe the side of the family that has his books is young Bethany. Sweet young lady. Do you know her?" She looked between the two, and Paola's face went blank.

Paola?s face may have gone blank, but Devin?s expression just stilled, the smile fading barely a twitch. After a moment that went on too long, he cleared his throat and replied. ?Paola has never met Bethany, but I?ve made her acquaintance. Does she still live west of the main?? Rigid control kept his voice pleasant and the candles and lamps from flaring. In fact, except for a certain tightness of his face around the eyes, there was nothing to tell how much this development troubled him.

While Paola might have noticed, Malek did not, "Yes! The same place and the same woman." She handed Devin the journal and patted his hand with her bony one, "Here's the journal. If you leave now, her and hers should be there. Good luck with your search, and do not hesitate to ask for my help if needed be." Her dark eyes shifted to Paola then, who was still suffering from being underground, "Best of luck with you here, dearie." Paola smiled, "Thank you, ma'am."

?Thank you indeed for your help. You have no idea how much difference this will make. And thank you both for your hospitality.? Devin could manage that, and he gave a light squeeze to Malek?s shoulder as he stood again. His eyes, lit bright gold now, flicked to meet Paola?s startling turquoise gaze, and then he slung up his pack on his shoulder and led the way out of the house. Finding Bethany would be the easy part of what was coming.

Paola was quick to follow, taking note of the color change of his eyes. She smiled to the pair, "Thank you again." Once they were out of the house, she fell silent for a few moments, unsure of how to handle the current situation. She wiped away at the moist that gathered on her forehead and brows, "Would you like for me to go alone?" She asked softly of him, moving from trailing behind him to walking next to him.

His pace was long as Devin strode back up the way they had come, and at Paola?s offer, there was a half-hitch in his stride. After a moment he shook his head, and glanced over at her. Cooler temperatures flooded in as once again he drew the heat from the surrounding air, but his eyes were still bright gold with occasional flashes of white. ?No. Thank you for the offer, but no. She wouldn?t let you look at what we need to see. Bethany is? possessive.? It was an understatement, and he wasn?t sure it would get across the degree of meaning he intended.

"So I suppose pretending to be your new lady would not help in the matter?" It was a lame attempt at a joke, and she even winced, "Devin, we can wait for others. Eventually she will have to let go." With hesitance, her hand reached to rest on his arm, "This is not meant to be a painful experience for you. I was honest when I said that I would protect you from her."

It might have been a lame attempt at a joke, but it was enough to break the growing tension, and Devin let out a bark of laughter before he stilled it with a shake of his head. His free hand lifted, covered hers on his arm, before he smiled somewhat ruefully. ?I appreciate that. Half of the pain is guilt, though. I wasn?t gentle or kind when I broke things off. So perhaps the best approach would be that you act sympathetic to her? As if you were forced to work with me but didn?t care for the idea??

"I thought you said I had to pretend?" She laughed lightly, and nudged him since he was close to let him know that she was only teasing, "I can do that. Besides, you kept it cool for me for five full minutes. You have my undying devotion now." She followed his lead now, since she had no clue where this Bethany lived. She was also preparing herself for the worst, if Bethany was indeed as dramatic as Devin insisted.

As they reached the main cavern, they turned their steps in almost the opposite direction from that they had taken to reach Malek?s home. Devin?s eyes had returned to amber-lit brown as he regained his composure. Before they reached Bethany?s house, he was careful to put a bit of distance between Paola and himself ? seeking to make it appear that she was reluctant to accompany him. When a screech of outrage echoed through the tunnel, he halted mid-step and closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he put on that cocky grin and opened his eyes again. ?Is that my lovely Bethany I hear??

She found herself watching his facial expressions, fascinated on how he could turn them on and off with but a batting of his eyes. She would be certain to not disappoint. She could fall easily into the role that everyone assumed was her. She brought her chin up just a hair, and put on a very smug, "I'm better than everyone" look on her face. Even as the screech echoed and vibrated in her ears, she managed her composure.

Sidelong glance revealed the subtle change to Paola?s bearing, and the humor of that almost undid Devin?s fa?ade. Still, he was able to turn with the cocky expression still in place when it became clear that the screeching shout was coming from behind them. ?Your lovely Bethany nothing! How dare you come back here? After I caught you with Rukiya! Still trying to say you were sparring?? Bethany?s voice could have been sweet, if venom and jealous rage hadn?t been layered into every word. She spat out the last as a condemnation. Devin winced, visibly.

Paola made a very distinct "pfffffft" sound. "What a surprise." She cleared her throat, and arrogantly brushed her damp curls from her shoulder. "You must be Bethany." Said dryly. "I am Paola, the unfortunate Air that is to work with him. We are in need of some documentations of your family."

Another wince from Devin followed Paola?s dry remark, and he looked at Bethany seriously and with great appeal. ?It?s just this Guardian business, Beth. Help me out? For old time?s sake?? He asked it with the edge of the cocky grin in place, and that grin grew as Bethany stepped closer. It vanished when she slapped him, hard, across the face.

?You lost the best thing you?ll ever have.? After a moment of glaring at him, she turned to Paola and Bethany?s expression turned to a sugary sweet smile. ?I take it you?ve seen through his charming ways, too? Or did he seduce you and leave you cold for another Fire as well??

Devin?s eyes closed as he heard Paola?s voice, her footsteps on the stairs. If he had ever been grateful to hear a person it was now. He let fall the whirling shield of flame. Bethany took one last opportunity for an attack, and twisted the earth to throw him back from his knees onto his back. He lay there as she stalked past with a kick for his side.

The Earth stormed up the stairs past Paola with a last venom-laced comment before she vanished out the small door. ?You?re welcome to him.? Devin coughed and then stood slowly, bracing his hands on his knees. After another moment, he straightened to look at Paola. Dark bruises showed even against the copper tone of his skin, and the cut on his cheekbone was still bleeding, but there was no serious damage. Another cough and then he asked quietly. ?You have it??

"Yes, I have what we need. Let us go." She was still holding up to her image just in case Bethany was still listening. With her back towards the stairs, she made no movement to help him, though her eyes glowed and the air around him became lighter, and helped ease his movements and keeping him upright without his balance. She helped him to get out as quickly as possible, so that she did not have to pretend any more.

They passed Bethany in the hallway, walked silently out of the house to head back to the main square and the portal there. Devin brushed his fingers over Paola?s arm in silent thanks for the support of the air once they were out of view. Pride and her elemental manipulation kept him from staggering. He didn?t speak again until they stepped back through the portal to the realm of the Guardians. Then he did stagger, and speak. ?You played that perfectly.?

"What in all of creation did she do to you?" Suppressed anger finally bubbling, she guided him to rest against a wall. "I should have never agreed to that." She mumbled, doing a gentle but thorough examination of his visible wounds. "You could have done more. Why did you let her do this do you?" The pitch of her voice rose with each question as her panic finally leaked through.

Sliding down to sit against the wall, he winced slightly at even the gentle brush of her fingers when they brushed across the cut on his face. Reaching up, he caught her wrist in a gesture close to that he had used with Bethany earlier. His grip was much softer, and then he slid his hand from her wrist to her hand while he tilted his head to look at her. ?You needed time. If she hadn?t been winning, she would have called it off. I had to make her think it was a close thing, so she wouldn?t get bored with it, or figure out what we were doing.? After a moment he shrugged his bare shoulders against the wall. ?If she had realized, she would have gone for you, too.?

"I do not need you to put yourself in harm's way like that. We could have found another way." She let her hand stay in his, her vibrant eyes still glowing, "Let me at least tend to your wounds. Let me help you, and tell you what I found."

One corner of his mouth turned up in a small smile. Not cocky, or charming ? just a smile ? and he nodded, and then used her help to stand. ?There wasn?t another way. Not with her, not that wouldn?t have taken weeks. But lead the way to the bandages, and tell me. Good news?? He let her lead the way, and kept the light grip on her hand as he did.

"Yes." She helped up stand, and used the air to help cushion and ease his movements. Knowing that there were proper bandages in the Goddess' Library, and it was close by, she headed there. "I am afraid that my notes aren?t so very legible, under the circumstances. And I believe you have become a poor influence on me." She just kept talking to ease the run of emotions in her. Giving him a moment or too to think about what she meant, she opened the door for him, "I traded out our old journal for a new one that looks more promising." Finding the first comfortable seat she came to, she helped him ease into it. "Hold on," and then she moved through the bookcases to find the one that had a first aid kit within.

Eyebrows had lifted when she mentioned his influence on her, but when she explained, he laughed. At least for a moment, until it caused too much pain to his ribs. Pressing his hand against his side, he watched her move briskly through the room to find the first aid kit. ?Under the circumstances, I?m just as glad you turned your hand to a switch like that, especially if it got us what we need. Hidden depths to you, Paola. I don?t suppose there are painkillers in that kit?? The tone of the last question was slightly plaintive, and gave lie to the bold face he was trying to put on the injuries.

"I said that I would tend to your wounds, did I not?" She reappeared to him with the kit in hand. She tried to tease, but she could not erase the deep concern that was etched into the lines of her face. "Now, I am usually not so forthcoming, but I need to see your wounds. All of them." She even mustered a smile.

It took a second, but Devin nodded. ?Just remember that you?re the one who asked.? It was a rough attempt at teasing, all he could muster at the moment. Simply clad as he was in loose shorts and boots, most wouldn?t have looked past the obvious bruises on his chest and arms, or the cut that still bled sluggishly on his face. She had caught the stagger to his step and correctly guessed at more.

Struggling to keep his balance against the heaving earth, he had wrenched the muscles of his inner thigh, nearly torn them, and the area was starting to throb and swell. Shucking off his shorts was a painful task. It left him in a much briefer undergarment, but also exposed the bruising and swelling showing on his leg. ?I hope there?s enough bandages in that kit.?

"Yes, me too. Or else I will have to carry you some where else." There was no room for embarrassment or appreciation as she looked over his near naked body. The first thing she pulled out was small handful of bright green leaves. "Chew on these. It is numbweed, and it will ease the pain in a fix." Once he took the leaves, she started from the feet up, checking for stitches, placing a clear liquid over open wounds to clean, and bandages what was necessary, "She is wrong about you." She said very softly.

Chewing on the leaves of numbweed, it took Devin a moment to focus on Paola?s words, and then he paused the chewing for a moment and frowned. A hiss of indrawn breath accompanied the tight wrap she put around his leg. After a moment, he tucked the leaves into the side of his cheek to answer more clearly, although his voice was just as quiet. ?Wrong about what? What I said to her? How I treated her? I could wish so, but she was telling the truth. Well ? but that I was truly sparring with Rukiya. That was her jealousy. But I wasn?t kind to her, Paola.?

"Maybe not, but I see someone different. If I may be so bold to say that time might have changed you. It is safe to say that we are living examples of that." She gave an apologetic smile as she hurt him further, and even kissed two fingers and placed them gently on the bandage. It was meant to be a teasing gesture. "If I ever see her again..." she was still worked up about it as she moved past his legs to his abdomen. She seemed unaffected by their close proximity.

A quiet laugh died stillborn as once again the action sent warning pain through his ribs. Cuts and scrapes and bruises, and nothing truly more serious than the wrenched muscle and the bruised ribs. ?If you see her again, you?ll put on that mask of the superior Air again, and confound her utterly. She doesn?t know how to deal with indifference. You really were amazing, you know.? Careful movement brushed one of his hands over the falling curls around her face, tucked one behind her ear. Weariness and the numbweed were combining to slur his words, and after a moment he spoke again, low and gentle. ?Thank you.?

"I was terrified." She almost chuckled as she recalled the moment. She paused as he moved hair from her face. Letting out a slow breath, she moved to his right arm. "I am not amazing. I stood and watch her treat you that way. That is shameful." Her tone and her expression reflected that she believed those words to the core.

Flicker-flash of the flames in the fireplace was partial indication of how strongly he reacted to that. Agitation was enough to banish the slurring of his words, at least for a while. ?That is exactly what made you so amazing. Paola, what you did took far more strength than losing your temper. You kept your head, and found what we needed faster than I could have begun to hope for. Don?t take on shame for doing what I asked you to, and better than I could have dreamed.? He was leaning forward a bit, trying to catch her eyes with his own, to impress upon her how sincerely he meant that.

Her vibrant eyes kept a lock on his ever changing ones. "I did not keep my head. I was... am, a royal mess. I can handle conflict well, but not insanity, and that is what that was. I stole something because I could not do what you needed me to do. And you... you are.. " she motioned with her hands, bandages and accessories in them, ".. gah." It was one of the only times in her life that she could recall having no words to say.

With his ribs bound, he could manage a laugh, if carefully. ?The scholar speechless? Paola, you have nothing to be ashamed of, I promise you. I?m a reckless idiot who got the beating I deserved for it. And if you?re a royal mess, I certainly couldn?t tell.? His hands went to cover hers, over the bandages and accessories. Clear, warm amber, the light in his eyes on her vibrant turquoise gaze. After a moment, he took a careful deep breath and leaned back, letting his hands slip away.

"No one deserves that. Punishment, yes. But that.. " She slowly shook her head, feeling the warmth of his hands leave hers. She finished the last of his bandages on his arm. "I think it is safe to say that you will not be going any where soon, unless it is to the healers." Making smaller portions, she gave a hesitant smile before she leaned close to tend to the cut on his cheek, "Is the numbweed working?" Her voice was just above a whisper.

Her breath and words whispered against his cheek, and he took another careful breath before he answered, quietly. ?I think you?re right in that. And I think the numbweed is working, some.? A smile met her hesitant expression. She seemed unmoved by their closeness, but it was taking every bit of his control to convey the same impression. Even then, he couldn?t resist reaching up to tuck away another stray curl. ?Thank you.? He?d been saying that often, to her. He meant it.

She waited until she had finished tending the last of his wounds before replying in the same quiet tone. "You are welcome." She was looking in his eyes now, and while she may not appear phased, her stomach was beginning to do small flips at their proximity. "I will be sure to give you more for when you go home. Which I am sure you will want go now." Yet she made no move to lean away. She was some how able to ignore the feelings of the dirt that still clung to her form as she looked at him.

?I should,? It wasn?t really an answer, that half-formed beginning of a sentence. After a moment his voice came out on a breath of air. ?Oh, hells.? And then again, stronger, and constricted by a tightness in his throat. ?Hells.? Her eyes were so bright, capturing his. ?Goddess, Paola ? I don?t,? but the words broke off again, and he leaned forward to meet her, seeking to catch her mouth for a kiss.

She all but had time to catch her breath as his lips sought hers. She was riding the wave that her emotions carried her, returning the kiss. Even more, her hands came up to cup his face, careful of the cut that she just tended. He was everything she never wanted, and yet she only returned the kiss and was mindful of the rest of his battered body.

Feeling refreshed, Paola started down the path that lead to Devin's abode within the Guardian Realm. Her bag that rested on her shoulder was full, though she would never admit that it was heavy. All traces of dirt from yesterday's outing had bestowed upon her yesterday, she absently brushed away the curls that managed to crowd her face. She still wasn't certain about the latter portion of the day, but she had set her heart to expect the unexpected; it had helped. Shifted the pack, she briskly knocked on his door.

If he thought he had been stiff and sore last night, it was nothing to what he felt when he woke. Bathing had washed away sweat and dirt and ash, but also wreaked havoc on his bandages. He had managed to replace the one around his upper thigh, most of the smaller ones on his legs, and the butterfly bandages that held his cheek together. He had not been able to wrap his ribs again properly, or his right bicep. So he was dressed in a pair of loose linen pants, and nothing else. Using the numbweed helped against the pain, but not much.

He?d been using the distraction of physical pain to avoid thinking over the rest of what had taken place the night before. So when the knock on the door sounded, he was somewhat surprised by the strength of his reaction. There was no question about who it was ? none of the other Guardians had a reason to visit him here. Limping to the door, he opened it with a smile, and eyes lit warm amber. ?Good morning.?

"Good morning to you, Devin." A bright smile on her face, she gave him a quick glancing over. "Well, you certainly look worse for wear, but at least you managed well enough on your own." She then motioned to the bag that rested on her hip. "I have the items to dress your wounds, and hopefully help more with the pain... I have my notes and the journal.. oh," She grinned slightly, "and your items that you left at the library." She was not about to say cloths. That just gave her mind the wrong implication.

Teasing smile emerged as he stepped back to gesture her into the room. It was plain that he didn?t spend much time here ? there was nothing to make it personal in its decoration. ?Good. I like those shorts. I?d hate to lose them for no good cause. And the dressings and the painkillers are more than welcome, along with your deft fingers to wrap my ribs and arm. I?m glad to see you, Paola.? There was a pause between the remark about the painkillers and his final statement, not extreme, but distinct.

Once inside, she did not wait to begin to unpack her bag. Particulary his shorts and boots. They were both cleaned without a trace of dirt to be spotted. Next she pulled out the bandages, along with cremes to go on his wounds, and a small bag of unidentifiable tea. She paused for a moment, her eyes moving up to look at him at his final statement. "I am glad to see you as well." Her smile softened, and she took a moment to look him over again, this time her gaze was longer. "I have some tea that Storm gave me, she said it works swift and sure." Before she went to start the tea, her voice softened. "How are you feeling? Truly?"

Easing himself down into a chair while she unpacked her bag, he started to give her a glib answer, and halted before the first word even escaped. Finally he looked over at her with a shake of his head and a wry smile. ?I?m stiff, sore, and calling myself nine kinds of a reckless idiot. I did one thing right yesterday, and I had to go and wait until the day was over before that.? It was a roll of the dice, that last sentence. ?What about you??

"I feel much better, thank you." She moved into the adjoining room so that she could begin to prepare the tea. She raised her voice so that she could be heard, "And I think you did several things right yesterday. Perhaps your approach was reckless, but your motivations were right." Waiting for the water to boil now, she moved back to him, grabbing the items she needed in order to bandage and cleanse his wounds. "Just the ribs and arm, you said? You cleaned everything else?" Even as she spoke, she motioned for him to lean forward so that she could begin to wrap his middle. Even being this close to him had her heart beat picking up, and her light skin betrayed her with a trace of flush.

?As best I could, I did.? Leaning forward so she could wrap his ribs was a careful motion, but he still complied. Coming closer to her folded him in the light fragrance that seemed to be a part of her. It also betrayed the speeding pulse at the base of her throat, and the light flush that tainted her pale cheeks. When he spoke again, his voice was low in her ear. ?What I did right had nothing to do with Llandrana. Should I be sorry today?? Gentle inquiry if she regretted that kiss.

"You are asking me how you are to feel?" Though her low was soft and low like his, there were tones of amusement in them. Were fingers were sure as she carefully but firmly bandaged his ribs. "I know that I am just as sorry as I was yesterday." Which would indicate that she was not sorry at all. Once his ribs were finished to her satisfaction, she indicated that he could rest back against the chair, and she started on his arm.

Gold humor bubbled over into the dancing silent chortle of flames in the lamps, and Devin smiled slowly. ?Then we must be a very unrepentant pair. Good. Regret usually interferes.? He was watching her cool fingers as they deftly cleaned the gash on his arm, and began to rewrap the bandage, but still the smile was there.

She laughed lightly, and though her face was directed on his arm, her eyes moved up to meet his. "Regret implies that you act on impluses that later you wished you did not." She heard the teapot begin to whistle just as she finished the bandage. "That is not my way." She grinned then, and leaned to very lightly brush her lips over the bandage before standing. "Though it might be a difficult concept for you," said over her shoulder, her tone laced with teasing, "I always think before acting." She then was in the other room to pour him a cup of the tea.

Laughter was painful, but could hardly be resisted. ?Doesn?t that take the fun and surprise out of things?? He watched her slim figure vanish into the other room, but while on another day he might have followed her, today the very idea of moving that quickly caused a wince. Instead he stretched, carefully, and flexed his arm to feel the pressure of the bandage there. She had wrapped it firmly, but not so tightly he couldn?t comfortably move. ?But speaking of thinking ahead ? you said you brought your notes and the journal??

"I did. But," she came back out and offered him the tea, "I do not want you to push it. You can barely sit in a chair, for creation's sake. If you say you are ready, then I will not argue. But, I do not wish to make you uncomfortable when you do not have to be. You did a lot yesterday," her tone softened considerably, "I will not put you through more pain again."

Taking the tea, he took a swallow and then gagged, barely managing to swallow it against the unexpected bitterness. ?By the Goddess, this is terrible.? After another, more careful sip, he looked back at her with a shake of his head. ?You did just as much. If I have to sit here without doing anything, I?ll go mad. My body was beaten about, but not my brain ? that I know of. Bring over those papers, and we?ll go over them together. I?ll even let you sit on my lap while we do.? He threw in the last bit off-handedly, with the cocky grin back on his face.

She laughed as he complained about the tea, "It will make you feel better, I promise." Gathering up the journal and her notes, she raised a brow at him, "And how to you plan on that working out? The moment I make contact with your thigh, you will be in too much pain to appreciate me." She threw on her own cocky grin, one that did not match her at all. However tempting the idea was, she instead went to go sit at his feet.

She enjoyed the warmth of his hand, and sighed softly when it left her cheek. She seemed to find a balance in her attention to him and her attention to the study. "A space? Well, that practically changes everything." She laughed lightly and shook her head, putting lines through her previous ideas. She then wrote his down, looking for something that would be hiding underneath. "Blood-night could mean many things. A battle, the appearance of the moon... why could not this thing be simple, hm?" She looked up to him with another rueful smile.

For her rueful smile he gave a shrug, with a lingering look at the curve of her lips. ?Because if it were simple, we?d all know about it already. I don?t think it could have been a battle? it wouldn?t do much good to have battle-bonds that don?t last through a battle. Something with the moon it might be. I think you?re right that he extracted blood. Injected it into his partner, maybe? But how would it be different from what we do during the Choosing Ceremony?? After a moment he tucked away another of her wayward curls.

"It could be the amount or.." she lost her train of thought for a moment as he brushed away her curls, "... the way they exchanged the blood. It truly will make a difference." She wanted to lean against his leg, but she did not for fear of hurting him further. "Is that tea working?"

A brief flash of humor crossed his face at her last question. ?It?s working. And feels very odd, I should add. It?s not that it doesn?t hurt anymore, it?s more like I just can?t care about it. As if my body were set at one remove.? A shake of his head as he was unable to define the sensation any further. ?I think we should read the journal and your notes as if he were writing the literal truth. We don?t have the time to decipher a code or to untangle the ravings of a madman.? His voice grew more quiet. ?You know we might have to experiment without knowing everything, to reach the answer.?

She had never tasted the tea, and so she could only grin at his description. She nodded in his assessment, of how to read the journals, though her face eased into almost expressionless at his last statement. "I know, but I think we have a few more steps before we get there. Devin," her hand rested lightly on his knee, "I promise that I will not endanger you. Again." The corner of her lips twitched.

Lifting her hand from his knee, he pressed the back of her fingers to his lips in a light kiss before he replaced her hand, and left his covering hers. ?Since you haven?t endangered me yet, that should be an easy enough promise to keep. And anyway, I?m a big, semi-strong man. I?m more concerned with putting you in harm?s way. But you are right that there?s quite a bit to do before we get to either of us risking anything.?

"I am not afraid to be a part of it." She said, watching the way he kissed the back of her hand. "How else would things be discovered without taking a few risk now and then?" She then moved to rest her cheek lightly against the back of his hand that covered her own. "Besides, we will have the other Guardian's working with us. That makes the risk so much less."

?Or so much more. But I should have remembered that you have a scholar?s heart, looking to learn everything you can. So let?s be back to learning before this tea puts me entirely to sleep.? Despite the words, he didn?t move to reclaim his hand or open the journal again. Amber eyes were clouded as the painkilling effects of the tea set in further. There was a brief reappearance of that roguish grin as he looked at her with her cheek against their layered hands.

She studied his eyes, waiting to answer for a few moments. She knew that he would not last much longer if they continued to study, and to her, a tired mind could never do research justice. "Forgive me, but I do think that the tea has already gone to your head. Perhaps the research shall wait until you feel better." She turned the hand that his was covered up so that she could give his a squeeze.

\He returned the squeeze to her hand, and the roguish grin reappeared. ?You might be right. In that case, would you care to tuck me in to bed?? It was a teasing offer, but he rather wondered how she would reply. The tea had moved on from creating a detached feeling in his body to creating such a sensation in his mind. It was truly one of the oddest things he had ever experienced. And to be honest, he wasn?t sure if he could stand up without falling over at this point.

She laughed lightly, "If I said no, I would be ever worried that you did not make it there, and are passed out on the floor some where." With great reluctance, she moved her cheek and her hand from his knee, and began to put all of her notes and the journal back into her pack. She then stood, and offered her hand, "Come along, then."

Using her assistance he stood, which added a very strange floating sensation to the odd detachment. The layout of his quarters was along the same basic lines as every other set of rooms provided to the Guardians, and Paola had no troubles guiding him into the bedroom. He didn?t bother to strip off the loose linen pants, and wasn?t wearing shoes, so he simply sank onto the bed under her urging.

Once she was sure that he was comfortable, she sat on the edge of his bed, and brushed a few strands of hair from his forehead. "Do you need anything? Will you be all right?" Her frown was deep and laced with concern for him.

His hand caught hers as she began to lower it, and he gave a sleepy smile and shake of his head that made him look much younger than his years. His voice was half a mumble as he answered. ?Be fine. Thank you for coming? beautiful? taking care?.? The words trailed into inaudibility as his eyes slid closed, but the loose grip of his hand on hers didn?t slip away.

She smiled warmly down at him as his sentences became fragments, and then words. Keeping her hand in his, she leaned down to lightly brush her lips against his, "Sleep well, Devin." Gently removing his hand to have it rest over his middle, she quietly slipped from the room and grabbed her bag before going through the door.