New developments

Erinara

Neither Jin nor I took so much as a step for a long while.
We found ourselves too preoccupied with each other, the world around us feeling hazy and out of focus. 
With every kiss exchanged between us, the feelings of love bloomed stronger in my heart, having finally found the outlet they so desperately wished for. A constant, pink blush covered both of our faces. Its complementary nervousness was easily overshadowed by our endearing embrace.

After some time, however, we had to pull away from each other’s lips, albeit we did so very slowly.
‘Just a little bit more. Just let me be close to him a little longer. Just let me kiss him for one more moment’, my mind lamented.
I shook those thoughts to the side. There was no need to rush.
Jin and I were very clearly enamored with another, this was just the first step in our newfound budding relationship.
The expression Jin wore seemed to match up with the thoughts in my head. I wondered if I looked the same.
It took a decent amount of willpower to not give myself back to the pleasure of embracing him.

“What an odd situation”, I commented with a combination of infatuation and fascination, “I wish to stay in your arms, and to kiss you more, but at the same time I don’t want to rush into everything.”
Jin’s eyes widened for a second before returning to normal.
“I understand what you mean”, he smiled tenderly at me, “we have a lot of time to figure everything out. I must admit, I hardly have any knowledge on romantic topics.”
I laughed quietly.
“Believe me, however little you know, I know even less. I never even considered love to be a possibility for myself, you know, as an omen”, that statement seemed ridiculous now, but the reason for that new development was purely thanks to Jin, “We can work everything out together.”
I delicately placed my right hand on his cheek.
“I’m certain of it, my knight.”
For a moment it looked like Jin’s legs had gotten weak, but he tried to not let that be noticed. Somehow, his ineffective attempt of hiding that reaction appeared adorable to me.
“That we will. Thank you, Erinara.”
Jin placed his hand over mine, slightly nestling his face against it. He lingered for a moment, happily relishing in my touch.

We began our daily duties from then on.
A few hours later, Jin and I both found ourselves in the study once again.
He had been making an impressive amount of progress in his understanding of runic magic, to the point of being able to read and understand how to combine some of the more basic rules one can implement into a rune.
His ability to perceive magic being moved around him had gotten better as well, although he couldn’t control mana himself yet.

While Jin was studying different notes on runes, I tried to learn more of my new ability.
Surprisingly, the general frigidness around my body had fully disappeared ever since this morning.
Focusing on this new magic within me, I summoned it forth with my hands raised to my chest. A golden radiance covered my body. The dissipating beams that reached Jin shimmered off of his armor, bathing the entire room in a soft golden glow.
Jin turned his head, observing me quietly.
I tried to control and fold the magic to my will, but only managed to gather wisps of light in my hands. It was a far cry from the mastery I had over my shadow magic.
At the very least, since I already mastered one type of innate magic before, I knew of some points I had to focus on first. Thankfully, the form of this light seemed to be as malleable as the shadow magic.
The full range of what the light could do was still unknown to me, but I had discerned what its main ability was at least. While bathing in the luminescence of this magic, I felt fortified, and smaller wounds healed themselves.
Exhaling slowly, I let the light disperse.

“Did you learn anything new?”, Jin asked. He had gotten up from his notes and walked next to me standing in the middle of the room.
“It’s hard to describe. I think this magic is of a supporting type. I seem to have the ability to ever so slightly heal myself and strengthen my resistance to attacks, but that is the extent of my control over it for now”, I said. Then a new thought appeared in my head: “Wait, stay right here I want to test something”
I moved to stand directly before him and called the light forth once again. The radiance surrounded me tightly. However, it had just enough range to encase Jin if I stood this close to him. With even slightly more distance, the light would diffuse into small beams without any magic.
“How do you feel?”, I asked. 
Jin remained silent for a few seconds. 
“Happy to be so close to you?”, he blushed slightly. 
“Not that, you idiot”, I softly pushed his shoulder, feeling a sense of embarrassment at not recognizing the situation I put him in. 
“I meant in regards to being within the light. Do you feel different?”, I explained my question.
“Oh! Now that you mention it, I do feel slightly stronger. Allow me to check the healing as well.”
Before I could object, he had already taken off one of his gloves, drawn a sword and placed a small cut on the back of his hand. 
The cut slowly began knitting itself together. 
I looked at it happen in awe. 
“Okay, so that did, to be fair, not end badly. But did you completely miss when I said I can ‘ever so slightly’ heal myself?”, I asked, astonished at his actions.
“It was just a shallow cut. Even if it didn’t heal, it wouldn’t be a problem. And you gained more knowledge of your magic, right? I’m happy to be of service.”
I sighed. He was right of course.
“Okay, fair point. Thank you, Jin”, I quickly kissed the side of his face.
“Wait, huh?”, he exclaimed in surprise. His face was turning a little more red.
“Just a token of gratitude”, I chuckled, with pink cheeks of my own.

For the next hour, I helped Jin with learning various runic compounds.

“Ah miss Erinara, do you have a moment?”, the small stature of Kayon appeared in the doorframe.
“Of course, just a second.”
I dismissed the rune I was showing to Jin and walked over to Kayon. He led me to the hallway.
A mischievous expression plastered his face.
“So, have you and Jin Eaglecrest finally confronted another?”, he asked, acting out an overly exasperated groan, “It was about time.”
My mind reeled in surprise, instantly propelled into a sense of fluster. Trying my best to sound neutral I asked:
“What are you talking about?”
“Oh please, miss Erinara. Do you honestly think either of you were even remotely subtle with how painstakingly you were pining after each other for the past days? With all due respect, you are even showing your face without any worry. I was too afraid to interject, so I didn’t dare try to ask either of you for help. It was mighty entertaining though”, he smirked, running a hand through his curly hair, “But back to the matter at hand, master Ebiron will be returning in two days already, and I would like to request your help in finishing preparations.”
“I see. Jin and I can help you, of course”, I said.
“Marvelous. Oh and one more thing”, Kayon suddenly went quiet.
“What’s that?”
“It appears you didn’t need my assistance after all”, he winked at me, “I wish you and Jin Eaglecrest the best of luck. You dearly deserve it.”
Kayon did a little curtsy, before promptly wandering off to resume his work.

I stood still as if stunned for a moment. Then I went back to the study to get Jin for the new task.

Jin and I spent the rest of today and the next two days helping Kayon out with all residual work left in the citadel, in order to be properly prepared to receive the first group of guests.