Elena
Old books were my favorite books- the ones that were falling apart from use. Just by looking at the book, you could tell how loved it was. It meant that through the years, someone read and reread the same book. I looked for these kinds of books at second hand stores. The stories were important and meant something to someone somewhere.
The library had tons of donated, used books. Unfortunately, when we got to the mythology section, the usage of the books dwindled. These may not have been used books, but they had barely been checked out from many people. The section was small, only a few shelves way in the back.
We need to make sure the boys share the book with us. Eevie told me as my eyes roamed over the first shelf. Noel stood beside me looking at the bottom shelf.
Even if we find it, how will we know which one is Nori's clan? I haven't seen his bonding mark. I don't even know where it is, I reminded her.
At the bonding ceremony, I was watching. Nori touched Noel on his hip, and I think it had something more to do with placing the bond there than it did the performance he was putting on with me. she replied. She was always so observant, catching all of the little things I never thought to pay much attention to.
Then it's safe to say they know where my bonding mark is, too, I replied.
Probably. But as long as you don't flash them, we should be fine on that front, Eevie answered.
Why do we not want them to see my bonding mark and know which noble family you are from? I asked. It just seemed so silly. Maybe if they knew which noble family they both came from, they could try to persuade their families to let them be together.
Mainly because I don't want the judgement that comes when people find out who my family is. Second, I don't want Nori to get any ideas and challenge my father. It's just safer for everyone if they don't know who my family is.
I sighed and continued searching, dropping the topic. Love was so complicated. I suppose theirs was more so than normal. OTher than them being demons, they couldn't just see each other whenever they wanted like normal people. And they were never truly alone. Noel and I were always there. No matter what.
"Found it!" Noel cried as I grabbed a book from one of the middle shelves, and we excitedly ran into one of the vacant study rooms. I glanced at the schedule and saw we had a free fifteen minutes before the next study group came to use their reserved room.
The book wasn't very thick. I wondered if the author was a human or a demon. And was it safe to have demon lore here? I suppose no one else would know that demons were real, so there wasn't too much harm in it.
Noel shuffled through the pages and opened to a page in the book where it showed sketches of the noble clan's sigils and names next to them. Glancing through, I found the sketch that was supposed to be the Montilyet Clan's mark. IT wasn't quite as detailed as it actually was. The floral marking looked a little different from mine. Had it evolved from whenever this book was written?
The other sigils were all really interesting. Some were super simple and some were more detailed. I glanced over at Noel and gave him a once over. Was it actually on his hip like Eevie thought? I glanced back at the book. Which clan is Nori from, and how would we find out? nori seemed just as determined to keep his family a secret as Eevie was about hers.
Eevie
Noel checked the book out to keep and study. He was a smart kid, and it wouldn't be too long before they figured out which clan I was from. How could I beat them to figuring theirs out first?
I liked my direct approach of just walking up to Noel and pulling his pants down enough to expose his hips. I'd just need a glimpse. But Elena hadn't liked that idea as well. IT was mean, and if the boys weren't going to push it out of us, we shouln't out of them.
I didn't so much agree to this point, but I didn't want to argue. A part of me had hoped that knowing which clan Nori came from would help me figure out who my betrothed was. But I didn't have any clue from my family which of the clans they were marrying me of to. no matter if I knew which family Nori came from, it wouldn't help me figure out who I was betrothed to.
As we were walking back to the dorms, I asked Elena if we could do a mental switch. She seemed dubious, but allowed it. I walked silently beside Noel as Elena had, and when we got to the entrance of the building, I grabbed Noel by the collar and pulled him off to the side of the building and pushed him up against the building.
"Elena? What are you doing?" he asked, alarm tinged his voice.
I put a finger to my lips shushing him. He just looked at me, into Elena's eyes. I placed my finger on his lip, dragging my finger down, pulling his lip down. I smiled at him seductively and leaned in, my breath a whisper on his reddening cheek.
Eevie, no! This will just confuse Noel further about me! Elena cried.
I want to know who Nori's clan is, I whined.
No words were said as I ran my hand from his shoulder down to his hips, and as my hand skimmed just above his pants line, his hand caught my wrist, and I knew it was no longer Noel.
"What are you doing?" Nori asked through Noel.
"Research?" I shrugged, pulling my arm away. "You can't tell me Noel didn't enjoy Elena touching him like that."
"I knew it wasn't her the moment you shushed him. WAs more your style versus Elena," Nori replied. I would have kissed him if they had physically switched and not mentally.
"I'm the better temptress," I admitted with a shrug and a sly smile, dipping my hand dangerously low on Noel's hip once again.
"Elena's more innocent, but she's a pretty good temptress herself," Nori admitted. And I could feel Elena's surprise.
"You want this just as bad as Noel does," I grinned at him, pressing my body closer to him.
"You can't see me clan's symbol if I can't see yours," Nori grinned when I let out a frustrated sound. "Fair's fair."
I pulled away and crossed my arms over my chest, making Elena look very haughty. "I enjoyed my game," I frowned.
Nori laughed. "It was fun while it lasted, but you gotta give to get," Nori leaned in and whispered into my ear before he walked back towards the entrance and went inside, and I begrudgingly followed, waving goodbye as I continued up the stairs.
Letting Elena take control again, I started instructing Elena on how we could replicate the library book. I told her to grab a lighter and to take the piece of paper I had Elena tear out of one of the pages of the book from the back when Noel hadn't been looking into a bathroom stall. I told her to repeat an incantation, and light the paper on fire. When the flame burned out, a replica of the library book sat in her hands.
As she went back into her room and started reading, I slipped into my own thoughts. Would it be worth the risk showing Nori and Noel my clan's sigil?
