15 The Eye (1/2)

Her shoulder looked so delicate but once Nikolai had touched her he'd sensed barely restrained power. As a Mage he could perceive the strength that lurked beneath her skin and knew that if she didn't want to be moved, he wouldn't be able to force her. Still the contact had been pleasant, and he felt an instant sense of intimacy, like the contact was a necessity of his life. He tried to focus on the sensation, but all he that happened was the part of him connected to the Great Dragon reached out to her. He'd been a little scared at how easily it had happened but when Elya saw the Eye and gasped she leaned into him, bringing their bodies together until they were almost embracing.

”Is it actually the eye of a Dragon?” when she looked over her shoulder Nikolai was dazed.

It was a perfect moment.

Magical light cascaded against her gorgeous silver hair, her eyes sparkling in wonder and awe. In his Sight she stood as a blazing torch of fire, drawing in every strand of mana that existed nearby. His magical and mundane vision overlapped and at that second, he understood why she was a Dragonslayer, a woman of such beauty and skill that calling her goddess would be demeaning. He grabbed a lock of her hair, enjoying the silken texture as it flowed through his hands. She observed him, calculation, warmth and surprise flickering in her eyes and gently turned till her cheek was resting against his fingers.

Elya's eyes drooped in what he thought was contentment and she stared at him from under her lids and all he wanted was to know her.

Why was she here?

Who had caused that scar?

What made her smile?

What was it that she wanted?

Could they have a connection beyond their family's desires?

A cough from Alexis shattered the atmosphere and suddenly Elya was fussing with her hair while Nikolai's arm was left hanging in the air, reaching for something that had slipped away. He took a shuddering breath to focus and glanced at the curious eyes of his apprentice and the Vice-Captain's knowing smirk.

”It's… not an actual eye but a spell construct.” He cleared his throat and glimpsed Elya retying her ponytail out of the corner of his eye. ”Utilising some things we learned from the Azokarri and a few of the resources we gained in the surrender I had this idea. Basically, we've bound that arm and mirror to three different spells. First a physical construct that can observe the surroundings, which is the Eye.” Nikolai gestured at the hovering magical rune, warming to his subject when he noticed the rapt gazes of his audience. ”Second a binding between the mirror, eye and arm, and finally a fascinating spell that can convert the information into a map.”

The Knights gaped at him, lost in the explanation but Jarek was nodding along. Even though the boy had heard him speak of it many times, he never tired of hearing about the spell.

”This… With something like this we could spy on enemy formations and map out battlefields.” Elya breathed puzzling through the implications.