Nathaly: 

She clutched her stomach for the third time that day, trying to push back the sickly gurgles. Even though they had ridden on Kodiak's creature for days now, her body still hadn't quite gotten used to the sensation of being bounced up and down. Nathaly could see it in Eithan's face too, no matter how hard he tried to avoid it. Kodiak, however, looked perfectly fine and even managed to ride one-handed, though Nathaly suspected it was just to show off.

The forest whizzed past them in a blotchy blur of green and brown. Kodiak looked back at her.

"You can hold onto me, if you aren't feeling well. Should I slow down?"

Nathaly shook her head, even though it made her head spin even faster.

"We need to get there as quick as possible. I'll survive," she said through gritted teeth as another wave of nausea crashed down on her. "And I'm not holding onto you."

Kodiak grinned. "Suit yourself." Her fingers twitched as she looked at Kodiak's broad form. Eithan scoffed from behind her but she ignored him. Ever since he had caught her and Kodiak like that, he had been particularly irritated towards the both of them. Instead, Nathaly focused on her brother. He had mentioned that they were going to meet the three of them at the border, and her excitement upon seeing her brother made up for the churning in her gut. 

"How much longer, Montague?" Eithan grunted. Kodiak didn't even look back.

"Not much farther. If you need to vomit go do it over there." He waved his hand carelessly towards the trees. Eithan didn't respond but Nathaly could feel his anger. She twisted on the back of the large wolf, digging her nails into the soft leather of the saddle to anchor herself.

"Are you purposely trying to get us killed?"

"No, why do you say that?" Eithan crossed his arms. 

"You seem to be trying to instigate a fight literally every minute with him. Can't you just leave it, Eithan? If Kodiak doesn't control that creature it will buck all of us off and will ruin the entire mission." She glared at him. "And we certainly don't want that, do we?" she added some bite into her words to emphasize the point.

But Eithan met her gaze, unflinching and infuriatingly calm. "Why are you defending him, all of sudden, Nathaly? Is it something to do with last night?" 

"Are you jealous?"

"Do you want me to be?" he replied back quickly. Nathaly tossed her hands up in exasperation, but realized her mistake as she started to fall back. Eithan caught her and the both of them were silent for a second. She could feel his breath on her forehead, warm and soothing.

"Thanks," she managed to breathe out before reorienting herself.

"Everything okay?" Kodiak called back.

"I almost fell, and Eithan just caught me. We're good. Keep going." Nathaly's words were clipped, leaving no room for discussion. Kodiak didn't say anything, just nodded stiffly and snapped the reins once more. With a low growl that reverberated in the creature's ribs, it surged forward with a burst of speed that brought tears to her eyes. 

With every leap through the thinning forest, Nathaly regained small pieces of herself. She didn't know what was happening, a swirling cesspool of feelings inside her chest that made her want to explode. She had never felt like this before, not with anyone. It wasn't a bad feeling, just unusual. Nathaly wasn't sure if she wanted it to go away. 

Before she could ponder about it more, the chatter of overlapping voices drew her attention away. They were here. The border was shimmering, almost pulsing, reflecting the levels of excitement in the clearing. The azure colors were so bright that it made Nathaly's head ache. The Council greeted her with a nod but Calum brightened when he saw her. Being back in her brother's arms felt better then anything.

"I'm so glad you're okay," he whispered to her, showing rare displays of emotion. 

"You trained me. Of course I would be okay." Nathaly smiled at him, the moment souring once she saw Javon marching towards her. She spun back towards her brother.

"You just had to bring him?" she whispered furtively. Her brother just shrugged helplessly in response.

"I couldn't do anything. He was annoying the hell out of Kolton." Nathaly groaned and turned to Javon, irritation spiking dangerously. Javon's hard green eyes sparkled at the sight of her, eyes roving over her eagerly. Kodiak and Eithan had went off to greet their families so Nathaly was alone. Calum edged away, relief melting on his face. 

Javon crushed her in a hug, his curly black hair tickling her nose. He pulled away but before she could start yelling at him, he talked over her.

"How have you been? I've missed you, Nathaly. Fights are less entertaining without you there." 

Nathaly curled her upper lip at him. "I don't miss you one bit." Javon brushed it off with a laugh.

"Just as silver-tongued as before," he admired. "One of the things I love most about you." Nathaly rolled her eyes.

"You don't love me, Javon," she retorted. He prowled forward, his bright eyes determined.

"I know how I feel, Nathaly," he whispered, clutching her arms tightly, as if she were going to run away. His eyes searched her face as he leaned closer, tightening his grip on her biceps as he did.

"Nathaly, who's this?" Nathaly had never been so happy to hear Kodiak's voice. The Montague was tense, voice as low as a growl. But Javon just looked him over lazily. 

"Javon. I'm one of the Novices," Javon stared Kodiak straight in the eyes. Nathaly took this chance to wrench her arms out of his grasp. Her arms smarted but she ignored the sensation, watching the two men stare each other down.

"Funny, because she didn't look too happy to see you," Kodiak cocked his head, looking like a wolf stalking a weak lamb. 

Javon didn't say anything, just stalked off. But Nathaly didn't miss the hungry glance he sent back at her once Kodiak's back was turned. Kodiak raised his eyebrows expectantly, silently probing for an explanation. With a sigh, Nathaly explained how Javon was unhealthily obsessed with Nathaly, and how he had continued to persist for all these years. Kodiak looked fleetingly at Javon, who was talking with Angelique a few paces away. 

"We don't have to talk about it, or say anything, or do anything about it," Nathaly stated crisply. Kodiak drew his gaze back to her, now with a smirk on his face.

"I don't know what compels him to behave that way, but I understand where he's coming from. I'm sure he's one of many that admire you." With that, he jogged away, clapping one of the other Montagues on the back loudly. He glanced back, eyes smiling secretly. Nathaly turned away, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her blush. The heat rushed to her cheeks and Nathaly ducked her head, obscuring the red painting her cheeks. 

"Nathaly, the Council wants to speak to you," a timid voice piped up from behind her. It was Aadhya, another one of the Novices. She was a shy girl, more content with blending into the walls then talking. But Nathaly liked her. She had the kind of appearance many people would judge to be small, weak, but she knew Aadhya was anything but. If anybody talked bad about her little sister, a whole knew person would emerge. Furious, talented, strong. 

"Thank you, Aadhya," Nathaly said kindly before straightening her back. Once she believed herself to look relatively confident, which was the best she could manage after Kodiak's words, she walked up to the group. 

Kolton nodded at her. "You're ready to go I assume?" Nathaly ducked her head once respectfully. Kolton nodded again.

"Good luck, Nathaly. I expect you to bring the two back," Kolton said. Nathaly pursed her lips, refusing to let her composure crumble. 

"Of course, your Honor."

Kolton waved his hands. "Go on, then. Bring your two men. We don't have time to wait." When he turned away, Nathaly walked away. Even though she didn't show it, Kolton's words weighed heavily on her. This was her one chance at the glory she had been training for, for the one goal she had sweated and bled for. She couldn't let it slip from her fingers. Setting her resolve, Nathaly paced to the Montague tent, calling for Kodiak. He said a few parting words towards an older couple, who she assumed to be his parents, then saluted his younger family members. 

"Three days with her and you've already become her lapdog," one of the young men called out. He was applauded with agreeing chuckles. The young man was handsome. It seemed to be a common trait amongst both clans. The members from each clan were differently beautiful. 

Kodiak still looks better then them all,  her mind whispered almost gleefully.  

"That's quaint coming from you, Afon," Kodiak tossed back at the Montague with a easy smile. But he turned towards the wolf and clicked, coaxing the creature into a slow trot. 

"Eithan!" Nathaly called to the Capulet. He nodded and bowed towards his family. The Capulets were less familiar with each other, content with holding up their cold mask at all times. He loped towards the pair and got up on the creature. The three groups crowded around the wolf, who had become to look a bit disoriented from the sheer size of the group. 

Kolton stepped forward, robe trailing regally on the dirt. 

"I bid you farewell, Nathaly, and good luck. We await your return," the Montagues and the Capulets both murmured their agreement. 

Kodiak looked back at her briefly before steering the creature towards the gauzy border. The creature tensed, and sprung through the border.