Anya's meeting with the king was a lesson in focus. He must have known her mind was elsewhere by the number of times he repeated her name and raised his brow. So her request to be excused had clearly not come as a surprise, in fact, Zanden had seemed relieved to discuss things with Irien who a far more engaged audience. His parting words a request for her presence at his eldest daughter's celebration.

Now, she paced up and down her room with a scowl on her face and burning questions on her tongue.

"A Pyra?" she muttered. "Gods how can you do this to me now! Why here? Why now?" She ran her fingers through her dark hair and collapsed into one of the seats. "I'll keep my distance." she reasoned with the empty space in front of her. Talking helped even if it was to fall only upon her own ears. He has no power over me anymore...he never had. A knock at the door disturbed her thoughts.

"Come in," she said as politely as she could; smoothing her face and dress. To her surprise Alec stepped through and she found it hard not to show her surprise.

"Good evening Keeper," he said bowing low.

"Good evening Lord Alec, what can I do for you?" she asked with a cool tone.

"I just came to visit before the celebration tonight," he said with a smile. "We have hardly spoken since arriving here."

She schooled her brow to stay still. She had barely exchanged any words with him since they were teenagers. Despite her attempts to integrate with the other students at the Imalandro, she had remained a pariah. "Apologies, I've been busy. Please come in and have a seat." Anya watched as he closed the door and sat in one of the large armchairs. She was too lazy to get up and lock the door in case anyone entered but then again there was no need with such company.

He sat down slowly keeping his eyes on her and she met him with the same unreadable gaze. She had seen him from time to time walking in the gardens or through the open corridors of the school over the years. Watching him fill out his lanky form from afar. He had never been alone and the stab of jealousy that came with that fact hurt more than she'd like to admit. Even before they had left Arazia, she had spotted him walking next to Gina and Lord Derrick, who she also had not exchanged words with in years. "What would you wish to talk about?"

"I heard a rumour floating around and thought to tell you." He said smoothly in a more solemn voice.

"Oh, what is this rumour?" she asked even though she knew what it was. She still found it a strange sensation; being able to sense people's feelings and sometimes intentions. Certain feelings she could not interpret in the moment, but most were clear.

"There is apparently a couple of Pyree in the castle. I heard one of the elves talk about one as if he had been here not too long ago."

"Is that so?" Anya forced the surprise into her voice.

"Yes, I'm afraid so. Isn't it strange? Goblins and Kuvasai appear in the Emarius-fum and at the same time two Pyree are present. I wonder if they are connected."

"Connected how?"

Alec shrugged his shoulders in a casual manner. "What happens if they are working with the Drows and are here as spies?" Anya frowned. Nic would never betray the Gods or the Will. By the Gods! If he is a Pyra, that means he can use the Will!

"Thank you for your concern. I will keep that in mind."

Alec smiled deeply. "How have you been?"

"Well," Anya replied friendly.

"Are you handling your new responsibilities?" he asked as if concerned.

"I am coping just fine," she said smoothly.

"Of course you are," he leaned forward and placed his hand on hers. "You were always strong; much stronger than me in many ways. But if ever you need my help, please, call for me."

She kept her face cool. Once upon a time the sight of him with Gina had stung, even brought a tear or two to her eyes, but she had moved passed such emotions. She was needed for much more important matters than those of the heart. "Thank you, Alec. I will remember that." She smiled at him. He had always had a boyish handsomeness, a smile that was endearing and warm and a gaze that made you feel the most important person in the room. He was most of the women in the Imalandro's dream date. Anya knew this for a fact from all the desire she felt in his wake..

She managed a small smile. A movement near the door caught her attention and when she looked she sprang to her feet, quicker than a cat.

"Keeper Anya," Nic said. "May I have a word?" Anya stared at Nic, her mouth hanging open. What felt like minutes passed as she continued to stare.

"Anya," Alec whispered. "That's him. Look at his hand."

Anya looked at Nic's one hand. A silver ring was on his middle finger. She could feel power from the ring, which certified it as a crest of a Pyra. Nic waited patiently for her to answer but when she did not Alec did for her.

"She wishes to have no such company, Pyra." He spat the words out as if they were venom.

"Thank you, my Lord, but I would prefer to hear it from the Keeper herself." Nic's tone was polite, making it a heavier blow to Alec who seemed to wince at the words.

"Alec," she said softly as she turned to him. "Thank you for your concern, but I can manage one Pyra just fine thank you."

"Anya..." he trailed off as Anya raised her hand.

"I'll be fine. He'd be a fool to harm me and he knows it." She shot Nic a warning glare as she spoke. "It would not be a fair match." The side of Nic's mouth curled and then straightened quickly. She turned back to Alec who was regarded her unable to make a decision between obeying and not. Fiinally he bowed and left, pausing next to Nic to exchange a few words she could not hear. She felt anger and hatred from Alec but somehow felt nothing from Nic. Once the door was closed she flicked her wrist to lock the door and sent a warding spell so no one could hear what would be said. "Why have you come, Pyra?"

Nic laughed deeply. "Don't tell me you hate me now just because you know what I am?"

"I don't hate what you are, I'm just shocked at your decision, but it's of no concern to me. It's your life, you may do what you want with it."

"Of course. You have done well with your own." He seemed to assess her on the spot but she lifted her chin and kept her body relaxed and her face neautral, matching his blue-grey eyes with a blank stare of her own.

"I've earned great privileges and responsibilities, yes, but your praise isn't necessary."

He laughed again and walked towards her. She had to restrain from walking away as he drew nearer. "I was not praising you," he said confidently as he came closer. He was so close now that Anya found it difficult to breath evenly. She could feel his warm body heat near her own and his slow breaths coming down on her face. Just when she thought she could not take it anymore he continued forward and sat in the chair that Alec had just occupied.

"Why have you come?" she kept her voice as steady as possible but she knew inside she was shaking. Her hands had a slight tremble but she hid them behind her back.

"To talk," he replied softly waiting for her to sit in a chair. She studied him while he was not looking. He had changed a lot since last she saw him in Tjorin Vale. He was no longer the unsure, nervous, young man he once was. He was now confident, relaxed and strong. It intrigued her even though she wished it wouldn't. His gangly body had filled out but his boyish facial features still shone through the hard angles that hadn't been there before. The grey blue eyes still twinkled with the same youthfulness they once had, but was dulled by experience and wisdom he had gained over the years. She walked slowly to the seat and lowered herself gently not taking her eyes off him.

"About what, Pyra?"

"You can still call me Nic."

"You're not the Nic I used to know." Anya thought she saw hurt wash over his face but it disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared.

"I have not changed who I am."

"You are a Pyra. Is that not a change enough?"

"That is what I am. Nic, is who I am."

"Nic would not have become a Pyra."

He lifted his hands to his chin in what seemed to be a thoughtful position. "Why is a being a Pyra so bad to you?"

Anya opened her mouth to reply but closed it again. "You know the answer."

"No, I do not. No, Pyra does. We cannot decide whether it is jealousy that is behind your hate, or fear."

Anya felt anger stir within her but reigned it in quickly. She could tell he was amused. "Jealousy?" she said casually. "Why would we be jealous of you when we have all we need. More power than you, a home, respect from all, and on top of all that, why would we fear a group that is slowly dying out." This time she did allow her brow to rise.

"You are jealous of our freedom and fear that what we believe is right and what you believe is wrong."

"Do we not believe in the same things?"

"Precisely, we do. So then why hate us?"

Anya frowned. He had cornered her. He had deliberately made her contradict herself..

"I congratulate you on your victorious battle today, Pyra Nicholaes." She said quickly, hoping the change of subject would throw him off.

"There is no need to be formal with me. There is no one else here and no one will over-hear what we have to say either with your wards." She raised her eyebrow again. "I sensed them when you made them," he said casually, answering the question she did not want to ask. "Now, ask your question again but this time try make it sound like the Anya I used to know."

"I don't know what you mean."

"Yes you do. The Anya I used to know was strong and her own person. She did not abide by anyone else's rules."

"The Anya you used to know was young and carefree. I have grown up and have responsibilities now." She unintentionally raised her voice but continued to look at him steadily.

"They have destroyed you haven't they?"

"Don't be ridiculous."

"They have! And you know it. Tell me, Keeper, do you have any sense of self left in you."

"How dare you!" she spat, but immediately regretted it.

"Ah! So you are still there. Drop the act Anya."

She stood up quickly and stared down at him. "It's Keeper Anya."

He stood up as well. He was considerably taller than her. Her eyes were level with his chin and she had to strain her neck to look at him properly. "I do not want to speak to Keeper Anya. I want to speak to Anya from Tjorin Vale."

"I am she," she said curtly.

"No, the one that shouted was she. So if I need to have a shouting competition to talk to her then so be it."

"Do not taunt me, you will get no reaction."

"I did before."

"It won't happen again."

He smiled as if she had just said something that amused him. "Do not say things you are not sure of, Keeper."

She narrowed her eyes and had the urge to slap him through the face. Instead she walked away from him and poured herself some water from a beaker. "Water?" she asked more calmly than she felt.

"Please." She poured two glasses and handed him the one. He caught her hand before she could pull it away.

"Do you enjoy taunting me?" she asked through slitted eyes.

"Maybe," he smiled at her. "The real you comes out when I do."

"You don't know who the real me is anymore. Maybe you never did. We hardly knew each other in Tjorin Vale. We spoke, true, but you did not know me and I you. I have not seen you in five years. We're both different. Maybe you should start to accept that." He did not let go of her wrist, he just looked at her, breaking down her defenses again as if she stood bare in front of him. "Let go of me!" she spoke softly but with as much force as she could muster.

He released his grip and lowered his head. "I 'll see you tonight, Keeper Anya."

Anya said nothing as he left. He unlocked the door, to her surprise, with a flick of his own wrist and was gone without a backward glance.

As soon as the door clicked shut she collapsed into a chair. She laughed quietly for no reason she could understand.

Is he right? Have I allowed myself to be lost in my duties? Have I given in to their ways? No!

She shook her head as if it would make certain of it.

He is the one that has changed! He is the one that chose to become a Pyra, not I. Pyree are untrustworthy; all Guardians say so.

Why would they lie about such things? Karia said Pyree were unpredictable too and did not trust them either, but then why did she suggest to have an open mind when it came to dealing with them?

Have I changed that much that I don't make decisions myself and rather listen to others for advice? No!

"It is still me. I have just grown-up. I was young and foolish in my youth that is all."

But I am still young.

She shook her head again and reluctantly pushed herself to her feet and began preparing her outfit for the night.