Valhala
Chapter 25
Nick gets answers
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Nick saw AJ dragging himself up the stairs to his chambers so he knew the lessons were done for the day. Now on to find Stormwind he thought to himself. He walked out into the courtyard and found Stormwind just entering it on the other side "Stormwind" he called running towards the older man "Can I have a moment of your time?" he asked.
Stormwind looked at Nick with raised eyebrows "I have the feeling it will take more than a moment but in any case yes" he replied. "Come on; let's go to my chambers so we can talk privately.
Once in Stormwind's room Nick plopped down on the man's bed "It's about AJ" he said bluntly.
"What about young Alex?"
"He's been acting strange lately" Nick replied.
"How so?"
"He's been acting, I don't know�almost jealous of the time Jakara spends with Kevin. I don't know why though. I mean, they were never really close back in that other place�I mean home" he answered frowning in thought.
"Did you notice anything strange when you saw the bonds between you five?" Stormwind asked
"Not real�wait�AJ and Kevin's bond was different" Nick said suddenly.
"How so?"
"Well with the rest of us, the bonds are just like multi-colored ropes and stuff�but with theirs, it's like silvery and brighter. What does that mean?" Nick asked
"Silver bonds are commonly referred to as lifebonds" Stormwind said nonchalantly watching for Nick's reaction.
Nick pondered that information for a moment "Wait�that means" he was silent.
"Yes"
"Kevin and AJ are lifebonded�but how, I mean�but I don't understand" Nick said in a rush.
Stormwind frowned "To tell you the truth, I'm a little curious myself. From what Alex has told me about you five, you've been practically inseparable for the last ten years, usually when two people have a lifebond, they recognize it almost immediately upon meeting. The fact that they've been so close and yet not acted upon it�"
"Wait" Nick said thinking back to their first meetings�.
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Howie walked into the room followed by a tall man with blackish hair and intense green eyes "Guys�this is Kevin. Kevin this is Nick and Alex�but everyone calls him AJ" he said pointing to each in turn.
Kevin nodded to Nick and turned his eyes to Alex, green eyes locked with brown, and his breath caught in his throat. Something in those brown eyes called out to him.
AJ looked up at Kevin as their eyes meet this feeling rushed over him like never before, he didn't know how to describe it but it was as if his soul had connected with the older man. "Hi" he said brown eyes never leaving green.
"Hi" Kevin replied.
Nick frowned, he didn't like being ignored "Hey guys�we need to sing" he said loudly.
Kevin shivered, as if coming out of a trance "Umm�right" he said quickly.
"Yeah" AJ said looking down at the floor wondering what it meant.
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"It did happen like that. When they first met they were like staring at each other, lost in each other's eyes. I remember because I didn't like not having any attention so I butted in. Then when the group finally got things working Lou gave the whole 'thou shalt not like guys in that sense' speech. It kind of killed the mood I guess, maybe they suppressed their true feelings" Nick said softly.
"I am assuming that in your world shaych relationships are not accepted openly" Stormwind assessed.
"Not like here anyways, some people accept them, but some do not and even resort to violence against those that are shay 'a' chern" Nick replied.
"I understand. It used to be that way a long time ago here. Once I believe that a young prince ran away with his lover and his friends because he knew they would not be accepted. He could never be king the way he was so he left Valhala" Stormwind told him.
Nick looked at him curiously "Really? He just up and left?" Nick asked
Stormwind nodded "Yes, the chronicles are in the library I believe. You maybe should check them out sometime. Our history is rather interesting" he said with a chuckle.
"I will. What should I do about AJ and Kevin?" he asked getting up.
"Nothing. You must not interfere with their relationship. They must realize their bond on their own" he replied.
"But" Nick protested.
"But nothing Nickolas, I know you want them to be happy, but they need to come to that conclusion on their own. You need to understand this, please" Stormwind said in a firm yet soft voice.
Nick nodded "I won't interfere with them but do you think Kevin and Jakara have something going on?" he asked.
Stormwind shook his head "No, I honestly do not think so�it is too soon since Alanna's passing. I believe they have just latched on to each other because they experienced something horrific together" he replied.
"Ok�thank you for your time Stormwind" Nick said walking towards the door.
"Anytime young Nickolas, knowledge is just as powerful as any gift you possess�remember that" Stormwind said as Nick walked out the door.
Nick walked down the hall back towards the entrance hall eager to get outside to do some thinking�he didn't notice the young woman hiding in the shadows of the hallway. "Alex is already jealous, now I can just help it along" she said softly as she crept the opposite direction down the hallway.
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