It was only three days before Christmas and Sophie was terribly distracted.

What would he like? Since she was being invited to Aditya's house on Christmas it behooved her to bring gifts. However, Sophie had no money. Her family was… was… actually, she'd rather not think about it… so all she had was a charge card to a very expensive department store. The card had a sharp limit, though, and it wasn't always renewed promptly. Sophie had to be very careful with her purchases.

That was a terrible dilemma, though, because the department store was expensive. Sophie sometimes felt that her 'family' did this to her purposefully. If the charge card were only for a cheaper place she would not have such trouble! But she was a Nuade-Re, she was supposed to wear only the finest clothing, never mind that the card was not loaded with enough money for that. Perhaps she should start walking around half-naked it would serve them right…

"No, that is silly, I must find something for Adi," Sophie murmured, looking through the men's section. At least she would get free wrapping. There was a table where three girls were doing that and they were doing a marvelous job.

Sophie finally settled on socks for Adi. Very nice ones, merino wool, they were expensive for socks but would not break her budget. Then she needed something for Adi's mother. Sophie went down to the bottom level of the store, where they sold many gourmet foods. She knew Adi's mother loved to experiment with strange cuisines so surely Sophie could find something nice for her here!

Sophie finally settled on gorgeous bow pasta, colored in stripes with natural pigments. She also picked out some seaweed – kombu? – and a very fancy fruitcake. The girls' wrapping the gifts could also make impromptu gift baskets and soon it was in a pretty little wicker basket, covered in cellophane. The socks were neatly wrapped in white and silver snowflake wrapping with a little silver bow. The only discouraging moment came when Sophie checked her card balance. She couldn't even buy lunch. She would have to hurry back to the Clock Tower if she wanted anything to eat. Why is it all so hard? Her family was rich, Sophie had seen that so many times.

"Because they don't really want me," Sophie murmured to herself. She had an older brother and sister. That had been more than enough and Sophie's mother had used magic to sterilize herself but she hadn't realized she was already pregnant. The magic had worked, closing off the path from her ovaries to her womb, but that had done nothing at all to the child already growing there. That made Sophie a spare on top of a spare. If her mage circuits had not been so fine, she would likely have been adopted out at birth. But her mage circuits were of first quality so she was being kept for… alliances…

Setting aside that unpleasant thought – there was no point in ruminating on it, it was what it was – Sophie took the tube back to the Clock Tower. It was a short trip, which was the greatest advantage of her charge card. A cheaper store might be less convenient. As she patiently waited to arrive, Sophie's joy bubbled back.

Adi likes me! It was all too soon, they were both very young, but Sophie was overjoyed to find out that the boy she liked, liked her in return. Will he marry me someday? Sophie was hopeful that he might. Her grandfather had made it clear that if she did not find someone to marry at the Clock Tower, he would find someone for her and Sophie wouldn't like it. Still, that was years away, training at the Clock Tower could last well into the twenties, as long as thirty for advanced studies.

Happily envisioning a future with Adi – what would his children be like? Would they have his piercing blue eyes? – Sophie forgot to pay attention to her surroundings. It was a costly mistake.

The blow was unexpected and knocked her off her feet. Packages went everywhere and Sophie heard something crunch but that was unimportant as she cried out in surprise, her face a mass of pain. Sophie lay on the ground for a moment, stunned, and heard a voice.

"Well, Naude-Re." Oh no oh no oh no! Sophie gasped as El-Melloi bent over her. Her eyes were watering but she could still see his nasty smile. "I think – " Sophie didn't want to hear what he thought. Instead, she activated her mage circuits and lifted her hand.

There was no hesitation and Sophie closed her eyes tightly just before she unleashed her attack – a blinding flare. El-Melloi reeled away with a roar of pain and Sophie scrambled to her feet. Her eyes were watering even more now, despite the fact that she'd had them shut, but she could see and she did the other thing Adi had recommended… she ran.

I must get to a professor! They would put a stop to this! Sophie ran as fast as she could, aware of footsteps behind her. She tried to put on more speed but then she slipped. Her pretty little boots were fine for walking around city streets in the snow but they weren't meant for this…!

"AH!" A hard hand caught her arm and jerked her around. Sophie reacted by trying to punch him in the throat. It didn't work, he caught her hand and Sophie gasped, then whimpered as it felt like he was crushing the bones. Oh no! "Aurelius aub – mph!" He put a hand over her mouth, muffling her. Sophie began to panic then, kicking at him helplessly. Let me go!

"Stupid little bitch. I think I'll teach you a proper lesson…" He let go of her hand and Sophie's eyes went wide as she heard her clothing tear. What was he…?! Air touched her breasts and Sophie gasped before trying to bite his hand. It didn't work, he was ready for it.

But then he suddenly let her go. Sophie caught herself from falling, eyes wide as El-Melloi blocked a punch with his arms. Aditya! He looked so perfectly composed, face intense with concentration as he took a boxing stance before attacking again. He is so good! This was the speed, power and skill he'd never used on her, not really. He was so fast and strong! Oh, but the El-Melloi boy was almost as good and what was she DOING?

Sophie turned and began to run again, this time holding her torn clothing together. She still needed an instructor, they could put a stop to this! Sophie burst into the classroom she always shared with Adi. It was between classes – thank god! – and her professor was there, cleaning off the chalkboard.

"Professor Harway! Please help, there is a fight, Adi and the El-Melloi boy – " Sophie cried and the man turned, surprised. He cursed and dropped the brush, going to her and gripping her shoulder.

"Show me," Harway said sharply and Sophie nodded before running out. She had to be careful in her stupid boots but she still ran fast enough, taking her professor back to the scene of the conflict.

When they got there, Sophie was appalled. The walls of the Clock Tower were strong, they had to be, but the two boys had still scorched and chipped them as they resorted to magic. Adi had a bloody nose – was it broken? – and the other boy had a split lip and a black eye. They were both still fighting and as Sophie watched they grappled on the ground, each trying to get the advantage.

"ENOUGH!" Professor Harway roared just as Adi tried to choke his opponent and the El-Melloi boy tried to gouge at his eyes. They both froze at the sound of authority. "Let go of him Zhukov! Stand down, El-Melloi!" Aditya was on top and after a moment of hesitation, he reluctantly let go of the boy beneath him. They were both breathing heavily as they stood. "What is the meaning of this?"

"This fool interfered with my business again," El-Melloi said as Adi took a deep breath. Sophie shivered at the coldness in his eyes.

"Her dress is torn professor," Aditya's voice was oddly soft. Harway looked at her sharply and Sophie clutched her gown to herself, cheeks heating as shame and embarrassment warred through her.

"I'm sorry," Sophie said meekly then blinked as Adi huffed. Oh, what was she apologizing for? Sophie felt her cheeks heat even more and glanced away. El-Melloi laughed, a sharp, staccato sound. But then Harway looked at him and he fell silent.

"She may be an enemy of your family, El-Melloi, but this kind of conduct is unbecoming. I will have a notice sent to your family," Harway said frostily and from El-Melloi's small smirk, he wasn't worried. Of course, Aditya saw that too.

"No. By the right of iron and blood, by the North Wind and the raging storms, by the insects that live within my body. I challenge you to a duel of blood and fire," Aditya said and Sophie gasped. There was no standard wording for a mage duel challenge but it was easy to understand what Adi meant! "Let death be the outcome. Nothing less will satisfy." …What?!

"Adi, you can't!" Sophie burst out as Harway seemed stunned and the El-Melloi boy stared in surprise. But then he smirked again, this time widely.

"I accept," he said, his voice cold and arrogant. Harway drew a deep breath.

"I forbid it!" Sophie mentally blessed him and hoped Professor Harway could head this off. "You are both too young and your timing is appalling! A mage duel three days before Christmas? Have you no shame?" Oh that was good and he was right, it was horrible timing. But Aditya was unmoved, cold as ice as he responded.

"My mother will approve. And I do not think El-Melloi needs to worry about his family. They couldn't afford a plane ticket," Aditya's tone was perfectly even but held a quiet mockery. Sophie drew a breath as El-Melloi glared, furious. Was that true? He was a younger son, without a Mage Crest? If that was the case, Adi had an advantage.

"Professor, I must insist. This brat has already assaulted me, I will have satisfaction," El-Melloi said, still glaring at Aditya. He met the gaze head on with a colder, but equally deadly hostility. Sophie wanted to cry. Were they serious? "You do not have the authority to forbid us." …Oh no he was right. Sophie bit her lower lip as Professor Harway looked furious.

"We will see about that. Both of you, go, speak to your families! And you can be sure I will be speaking to them as well," Harway snarled and Aditya politely bowed as the El-Melloi boy just arrogantly turned away, head held high. Sophie went to Adi's side, still holding her dress together.

"Adi, please, you don't have to do this," Sophie whispered to him and his gaze flickered towards her before he shook his head, minutely. Then he took her arm and Sophie let him take her away. As soon as they were safely away, she tried again. "Adi, please, what if he kills you?" Sophie did not think she would be able to forgive herself. Oh, this was all her fault! Aditya's lips thinned.

"Then I will die with honor." What good was that?! Sophie opened her mouth but Adi held up a hand. "I will not be deterred from this course. Do not attempt it again." Sophie closed her mouth, paling a bit at his tone. Adi was so stern and it terrified her. Sophie followed him meekly as he escorted her back to her rooms and hoped, against hope, that his mother would forbid this duel.

Nothing she could say would sway Aditya but perhaps his mother could.


Later that same day.

"You have done what?" Anna could not believe her ears. She stared at her son who just met her gaze evenly. "Aditya! Have you lost your mind?"

"He intended to rape her mother," Adi said and Anna wanted to scream at him. She held herself back.

"That is well and good and a reason you should intervene. It is not a reason to commit yourself to a mage duel," Anna said as calmly as she could. It was difficult to hold her composure, dealing with an obstinate child who thought he was immortal, but she managed it. "Adi, the Nuade-Re family are not our enemies but they are also not our allies. Your actions will not change that." If Sophie had been the heir to the Mage Crest perhaps that wouldn't be so, but she was only a younger daughter. Her family would not be impressed by Aditya's gallantry.

"I know that. That is not the point. I will not stand aside," Aditya said, completely uncompromising. Then he gazed at her with those piercing blue eyes, so like his father. "Mother, I know the harm I could cause you but I cannot see such things and simply walk away." He smiled then and to Anna it was a perfect echo of his father, that small smile Karna gave her before they went to battle. "For good or for ill, I am my father's son." …!

"Adi…" Anna felt choked with a jangle of emotions. Joy, love, fear, despair, they all raged for prominence inside her. She had to express them so she did, hugging her son. As she held him close Anna felt how solid he was against her, how large he'd grown. Her child was a man now. "If you must do this, I will not stand in your way," Anna murmured, reflecting on it. She'd only been a year older when she'd begun her campaign towards taking back her manor and wealth. Was Aditya ready for this? If he was not, he would die. Anna wanted to weep for him. "But please Aditya, come back to me. You are my only son." The only one she would ever have. Anna had no interest in taking another man to her bed, not after Adi's father. He was hugging her back then, warm hands on her back.

"Mother, I promise you. I will do everything I can to come back to you," Aditya murmured and Anna closed her eyes for a moment. Then she let go of him, gazing into his face again. Committing him to memory. Then Anna drew a deep breath.

"Well, we will arrange this tomorrow." She would much rather get it over and done with before Christmas. Yes, it would be a terribly sad Christmas if Adi was… gone… Anna swallowed, but gamely followed her train of thought. Yes, it would be a terribly sad Christmas but it would still be better than a final Christmas marred with fears and tension. And she knew it would be. Anna would not be able to forget what was coming if they arranged the duel after Christmas. "For now we should have supper." She had made pizza tonight. It was baking in the oven. In fact. "It should be done." She could smell the baked cheese, making the house beautifully fragrant. Aditya smiled at her again.

"Yes, we should eat." He would need to have his strength up. Adi set the table as Anna checked the pizza. The crust was beautifully brown and the cheese was blistered, it was perfect. The salad was already made and ready, sitting on the table. She had added feta to it, it went well with pizza. Anna took the pizza out of the oven and set it on the cutting board, pulling out a small, round pizza cutter, using the little tool to make slices. Soon they were both eating although the pizza was so hot it could burn the mouth. Anna handled that by having salad first while Adi blew on his pizza.

"Now, what precisely happened?" Anna asked after a bit had been eaten. She didn't have the full story yet, just the bare facts. Aditya's face clouded but he obliged.

"I was looking for Sophie. Jakob had warned me that El-Melloi was still here…" Aditya began detailed the scene and Anna felt a flash of anger, not at the boy himself, but the El-Melloi family as a whole. Another snubbed younger child but this one was taking out his fury on the helpless. Although he was hardly a child and it was time for him to take responsibility for his actions.

Anna only hoped it would not cost her own family too dearly.