Chapter 21

Autumn hit with gusto. Rain and wind slashed at the window panes, casting the sky a dark gray. Dru sat looking out the windows in the library, her chin resting in her hand. She sighed and looked back at the book she was supposed to be studying. Grace, who was also supposed to be studying, elbowed her in the ribs.

"Here he comes." She whispered.

Dru looked towards to door and saw her older brother Sebastian walk through the doors. She smirked and shook her head at Grace.

"I'm telling you, he's just going to break your heart if I set you up with him. And besides, he's finding out who he has to marry in like a month." Grace shrugged, but Dru had the distinct impression that she wasn't listening. Or choosing not to. "Fine, don't come crying to me when he dumps you then."

Grace turned a smile on Dru as Dru stood up and approached her brother. He raised his eyebrows at her as she sat next to him.

"What are you doing in the Library?" She asked.

"Hot smart chicks. I need to get laid." Dru rolled her eyes and felt even more sorry for Grace.

Sebastian nodded his head to a passing girl who giggled and blushed before scurrying off.

"Well, I have this friend who thinks you're cute."

Sebastian smirked. "And...?"

Dru rolled her eyes again. "Do you want to meet her or not?"

He shrugged and she stood up. He followed her over to the table Grace was at and he winked at her. Her face flushed and she did her best not to hide behind her robes.

"Hey." He said with a cocky grin.

"Hey." She replied.

"So would you like to hang out sometime?" He asked.

Grace continued to blush. "Sure. When?"

Sebastian shrugged. "Now?"

"Okay." Grace gathered her stuff and looked at Dru with a smile.

"Don't say I never warned you." Dru whispered in her ear before they walked away.

Xanthus was kissing Ness's neck when she pushed him away. He furrowed his brow at her as she returned her attention back to her notes.

"What are you doing anyway?" He asked, deciding not to push her tonight.

Ness continued to write her chart as if she hadn't heard him. Xanthus sighed and kissed the side of her head. He stood and left her alone in her room. As he was walking the halls he began to think about his relationship with her. He liked her, liked her a lot actually, but lately she had been trying his patience. He was trying really hard not to push her into anything, but lately she had been ignoring all of his advances and wouldn't tell him why. He sighed. It was beginning to make him rethink their relationship.

"Whoa there, watch it Xan." Xanthus stopped and put his hands up.

Reign grinned at him. "Where are you going in such a hurry?"

Xanthus hadn't realized that he had been hurrying. "Oh, uh..."

"Where's Ness?" Xanthus shrugged irritably. "Are you two alright?" Reign asked reluctantly.

"She's been... whatever. Anyway, what have you been up to?"
Xanthus tried to change the subject.

Reign narrowed his eyes. "What's going on with you and my sister?"

"She's been ignoring me lately." Xanthus shrugged again, feeling very uncomfortable having this conversation at all, let alone in the middle of the hall.

"And you don't know why?"

Xanthus shrugged again. "I gotta go."

Reign watched him leave and decided to detour to the Ravenclaw tower. When he got to the door it asked him a question.

"I just need my sister, isn't there a way you can get her for me?"
He asked.

"What do I look like a messenger?"

Reign rolled his eyes and sat down to wait for someone to either come out or be heading in. Luckily he didn't have to wait long. A group of first year girls came up the stairs and eyed him nervously.

"Could one of you tell Ness Belmount her brother needs to see her?" He asked.

One of the girls nodded, her eyes wide and scared. He waited no more than a minute before she came out the door.

"Are you okay? What's wrong?"

Reign grinned. "Good afternoon to you too."

She sighed and slapped his arm. "What is it?"

"Well, I ran into Xan on the way to the library and he seemed a little upset."

Ness furrowed her brow. "Really?"

"What's going on Ness?"

"I was making a chart so that I never forget again, I've been working on it for a while and I'm just about done."

"Well, you're boyfriend will be glad of that."

Ness blushed. "Is he mad at me?" She asked quietly.

Reign nodded. "I think more than frustrated that his girlfriend is ignoring him and won't tell him why."

Ness blushed again. "He really thinks that?"

Reign nodded and patted her shoulder. "I didn't want you to ignore you're friends, just remember that I need you sometimes."

"I know, but I almost forgot twice because of Xan."

Reign shrugged.

"Maybe if Dru knew you were sick, she..."

"No." He said firmly, his normally calm and happy face turning stony.

"Reign, you're going to have to tell her eventually."

"I said no, Ness. So drop it."

She watched the muscle in his cheek twitch and decided to take his advice and drop it. For now.

"Just worry about your own relationship and stay out of mine."
Reign twisted his body and walked back down the stairs.

"A little hypocritical, aren't we?" Ness mumbled as she went back into her common room.