I will definitely have spoilers for Revealed in here so if you haven't read it and don't want it spoiled, don't read. Also, some spoilers from Redeemed.

Becoming a fledgling is hard, it's harder when you're the first not undead fledgling to go red, even harder when you're gifted with an ability that's so rare no one really knows how to help you with it and harder still when your high priestess loses her mind. Hopefully Shaylin has what it takes to help her friends and herself during the trying times to come.

Disclaimer: I don't own the House of Night series (obviously) and all recognizable characters from the books aren't mine.


Nicole

There had been something going on between Shaylin and Erik, that much Nicole was sure of. What that something truly was, Nicole couldn't exactly determine but she was determined to find out.

As soon as she mentioned Erik, Shaylin froze and didn't react the way the older fledgling had hoped she would. Really, Nicole shouldn't have been as shocked as she was but the sting and surprise she felt in her heart made stupid tears spring up in her eyes. It wasn't something she'd wanted to feel, not when it concerned Shaylin but the ache of rejection panged painfully in her chest. It wasn't even logical, they only shared one stupid kiss… one stupid, mindblowingly innocent and sweet kiss.

Nicole plopped down on a bench beneath one of the many trees of the school's courtyard, doing her best to understand herself and the unreasonable way she felt. Why did she run off and behave like a coward would? She'd never done that before.

If anything, she had practice closing herself off and acting as if she were unaffected. Why then, did she react the way she did? So instantly and ridiculously? Shaylin should have been no one, should have been easy enough to ignore, yet there Nicole sat, confused and hurt with thoughts consumed about her. In only a short amount of time, Shaylin had become someone Nicole unwittingly let in.

"Hey, Nicole, how's Shaylin?"

The somewhat startled red fledgling looked up from where she sat and saw a tired looking Damien walking her way. The calm he exuded during their last encounter was strained and she saw the bags under his eyes were a little more obvious.

"She's awake and last I saw the queen bitch was on her way to get her." She sounded harsh, similarly to the way she did earlier. When she met his sad eyes, she felt herself softening, worrying.

He nodded, watching Nicole intently before letting out a sigh and taking a seat beside her. "Thanatos got a call a while ago from the station… Zoey doesn't want any visitors… at all."

She furrowed her brows, unsure what the boy was getting at. What did he mean exactly? "But she's a fledgling, why would she say that?" His look grew sadder and Nicole finally understood. "She wants to…"

He nodded and looked down, "she wants to reject the change."

Nicole let out a small gasp, trying her best not to completely freak out. Sure she had been through a lot in her life, dealing with really crappy circumstances but never had she been so lost to truly think about… something like that.

"She can't do that," she found herself half yelling, jumping to her feet. "She can't do that to us! To Nyx!"

Anger, that's what she felt bubbling within herself, pulling at her mind so that red began to cloud her vision. It was irrational and out of place but she couldn't fight it off. 'How could Zoey do that?' her mind screamed. Zoey was specially chosen by their beloved goddess, the same goddess that never fully turned away from anyone. Nyx even granter her the title as a high priestess!

"Nicole?"

And just like that, the spiraling, dangerous anger that began to take root in her mind vanished. Shaylin's voice brought Nicole back. And when the other girl hugged Nicole as tightly as she did, there was no way Nicole could think about anything else.

Damien's eyes had gone wide as he sat there, watching Shaylin rush up and wrap her arms protectively around the other girl. He saw the way Nicole's body reacted, the way her shoulders slumped and tears rolled down the girl's cheeks. He felt the air change around him and knew that he had to leave the two girls alone, quickly getting up and backpedaling.

"Damien, wait, go to the infirmary and check on Aphrodite, please," Shaylin mumbled, gently stroking Nicole's hair. "I think she had another vision." Damien nodded once before hurrying away, leaving the two red fledglings alone and giving them the privacy they deserved.

Neither really knew what to say, yet again finding too much comfort in their shared embrace to risk ruining the feeling. Nicole really couldn't remember the last time she felt so warm, so wanted. Shaylin couldn't remember the last time she felt as complete, even after gaining her sight.

"I'm sorry," Nicole eventually whispered to the prophetess. "You don't deserve hot and cold, definitely not now."

Shaylin simply nodded, slowly pulling away but not fully letting go. "Are we okay?"

Nicole's smile was shy and she spoke with a tenderness that was reserved for only the most special of beings. "We are. I promise, I'll try to behave and do my best to be the person you need, especially now." She hesitated for a moment but felt the gentle caress of the cool night air and decided her goddess gave her a chance to be good for a reason. "I… I really like you, Shay. You're the first one in my life to really see someone worth protecting. All my life, I've been on my own, even with my family. Meeting you, getting to know you and talk with you showed me something new. For once, I feel like I don't have to hide from someone. I don't want to protect myself from you, I want to protect you."

Shaylin opened and closed her mouth, nothing coming out except her soft breath. Her eyes were warm, brimming with tears that Nicole gently brushed away. They hadn't really noticed how close their faces had gotten until they each felt one another's breath on their lips.

"Thank you," Shaylin breathed before closing the distance and silencing any doubts either girl felt.

The warmth that blossomed and spread throughout Nicole's body was, simply put, the most satisfying and wonderful feeling she'd ever experienced. She understood why Nyx chose love, always love.


A/N: Long time no see, but I had to get this chapter out. Reading Redeemed has given me so many feels about the series that I couldn't help but get inspired. The only sad part is that I've begun reading and haven't reached anything about this lovely couple, yet. Anyway, I'll probably have another chap out sometime soon-ish. Hope everything is well with everyone!