Ravenclaw Tavern [2]

Nic

I hesitate before glancing at her, "His real brother put me in charge of his care before we left home. He's grown up thinking I'm his brother, when I was just a family friend. I feel like he's my brother, but we'll never be by blood."

Jackie

I nod, "That's...complicated," I flash a smile.

Nic

I flash a smile back and nod, looking down at Jace, "It's what his brother wanted anyway. He didn't want him to feel alone... especially at this age."

Jackie

I nod and glance down at Rayah, memories flashing through my mind, and I take out her braid, "Same for Ray. But...somehow different."

Nic

I study her before nodding and shifting Jace in my arms.

Jackie

Rayah snuggles up on me more and I smile, "Don't you ever wonder what they'll be like when they grow?" I ask quietly, "You want them to grow, but at the same time don't."

Nic

I flash a weak smile and think back to the last thing Alyx said about Jace. 'Keep him on the right path. Don't let him fall custom to them. He's going to be so great, Niccy. So great.'

"Exactly," I say to her, looking down at Jace.

Jackie

I nod and smile, "I think of her as my own kid...and treat her like one. Just wait until she turns sixteen..." I chuckle, "She's gonna be in living hell..." I brush her hair with my hand, "So I'm treating her as nice as I can now."

Nic

I nod and look up at her, flashing a smile, "I know exactly what you mean. He's in for a wake up call pretty soon."

Jackie

I nod, looking at him, "S'gonna be interesting. But...she has to go into war in less then three years..." I sigh, "So S'gonna be hard at the same time."

Nic

"War?" I ask, studying her.

Jackie

I nod, "Where I'm from...when a kid turns thirteen, they go into war until they turn eighteen or something happens..." I say.

Nic

I look down at Jace, "That sucks. I'm sorry."

Jackie

I shrug, "We don't have to worry about that yet though. Three more years," I look back down at Rayah.

Nic

I nod and sigh, "Where I'm from... doesn't exist anymore. And the people who destroyed it are after me and my brother.. trying to finish things."