Welcome to Until The End. We are a moderate Harry Potter role-playing site set in the Marauder's Era. Our plot is generally derived from details in the book, but as an AU site we do take liberties most anywhere we like. Those who died in the books can have a second chance at living, and those who lived are always at risk.
Tom Marvolo Riddle has long since disappeared and in his stead Lord Voldemort has risen, bringing a small army with him. The Ministry of Magic has thus far ignored the growing menace that is the Death Eaters and Albus Dumbledore has taken it upon himself to defend the wizarding community from an evil he knows is building. War is coming. Pick a side!
School's Out For Summer
The Hogwart's Express has pulled up to the station in King's Cross station and the summer holidays have officially begun. What mischeif will you get into in the warm summer sun?
*Coming Soon* - Summer Solstice Carnival
Travel by portkey to the biggest summer celebration in wizard society - The Summer Solstice Carnival! There will be food, games, prizes, fun and more!
Post by Lyra Ophelia Nott on Jun 15, 2018 23:29:13 GMT -8
Following the accident that saw Lyra restricted to bedrest for several weeks, and then strict supervision of both a medical and a psychiatric doctor for another couple of fortnights, Lyra had taken to staying with the Sayres for a few months. Initially it was a rather forced escape from her flat, which reminded her too much of Julian in every single nook and cranny of the place, as Emara was worried for her friend’s health and safety, and had asked her family to look after the unwell blonde. It was nice, having the Sayres around, since Lyra hadn’t seen hide nor hair of her own parents in nearly a year. She exchanged owls infrequently with her sister, Aubrielle, but Lyra had omitted any mention of her near death experience in her letters, not wanting to frighten or worry her little sister.
Although Emara and Christine were only around on school holidays – which wasn’t often, Lyra frequently found herself running into Nik in the expansive halls of Sayre Manor. They had grown close over the year which was a rather impressive feat when one considered where they had started from. Walking down a certain long corridor, Lyra would still get little flashbacks, though not very often anymore, of Nik and Emara arguing over Lyra’s intentions – Nik calling Lyra an “opportunist” which Lyra had overheard and took to meant he thought she was a gold digger. For the longest time the duo bickered on the exact intent of his words and to this day Lyra would still adamantly stand by her belief that Nicholas thought she was exploiting the good nature of Emara, Julian, and Mason in order to get her claws into the Gringotts vaults. That hadn’t been a pleasant start to their friendship but a series of events had pushed the pair closer and now Lyra truly considered Nik to be one of her dearest friends. She knew that she would miss seeing him so regularly when she inevitable moved back into her own flat, her motherly house elf Mimsy eagerly awaiting her return.
She had been back in her flat for several months now, not long ago having a visit from both of the Sayre cousins during the spring holiday. She sometimes still found it strange to be back. Little memories of Julian were hidden all over the flat and sometimes caught her by surprise like when she hung up one of her pashminas in the cloak cupboard, only to have the silky fabric slip from the hanger and fall atop the projector that had been shoved in the back of the closet. It had been a gift from Julian and in their on again-off again relationship more than half a year ago, the couple had curled up in each other’s arms and watched old muggle movies together before inevitably falling into bed together. Little moments like these kept her on her toes but not in an uncomfortable way. Lyra had found the ache of missing him hadn’t really gone away but it had eased tremendously. After Julian had left her, she had been a wreck. The pain of his absence was too much for her to handle and had it not been for the constant supervision she was under she might have harmed herself again even worse than the last time, but now, picking up the delicate wrap from the metal contraption and placing it back on the hanging more securely brought a sad smile to her face.
She missed him. That was why she had been to his castle today despite knowing he wasn’t there. It was his birthday, and as she had done at Christmas and Valentine’s day, Lyra had brought a gift for Julian and asked the few members of his staff that remained to care for the home to place it somewhere safe for when he returned. She knew he would return one day, not because he kept a staff on at his home which he hadn’t seen the inside of for seven months (because after he had left Lyra discovered that Julian had left the castle in a trust for her, so the staff would theoretically be for her as well) but because she knew he loved her despite breaking her heart. Even if they never saw each other again, Lyra would be loathed to allow his birthday to pass without sending a gift.
Closing the cupboard door and leaving the projector tucked away out of sight, Lyra turned and called for her house elf. “Mimsy,” she called in a slightly elevated volume. When the elf appeared, Lyra smiled. “I’m bloody starving. Would you fetch me a snack before tea, please? I’m afraid I can’t wait another hour to eat.” Having spent the majority of the day running around the Enchanted offices trying to finish up her work before the June edition was finalized, and the later part of the day shopping for Julian and wrapping his gift delicately, Lyra hadn’t had more than a biscuit and a cup of coffee all day.
ome days were better than others. Some days he could convince himself that he wasn't losing both his girl, and his sanity. But today wasn't one of those days.
Today there was no question of losing his sanity, it was gone already. Ever since he received word about Sam's attack he'd been a mess. He caught the first floo back to the UK from his self imposed banishment and from there to the school took only a couple of hours.
He should have been there sooner. He should have just been there period, instead of sulking half way across the world. But he hadn't been. He was too wrapped up in the dangerous web of emotion and temptation that was Lyra Nott.
He wasn't sure how it happened, Lyra was just a force of nature that completely overwhelmed him. He imagined she had that same affect on most of the people she met. She had certainly affected his inner circle. Hell she turned the damn thing upside down. Christine was different - that girl opened her heart to anyone - and it was almost expected that she would be their anomaly. She would get the happy ending, because she wasn't damaged like the rest of them.
But Emara? Julian? Two of his closest friends, and both so unbelievably damaged, all turned topsy-turvy over a sassy little blonde bombshell. And the most inconceivable idea yet - so was Nik.
Lyra was just, different, for lack of a better word. She was a part of their society, and yet unaffected by it. For all that she was an imp, and quite conceivably a "mean girl" (Nik was positive Lyra must have been a terror at Hogwarts) she didn't scheme, manipulate, or do anything to "win".
In fact, as of late, she wore her beautiful big heart on her sleeve and Nik was enthralled. And he let it get to him. And he shouldn't have.
Nik needed to keep his eye on his girl and his mind on his promise to her father. He had already failed so many times in his life, he couldn't fail Emara too.
That being said he owed Lyra an apology - or something - or maybe he just wanted to see her again.
Sam wouldn't see him. After learning about her ordeal and having his arms around her once again, he made a hasty proposal and to his surprise she refused him. She came around quickly enough, but the initial refusal confused him more than he liked to admit. It hung around in the cobwebs of his mind.
Perhaps it was the way he proposed, or perhaps he was a cad and putting a ton of pressure on her after she had just experienced something traumatic. Not that he could think beyond the fear that he had almost lost her.
They would figure it out. They would suit one another very well. She was still young, hell so was he, but not young for their station. He would take things as slowly as Sam needed to take things. He wanted her happiness above anything else.
And she wanted some space, so that's what he was giving her. Space.
Not that Lyra was his second choice. Not that he was hers(at least for company), but now that his hands were tied where Emara was concerned, and he had checked in with Seamus and Christine, there was really only one other person he cared to see.
With that he rapped his knuckles against her door, he wasn't surprised she had moved back to her flat, Castle Eire was large even when the full family was in residence, but with both girls at school it probably made a mausoleum seem entertaining.
He found himself smiling a bit in anticipation, for the first time in days it felt as though he could take a breath.
Post by Lyra Ophelia Nott on Jun 18, 2018 17:43:21 GMT -8
Living in her own flat once more had taken some adjustment, not only because of Julian’s metaphorical ghost that haunted the place, but because she had become accustomed to the conveniences of living at the Sayre’s palatial estate. While at Castle Eire, anything she wanted was not only available to her, but brought to her on a literal golden platter by well trained servants. The expansive grounds housed what the Sayres likely considered to be standard amenities, but to Lyra things such as an indoor swimming pool, a stable of flying horses, and well-manicured rose gardens were a delightful treat to be explored when she wasn’t working or seeing her therapist. Over time, however, with Emara and Christine at school, Lyra found herself more and more alone. Nicholas had no real reason come round while Emara was away, but he had done so often enough to spend time with Lyra. Still, it wasn’t enough company in such a large venue and she had found herself feeling rather insignificant in the massive castle.
She had been planning on explaining her move back to her flat to Nik, but their last evening together got a little wild. The pair had been at a nightclub, drinking and dancing the night away, with other men flirting with Lyra. Nik, taking on the mantle of her protector in Julian’s absence, had shooed the men away and in Lyra’s drunken haze she thanked him…and unknowingly called him Julian. Nik had work to tend to after that. Lyra was certain it was in the states somewhere, but it was a big country and Lyra didn’t have an exact address. He would return home when he could, so Lyra carried on with her plans to move back into her apartment and she would notify Nik of her new address whenever he reappeared. She had expected him sooner than this.
Setting herself down upon her sofa, tucking her feet up under her skirt as she leaned against the armrest and summoned a gossip magazine to her, Lyra settled in. Sounds from the kitchen let Lyra know that Mimsy was indeed fetching her a snack and the sound of glasses clinking told her she’d get a drink out of this request as well. Mimsy was too good of a house elf, much more than Lyra felt she deserved though she would rarely say as much aloud. She had only just begun to read over an interview with famed wizarding-muggle cross over sensation David Bowie when a knock sounded from her front door. “I’ll get it, Mim, don’t worry,” she called to her house elf as she tossed the magazine onto the coffee table in front of her and pulled herself to her feet. She hadn’t been expecting visitors so after crossing the room and reaching the front door, Lyra peered through the peep hole to see who it was that was coming to bother her unannounced. “Oh Morgana!” she squealed loudly enough to be heard through the door, and then turned the locks and the handle, yanking open the door to reveal Nicholas Malfoy. “You’re back,” she said excitedly, flinging herself around him and pulling him in for a long-overdue hug.
I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies.
A
ll at once Nik forgot his reason for leaving, forgot the awkwardness of his hasty proposal, almost forgot what spurred his return. Lyra's informal and exuberant welcome, was exactly what Nik needed to ease his troubled soul.
His eyes closed as he took in the scent of her hair and the feel of her small but ample curves against him. Lyra was warmth personified, all soft, womanly, and genuine.
While it was not the first time a female had welcomed him in such a fashion - Christine did it all the time - it had a profound affect on the normally stoic Nicholas Malfoy.
"I think someone missed me." he teased after a long moment - the feeling was more than mutual.
He gave her a soft smile, but upon remembering his reason for visiting, as well as his reason for coming home, the smile failed to reach his eyes.
"It's good to see you Lyra." he said firmly. That much was true.
He wanted to say he was sorry for leaving, but he had had enough apologies for one week.
Post by Lyra Ophelia Nott on Jun 22, 2018 20:53:21 GMT -8
“Definitely not,” she replied to his suggestion that she missed him. The words were certainly undercut by the fact that she was still hugging him as she said them. Lyra didn’t care. She had missed him. Before he went away, and while she had been living at the Sayre’s castle, Lyra saw Nik nearly every single day. To go from daily interactions to not even a letter for a month at a time was insanity, though Lyra adjusted well enough to it. Nik wasn’t the first man in her life to flee the country without more than a miniscule goodbye. If her luck continued on the way it had been, then Nik likely wouldn’t be the last, though Lyra was running thin on people she cared about as much as Nik or Julian or the Sayres.
Too wrapped up in her excitement at the return of her dear friend, Lyra didn’t recognize the subtle signs that something was amiss. She saw the handsome smile and that was enough for her. She pulled away from him, bouncing on the balls of her feet as he noted how good it was to see her. “You’re welcome,” she said cockily. It was, after all, a privilege to look upon her. “Come in,” she grinned, taking a few steps backwards into her flat before turning around and walking fully into the living room. “Come, sit. Tell me everything. Where did you end up? Was it fabulous? I bet you missed me. It’s okay, you can admit it. No one’s here to overhear you.” She plopped down onto the sofa and looked expectantly at him, waiting for all the wonderful stories he no doubt had from his travels halfway across the world.
I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies.
A
s Nik was welcomed (dragged) into the apartment, once again he was swept up in the whirlwind that was Lyra Nott. Attributes that once drove him mad, were now beyond endearing.
Lyra was a force of nature, her energy alone could put general electric out of business, and he thrived on it. He also fed on her ignorance of the affair. For a few moments he wondered if she had heard, but sitting with her as she prodded him about his travels told him very clearly that she hadn't. He'd have to be the one to tell her, which was his original purpose for coming. At least it was the purpose he gave himself for coming, rather than admit that he indeed missed her. But now he hated the idea of watching those vibrant green eyes fill with worry or fear. Selfishly he hated the idea of taking away her ignorance, and even more taking away her attention. He needed it right now.
He needed the chattering, the cockiness, the whirlwind. He needed her playfulness and innocent flirtation. The truth would rob him of that and he wasn't ready to let go.
But then, being the calculating man that he was, he knew that the longer he put off telling her, the longer he'd want to bask in the attention, and the longer he basked the longer he was deliberately hiding things from her, and that wouldn't do.
"So you don't know." he sighed stating the obvious, "I was worried about you seeing it in the paper before I or Sam could get to you."
It wasn't their fault, Sam had been through a traumatic experience and handling it the way that she handled things - alone. As for Nik, he was busy signing release forms, berating security, and in general refusing to leave Sam's side.
There was no hiding the incident from the press and a few students had already given statements. What was money compared to the "next big story", so when the headline for the Daily Prophet the next morning read - "Kidnapping Attempt on Sayre Heiress" - with a large photo of Sam on the front page, no one was surprised. Sam was furious. Nadya was wondering how to spin things her way as usual.
It wasn't until things settled down any that Nik realized the calls and owls he had been screening hadn't included Lyra, nor had the vivacious blonde descended upon them. Obviously she hadn't heard.
Nik, with about as much grace as he had proposed quickly blurted out, "Sam was almost kidnapped."
Post by Lyra Ophelia Nott on Jun 23, 2018 20:25:54 GMT -8
Newspapers weren’t really Lyra’s preferred reading material. Often times the Daily Prophet was full of terrible events and natural disasters, things Lyra couldn’t change but would build her anxiety nonetheless. After her own kidnapping attempt, seeing her name in the paper describing the ordeal only caused her to panic and spiral out of control. It was as if that man, whomever he was, had returned to torment her through the deceptively benign photograph of the hospital she and Nik had gone to for medical assistance following the attack. Nik had made sure that he and Lyra were snuck out the back, to avoid the paparazzi. He had plenty of experience with dodging pesky reporters and their blinding camera flashes. Her image hadn’t appeared in that report, but the in a later report on the same incident, a photograph of their carriage driver who had been murdered was front and center, staring at her with an unreadable expression on his face. Those were in the early days of her cutting. The scars had since faded but the emotional trauma remained, and Lyra avoided the newspapers as best she could in order to avoid another triggering event.
His words didn’t match Lyra mood at having her friend returned to her, so her imagination ran in the opposite direction of what Nik was preparing to tell her. “What? Have you gotten married to some foreign beauty?” she said with a hint of a laugh in her voice. Nik being married to anyone but Emara was laugh-inducing to Lyra. The girl was younger and not ready for that sort of a commitment, but Nik so obviously doted on her as something more than a friend or even a brother. He loved Emara and Lyra had pointed that much out to him on more than one occasion. The idea of Nik eloping while Emara was at school was absurd, but her mind wouldn’t allow herself to imagine anything bad having happened. She was completely unprepared for the bomb Nicholas had just dropped in her lap.
“WHAT?!” she yelled in disbelief. Green eyes widened and a look of pure terror washed over Lyra’s features. Another kidnapping attempt? The keyword she should have focused on was ‘attempt’ but Lyra’s mind went to the darkest parts of her thoughts and there was no reasoning in those depths. “Wha-? whe-? wha-?" Lyra stammered through the list of vowels as she attempted to force herself to comprehend what was happening. She grew silent for a moment, then with a pained expression she looked up at Nik. “Is she alright?”
I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies.
I
f Nik's news wasn't so grave, he would have laughed at Lyra's question. The idea of marrying someone other than Sam was also quite amusing to him now that he had resigned himself to the affair. Resign wasn't the right word, he was excited, overjoyed really. Emara was young, so was he, but in their society their age and the match was proper - and above all, he loved her. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
Maybe that's why his attraction to Lyra threw him for a loop, hell Lyra threw him for a loop all on her own. She kept him on his toes and because of that she had unexpectedly wormed her way into his heart.
He was there for her questions and her concern.
"She's fine." he was quick to say, a little too fine. That wasn't true, Sam was shaken by the event. Nik could see it in her eyes. He saw past the brave face she put on for society, which was flawless, and he saw past the cold unaffected front she tried to use on him. He understood her innate defense mechanism was to feign indifference, to deny or kill all fear or weakness, but he yearned to be the man she needed - the one who comforted her, the one who made her feel safe.
"She's...well she's Sam." he said as though that explained things.
Post by Lyra Ophelia Nott on Jun 28, 2018 16:47:08 GMT -8
Having been nearly kidnapped herself, Lyra could only imagine the confusion and terror going on inside Emara’s head following the ordeal. Yes, Emara was strong and had a nasty habit of turning her emotions off when things became overwhelming (never admitting to anyone that things were, in fact, overwhelming, at least to Lyra’s knowledge), but having someone so clearly demonstrate your inability to maintain control over your own body or life was terrifying. It was the triggering event for much of Lyra’s emotional troubles and she could only imagine what must have been happening inside Emara’s robot-like mind following such an ordeal. Lyra didn’t trust Nik’s assertion that Emara was “fine”. She might have portrayed that she was fine, but Nik couldn’t possibly understand the fear a woman felt in such a situation, so he couldn’t know whether Sam really was fine or not. Perhaps he was just trying to keep Lyra calm, knowing the news would strike too close to home.
“Where is she?” Lyra asked hurriedly. Certainly she was being permitted to come home after such an ordeal. Lyra couldn’t imagine the school would hold her hostage after something like that. Where did this even occur? How did a kidnapper get into Hogwarts in the first place? Lyra had so many questions and only a finite amount of breath to ask them with. She could feel her heart began to race. “When did this happen? Where is she?” Lyra’s already worried expression went cold. “Does her mum know?” As uncaring as Lyra’s own parents had been to her since she graduated from Hogwarts without any wealthy potential suitors, Emara’s mother took the cake. Lyra was certain she didn’t know the whole story, but what she did know of Nadya was enough to make Lyra hate the woman.
I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies.
N
ik watched the emotions play over Lyra's impish features and anticipated the questions now flying at him, knowing that all the questions Lyra had in her mind couldn't possibly be expelled as quickly as she wanted them to. He expected it, had prepared for it, and still couldn't stop the anger in his voice when he answered.
"The school. A few days ago. The school. That woman knows everything."
He answered succinctly.
He was upset. Irrationally, selfishly, painfully upset. He knew he didn't have a right, except as a person who loved the actual victim of the crime - who indeed was phased but was refusing to show it.
It wasn't that Nik believed Sam was fine - even though he said it - he knew she wasn't fine. But Emara was the way she was, and once she locked up about a subject there was no delving deeper. Nik often felt helpless, and he hated the feeling.
His answers echoed in his mind, and Lyra's face made him pinch the bridge of his nose as he tried to gain some patience.
"I'm sorry." he apologized, Lyra was one of the few he gave apologies to, she was one of the few he actually regretted his behavior around.
"Sam is…Godric…I need a drink…"
He had come here to comfort Lyra and break the news to her in person, not to be comforted but he - unlike Sam - was not quite as adept at hiding his emotions around his friends.
Post by Lyra Ophelia Nott on Jun 29, 2018 22:11:36 GMT -8
Nik’s concern for Emara was evident in the sharp way he answered Lyra’s questions, but she was too wrapped up in emotions to recognize the reasoning behind his short replies. The directness stung Lyra. Her worry lodged in her throat, halting her breathing for a moment as she looked pleadingly into Nik’s eyes. She needed some measure of assurance that Emara was actually okay, and his directness did not give her what she needed. Her eyes sparkled and turned red as the tears formed but she held them back. She needed more information. He had to be able to tell her something of use.
Nik apologies and began again, but emotions got the better of him as well. Lyra panicked and she called for her house elf. “Mimsy! We need… something- Drinks. Erm-Liquor.” Her words were frazzled and her eyes were glued to Nicholas’ face. For more than half a year, Nick had been her rock. This was not at all the turn she had been expecting of their relationship when she spied his handsome face through the peephole of her front door only a few minutes ago.
A dowdy little house elf with a plump face and mothering eyes appeared almost immediately from the kitchen, carrying a black lacquered drink tray. Two glasses and two bottles of liquor were placed on the coffee table in front of them; whiskey and vodka. Upon seeing the liquid pooling at the corners of Lyra’s eyes, Mimsy grabbed a box of tissues and delicately handed them to her mistress. Lyra took them without pulling her eyes from Nik. "When did this happen, Nik?" Lyra felt foolish for avoiding the newspapers so purposely. How much time had elapsed since this attempted kidnapping? How long was Emara without her closest friends for comfort?
I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies.
N
ik ik accepted the liquor from the house elf.
His mind was in far too much turmoil to notice his words affect on Lyra - though breaking the news to her gently had been his original intention. Quickly sloshing half of his glass full of the darker liquid he swallowed it down in one shot, then poured another but this one he sipped.
In some ways he felt as though he was taking it harder than Sam was, to finally look at Lyra he softened once more and realized she looked as though she were taking it harder than Sam as well. What was wrong with them? What was wrong with Sam?
He sighed, his gut warming with the alcohol and began to explain.
"It happened a couple days ago." he told her solemnly, " I'm sorry we didn't reach you sooner."
Nik had been dealing with the School, the Press, and the Ministry in the first few days after the attack, and Sam had more or less shut down. The one part of her that still kept going was the mask. By now it wasn't only second nature to her, it was a defense mechanism. If Sam felt lost or frightened, she would often toss her hair back, shrug lightly and state how she never did mind the little things.
"I've been trying to do damage control, and Sam is..." he shook his head and took another drink. When Sam told him she was holding a memorial for Rafe, he had been absolutely shocked - which was rather unusual as he had grown accustomed to Sam's outrageous plots.
The evidence collected all pointed to Rafe being her kidnapper, but Emara had a different story to sell and as always Nik was her accomplice. They shut down any negative rumors about Rafe's previous behavior and forced the lead on the case to let the matter go - at least for the time being.
"Sam is holding a vigil for Rafe," he spat the boy's name, "He saved her I guess, but lost his life in return."
Post by Lyra Ophelia Nott on Jul 1, 2018 19:10:10 GMT -8
Silence filled the little flat as Nik threw back his first drink in one impressive swig, then poured himself another. As he did so, Lyra reached for the second glass, intending to fill it with vodka and nurse it until Nik was ready to speak. She hadn’t expected it the words to come so soon and as Nik began to explain, Lyra froze, the empty glass still in her hand. She looked at him, hoping that what he had to say would ease her mind in one manner or another. Mimsy took this as her cue to fill her mistress’ glass and then made herself scarce so the pair could talk freely – not that Lyra was ever concerned with keeping a tight lip around her house elf.
A couple of days ago. Lyra knew from experience that following an event like this, a couple of days was an eternity. Bringing her glass to her painted lips, Lyra took a generous sip of her drink, wincing at the burn the vodka produced. “Rafe?” she blurted out suddenly. “You mean Rafe Colby? That bloke in Emara’s year?” Lyra had graduated a year ago but she still remembered most of the people who had been in Slytherin with her. Rafe had seemed like a nice enough guy, but he didn’t seem the sort to stick his neck out for anyone.
I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies.
N
ik gave an unintentional sharp look at Lyra as she mentioned the boy's name, and followed with a sneer as she proved to be - at least mildly - familiar with the Slytherin.
"Yes. Colby." he spat, "He apparently carried a tendre for her."
Nik finished his second glass before setting it down and closing his eyes to regain his calm. The boy's name alone was enough to set him on edge. It didn't matter that the kid was dead, it mattered that Nik wasn't the one to kill him, no - it mattered that he wasn't there to protect Sam. He was being boorish he knew, and yet he was completely unable to stop himself.
He'd look at Lyra and try and moderate his anger, but flashes of his fiance bruised and frozen tore at him in ways he had hoped never to feel again. He didn't know that a few bruises were the least of Sam's troubles - both Sam and Nadya were very careful around Nik.
Finally a look of naked pain appeared on Nik's face and was briefly flashed in Lyra's direction, he didn't want to frighten her or make her feel worse, he had nothing but noble intentions coming there to tell her what had happened, but he was honestly powerless with his emotions. For the first time in their strange relationship Nik needed Lyra.
Post by Lyra Ophelia Nott on Jul 1, 2018 20:16:00 GMT -8
Lyra’s brow furrowed even further as Nicholas shot her a very telling glare and a sneer that rivaled that of the queen’s when she disapproved of something. Lyra was taken aback by the expression and blinked at Nik, unsure of what he was meaning to truly convey. She was smart enough to gather that he didn’t care for Rafe but if the boy had saved Emara’s life from a kidnapper then whatever slight against him Rafe had committed in the past surely couldn’t persist after recent events. She would have asked about the apparent row between the grown man and the now-dead teenaged wizard but Nik’s explanation needed further explaining. “A tond?” Lyra, for all her good looks and witty charm, was absolute rubbish with foreign languages and she found far too many of her friends casually throwing about French for her liking. “What the bloody hell is a tond?” She was completely ignorant to the fact that Nik was using a French word, and instead mistook his words to mean that Rafe had literally been carrying something called a tond when Emara had been kidnapped. She didn’t remember ever having to purchase a tond for school, but it would have to have been quite large for Emara to need help carrying it.
