Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Husband Luke
"Raven, you've outdone yourself," Luke whispered.
Now, fully transformed, Raven shouted and began to howl with feigned exuberance as he reveled in the power that flooded through his voice. He looked at Luke with eyes full of gratitude and admiration. Their loyalty bond grew stronger than before.
Unable to hold his excitement in, he rushed forward, bouncing toward Luke in a not-so-graceful hug.
Luke frowned. "What are you doing?" he snapped, jumping aside like an acrobat. "Away from my chest!"
Raven hit the ground awkwardly, his body rolling against the Flame Vein. His head was deep into the magma, and he had to pull and yank a few times before he was able finally to lift his head out.
Luke shook his head angrily. "All that power and you're still the stupid fool."
Raven's ears perked up, and turning around, he held something proudly between his jaws, hiding some fiery-red spirit with energy thumping within him.
Luke's eyes widened. "A fire spirit seed?"
He was wagging his tail wildly, seemingly unaware of the great treasure he had just found. Before he had a chance to engulf it, Luke swooped down and clawed his side. Raven let out a deathly howl and spewed the blood-red seed from his mouth.
Luke snagged the seed in midair and had about turned to Tanya Reed, who had arrived with Zoe Miller.
"Here," Luke said, proffering it to Tanya. "What do you think, Teacher Tanya? This scarlet flame has been cultivated with the utmost care. It is now yours."
With that, Tanya stared with disbelief at the seed. It radiated heat with vibrant energy, and its elemental fluctuations meant it was at least a medium-level spirit seed, capable of doubling the power of her magic.
"Is that... is that really for me?" Tanya stammered, clutching the seed tightly.
Most certainly," Luke said with a smile. "But, you will have to give me a, a child, not just a spirit seed—soul seeds too."
Tanya's grip tightened to a vice-like hold. Spirit seeds like these were highly valuable, access to which the Inquisition had barely had a taste. The fact that Tanya had just received that which would have been unimaginable in her wildest dreams made this even more incredible.
Zoe, standing there visibly sulking, became a bit envious. Her eyes sparkled while staring at the flamish seed.
Seeing her dejected pout, Luke laughed. "Don't worry, Zoe. Next month, I'll get you one too. No one gets left out."
"Really?" Zoe's eyes lit up.
"Of course." Luke laughed. "Anyone who bears my children will have all their wishes come true."
"Thank you, Husband Luke," said Zoe shyly, with her face pale.
Tanya gave her a sharp look; her eyebrows rose. "Husband Luke?" she echoed and stared aghast at Zoe, who had never even called him 'husband' before.
Zoe recoiled just a little. "It just kinda slipped out there," she murmured.
Tanya sighed. The casualness with which Zoe had addressed Luke unsettled her. She opened her mouth, nearly saying something, but the words died before they could leave.