Viktor liked Elementals. A lot. The fact that Charlotte was an earth Elemental really didn’t help her life expectancy.

“So tell me, love, how long have you been at The Academy?” he asked, leaning over the table. They had long since left the library and now sat in the Academy’s artsy cafe.

“About three years…” she mumbled, sipping her tea. Her bright blue eyes looked down at her hands and suddenly a geranium popped out of Viktor’s untouched coffee. “Oh dear! I’m so sorry! When I get nervous I…sprout.”

Viktor pulled the flower from his coffee and laid it on the table.

“It’s fine, love,” he chuckled. He could feel the embarrassment radiating from her body. Viktor cocked his head. “I make you nervous?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

“Oh, I- You see, what I meant was that…” she sighed, dropping her eyes back down to her fingers. “I’m not good with people,” she said simply, the blush that he loved creeping over her freckled cheeks.

“Neither am I,” replied Viktor truthfully.