You and Selwyn are at the Legendborn Lodge, and you watch as he paces the floor. He seems distraught ever since Nick was taken. He’s not quite himself, with good reason. His best friend, the person he’s sworn to protect above all else, has gone missing. If Sel hadn’t been protecting you, he might not have lost Nick.

Sel looks more like a wounded animal than himself in that moment. You wonder if his oath is hurting him, but whenever you get close he rejects your touch and just continues to pace. Having him shrug you off this way stings, but you don’t let it show. “I failed him”, he finally says. “What good am I as a kingsmage if I fail?” He’s usually so cocky and overzealous that hearing him speak lowly of himself almost startles you.

There’s no reaching Sel when his mind is made up on something, but you have to try anyway. The half demon doesn’t even look up at you as he speaks, prowling the floor like a caged animal. Part of you wonders if you should get Bree, but the other part of you wants to prove that you can handle every part of Sel on your own. “How could I let this happen?” Silvery blue aether crackles around his fingertips, and you worry that it will turn into a full blown mage flame if the Merlin doesn’t calm down soon.