Brother’s Best Friends Are My Mates novel Chapter 192

Lia

I’m in the backyard, ready to start practicing. I have to always be ready. This is why I try to carve time for myself to practice magic. Everyone around here is always practicing their skills because you never know when something is going to happen.

After the crazy time we had, I wanted to be ready for anything. How was I to know when a coven seeking revenge or some dragon shifters who had been sleeping

“Okay… let’s not get rusty,” I murmured, staring down at the candle placed in the center of a circle I’d drawn with chalk. “Just a little warm-up. Easy.”

“Talking to yourself again?” Rain’s voice floated over from the porch, teasing as ever. I didn’t look up. “It’s called focus. You should try it sometime.”

“I’m very focused,” he said, strolling over with that infuriating grin. “I’m focusing on how intensely you’re trying to intimidate a candle.”

“It’s not intimidation. It’s discipline.” I took a slow breath, letting the magic rise like a tide inside me. “Now hush.” “Shutting up,” he said, not shutting up at all.

“Candle. Flame. Burn. Ignite.”

The wick sparked, then fizzled with a soft puff of smoke.

Rain gave a mock gasp. “Oh no! The mighty Lia, slayer of curses and beasts, brought low by a tea light!” “Rain,” I said, warning in my voice.

He held up his hands. “Hey, hey-I’m just saying, it flickered! That’s halfway to a bonfire.” I glanced at him, trying not to laugh. “You’re the worst cheerleader.”

“I’m the best cheerleader. I bring snacks and sarcasm.”

I shook my head, a smile tugging at my lips despite myself. “It’s just practice. I haven’t used fire magic in a bit. Basics are like muscles-you let them sit too long, they forget what they’re doing.”

Rain nodded, dropping into a cross-legged seat beside me. “Makes sense. Even sword fighters run drills, right? You’re just doing your version. Witch push-ups.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Witch push-ups?”

“Yup. You’re basically in a magical gym class right now. Next up: levitation lunges.” I groaned. “Please stop.”

“Never.”

I focused again, letting the power build slowly. Not because I lacked it, but because I respected it. The candle wasn’t a challenge. It was a reminder. Control. Precision. Intention.

The wick sparked, then caught.

A steady, warm flame curled upward, calm and confident.

I exhaled, a small thrill of satisfaction running through me. “There we go.”

Rain whooped like I’d just summoned a dragon. “Yes! That’s what I’m talking about! Flame Queen Lia strikes again!”

I stood and offered a dramatic bow. “Thank you, thank you. I dedicate this minor act of combustion to my loyal fanbase.” Rain grinned. “A candle today. Tomorrow? Volcanoes.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

“But seriously,” he said, more sincere now, “you’re amazing. Even when it’s ‘just practice.’ I know you don’t need to do this, but the fact that you still do. That’s why you’re scary good.”

I looked at him, feeling the warmth from the candle and something softer from his words. “Thanks, Rain.” “Anytime,” he said. “Now light five more, and I’ll consider letting you have a cookie.”

“Wait, you brought cookies?”

“I always bring cookies. Motivation is everything.” I laughed. “You might be the best cheerleader.” Rain puffed out his chest. “Told you.”

Rolling my eyes, I gave him a look

“Rain, this is what you should be doing with your vampire magic. Do you even practice?” “Define practice.”

I sighed. “Rain, you just wing it most of the time, don’t you?”

“I mean, yeah, but it hasn’t steered me wrong yet! Why should I fix something that’s working well for me? As they say, if it isn’t broke, don’t fixit, and I don’t want to ruin my method.”

“Rain, chaos isn’t a method. It’s chaos.”

He narrowed his eyes playfully. “See, you’re saying that, and I appreciate your opinion, but I can’t bring myself to agree with it, Lia. I’ve never had a problem with my chaos.”

“Say that to all the fires you’ve set.” Rain pouted. “Now that’s just cruel!” “You set a couch on fire twice, Rain.”

“That couch was ugly.”

“It was mine!”

I smirked. “You’ll survive. Probably.”

“Probably?” He gave me a mock glare. “That’s not very reassuring coming from my mentor.”

“Mentor is a strong word. I’m more like… the person legally required to keep you from setting things on fire.” “Shadow blades don’t set things on fire,” he pointed out.

“With you, I wouldn’t bet on it.”

He snorted. The flicker between his hands grew for a second, then shuddered. He winced and shook his hands out. “Ow. Okay, okay. It’s like pulling smoke out of my bones. Creepy and exhausting.”

“Yeah, it’s not supposed to be easy. You’re making something from nothing.” “Story of my life,” he muttered. Then, quieter, “But… thanks. For helping me.” I blinked, caught off guard. He was still staring at his palms, avoiding my gaze. “You’re welcome,” I said, softer now. “You’re doing better than you think.”

He looked up then, a small, genuine smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Don’t get all sappy on me.”

“Too late.”

“Ugh. Next time, I’m summoning a fireball instead. At least that doesn’t come with feelings.” “Maybe. But it will come with singed eyebrows.”

Rain grinned. “Worth it.”

To be fair, I didn’t have a lot of knowledge about Vampire magic. Vampire magic and witch magic were two completely different things, but I wanted to do what I could to help Rain. What he should do is go to his vampire clan.

“Start taking some lessons with your vampire clan next time,” I said, giving him a look.

He sighed. “Yeah, I am signed up, but I don’t want to spend time away from you guys. You guys are amazing and are the best pack a guy could ever have. Why the hell would I want to fuck that up?”

“Rain, you aren’t fucking it up by working,” I assured him, smiling at him. “Just breathe and focus.” “God, I hate this.”

But I know Rain was going to be able to do it.

He just needed a little bit of a push. With a bit of a push, he would be wielding magic in no time. I bet he would become as good as I was, too.

Okay, maybe not that good. I was pretty good with my magic, if I do say so myself. The way I was able to wield magic was pretty impressive.