The Dark Witch And Her Knights

27

Collapsing against his chest utterly exhausted, Gavrial just wrapped his arms around me cradling me like that shortly till sunrise. The entire time he didn't move to unseat himself as if it were the only place he ever wanted to be. When we did finally move my legs were numb and the mud upon them dry and flaky.

"You may yet be the queen of the mortals, but you are the queen of witches and whatever you wish is my command. Thankfully there is a bond between us written in the stars, without it I couldn't have broken the curse. You would have remained tethered to him indefinitely. Whatever justice you see fit I shall seek out until my last breath."

"Gavrial," My hands clasped around his cheeks holding him in preparation for what I was about to say, "what happened was wrong. And nothing can change that." I paused hoping he would understand. "His choice was taken from him just as much as mine was." He was instantly displeased moving to check my chest to see if the mark was still gone. "Do not doubt you have freed me. I feel it in my veins, dare I say soul when I can hardly tell if I have one left."

His head shook before his lips plundered mine with delicious reassurance. He tasted like the sea and wind with a hint of magic. "Then my woman, shall we leave these wretched mountains and pursue the prophecy?" he asked once our kiss halted.

I stood from his lap on surprisingly wobbly legs holding my hand out to him. "Let's go claim my throne Mr. Wtchman." With a devilishly handsome grin, he accepted my hand.

"The universe has truly blessed me."

I smirked at him. "Oh really." My elbow jabbed his side. "Do tell."

"One day you will understand."

"Please don't do that. You know everything there is to know about me. Let me see into that mind of yours just for a moment."

His hand drove through his curls revealing his inner turmoil. He took my hand in his drawing courage from me. "I am blessed that the universe has tied our fates together." He leaned forward dressing my knuckles with kisses of admiration. "I have never been enraptured by any woman nor one as sly as you." He smirked at me. "It is a blessing for I have treasured every moment I get by your side."

I felt the hard ruff thump in my chest. My hands grew clammy, my arms and spine warm with nervous sweat. I was touched deeply and struck speechless. Trying to hide the tears that were about to break I let my head fall against his chest. His arms wrapped around me in a comforting embrace.

"What has upset you? Since we have been reunited your behavior has been contrary. Not that I'm complaining. I quite like the soft sensual side you've hidden from me this whole time. But I also enjoy your brave fierce side too."

Taking a step back from him I wiped away my tears knowing there was no longer a sense to hiding them. "I never once let myself dream that I could capture your interest." I shook my head looking away from him ready to leave this place behind in my past. Roughly he grabbed me and pulled me back to his chest trying to comfort me further by running his hands over my long hair.

"If I am no longer to doubt my power then you are no longer allowed to doubt since I kidnapped you my heart has forever rested in your hands. It was you who kidnapped my heart." I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my lips. His hands wrapped under my chin and forced me to look at him. "And it will remain with you till I die, always."

Pressing up on my tippy toes I reached out and pulled his lips down upon mine. Slowly, delicately we memorized each other's lips loving one another. Promising endless devotion.

Gavrial summoned Godfrey who appeared in a frolic-like state with Stella proudly prancing behind him. Those two were lovers in a past life. They complimented each other too well to not have been. With our familiars in tow, we left those mountains and the Grand Wizard of the Wood behind us like it was only a bad dream.

It was difficult to not stop and think about what he thought or how he felt. Curse or no curse. There was a deep part of me that felt guilty for leaving him behind like nothing without even a spare word. I felt guilty because I knew I had fallen in love with him and it was wrong. I could only pray to the devil that he was just as pleased as I that the curse was broken and our choices were free to make for ourselves again. We were free to love who we wanted. And I had always loved Gavrial. I knew deep in my bones we were bound by the fates. I just never allowed myself to believe our bond would run deeper than friendship. Teacher and apprentice. Savior or kidnapper and victim.

Pushing all those doubts and guilt to the back of my mind I knew what my choice was; What it would always be; And what it had always been. A wizard didn't get to be Arbor's age without a bit of wisdom. This was for the sake of all witch kind.