Ark Kingdom: The Magic Within (Bellarke)

Chapter 19

Bellamy's POV

I laugh on the inside when I watch the emotions flash across Clarke’s face. I can tell that she is at least attracted to me, but before I can see if it’s more than just attraction her expression goes to embarrassment, then to anger. My shirt burns when I have it on, but not enough for me to take it off. I look to the entrance of the cave and see the green fog covering everything. It’s so thick that I can’t see outside.

I wish that I could see Octavia. I have no idea if she is okay or even where she is. I know she’s smart, heck I taught her all I could, but still this is her first time being out in the world and this is nothing like the world that I grew up in. Clarke clears her throat drawing my attention.

“Yes, Princess.” I say with annoyance dripping from my words. I can’t look at her. I need to focus on my sister. I would know if she were hurt, right? I would feel it if she was gone.

“You did everything you could for him. You must know that.” Clarke reaches her hand out to squeeze my arm. Her skin is cold against mine.

“If we had just been here a minute earlier he would be safe.” I don’t let Clarke know that I really was more worried about Octavia than my friend who I just watched die. I’m a monster. Clarke is much too good for me. She wouldn’t be in this situation if I weren’t here.

“There’s nothing we can do about that. You did more than I did. I just stood there frozen. I didn’t even try to help him.” I hear Clarke sniff and she pulls her hand away from me. “Just like with my father.”

I know she didn’t mean to say the last part out loud so I let it slide. Honestly I’m not even sure what to say. I try to keep my eyes away from her. I know that she will be better if I go, but there’s no way for me to leave. I let out the breath that I hadn’t realized I was holding and turn to her. She is sitting with her knees to her chest and her head down. I can hear tears falling to the stony ground beneath us. Seeing her cry hurts me worse than the acid fog. I seriously debate whether it’s worth it to run out into the fog.

Instead of listening to my rational thoughts I scoot closer to her and wrap my arms around her. She doesn’t react at first. She just stays stiff except for the shake of her shoulders as she continues to sob. Then, faster than I ever expected, her arms surround my waist and her legs slide underneath mine. Her face is pressed against my chest. I’m sure she can feel the race of my heart and it embarrasses me but I don’t move. I start to rub her back in soft circles just like I used to for Octavia when she was little.

“Shhh, Princess this isn’t your fault. Everything will be okay.” I lean down so I can whisper this into her ear. “You’ll be okay. I’ll make sure of that.”

She doesn’t speak. She silently holds on to me as if I’m her only lifeline. When her shoulders stop shaking I absently brush my fingers through her hair. I feel so relaxed that when she pushes against me we both tumble so I’m on my back and she’s resting on my chest. She curls her legs up and I realize that she’s asleep. I should move her; be decent, but I can’t make myself move her.

“Bell?” Clarke whispers through her sleep and snuggles closer.

“I’m here, Princess. Shh. Go back to sleep.” Before I can stop myself I plant a light kiss on her forehead. I’m surprised that we don’t shift; relieved, but worried. I push the golden hair off of her face letting my fingers caress her cheek. Once again nothing happens. I wrap my hand completely around her smaller one and still nothing happens. Soon her even breaths lull me to sleep.

“Help!”

I bolt upright when I hear the call. I look outside and the sun is shining in. My left arm is asleep and my leg is tingling. I barely catch Clarke from tumbling to the ground with my right arm. Her eyes are open wide.

“Bell, what was that?” Clarke asks as she pulls herself away from me.

I instantly feel colder and it’s not because of the air. I miss her touch. How can I miss her if she’s right in front of me? I feel as though a part of me has been stolen. It takes all of my will power to keep from grabbing her and pulling her to me.

“Bell?” She waves her hand in front of my face. I gently push it away. That’s when we shift. The world spins and we land in the meadow that we were in before. The two kids are playing with an animal I’ve never seen before. I see a woman walking out from behind a tree and my heart starts racing. It can’t be. Before I get a good look at her I’m back in the cave and my hand has dropped to the cold stone beneath me.

“Help! Please, anyone!” The yell reminds me what woke me up in the first place. I rush out of the cave and stop, frozen when I see who has been calling for help.