Sofia the protected

chapter 34

Sophia's perspective

It hits me like a freight train. Suddenly it all makes sense. Hugo was kissing Ivy! Ivy had enough magic to wipe my memory. Ivy who is currently loose in the castle! I'm so stupid!

I rocket to my feet. I was so distraught over Hugo that I completely shelved the danger of Princess Ivy. In my home! My Breaths become heavy as I race through the garden. Just as I grabbed hold of the marble railing to pivot up the staircase I'm blown off the ground. I fall. My arms try to grab hold of anything but all I catch is air. My face collides with the stone wall opposite me. I sink to my knees my vision blurry. My Smoldering dress and the pulsating heat surrounding me alerts me that I've been burned.

I feel myself moving again. But I don't feel hands touching me. There must be something wrong with my vision because it appears that I'm above the ground. I twist and turn but it's hopeless I can't move. I crane my neck. In front of me and see a blur of black and white.

" Ivy. Put me down." My demand comes out more like a plea. My weak voice is a result of my pounding head.

My vision just barely clears up and I can see enough to know that we haven't quite left the garden yet.

I try to utilize my enchantlet to capture Ivy but my arms are immobile. I am held down by some invisible force.

"Ivy I don't understand why you doing this but I will stop you you won't hurt the people I love."Just as my vision has come back my voice seems to have strengthened.

"Yes, I will ."Ivy spitz with malice and my world goes dark.

Amber's perspective

The look of Terror on Hugo's face produces a sinking feeling in my stomach. James immediately runs to the tower window to the next. We quickly catch on and race two different windows. It's a good thing you can see almost everything from Mr. Cedric's Tower.

" There she is!" James points out the south-facing window.

"Ivy's captured her! Desmond places his hands over his ears in worry.

"We have to get to her!"Hugo starts running towards the stairs.

"Wait! you'll never reach her in time. We should teleport down." Mister Cedric aims his wand at the ceiling of Tower room the ceiling is replaced by a mist of sparkles which slowly falls on her head and shoulders. I blink and then we're all in the garden. Standing in front of Ivy blocking her exit.

The garden immediately turns into a war zone. Or fireworks display. With Mr. Cedric and Ivy's spells going off every few seconds the bursts of light and noises never ceases.

Desmond pushes me behind a stone column. The only relative safety around. I turned to say something to him, but he ran away from the battle. I try to call after him but his tailcoat disappears behind the big wooden door. Tears sting my eyes. Coward. I looked down at my engagement ring contemplating taking it off. He abandoned my sister when she needed him. Somehow I can't do it though. Despite how angry I might be at him I love him.

I pere from behind the column. Hugo is on the offensive I've never seen him so riled up. His face is scary with rage. His sword strikes with a vengeance. A strength I didn't know he had. He shatters Ivy's green Magic Shield. The Shockwave sends him back into the Garden Wall. He falls after his skull collided with the stone.

Dodging the magic blasts I race over to him. Frantically I check his pulse. He's alive but unconscious. I look at his sword for a moment. I'm not a hero. I'm not Sophia. But my sister needs me. My hand wraps around the leather-bound Hilt of Hugo's sword.

I charge at Ivy my sword raised. Seconds later I'm lying flat on my back. Searing pain through my torso. My head is vibrating when I open my eyes I only see blackness. I fumble an attempt at standing up again. I force my eyes open but I can barely see anything. Nausea takes over me and I vomit. As I blackout again I try and avoid my innards.

When I finally open my eyes I see a disparaging site. We're very clearly losing. Hugo in his battered condition has formed a somewhat defensible position in front of Sofia. He's shielding her body with his own. He's barely upright, his knees are planted firmly in the mud, sword raised.

James and Vivian have drawn Ivy away. But it is unclear how long they'll be able to hold her off. James is dancing around like a wild man trying to avoid her shots. He's aided by Vivian. She's using her magical music to spin Princess Ivy around, making her furious and her aim terrible.

I look around but I can't see Mr. Cedric.

" Mr. Cedric?" I squint I must be hallucinating. Far away and high in the sky in a greenish translucent bubble, Mr. Cedric is floating!

Even though Vivian's attempt at confusing Ivy is valiant Ivy manages a blast in Sofia and Hugo's direction. Hugo is still positioned in front of Sophia. The arm holding his sword reaches out to brace for the below. The force of the blast colliding with his arm causes him to spin and fall. His arm is still attached to his body. Though now blackened. He's lying on top of my unconscious little sister. His blackened hand is gently accidentally beautifully intertwined with my little sister's small white hand.