Arwick (A Light Of Roria Sequel)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Staci

The trees were tall, I thought, staring at their tops that stood high above my head. I really didn't have anything else to do but wait, given how uncomfortable my insides felt and how useless I was to my friends, as usual.

The protective blue flames were just two feet in front of me and all around. They were meant to keep me safe, but my magic hated its magic, so it felt more like a prison.

The barrier that I couldn't enter only added to the uncomfortableness going on inside, and it seemed fitting that if anything or anyone could feel the way I did then, it would be a recovering nicotine addict, surrounded by their friends who were on a smoke break. All I wanted to do was use what I felt inside to punch through the enemy. But in reality, I knew divinity wasn't the real enemy here. I was. Good was what had come to save me in that throne room. Evil was what had kept my friends imprisoned and forced Addisyn to fight in some twisted death match.

Plopping to the ground, I sighed. The kind of sigh released when you were officially over it all. The kind that spoke for you when you didn't want to say everything you were feeling out loud. Laying my head among the twigs and dirt (honestly, I hadn't showered in ages, and a little bit of woodsy earth in my hair was probably an improvement), I stared at the sky. Even though it was cloudy, it was still really warm out. I tried to imagine myself back home, wearing a bikini to get an excellent tan for summer. How I missed my backyard. Looking at the partially hidden sun, I wondered if it was the same sun I'd known. Or if Arwick had one of its own.

"Don't even open that bucket of insanity, or your head will explode," I said aloud.

Closing my eyes, I hadn't realized how extremely tired I was. My body ached for a good nap, and considering the sheer devastating effects of these flames, I was sure I could risk it despite being out in the open. I had heard some critters not far from me, determined to speak with Alona about a dark user being protected with element blade flame. I guessed Alona must have been some kind of leader to the creatures of this forest. I just hoped she didn't send them back out here to get rid of the girl who was more like a big whale on Addisyn's back.

I could feel my legs twitch from exhaustion and my breathing change. I was too tired to fight the much-needed sleep that was about to overtake me. But just then, a gust of wind caused the twigs and dirt to shift just to my left. Addisyn, Elijah, Aasim, Jake, John, and a painfully handsome stranger all stared down at me as I lay in the dirt.

"By the grace of divinity," the guy I didn't know said, staring at me in a way that made me feel like he'd known me forever. "You are lovelier than I could have ever imagined."

Standing to my feet, I raised a brow. "Um. Thanks?" I replied awkwardly.

He smiled, moving toward me. The flame had finally disappeared, and when he gave me a slight bow, I looked to Addisyn, who seemed just as confused as me.

"I am Aziel. It does my heart wonders to have met you on this day."

"Is this about the whole princess thing? Or the horrible prophecy thing?" I asked, though I seriously doubted it was the latter. He reminded me of Elijah—proper, confident, and strong. He was definitely good because dark magic told me so. Still, despite feeling uneasy with him so close to me, I just had to admire the beauty, and he had it in spades. The perfect jawline, a prominent nose, gorgeously full lips, and the most intoxicating dark eyes since, well, ever.

He smiled, and somehow it made him look younger. (I assumed he was around his mid-thirties or so.) "It is unfortunate that you wield what I fight against, but now more than ever." He paused, looking to Addisyn, who still seemed confused by his reaction toward me. "I believe your feelings to be correct. Somehow, she will be saved."

"All right, what's going on?" I said, wanting him to explain.

"Though dark magic must be preventing you from sensing what I do now, it does not make it less true. Dear fairy, you are my one flesh, and I yours."

"Plot twist." Jake looked as shocked as I felt.

"Oh my gosh," Addisyn said with a laugh, though not the kind of laugh where she found it funny but possibly amazing.

"Are you serious?" I said, feeling even more uncomfortable. Not only was my dark magic crouched like a big cat backed in a corner (I was surrounded by six divinity users), but from what Elijah had explained, it also wasn't for me. The idea was a little ridiculous. Being connected to one person forever? It seemed a little too Snow White and Prince Charming to me.

He didn't even seem to budge. His eyes still remained on me, and I realized this guy was not easily affected by someone's words. "Of course," Aziel said. "I would never jest over such a thing."

Feeling suddenly very self-conscious about my appearance, I ran a hand through my tangled hair. "This is heavy." If I had thought I was overwhelmed prior to Aziel's news, now I couldn't resist dark magic's instruction. I felt my own feet begin to back away, obeying dark magic like I no longer had a say. I guessed it was tired of being ignored.

Again Aziel showed no signs of disappointment. He just smirked at me with his kind and sultry eyes, like he'd waited his whole life to meet me, and here I was.

"We have much to discuss over time, but I will hold us back no longer." Aziel turned to the group. "Shall we make for the Sea of Zerenea?"

"We have to go, Staci," Addisyn started out. She was smiling at me the way she always had, with acceptance and joy (probably because she liked the idea of me finding my one flesh, which I just wasn't sure about) beyond what I deserved. "It's time we get to our real mother."

"Okay," I said, putting a much-needed pin in the situation with the hot guy, with the hot guy name.

Addisyn held out her free hand, but I just couldn't take it, wrapping my arm around myself instead. I could see the rejection had stung a little, but Addisyn had Elijah, who rubbed her back gently, drawing her attention to him rather than me.

Huddled with a bunch of divinity users, one being Jake, who stared at me with disbelief in his eyes (likely because of my own eye), I bit my cheek and gripped my filthy shirt with my fist. My anxiety doubled, and I closed my eyes and thought of the sea we all needed to cross. Despite how much my own magic hated these people, I still cared for them, and all I could think about was whether Addisyn was right. Would we find a way? Or would I bring them all down with a crashing wave—literally?