Magic and Mortality (DISCONTINUED)

Chap. 12 - Scavenge

KEY = Subtitle/POV change | Author's note |"Speech" | 'Quote/Thoughts' | Text | Emphasis

A/N: Hey guys!
I've noticed that no one has been reading this for a while. I don't know if that is because around 50% of my readers are from Australia and it is our Christmas break, but if it is because my story isn't very engaging, I'd love some feedback to improve it! :)
I also wanted to say that I will start publishing each chapter every weekend from around mid-January. Until then, I will try to publish about every three days.
I've also noticed that many Wattpad authors are creating playlists for their books/fanfics (I'm obsessed with Harry Potter fanfics at the moment, anyone else?). Do you think I should give it a go (a playlist)?
Wowsers this is a long a/n, which I'm following with a loooooonnngggg chapter. I'll continue with the story now!

THIRD PERSON POV

Aelfric's skills with knife-throwing didn't seem to improve over the next few days; he instead had an uncanny knack with the bow. Therefore, he'd carry a concealed dagger and a small hunting bow while Belinda would carry another dagger and the throwing knives.

Walking along the rough gravel road had become a habit as normal as breathing. The two travellers grew closer as the days drew on. To the nomads they occasionally passed, it seemed as if they were more than friends; they quickly denied any suspicions when they once camped with an old woman who didn't explain her reasons for travelling.

There were also many times when Aelfric caught a few sneaky eyes looking at his friend. A deep rush of unfamiliar rage had flooded his heart — each time growing more ferocious — but he quickly shoved it out of his mind. 

The pair both had their suspicions; Aelfric's were of the looks that Belinda was given, Belinda's of a follower. She could've sworn that she saw the bushes rustle unusually over there, or a foot sliding behind a tree. There had even been a cloak hanging down from a hidden tree branch. No amount of ignorance could help her push off the suspicion she was feeling.

AELFRIC'S POV

We walked around the boulder that protruded from the side of the road. Neither of us had talked in a while, however the silence was becoming more companionable than uneasy. A young man — around my age, I assume — blocked the path. 

"Well, hello there," he winked at Belinda, nodding in my direction. 

"Oh, um, hi!" Belinda squeaked. I turned to see her face flooded with red, the jealous rage filling me again.

"I am Raymond Ward," he bowed with a flourish, "and I noticed that a fine girl such as yourself seemed to be travelling along the same route as myself." The jealous rage was joined by annoyance at his attempts at ignoring me.

"I am Belinda, and this is Aelfric," Belinda giggled. I would've said her giggle was adorable — I hadn't ever heard it before now — except for the fact that it was directed at this 'Raymond Ward'.

"Aelfric? Isn't that the name of-"

"Yes, I am none other than Prince Aelfric," I interrupted him, hoping to encourage him to move so that Belinda and I might continue down the road. He did move, however immediately fell into step beside Belinda. I had never noticed her height, however, I could easily glare over her head at Raymond as they talked. 

The sun began to sink lower in the sky when we stopped for the day. Raymond had easily convinced Belinda to let him camp with us — I was about to grab an arrow and impale it through his skull. All I could do was set up the camp as he led her away from the campsite.

She seemed enchanted by his eyes. I stood up, shocked. 'Of course!' I thought triumphantly. I had heard of the Deliriati, a group of men who acted like the female Sirens, who instead enchanted travelling women while they stole their possessions.

BELINDA'S POV

Raymond led me over to the edge of the camp, telling me to wait for a few seconds as he wished to talk with me. As soon as he walked back to the camp, I noticed something was wrong. It was only when I heard a clash of metal against metal that I was broken from the enchanted infatuation that had filled me. I turned to see Aelfric fighting Raymond with his dagger. Raymond was quickly overpowered and ran into the trees, terrified.

I walked back to the camp, dazed. "What just happened?"

Aelfric looked up from the sword he'd picked up from where Raymond had dropped it. "He's a Deliriato, like a male Siren." I nodded. 

"Sorry about that." Aelfric frowned at the sword, placing it down before he walked over to me. His arms surrounded me in a warm embrace.

"It's alright, you're safe now. We're safe and that's all that matters," Aelfric muttered.