Magic and Mortality (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 23 - Falling

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

(A/N) I wrote this chapter using the chorus from 'Falling Apart' by Michael Schulte as inspiration. I also recommend listening to it while reading if you can!

THIRD PERSON POV

Aelfric would try to hide his feelings, convincing himself that he'd only ever be friends with the girl that he had almost run over so long ago. He seemed content. He'd push down all feelings of love and affection until even he believed that they had disappeared. 

When he saw her hit down by the ogre, rage accompanied these hidden thoughts and feelings. The ogre couldn't have protected himself even if he knew what would be coming.

Aelfric couldn't leave the girl alone while she was unconscious. One of the younger nurses healing her gave her advice to tell her, just once, how he felt.  So he took his chance, bringing Belinda on an expedition thought to be completely safe. 'Maybe, just maybe,' he thought. 'Maybe I'll be courageous, just this once.'

AELFRIC'S POV

I laughed, pulling Belinda — whose laugh filled me with a joy I couldn't describe — to a wide field. Her dress flowed around her ankles and her hair which she'd finally let down flew behind her magically. I led her to a small blanket on the field, adorned with a few plates of food that could be spared. We sat and ate for a while, chatting about the most lively things and laughing together. Her smile captured me as her eyes shone with giggles. 

After the food had been long gone, a few drops of water splashed around us. We didn't care. I picked up some water from a puddle forming near me and threw it at her. She jumped up in shock. "Oh no you don't," she turned and raced away from me, giggling. I chased after her as the rain began to pour. 

My arms finally wrapped around her waist as she slowed slightly. She squirmed for a bit before we both stood still, each catching our breath. I stepped back, her hair framing her face as she turned towards me.

 "Might I have this dance, milady?" I asked, grinning as I held out my hand towards her. 

"Of course, kind sir." She giggled, placing her small hand in my larger one. We danced across the field, spinning and twirling without any cares in the world. Our eyes were locked together as we swirled across the field. We eventually slowed, never breaking eye contact. I shifted my hand from her waist to cup her cheek.

"Y'know, I've never really loved anyone before." 

Her lips were parted, cheeks flushed. She looked so beautiful. No, she was so beautiful. "Really?" she murmured.

"Not until I found you." A type of gravity seemed to pull us together until we were practically breathing the same air. I closed my eyes, pulling her even closer as I leaned down. I could feel her soft lips brush mine... 

...but they never came closer. 

An invisible force pushed us to the ground, pushing us away from each other as we fell into the dark.