Spellbound

So here's my new story: to all my old cakelets, I'm so excited to be writing for you again; for all my new readers, welcome and I hope you enjoy! This is a very different story and I tried to make it as unique as possible. I hope you like it as much as I love all of you <3

The dedication for this story goes to my amazing friend Ambrosia, @xAmberr_1Dx for her advice and feedback. She's so sweet, funny, and talented and I wouldn't have uploaded this if it weren't for her!

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Introduction

            There is a certain, irresistible magic in the fleeting sensations that accompany falling in love, an enchantment perceptible only by a flicker that gleams wildly in your eyes, by anxious knotting and churning in your stomach, by a flutter of nerves rippling across your pores, by the hint of a grin that helplessly curls the corners of your mouth. Your two separate gazes fasten securely to one another's, electrifying as sparks spurt every which way, and like the twist of a kaleidoscope, your entire perspective is changed. It defies logic or common sense. It simply is. All this happens within a matter of seconds and then, you're just left staring. Spellbound.

*August 11, 2019*

            Glistening rays of light danced gracefully along the mossy leaves and slender branches above; dim sunshine splayed through the intricate gaps, and shadows landed in delicate crisscrossing patterns onto the laps of the couple beneath. A spray of dainty daffodils -- beautiful for their sheer simplicity -- bloomed wildly in dusty patches of the surrounding fields and the breathlessly blue sky was sunny and cloudless. Sugary silence swept across the meadow, flavored by the occasional breeze which lazily rustled the tree and the carefree conversation below.

            "Why bother traveling all the way to Spain or Italy, though?" the girl was wondering aloud with a thoughtful frown, cocking her head inquisitively to the right. As a particularly crisp, deliciously refreshing gust of wind washed over the pair, she shivered in delight and allowed her sparkling eyes to drift closed, settling her head gently against the crumbling, rough bark of the tree trunk. "When we've got such a magnificent tree right here?"

            Sprawled carelessly in the shade and chin propped intently on his fist, the charming boy -- with a sappy, transfixed expression -- glued his distinct blue eyes on the girl beside him; he was entirely lovestruck. Tossing in his dazzling trademark smile, he teasingly replied, "I'll remember that, y'know, on our fiftieth anniversary. You'll be begging for a romantic Hawaiian vacation and I'll drag you out here and plop you under this magnificent tree."

            "First of all, Niall, shut it," she warned jokingly, if somewhat threateningly, and nudged his elbow with one pedicure-free foot. "Second of all, I'd never choose Hawaii; I mean, in all the summers we've spent together, have you once seen me tan? No. And there's a reason for that. Because if I don't avoid the sun, I wind up roasting. Which, I will proudly admit, is incredibly unattractive."

            "I think your sunburn is precious," Niall protested, extending one muscular arm to tap the pink-tinged and freckle-spattered bridge of her nose.

            She snorted. "You're funny. Besides, I've still got to mention number three: you see us together in fifty years?" Curling her balm-coated lips into an innocent, kissable smirk, she arched an eyebrow. "Someone's quite confident in their ability to seduce me."

            "Well, I have been told I'm irresistible."

            "Hmm. I suppose that's true," she confessed reasonably. "But then, I've heard the same about myself."

            "Well, two irresistible people underneath one tree? That's a flawless match. Guess it's lucky destiny paired us up together, eh?"

            "Lucky you fell in love with me." The simple response glided from her lips so instantly, smoothly, doubtlessly, matter-of-factly that to argue with the statement seemed impossible.

            He flushed, tongue too tangled and mind too jumbled to deny what seemed an indisputable fact. Love had only ever once before gripped his pounding heart with such a fierce, unrelenting force, and that experience, although Niall still remained blissfully unaware, had been an utter lie, a kind of enchantment. Only now did he appreciate the raw extent of love, in all its accompanying glory and anxiety. But neither in the exhilaration of such affection nor in the black velvet box -- containing a gorgeous, shimmering diamond engagement ring -- that was tucked secretively into his pocket does this story begin. No, this is the story of an unusual sort of love, one seamlessly woven from deceptions, secrets, and magic.

            "Yes. It is."

            And thus begins the tale of how Niall James Horan became, well, spellbound. 

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So far, I've had such an amazing time writing this! I hope all of you liked it, even if it wasn't the most interesting chapter! The updates will come as frequently as possible and future chapters will start introducing new characters, as well as bring back some old ones. If you haven't already, you might want to read I Do, since several of the characters from there will be included here! Please, if you liked it, vote and comment and share this story with friends. It's a blessing to get back to writing and your support means the world to me.

MWAH! xx

RoRo