Magic and Mortality (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 15 - Scouts

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

BELINDA'S POV

My mother was beautiful, that is all my father has told me about her. He says that young bachelours used to line up at her door to beg for her hand, and it was only until my father came around that she noticed them. My father says I look as gorgeous as my mother, I have never believed myself to be beautiful. That is until I met Aelfric. The way he looks into my muddy brown eyes, the many times I catch him looking at me, and how he always seems to care — that is what has convinced me I am beautiful.

Ever since my nightmare, every night I have awoken with chills down my spine and screams rasping out of my throat, and Aelfric is always there, comforting me. My first nightmare became a recurring night terror. It continued until last night when Aelfric laid his bedroll beside my own and wrapped his arms around my almost sleeping figure. He proceeded to nuzzle his face into my hair, then I felt his soft lips against the crown of my head. I lay still until his arms relaxed around me. 

Sleeping came faster to us both with his arms wrapped around me. Still, I found myself awake with the sun, unlike Aelfric who began to sleep until his subconscious noted the smell of whatever food I prepared for breakfast over a small fire. It almost became impossible not to look at his peaceful face — in the soft shine of dawn, he glowed with such purity and strength. As each day continued, a speckling of peach fuzz and freckles grew on his pale face. I could barely resist reaching across the small space between us to caress his cheek.

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The last part of our finite journey ended with the sight of a castle heralding screams and torture that rose above the horizon. The stone fortress towered over the surrounding grasslands — the man-made clearing was showered in its shadow. I glanced at Aelfric, his eyes meeting mine with the same terror I felt. He grabbed my hand and squeezed it reassuringly as he pulled me closer to his side. Even with the fear that had rushed upon me, I couldn't stop the heat that rushed across my face. I could only pray that it remained unnoticed. 

"Follow me," Aelfric whispered once we neared the end of the trees. He guided us to the side of the track and followed the trees around to the back of the castle. 

"Stop, please," I let go of his hand, panting as my hands fell to my knees. We had been walking on the rough terrain for a while, resulting in longer than we'd walked before. I wobbled slightly when the nausea flooded my head. My legs collapsed — Aelfric's arms caught me just before I hit the forest ground. 

"Let's set up camp soon, okay?" His eyes filled up with worry, and I could almost see something else... but I knew it was probably just exhaustion clouding my judgement. I nodded in agreement.

"Can you walk?" I stood in response to Aelfric's question.

Only to fall again after a single step. He hooked his arms under my knees and my vision almost darkened. I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of deja vu*. 

A/N:

Heyyy guys! 

Just wanted to first of all credit the fact that most of this chapter was written by my bestie @Avi771. If you liked this chapter, make sure to vote and look out for more collaborations for this book and others!

Also wanted to apologise for the late chapter. I keep getting told by a friend (*cough* @Avi771 *cough*) that I shouldn't let this book control my life so sorry if updates are a week apart. I know that many authors update their stories with gaps over a few weeks, months, years even, but I feel at the moment that the only way to get the sense of accomplishment I crave is by updating this quickly. 

Also, the asterisk (*) is just to explain what the deja vu was. In Chapter 3, if you don't remember, Aelfric finds Belinda after she falls off a cliff and supposedly carries her back to Marcus the same way.

And Aelfric x Belinda is just *chef's kiss*. They're soooo cute! What are your thoughts? 

Anyways, love ya, don't forget that you are valuable and even just by being on this site reading this book or other stories, whether original or fan fiction, it warms authors' hearts to see so many people who love their work enough to read it. And if you've read until here, you deserve a medal. I've written this note easier than the actual chapter!

Love you all so much!
- CadiKuch09