The Riddle Of Magic

Chapter 65: Relished Bond

Something heavy and warm was on top of him, and as Alastor blinked awake, his vision was almost entirely golden. His left arm was under the pale demoness laying with him, while his other arm was still around her waist, holding her against him. It was curious that he was so unbothered at being pinned, considering how when the deer demon had arrived at this place, he wouldn't have been able to fathom being in such a vulnerable position. Now, the idea of being separated from his partner was unthinkable.

She slept on, and a small part of him fretted that Charlie might yet slip back to that terrible place where she had been, and that his reprieve had been all for nothing. His grip around her tightened practically of its own accord, the slight jostling waking the princess in his arms.

"Hmm- Al?" she lifted her head just slightly, her ruby irises still covered with a darkened sheen vaguely reminiscent of chocolate. "You okay?"

He smiled at her, stroking her cheek. "That's rather my question for you, dearest."

Charlie hummed, putting her head back against his chest. "I'm a little hungry, I guess."

"That would make sense, you haven't had anything to eat in nearly a week! Let me grab you something."

"Wait, please," his partner murmured, snuggling against him. "Don't go. I just want to stay like this, just for a bit."

His back and neck weren't particularly agreeable to that, and he shifted slightly to lay them both down straighter, stretching out. "Alrighty, then - we'll stay here. Though something to eat wouldn't be a terrible idea for you, dear."

The blonde demoness stiffened slightly, curling against him, and his heart jerked as a surge of panic coursed through it.

He needed to take care not to put her back in that mindset of her panic, but how could he avoid those topics without knowing what had happened to her? Alastor rubbed her shoulders, praying to whatever mercy was still on his side that he wasn't about to harm his beloved. "Something on your mind, my darling?"

"Just... mmm," Charlie mumbled. "You said it's been a week?"

"Very nearly. Your alter struck you with some kind of magic, and whatever it was affected your mind. You've been in a rather ghastly state for the better part of a week now."

"You came for me," she whispered.

"As if there would be any doubt, dearest," he murmured, kissing the top of her head.

"I... don't remember anything about you bringing me back."

"I'd rather you not," he drew her closer, praying to never hear the devastating sound of her anguish ever again. "Your essence was starting to coil from all that grief."

"I'm sorry, Al."

He put a hand under her chin, cupping it to make her look up at him. "You don't have a single thing to apologize for."

Her dark eyes shone with emotion, though she smiled at him, even though there was clearly a deep pain she was holding onto. She tilted her head to rest her cheek in his hand, sighing contentedly before she laid her head back down against his chest.

She let out a long breath, and he thought for a moment that she was gathering her thoughts, but her breathing softened and he realized she'd fallen asleep again.

He let her sleep on through the afternoon, watching the quiet cityscape outside. From this angle, he could just see the tops of the tallest structures, stretching toward the sanguine sky of Hell, which was peaceful and clear, with nary a cloud in sight. It was a rather picturesque day, though knowing his companion was still at his side made it as close to Heaven as he could ever want.