UnFamiliar

Chapter 19

The principal had told Val and I to go back to our dorm room. When I tried to protest, there were so many people in worse shape than us, he'd looked at me with a frown.

"Ambrose, I have to call the police. They broke into our school and tried to hurt my students. I don't want to have to explain why one of those students is dressed up as demon."

Val nodded, and then sheepishly told the principal that all of the witch hunters were tied up on the football field. Principal Morley looked extremely confused, but nodded and told us to get going.

The walk back to our room was in complete silence. I kept sneaking glances at Val as we walked hurriedly across campus. He seemed deep in thought, never looking back at me.

I wanted to know why I was able to use magic against that artifact. I wanted to know why the spell did that. It should've been impossible on both counts. I also sort of wanted to hold his hand again, but I told myself that was a stupid thought.

When we got to the room, Val threw himself onto the bed, and groan. "This has been the longest ordeal of my life. I need to rest for an entire week."

I cocked my head. "The witch hunters went down surprisingly quickly."

Val propped himself up with elbows. "I'm not just talking about that. We also spent the night in hell, with my father."

I thought about that. I thought about what was said last night, or rather what wasn't said. "Val. I...I'm sorry I suggested we don't need to break the bond. I just...didn't really want...no. It doesn't really matter all that much. What does matter is that I might have an idea on how to break the bond."

Val was fully sitting up now. "What is it?"

"...We could rid me of magic. I think if I don't have any, the bond will break because technically it's a pact made between a magical creature and a witch. I...uh, came across the possibility weeks ago but thought it'd probably be too dangerous, but I think that artifact not affecting me means I don't have enough magic to for it to matter."

Val was quiet for a very long time, and I didn't have the courage to look at him. Finally, he scooted to the edge of the bed, sitting on it with his feet on the ground. He spread both his legs and his arms in a gesture that looked like the beginning of a hug. "Come here, Ambrose."

I numbly walked towards him, wondering if he understood the implications. When I get close enough, he grabbed me by my waist, and pulled me in. He hugged me, placing the side of his head against my stomach. I should've been cautious or uncomfortable. I ran my hand through his hair instead. We stayed like that for a bit.

"Ambrose, I..." Val paused to angle his head to look up at me. "I don't think separating you from your magic is a good idea. You said it was a part of your soul...people don't do so well with pieces of their souls missing."

"It's a small piece," I said, staring down into his glowing red eyes.

"It doesn't matter, Ambrose. A soul that is in pieces is always in agony."

I cringed.

His arms tightened around my waist. "Besides, isn't being a witch important to you? I want to get back my future, not condemn yours."

I stopped running my fingers through his hair. "You think being bonded to me ruined your future?"

He looked up at me. His eyes looked sad. "Ambrose, I...you do realize that I can't use my power without your permission, right? Do you think that's fair? It's my power. Mine. I hate feeling like someone else is in control."

I swallowed. "I guess I wasn't thinking when I asked you to stay."

"That isn't what you asked me though. You asked if it would be so bad if we didn't break the bond. Do you see the difference?"

I thought it over. "I guess?"

He sighed. "One is me willingly being by your side, with possibility of me leaving available to me. The other forces me to obey your commands without the ability to resist."

I let out a breath. "...are you saying you'd...be 'by my side' by choice?"

His lips twitched into an almost smile. "Would you want me to? Even though by choosing not to be your familiar I'm...ruining your chances at being able to continue you studies as a witch?"

I cocked my head. "I mean...it'd be up to you of course, but if you chose to stay, we wouldn't necessarily have to tell everyone we broke the bond."

He threw back his head and laughed. "You would lie to your teachers?"
I shrugged.

"I'll think about it," he said a little somberly.

I wanted to hug him, to kiss him, to convince him to stay. All I got out was, "Please do."

He finally released my waist, and I began to move away. The moment was broken. It was late. We'd had a really weird twenty-four hours. He grabbed my hand and pulled me back. Then he grabbed my face. "Ambrose, I do have one more question for you, but it's a bit long, is that okay?"

I nodded. His hands holding my cheeks gently as I did.

He pulled a bit of a smirk. "I know we were only pretending in my father's realm, but before we were summoned there, you kissed me. Well, I guess technically, I kissed you, but I think you kissed me back. I...was it okay that I kissed you?"

I felt my cheeks grow hot under his hands, but I nodded all the same.

"Then...would it be okay for me to kiss you again?"

I nodded again.

He pulled my face down to meet his, and it was so gentle, so careful, it took all of my patience not to push him back and do it myself.