13 Witches Cursed ADELAIDE

Chapter 4

Zahn awoke suddenly.

He didn't know why but he knew there was a problem. Jumping up, he opened the door of the carriage, inhaling sharply.

There was chaos on the streets of the village. People were running and screaming, all heading in the same direction. Zahn decided he needed to join in. He ran with the crowd, but it didn't take long to figure out what the problem was.

The inn was on fire.

Adelaide.

Zahn sprang into action. People were screaming for buckets so Zahn created a huge pile of them as he ran by. The blaze had fully engulfed he bottom floor of the inn. Going in to get Adelaide would not be possible. Zahn then decided he would just use his magic to jump up on the roof but if he did that, there would not be time to rescue the others staying in the rooms above.

He would have to put the fire out first.

Zahn stood in front of the blaze and inhaled sharply, gathering the energy he needed to stem the raging fire. He brought his hands back towards his chest, then started pushing outwards. He was under great strain, but the energy he was expelling was lessening the blaze. The villagers stood in awe as they witnessed Zahn's heroic feat. Magic was not a secret in their world. Not a lot of people had magic though.

Once the fire was out, Zahn barked instructions to get ladders and help all the inn's guests down from the upper levels. The walls and floors were likely weakened so the best way to rescue everyone was to have them climb down. Zahn jumped from the ground up to the landing off of Adelaide's room. He broke the window and climbed in. It was dark and he couldn't see so he shot a ball of light into the air in order to illuminate the room.

He finally found her, passed out on the floor. She must have been trying to get to the door to escape. He put his hand to her neck and found a pulse. Breathing a sigh of relief, he scooped her up and jumped down onto the ground.

As he carried her to the carriage, he nodded to all the villagers who thanked him. No one died, they said, as he passed.

He should have been pleased, but his only concern at the moment was Adelaide. He placed her on the bench seat and conjured a bowl of water and a towel. He actually had no idea what to do and thought maybe he should go look for a doctor. Just as he went to do just that, she started to stir and cough. He sat her up but held her tight as she gasped for air.

"What...happened?" she asked between coughs.

"The inn caught fire."

"The...curse." She gasped.

"It wasn't the curse. I am sure it was just an ember from a fireplace. It happens all the time. Are you alright? Should we find a doctor?"

"No, no. I would just like some water."

Zahn made her water and she drank greedily.

She handed him back the glass and Zahn sat it on the floor. "Do you feel well enough to travel? We need to find another room so we can wash and change. You will need to conjure more clothes. I left yours up there."

"Yes, I'm fine. Let's go."

Zahn waved his hand and the reins took their position. The horseless carriage set off in search of other lodgings.

Adelaide fell asleep on his shoulder almost instantly and Zahn was trying to release the fear that had spread through his whole body when he was unsure of her safety. He should have never been so narrow minded as to leave her by herself. He was a grown man and had control.

The sun was just starting to rise when they approached the next village. There was a heavy fog that had settled over the landscape, giving it an other-worldly feeling. Zahn stood outside of the carriage as Adelaide took a sponge bath and conjured herself a proper dress and shoes.

"Let's get some breakfast and coffee, then we will go up to the room and properly change and dress for the day."

Adelaide agreed.

She was starving from her near-death experience. She ordered eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, biscuits and gravy as well as coffee. Zahn ordered the same.

They paid for a room and two baths. Adelaide went first and luxuriated in the warm water. She felt really happy, given that she almost died, but she realized she felt wonderful because Zahn had been so wonderful. He was so attentive and caring. It was...nice.

Adelaide took a walk through the village while Zahn was bathing, stopping to buy a pastry and a few bolts of cloth. She also purchased some wonderful smelling soaps and a new silver brush and mirror, since hers were lost in the fire.

Once she made it back, Zahn was waiting by the carriage. He smiled when he saw her and this time when he extended his hand, Adelaide took it. They settled into the carriage and it took off immediately.

As if something else was controlling them, they turned towards each other. They both started breathing heavy as their eyes bore into one another's. Zahn leaned into her and she leaned into him. Their mouths were so close to each other and they were mere moments away from a kiss. The carriage jostled from a large hole in the ground and they separated as they lost their balance.

"Thank you...for all your help...you know...with the fire." Adelaide said, trying to break the uncomfortable moment.

"Sure. Of course. This has set us behind another day in our travels...just so you know."

"Understandably." Adelaide was secretly happy.

She loved the idea of spending another day alone in Zahn's company. She didn't understand what that meant...not truly, just that the idea of being with him and prolonging the inevitable meeting with her husband all sounded lovely.

********

Emalyn was stunned into silence. She walked away from her looking glass, clenching her fists in pure and utter frustration. She was sure that her plan to kill Adelaide would have worked. It was even better when Zahn decided to sleep in the carriage, not in the inn with her. She knew that killing Zahn was almost inevitable but loathed killing him. He was innocent in this but he traveled with her. That was why he was picked. He was expendable.

Emalyn decided that the staked would need to beraised. Adelaide was proving luckier than she had ever imagined. No matterwhat, she somehow managed to live through all her attempts at ending her life.She would have to come up with an even better plan...one that would finally putan end to Adelaide.