Howl's heart

Chapter 3 Meeting Markl and Calcifer

Third pov

The young man and woman spent many weeks getting to know each other and slowly but surely they fell in love.

"Where do you live?"

Howl had a smile tugging on his lips. "Do you want to see?"

(Y/n) nodded so eagerly that her braided hair almost came undone in the wind.

Howl laid his arm around her as they went further into the wastes. (Y/n) wondered what kind of house he'd have in the wastes of all places. Could a house really be maintained there-

Howl laughed at her expression as the castle came into view. "This is my home. Want to see inside? I just resently created the inside, and I have two people I want you to meet."

(Y/n) nodded with a stunned expression. She'd never seen a moving house with legs.

Howl grabbed the door as the castle was about to pass them. With an ease that surprised her, he got them both inside.

The inside was well lit by the fire in the fireplace. The fire with eyes.....

"The fire has eyes... The fire has eyes- do you have a demon in your fireplace?" She gave Howl an incredulous look.

He just chuckled. "His name is Calcifer. Calcifer, this is (y/n)."

The fire demon had a sour look. "Finally, does this mean you'll stop blabbing on about her all the time?"

(Y/n) looked back at Howl with a teasing smile and saw his cheek briefly burn bright before he collected himself.

"It's nice to meet you Calcifer." (y/n) smiled and courtesied.

A sound came from up the stairs and a head peaked out from up the stairs. "Is that you, master Howl?"

"It's me. Come on down, I have someone for you to meet." Howl motioned for the boy to come down.

The boy that came down had red hair and dark brown eyes. He eyed her suspiciously at first until a flash of recognition passed in his eyes. "Aren't you the witch that works for the kings head sorceress?" His voice took a tone of awe.

She nodded. "I'm her apprentice. My name is (y/n), what's yours?"

"I'm Markle, I'm master Howl's apprentice." He bowed politely.

"It's nice to meet you, Markl." She smiled at him. "How far have you come in your studies?"

"Pretty far, but I'm nowhere near a master yet." Markl answered, glaring at Calcifier as he snickered.

"Keep working and you will be. Especially with Howl helping you." (Y/n) replied with a warm smile.

Markl nodded, he knew that but it didn't hurt to hear it from someone else. "Thank you for the confidence."

Howl took her hand. "Now that you have met these two, let me show you the house."

(Y/n) glanced around the room they were in. "I hope it's cleaner than here." She grinned.

Now she heard snickering from both the demon and Markl. Howl pretended to not have heard her. "Oooor, maybe I could just show you my room. It's a lot bigger than it looks on the outside-"

As he rambled on the other three broke out into full blown laughter.

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Time skip

The field was empty as Howl watched (y/n) stand in the middle of it. Her eyes were closed and her (h/c) hair shone as light danced around her.

Howl watched stars dance around the field in awe. The object of his affection standing in the middle if it all looking like a star herself.

He made his way towards her, the stars parting for him, until he stood beside her. She opened her eyes and gave him a smile.

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"Try it. It's really good." (y/n) held out a spoon with a piece of chocolate and rasberry cake. She'd already had half the piece for herself.

Howl, swayed by her pleading eyes, gave in and tried a piece. "I admit." He said once he'd swallowed. "It is good."

(Y/n) smiled big. "I told you. These guys make the best cakes!" She ducked away when he tried to pull her towards him, laughing.

Howl chuckled. "Come here-"

As he tried again she danced out of the way. "Try to catch me if you can."

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"I hope it will be this peaceful all the time." (y/n) whispered, her head resting against Howl's shoulder.

"I hope so too."

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(Y/n) had a bad feeling when she woke that morning. Like something big was going to happen.

"Miss (l/n), you are needed with Madame Sulliman." The older man told her.

She nodded and let him lead the way.

Over the three years she had spent as the Madames apprentice she had gained her own reputation. Which showed quite well as people parted to let her through the crowd of the kings advisors.

"I was asked for." Her voice echoed in the suddenly deathly quiet room.

Madame Sulliman just handed her a paper.

The young witches eyes widened as she read it. "This is a declaration of war."

"Indeed, which is why we will need to gather all witches and wizards in the country. We're at war."

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