Charmed

Chapter Twelve

I headed back to my chamber later that night. Darius assured me that no one else would come into the council hall, so we had a very vigorous kissing session inside the hall. My lips were swollen and a smile wouldn't leave my face as I almost skipped back to my chambers. Lisa wasn't in bed when I got inside, which was unusual for her. I presumed she was finally with the baker boy she had told me about. Without even thinking about it, I looked at the fireplace and a small fire burst to life.

"That didn't even take you much effort!" a young voice said.

I jumped, my hairbrush clattering to the floor. I whipped around. "Heather! You have to stop sneaking up on me."

Heather's legs were dangling over the side of Lisa's bed. She was grinning at me, her brown eyes glowing with the new fire I had ignited, her ginger hair looking wilder than ever. "I'm sorry. I've been up in the tower all night. I saw you were alone and wanted to see you."

"Well, that's very sweet," I smiled, sitting down on my own bed. "I'm grateful that you came to see me. Wouldn't you rather see Claude?"

"I see her every morning." Heather began jumping on the bed. "I help her choose what to wear and she styles my hair for me."

I held my arms out, worried she would hurt herself if she fell from the bed. She scurried quickly into my arms, and I hugged her close. "I am glad that you're here, but I need to get some sleep. I have a lot of work to do tomorrow."

Heather huffed but kissed my cheek and disappeared. I was now smiling for an extra reason, and it didn't budge from my face as I changed into my nightdress. Lisa entered the chamber just as I was blowing out the last of the candles, my fireplace magic still crackling away.

I wiggled my eyebrows. "Well then, where have you been?"

She shoved my shoulder a little as she flopped back onto her bed and we laughed together. "I've had the most perfect night."

"With baker boy?"

She propped herself up on her elbows and glared half-heartedly. "His name is Brian, if you must know."

"I must!" I giggled. I sat cross-legged on my bed, resting my elbows on my knees, eager to hear her story. "I'm your best friend, I need to know details. Plus, Baker Brian has a little ring to it."

"Gwen!" Lisa chuckled. "I'm not telling you yet."

"That's so unfair!"

She smirked. "I know."

"Well, you missed me using magic correctly." I knew that would capture her attention. She gaped at me as I put the fire out with some water before igniting it again. 

Lisa clapped her hands as I curtseyed. "Woah, Gwen. Your eyes are gold."

I blinked ferociously, trying to get them back to normal. Once Lisa nodded, I sat back down. "I'm not sure why my eyes do that. Darius and Claude's only ever have flecks of gold in their eyes. It doesn't turn completely gold."

"Maybe you're just one in a million," Lisa suggested. "I mean, not every witch or warlock is the same, right?"

I shrugged, climbing into bed and listening to her and Brian's perfect night.

~~

I knocked three times on the door that was identical to Darius', just one floor up. It opened in seconds another maid standing in front of me. She glared at me, but left once she was dismissed. I walked in, closing the door and smiling.

Claude was sat on her bed, dressed in a gown of deep red fabric that suited her blonde hair perfectly. It was falling free today bar one small braid running around the back of her head. Her green eyes seemed less joyous, but I thought maybe she hadn't had much sleep.