Guardian

xxi. deemed usefulness

"I'm going out to train," Austin grumbles out monotonously as he walked to the front doors. "I'll be back."

"Wait!" Someone calls out to him. He's knows it's Ally and he turns around in such a quick manner. Austin irks his eyebrow at her, gesturing for her to continue. "Check up on Izabel and Zay for me. They're with that boy with met yesterday. Nick."

"Is that all?"

Ally sips on the tea in her hands as she nods. "Yes." Then she swiftly turns and goes back in the direction of the kitchen.

Austin sighs as he continues on his way to the outside. He's never had Ally be mad at him for more than ten minutes. Granted, she says she's only disappointed, but still. She wouldn't even touch him last night. That woman has never went a night without curling into his side until last night.

The cold air hits him and he pulls his hood up while the snow is falling. Austin stalks down the icy stairs, making sure to not slip.

Austin has his days where he just doesn't seem essential. Today is one of them.

Although he rules alongside Ally now, he's pretty sure he was only offered the position because they're married; not because he actually earned it. His role in the village was so minor.

Zay and Izabel were able to hold their own. They didn't really need his help for anything. Maybe some advice here and there, but never for anything important.

Austin was also supposed to be Ally's guardian, whatever that is. As far as he knows, a Guardian is someone who dies for someone else. But it seems as Ally doesn't even need protection. Especially from a non-warlock like himself.

What the hell was he gonna do with a bow and arrow?

He's pulled out of thought by a red blur. He already knows who it is. "Zay, man, slow down! There's ice out here!"

The teen boy slows down and Austin raises his eyebrows as he slides to a stop and sees Hope in his arms. Zay sets her down and zips to Austin's side, where he leans against his shoulder. "Hope, here, bet me a kiss that I wouldn't fall. Had to prove her wrong."

Austin scoffs and steps to the side. The space between him and Zay widens and from the slippery grounds, Zay stumbles to the ground.

Hope giggles, coming closer to look over him. "Maybe next time, babe," she laughs, then turns to Austin with a smile. "Hi, Austin!"

Hope embraces him tightly, making him chuckle and hug her just as tight. "Hi, Hope. What are you doing in our village?"

"Well, we finished all of our winter preparations early, so my mom said I could come hang with Zay for the day," she shrugs as they pull away. Hope crosses her arms and nods her hand towards the castle. "I hear you're in the doghouse with Ally."

"Yeah. I pissed her off yesterday."

"It'll blow over. My parents fight all of the time; they're even back together now. Just give it time."

Austin sends her a smile as all three of them begin their path to the training center.

Once they reach the small building, they're immediately met with the sight of someone throwing flames.

As they walk farther inside, they see it's Nick, punching flames at the ceiling (which was nonflammable and indestructible).

"Okay, that's cool, but can you do this?"

It's another voice. They don't have to turn their heads to find the voice because suddenly, Izabel was gliding throughout the building on her ice. She sees her family and grins.