Warning: This chapter contains blood and gore.
Is this for real?Ava walked toward Steve without blinking, unbelieving of what she was seeing and afraid at the same time that if she closed her eyes even for just a beat, he would disappear. 'Steve is here,' she muttered in her thoughts repeatedly. She didn't know what to think, but she was relieved she was not alone. Her lips trembled as it started to form into a smile.
"Steve! You're here!" she exclaimed. Ava ran to him and then hugged him. She buried her face to his chest. "I don't know what the fuck's going on, but I'm glad you're here. I really am." Her tears flowed down on her cheeks as she released small sobs. "I was scared, Steve," she cried. "I was scared. I thought... I thought---" She was utterly surprised. For a moment after everything, she finally found comfort with Steve's presence.
Steve hugged her back. Even he was shocked to see Ava. He never thought she would be there too. Guilt crept all over his body. He didn't know. If he did, he would not stop looking for her. He would not let her be alone in that world. He looked at her with a million questions plastered on his face after they parted. "How? Are you for real?" He pulled Ava's cheeks so hard just to make sure he was not dreaming.
"Ouch!" hissed Ava. She pulled herself from him then pinched him too as hard as she could, "You want that, huh?" she didn't stop until Steve surrendered.
"Okay, Okay! You're real," said Steve, then they laughed together. He looked at Ava from top to bottom. "You looked... different and---" He zipped his mouth. He didn't trust himself to speak, but his shoulders trembled, trying so hard not to laugh.
Ava felt her blood rushed to her face. "Don't dare say it," she threatened. She knew Steve was bawling in laughter in his mind with just seeing her wearing a dress. Crap. "You know what, maybe I should kill you now," she mumbled as she cast dagger looks at him.
"Alright! I'm sorry," said Steve, trying to compose himself. "I'm just glad to see you, safe." He pulled Ava again into his arms and patted her head. "I won't forgive myself if something happened to you," he whispered in her ears.
Meanwhile, Blaine narrowed his eyes, watching them, as confusion crossed on his features. His face grew stern even more than before. He cleared his throat, making Ava remember his presence.
Crap. I forgot about him. Ava dragged Steve and walked toward Blaine. "Steve, I want you to meet Blaine, uhm, he's a prince- of this kingdom, you know, and uh-he saved me- when I first arrived here. There was some wild animal that almost got me, but thanks to Blaine, I'm still alive. Do you believe that?" she chuckled. She was excited to introduce them to each other. "He also gave me a place to stay."
Steve stretched out his hand to Blaine for a handshake. "Thank you for saving Ava and for looking after her. She's kinda annoying most of the time, but still thank you very much for not kicking her out. She must've bothered you a lot--Ouch!"
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Egrariand Chronicles Book 1: The Curse of the Black Stone
FantasyA journey of self-discovery... An orphaned boy lives in misery, he tries to deal with his pain and️ discovers an enchanting world that embroils him in a cosmic conflict. --O-- Eleven-year-old Lucas has released...