Egrariand Chronicles Book 1: The Curse of the Black Stone

Lucas' Fear

"I still can't believe you're here," said Steve one afternoon. Ava and Blaine headed back to the castle and invited them to go with them. They didn't want to. They needed to hurry and reach the Sacred Spring, but they had no choice, not until Lucas wakes up from his deep sleep.

Steve went to Ava's chamber to plan out their next move.

He told her everything about Amara, who turned out to be from that world which they called 'Egrariand' and her power caused them to be plunged into that world. He told her that Amara was kind of genie or something. Of what she really was? He didn't know, it wasn't clear to him yet. "She was cursed to be in the black stone attached to a dagger, and Lucas freed her. I know, even I was shocked that stuff like this is real, but here we are."

Ava nodded as some of her many questions were now answered, but even though she couldn't believe her ears about everything she found out about Amara. That may be the reason she seemed so odd the first time they met. Anyway, she told Steve that on that day, she was there. She went to Lucas' house after she had a fight with her mother. As she stepped foot in the basement, the next thing she remembered, she was in a forest. She told him about the warthog, the prince who saved her, and her life in the castle with Fina. She didn't mention to Steve anymore about the bandits who held her captive, she wanted to erase that traumatic memory where she was almost raped by one of them.

Steve told her they were on their way to the Sacred Spring to free Amara completely from her curse. That was the only way for them to get back. The moment Amara fully regained her power, she would be strong enough to send them home.

'Home,' she almost forgot about it. Ava felt her heart twist a little for no reason. 'Yes, home.' This was what she'd been hoping for the very first day she was there, doesn't she?

"I'm sorry, we didn't know," said Steve with guilt in his voice. He couldn't fully imagine what would happen to Ava being alone and with no clue of where she was, if she wasn't saved by that prince.

Steve was so thankful to Blaine.

Ava looked at him. "It's alright Steve," she said with some kind of smile and a glint in her eyes.

Steve frowned as he gazed at her, wondering. "You like him." He could tell it the way they talked and looked at each other like there was something between them.

"Huh?"

"That prince guy?" he said, teasing.

Ava was startled by his question. She never thought about it. Does she?

"Hell! No!" she said, denying her feelings toward the prince. Seriously, she couldn't like him. Blaine was a good man, cold but with some kindness in his heart that he didn't want others to see. But no. She couldn't. She should not.

"Liar. C'mon, tell me."

Ava looked at him straight in the eyes. "No," she said, but couldn't keep herself from giggling. "How about you and Amara? Did you confess yet?"

Steve avoided her gaze. "I just want to help her."

Ava shrugged her shoulders, but she was looking at him, teasing. They laughed, then her face turned serious. "I was wondering what's gonna happen after?"

Steve paused.

"You know you like Amara, but then she's from this world and you're not. We're not even sure of what she is."

The smile faded on Steve's lips and looked away. "I've been asking the same thing," he said with some sort of sadness.

"Are you willing to go home in a world where she doesn't exist?"