Egrariand Chronicles Book 1: The Curse of the Black Stone

Amram, the Black Wolf

"You're awake!" said Lucas in relief upon seeing Amara open her eyes. He wiped his tears, thinking he was going to lose her. After she was rescued by Blaine, she seemed to be fading slowly. She was very weak. Her strength was drained completely.

Lucas never left her side. Thankfully an old man let them in their house after they saved him from a warthog. He introduced himself as Mr. Osnord. He was at that moment carrying a basket of vegetables he bought from a farmer in a distant town when he was attacked. Blaine and Altair managed to kill the warthog before it got the old man. In return, he invited them to rest in his small house. It was dark and smoky inside as there was no chimney and only a small window, the house was made of daub and clay with a small kitchen, three bedrooms, and a bathroom. However, it looked cozy and warm. The old man was living with his pregnant wife.

Mr. Osnord's wife welcomed them warmly and for her to show her gratitude for saving her husband, she fed them and offered the other rooms for them to be used by Amara and Fina who were severely injured and weak at that time.

Ava sometimes was telling Lucas that she would take turns in taking care of Amara, but he refused. He was so worried that her condition wasn't improving, until one day, with an unknown reason, they saw her recovering slowly with Emily holding her hands.

Lucas softened his eyes upon looking at Emily on how she was worried about Amara and how she looked after her. Like him and Steve, Emily didn't leave her side.

They didn't know how to thank the heavens when Amara woke up.

Steve assisted Amara to sit on her bed as he gave her water. Lucas saw how Steve liked Amara so much, even before. At first, he thought that Steve was only fascinated by her because of some kind of spell that surrounds her with her astonishing beauty, but Lucas saw that Steve's infatuation toward Amara was getting deeper. He smiled upon looking at them.

"I'll get some food for her," said Lucas.

Steve held Amara's hands after Lucas left. They were the only ones inside the room while Fina who had already recovered was teaching Ava outside on how to use a bow with Blaine and Altair watching them. Emily, Jack, and Jane went to help Mrs. Osnord fetch water from the nearby river.

"I don't know what I'm going to do if you're gone," said Steve as he tightened his grip on her hands. "It really scares the hell out of me, every time you're in danger. And I hate myself because I'm weak. I can't protect you. I'm sorry."

Amara smiled at him and she spoke in a tired voice, "Thank you, Steve." Amara caressed his face. "You're such a wonderful person. Don't be sorry, you're strong Steve. Without you, I don't think reaching this far is possible."

Steve held her hands on his face and led it to his lips then damped a soft kiss on it. He stared into her eyes. Every second with her was special and perfect, and for a brief moment in time, the entire world was surrounding him with a glorious cushion of adoration, comfort, and light.

"I like you," Steve whispered as he got his face closer to hers without breaking his gaze, then stopped when he was three inches away from her.

Amara didn't move.

"I really like you." He leaned closer to her, he wanted to kiss her lips right at this moment, but instead, he landed a soft kiss on her forehead. Steve didn't want to rush everything between him and Amara. He was willing to wait until Amara would be feeling the same way toward him.

"Rest," he said after he put a pillow at her back to make her comfortable. He brushed her hair with his hand, letting Amara feel in his every touch how much he really cared for her. He kissed her hand one more time then left the room after Lucas entered.