The Clash, Book One

Chapter 44: The Eighth Witch, Part E

Alena paced near the edge of the woods that were situated near the palace, running a shaky hand through her blonde hair.

"Where the hell is he?" she mumbled, her pace quickening.

She stopped when she heard footsteps. She spun around and saw her boyfriend walking toward her.

"Jack!" she called out. She then ran over to him and threw her arms around his neck, breathing out a sigh of relief.

His arms came around her, and he kissed the top of her head. They stayed embraced for several long moments as they relished the feeling of being in each other's arms.

When they pulled away, Alena's wits had returned. She furrowed her eyebrows as realizations washed over her.

She gestured between the palace and his hands as she questioned, "Why were you in the palace and why do you have my bags? And where have you been?"

"One question at a time, Blondie," Jack began as he placed a soothing hand on her shoulder. He took a deep breath before he continued, "I'm sorry I worried you - but I had to find a way to get you home."

Alena's eyes welled with tears as she hung her head. She then tried to deflect, "You could have at least told me - instead of leaving a vague note."

Though his own eyes welled with tears, he couldn't help but smile and shake his head. He then told her, "You don't particularly like being woken up, and I also knew that you would be doing everything you could to help your family."

Her eyes fluttered closed as reality set in. She sighed before she lamented, "There's only so much I can do since we can't stop this curse from coming."

Jack kissed her cheek before he rested his forehead against hers. He then assured her, "But it can be stopped thanks to you. I bet everyone is so amazed and proud - just like I am," brushing a hair off her forehead.

Alena couldn't help but blush as she pointed out, "I haven't done anything yet," twirling her hair around her finger.

He chuckled before he teased, "Since when are you so shy and nervous?"

She smiled and shook her head. She then offered, "I know what you're doing, Jack," raising an eyebrow at him.

With a lopsided grin, he asked, "Is it working?"

"A little," she answered with a giggle. Once she sobered, she let out another sigh as her shoulders sagged.

She blinked back tears as she said, "I don't know if I can do this. I know I need to, but that doesn't make it any easier."

"Trust me, I know. Falling in love wasn't even in the cards for me - but now I can't even picture my life without you," Jack told her - his voice cracking with every word.

Alena's voice broke as she said, "And you won't even know who I am." She then groaned and complained, "Ugh! This is so bloody unfair."

She then began pacing once more - although it resembled stomping. Jack placed her bags aside before he stopped in front of her.

He gripped her shoulders and told her, "That is the kind of fight you hold onto with everything you have - that is what's gonna help you break this damn thing."

Alena threw her arms around him once more - holding him as though he was everything precious in her world. Because he was.

When they pulled away, she took his face in her hands. With a deep breath, she told him, "Cursed or not, I'm fighting for you, and I'm fighting for us. And I'm fighting for the rest of our family."