High Witch
Chapter 9

They kept traveling for the remainder of the week. Ariel practiced using her magic whenever they stopped to rest. She was able to cast many different spells, with more strength, more power. She learned to control her powers with a much tighter hold. Brayden was astounded at how much she was learning, so quickly. He was barely teaching her anything. It was all her. She was amazing. He could hardly believe it.

On the evening of the seventh day they stopped at an inn, a larger, better place than the others they had been staying at. They rented their room, then sat in the dining room, glad for a hot meal. The large space was warm, lit by candles, the buzz of people chattering filling the air. Brayden felt warmed by the atmosphere. It helped him ignore the growing feeling in his stomach that Julius was catching up to them. They ate their dinner of chicken and vegetables, sitting near the fireplace, at a long table a little away from the other guests. He glanced over at Ariel.

“Are you alright?” he asked her. She nodded.

“I’m fine,” she said. “Just tired.”

He squeezed her hand. “You’ve been working so hard. You deserve to rest.”

She smiled at him, but it didn’t touch her eyes. She really was worn out. Brayden knew she’d been training in preparation for the fight with the other High Witch. She fiercely believed it would happen soon. She wouldn’t let go of the notion that she had to kill her. It tore Brayden up inside. He wished he could do more. But he knew it was really up to Ariel.

They gradually finished eating, and sat quietly, enjoying the fire. Brayden stroked her back, gazing at her. Ariel leaned against him, snuggling up to him as he put his arms around her. He wondered what she was thinking.

“I don’t want you to worry too much, Ariel,” he said softly. “I wish I could take away some of your burden. I wish I could protect you.”

“You are,” she said. “I wouldn’t be able to use my magic if it weren’t for you. You protect me by teaching me. And you protect me by loving me.”

His heart swelled, and he wanted to do something special for her. He wanted to calm her, to relax her. He kissed her hair, then made her sit back.

“Let’s go to our room,” he whispered, and she nodded. They stood and walked from the room, climbing the stairs. Brayden started the fire and lit some candles, while Ariel sat on the bed. Warmth filled the air, along with a soft light and the sound of the blaze crackling. Brayden went and sat beside Ariel, putting his hands on her upper arms. He looked at her, and she gazed at him fondly. He leaned forward and gently kissed her. He moved his lips to her ear.

“Let me show you how much you mean to me,” he whispered, making her tremble. He kissed her again, softly, sweetly, not wanting to rush things. His fingers brushed the skin below her collarbone, moving down to the fabric at the top of her dress. She let out a little sigh. He kept gently kissing her, then began to undo the laces fastening her dress. He unthreaded the string, his fingers moving lower, brushing over her chest as the dress became undone. She curled her fingers in his hair, moaning, her breathing becoming ragged. He took in his breath as he pulled the dress down from her shoulders, and she took her arms out of the sleeves. His heart was thudding loudly in his ears.

He lay her back on the bed, removing the dress, leaving only her thin under tunic. He began kissing her neck, moving his lips to the soft skin below. She moaned in ecstasy, her fingers still in his hair. His body was burning for her.

He removed his clothing, then lay over her, his hand running up her thigh. Their eyes were locked together, their breathing heavy. He lifted her tunic over her head, then kissed her passionately. She clutched his back, and he began to make love to her. He moved with her slowly, trying to make it last as long as possible. He kept kissing her. She gasped with pleasure. He grunted as the feeling increased, sped up. It felt so good. It felt so right.

They kept moving together, clutching each other, then they cried out when it was over. He lay over her, gasping for breath, his heartbeat racing. Eventually their passion died down, and they lay in each other’s arms, drifting off to sleep. He’d never felt so content before. It almost made him forget.

It almost made him forget.

Brayden’s eyes flew open to the sound of Ariel screaming. He shot up in bed, staring at her in the early morning light. She was breathing heavily, then hurriedly got out of bed. She began to put on her clothes.

“Brayden, get dressed. Now.”

He frowned. “What’s wrong?” But he knew.

“Now, Brayden!” she screamed. “We have no time. She’s — they’re...” she screamed again, her fingers fumbling as she put on her dress. Brayden got out of bed and reached for his clothes. They finished dressing, then Ariel stood there, taking huge breaths.

“I saw it — a vision — it happens today,” she gasped out. Brayden gritted his teeth. He felt sick.

“Ariel, look at me,” he said. She stared at him, her eyes wild, her face flushed. He went over to her and grasped her arms.

“You can do this. I know I doubted you, I know I wasn’t supporting you enough. But I know with every part of me you can do this. You’re strong, you’re brave, you’re powerful. You’re everything you need to be. She’s nothing, compared to you. She’s not even half as much as you are. You can do this.”

She nodded, shutting her eyes, breathing deeply. He held onto her, but he knew they couldn’t stay there long. She took his hand, then they were spinning, and were standing at the front of the inn. They stood in a large, empty space, the ground bare and hard beneath their feet, the street vacant beside them. They waited.

An eerie silence surrounded them. It was as if no one was awake but them. Even the birds were silent. Ariel stood there, her fists clenched. They couldn’t see anyone approaching them. The anticipation cut into Brayden. He wished he could do something.

Finally, finally, there was a whirl of dark smoke across the large space, and two figures materialized. One was a very tall man, middle aged, with short greying hair and dark eyes. The other was a tall, slender woman, twice their age, with long dark hair and very pale skin. The duo stood there silently, looking at Brayden and Ariel. Brayden recognized Julius, even though he’d never seen him before. He didn’t know the witch’s name. But he knew who she was.

Brayden squeezed Ariel’s arm then walked away from her, stepping close to the wall of the inn. She was staring fiercely at the other witch. Julius followed Brayden’s suit, also walking away. The man stared coldly at Brayden. Brayden hated him with every part of him.

Julius held out his hand, a ball of fire appearing above it. He clenched his fist, and it evaporated into smoke. He continued staring at Brayden coldly, his lips in a thin smile. Brayden wondered why Julius wanted to remind him that he was a warlock. Then he realized. Jealousy. He had Ariel, and Julius wanted her. Julius craved her. Brayden wanted to strangle him.

“Nadia,” Julius called, turning to the witch. “You may begin.”