Trust

The stone house looked like it was swept by black flames when the darkness went here and there to erase even the slightest proof that there had been people living inside. Around the house stood the soldiers, servants, and inhabitants - all with more than a reasonable distance to this power of destruction. Only two people dared to stand right next to the house, one with white and one with long black hair. Nathaniel's hand was on the threshold of stone, his gaze serious and concentrated as he guided the small whisps of darkness into the house and back. He dared not envelop the full house at once to keep the darkness from growing too big and uncontrollable. Katherine beside him shone with a faint white light. In the upcoming night, it seemed warm, but not as bright as usual. The golden halo of the sun slowly settled in the valley between two mountain peaks, giving the blossoms sprinkling the meadow a golden shimmer.

In the silence of awe and fear, Katherine lightly rested her hand on her husband's shoulder. "How much longer?"

"Not much", Nathaniel replied without looking up. Despite this, the tone of his voice was as gentle as it only got when he was alone with her, his wife. Nobody, neither Sam, nor his soldiers or even Aston, had ever heard this tone before. Shortly after, the last wisp of black vanished into the palm of his bare hand and he pulled away from the house. "That should suffice."

With a last glance up at the two-story building, he finally turned to Katherine and a helpless smile tugged at the corners of his mouth when he saw how jittery she was. To her unspoken question he said: "Yes, we will test it now. Don't be so impatient."

Katherine's eyes lit up as if the last sunlight reflected in amethysts, fractured by every line of the jewel and united to a vibrant new color. Decisively, she stretched out her bare hand. But Nathaniel lightly shook his head.

"We want to test if your magic reacts instinctively to mine, so you can't know when I'll use it on you. You will have to retract your magic, turn around and close your eyes. Since I can control it better without skin contact, I will send it the air way, brushing by a part of your body. If your magic reacts in the right place three times over, I will believe that it really can sense mine. Is that okay?"

In the depths of his sharp and serious eyes stood worry. He was still afraid that if her magic could not react accordingly, the darkness would fester in her flesh, and before she knew it, a hand or leg would be gone. Since the darkness wasn't painful, she wouldn't even notice it consciously until it was too late. "Like I said, if you feel anything strange, tell me."

With a reassuring smile, Katherine pecked his lips. "I'll be alright. You will be careful, and I will be careful. So, don't worry."

Then she took a step back and dissolved her magic. Like a normal, helpless maiden, she stood before him. Her only defense was the trust in the eyes. Then she turned around, her slender back open to any attack he might send her way.

Seeing this level of trust, Nathaniel's heart began to hammer in his chest. He must not break this trust. It was the most precious and fragile thing he had ever owned. And yet, he didn't have full control over what was about to happen. The darkness had destroyed so many bigger and more guarded people, would it really halt before the light of his life?

He heaved a sigh, knowing fully well that he had decided to take the risk in hopes for a better future that might never come.

When Nathaniel stretched out his hand, the darkness already coiling around it, an agitated voice suddenly interrupted the solemn atmosphere.

"Wait, wait, wait! You can't just leave out your most trustworthy friend, brother, and magic inspector, Aston Lionel Hermond Icefall!"

As fast as he could, the young Prince ran down the hill towards them. When he reached them, he made a show of putting his hands on his knees and panting for breath. "Uh, seems like I have reached just in time. What would have happened if you started without me? Who would have captured this invaluable progress and unique scene on paper later? Only this irreplaceable chronicler could do so! After all, the later generations need to know ever little detail of the life of their supreme king and queen of the Icelands, even before their coronation! Not to talk about my little nephews and nieces!"

While Katherine blushed slightly, Nathaniel, who had stilled in his movements, only gazed at his little brother expressionlessly. "Since when are you introducing yourself in third person?"

Aston grinned shamelessly. "I do this since I was in my baby shoes, so everybody knows how great I am!"

"Well, then I suggest you shed this infantile behavior soon. It doesn't suit a grown-up prince."

"Only if you do the same with your ice mask."

"My so-called 'ice mask' is the solemn face of an adult, while your actions are just unreasonably excited about meaningless - are you laughing at us, my wife?"

While bickering with his brother, Nathaniel had not noticed Katherine throwing curious glances over her shoulder, her body quivering. Only when her silent giggling turned into a clear, heartfelt laugh, did he look at her again. Instantly, his serious mask softened, and his mouth curled up into a smirk. "Right, I should not go down to his level. Aston, step back if you want to watch. I trust your eyes at least are not those of an infant, or you won't be able to see anything at all. Now then."

Hearing the solemnity return, Katherine's laughter subsided as she prepared herself again for the test she was about to endure. She closed her eyes and waited. Yet, she felt and heard nothing for the longest amount of time. There was only the whistle of the wind in the grass and the soft sound of two breathing bodies behind her. She could feel her retracted magic as a form of warmth somewhere in her reach, but she held back from summoning it. Still, she could feel that it wasn't moving at all. Slowly, her doubt grew. Had Nathaniel not started yet or was her magic despite her high hopes not as omnipotent as she wished it to be? It had even resurrected her from the dead by itself, so it seemed to have some kind of individuality. Or maybe she just imagined it because this was what she wanted and wished for? Maybe, her unconscious thoughts were the real reason for this...

Her thoughts broke off, when she suddenly felt her magic rush forward and flooding her on its own, precisely aiming for the side of her left arm. She held her breath. This was it! This must be the time that Nathaniel acted. Never before had she felt her power act so urgently on its own, swamping her.

And then, just as suddenly, it changed direction. Since Katherine had her eyes closed, she only saw the red of her lids brighten up when her power surged, but she felt that the power wasn't aimed for her arm anymore now, but for her right knee. It barely reached there when it took a hundred-eighty degree turn and rushed back to her hip and finally spread over her whole chest and back. Just at this moment, she felt arms embrace her from behind, and a strong body leaned against her.

"Katherine." Nathaniel's head fell on her shoulder. "I... don't even know what to say."