Chapter- 3

Regal stood in front of Hyacinth's cottage patiently. He could never get tired of seeing the cottage which had a small porch with flowerpots hanging on its ceiling and a prominent flower bed. His eyes scanned his surroundings for a familiar raven-haired witch, but he made a low sound of disappointment in his throat when he didn't see her- it was very unusual.

The sky was getting dark, and a chill wind blew against his skin. He shifted in his position wondering what kept her long for he knew he'd either meet her on the way or seated right in front of her cottage waiting for him. To him he'd say their relationship was a mutual one and how they encountered each other was a funny one.

It was like every annual festival in Avalon where there would be music, dance, food and lights. People would be either intoxicated from drinking too much or satisfied from eating too much. That was when he saw her silhouette pass by him. He swore she was the most beautiful person he'd ever met.

It wasn't her beauty that captivated him it was the way the children gathered around her with grins wide enough to light the sky. He was simply enthralled by her ethereal beauty. His heart leapt to his throat when she gazed at him quietly with curiosity.

It even surprised him when she found out he kept stalking her days later. After trying to win her heart for several times he gave up because she was adamant on rejecting his proposal. "What are you thinking so hard about?" A hand from behind tapped his shoulder. On instinct, he whipped his head back and grabbed the person in a deadlock.

The hood of Hyacinth's cloak fell exposing her bemused visage. "I'm sorry Hyacinth! I didn't know it was you." He exclaimed loosening his drip on her."As always and when do you plan of unhanding me?" She stared at him.

Realization dawned on him, so he let her go. "Is it only me you grab in this manner? If it were another woman, you would have already received two hot slaps across your cheek."She chuckled shrugging off her cloak off. It floated inside her cottage leaving her in a black gown. Th gown accentuated her curves and had a thin rope secured around her slim waist.

She then untied her hair from the tight bun. "It was a mistake Hyacinth!" Regal exclaimed in embarrassment. "That's what you'll say. I have a feeling that's your way of harassing me sexually." She muttered with a playful smile. "Hyacinth! How many times do I have to tell you it is reflex action. Do you want me to spell it for you? R.e.f.l.e.x a.c.t.i.o.n."He said hitting his fist on his palm. "And besides which normal person sneaks on someone like that."

"You're lucky I didn't have my sword or else I would have ..."Hyacinth silenced with the flick of her palm-his palms were sealed up with an invisible force. "Shut up Regal, you talk too much. Are you forgetting who you are dealing with. She said plopping herself on a tree stump and gave him brief stare.

Regal was appealing to the eye with his striking appearance. He had long black hair that was tied into a ponytail. He was naturally tall with tanned skin and built body from training. She snapped her fingers, and his lips were unsealed. "Seriously again?" He asked walking to her. "You know I can do some spells right?" He said making her laugh-her hair bouncing at the action.

"What brings you here?" She asked tapping the space beside her. A tree stump grew immediately. He took a seat beside her."I came to visit you because I heard the prince interrogated you, I was worried for you and the prince." He said worriedly. "Like I said you talk too much and you're forgetting who you are dealing with." She said in a whisper.

"I could have escaped with magic if I wanted to or even killed them, but I didn't. I don't know but after meeting the prince my hatred for his family disappeared. I couldn't bring myself into killing him." She turned to him.

"Well, that's unexpected. I expected you to go berserk and summon those skeletons of yours to finish him." He replied."Skeletons? Why would I do such a lowly thing?" She frowned staring hard at the grass.

"Isn't that your specialty? I remember correctly you've used that on me, or should I remind you?" He rolled his eye at the witch remembering the embarrassing encounter. Her eye glinted at the memory making her smile softly. "I think I remember." She Sid and relapsed to silence until Regal broke it. "Your curse it's worsening right? Beryl told me the details." He asked staring at the slithering creature coming their way.

When it noticed Regal's presence, it stopped and raised its head slowly. He stretched his hand toward Faust who coiled around his arm almost instantly. "I also you went for those power potions from her." He said when she remained silent. "I had no choice Regal." She mumbled staring at her lap.

"You have not considered my offer. I told you I'm willing to become your vessel for as long as possible. I don't really care what will happen to me." He said turning to face.

Regal held her hand and waited for her to speak. "I've told you no. I'm not going to sacrifice a human no less for my own selfish needs. You could die in the process because you don't possess enough magic and a developed core." She sighed looking away from him. "You don't know you're asking for; you have no idea." She muttered.

Faust slithered to her side, and she distracted herself by petting his head even now and then. "It's my decision Regal. I don't want you to be my vessel or whatsoever." She said waving her hand in the air. He grabbed her hand taking by surprise. He gripped it tightly when she tried to yank her hand from his grip.

"You know I can cast magic." He said seriously. "Don't tell me its telekinesis you know." She said with a resigned expression. "No more than that, I did my research this time." He shook his head with a smile. She rose her brow wondering what he was up to this time."I can show you if you want." He said strongly.

Hyacinth nodded her head knowing he was bound for failure. She was surprised when he wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her, so their bodies were in contact. He held her chin up and tipped it her head forward then leaned closer seeing their lips in a kiss.

The kiss started slow with their lips moving in sync. Regal deepened the kiss by slipping his tongue into her mouth. She gasped at the sudden move feeling butterflies in her tummy. With his hand positioned on her neck her cast a spell. She felt her body react violently to the spell- it felt like her body was on fire.

She pulled back panting staring at Regal in shock. She saw his lips moving but she couldn't hear him because a searing pain hit her head suddenly making her collapse into his chest. "What have you done Regal?"She cried out in pain taking shallow breaths to calm the excruciating pain she felt inner chest.

"I've made myself your vessel, I figured if I did it straight away, you'd catch on to it." He said in a gruff voice. Beryl lied to him, it hurt like hell. He stared at Hyacinth with a frown.

She had her eyes shut lightly with her breathing coming out in short breath. Her head felt dizzy, and she felt part of her power disappear slowly-it had her screaming in pain. Her screams soon turned into muffled sobs. "I'm really sorry Hyacinth."He whispered to her softly staring at the side of her neck.

"Why Regal..?" She sobbed and stared at him with tears in her eyes. Three pairs of eyes stares at him -a wide red eye on her forehead. He placed his hand on it and hugged her. "I'm really sorry Hyacinth, forgive me." He whispered rubbing the rose flower tattoo on her neck. It resembled a blossomed rose with chains coiled around it.

"You have no idea what you have done Regal." She mumbled. "I know I'll die but who cares." He laughed feeling her sigh in his chest. "Just sleep I know you're tired." He said to her. She smiled softly then wrapped her arms around his torso. "I really hate you for this Regal..." She muttered closing her eyes.

"I know." Regal said carrying her bridal style inside her cottage. He placed her gently on the bed and stared at her silently. Who said he didn't know what he'd placed at stake. He mused.

He hated she was always protective and cold. "You'll be the death of me Hyacinth." He whispered placing a kiss on her forehead. H looked at her lastly and walked out her cottage.