Chapter 8: Rising Feelings and Emotions
"You have powers… you're a witch?" the man muttered, his voice laced with surprise rather than dread, yet it held an undercurrent that chilled me to the bone. It was like he knew me.
I stood frozen, the rain plastering my hair to my face as the figure approached. The shadows receded, revealing his face: Gabriel. My heart hammered against my ribs—one of the anti-witch synod.
"It's… it's not what you think, Sir Gabriel, please. I can explain," I stammered, my voice trembling. The words felt weak, inadequate against the weight of his gaze. His eyes, usually warm and welcoming, were now narrowed, scrutinizing. He didn't speak, just continued to approach, each step a hammer blow to my fragile composure.
"Enough! You're coming with me. I thought you were special; now I can see your insignia. How were you able to hide it?" he questioned, his gaze unwavering as his aura remained undiluted as ever. "Regardless, you're going to get immolated," he declared.
He reached for me, and I instinctively flinched back. Panic surged through me.
"You don't understand, Sir Gabriel! Please!" I pleaded, my voice cracking with desperation. "You don't know the truth about witches. We're not what you think! Please, just listen to me!" I gestured around us, the storm raging. "This place… it's dangerous. The lightning, the rain… please, let's just go somewhere safe. Please, let me explain."
He dropped the chimera's head and whipped his sword through the air.
"If you keep resisting, I'll cut you down now," he warned, his determination clear. His face twisted with unease and disappointment.
I couldn't fight if I wanted to. My mana had been depleted, and I wouldn't even want to use my powers on a human. My resolve was as hard as a diamond. "Do your worst, Gabriel."
He rushed towards me in the blink of an eye, with no other intention than that of beheading me.
"You should've just stayed in your cottage." His blade cracked through the air like a firecracker, powerful and swift.
"Goddess Claire, please save me," I pleaded. It was as if my prayers were answered when a deafening thunderclap ripped through the air, followed by a blinding flash of lightning. In the blink of an eye, the bolt struck Gabriel.
"SIR GABRIEL!" I screamed, my voice raw with terror.
The man who had threatened to kill me just moments before now lay twitching on the rain-soaked earth, his body convulsing, his face pale and almost bloodless. My stomach churned with a mixture of horror and guilt. Had my prayer somehow caused this? Had I inadvertently called down divine retribution upon him? The thought was sickening.
I rushed to his side, my fear momentarily eclipsed by a desperate need to help him.
I carried him to the nearest cave. The weight of his body was incomparable to the weight of guilt I felt. "I should still have enough mana to heal him," I smiled for a brief moment as I dropped him off my back, laying him on the driest part of the cave. I listened to his heartbeat to ensure he was still with me.
My concern and fear transitioned into delight as I laid him on my thigh and began the incantation. I hadn't learned many skills in the dimensional room, but I was smart enough to learn a few attack spells, and for this situation, slight healing magic. Although it took more mana than usual, I had no choice.
"The evergreen leaves, fluttered by the gelid zephyr, my heart calls, my soul pleads, the moment of pain is gone, wash upon this body your caring hands. Heal!"
A green beam of light hemmed the entire cave as Gabriel gave a little moan, responding to the magic.
"It's working. Wake up, please," I pleaded as I repeated the incantation.
The toll it took on my body was discernible. I started to feel weary; my mana was depleting at an incredibly fast pace, yet Gabriel didn't seem to wake up. After a few more attempts, I coughed, but it was deluged with blood. I shrieked at what I saw.
"Oh no, I have no mana left."
Gabriel didn't yield to the magic. I was out of ideas.
"I need to take him to the Anti-Witch Synod," I thought to myself, the words leaving a bad taste in my mouth. "No, I can't. They'll know I'm a witch and persecute me unjustly, thinking I hurt their precious member. Sigh, what a fast way to die!" I mumbled as I gazed at Gabriel's face.
It was the first time I had seen him up close.
"He's on my lap!" I stammered, my face flushing with embarrassment as I realized the intimacy of the moment. I quickly looked away, trying to focus on finding another solution.
"Yes, that's a better idea. That should work," I exclaimed, having a Eureka moment.
Dawn broke, painting the sky in soft hues.
"I spent the night with a man," I murmured, embarrassment flooding me. I cupped my face, a wave of chagrin washing over me. But the memory of Gabriel's prone form jolted me back to reality.
"No. He needs help."
With surprising strength, I managed to carry him through the woods, a few familiar landmarks guiding us out of the village outskirts. I hurried to my cottage, offering a silent prayer of thanks to Goddess Claire that we hadn't been seen.
I laid Gabriel gently on my bed. As I turned to leave, I felt a sharp tug. My hair was caught on the clasp of his cloak. I tugged gently, but it wouldn't budge.
Leaning closer, I carefully untangled the strands. With a final twist, the clasp gave way, freeing my hair—and inadvertently pulling the cloak open, revealing the upper part of his chest.
My cheeks flushed crimson, and I quickly averted my gaze. But my eyes were drawn back, inexplicably, to his lips. They were… pinkish peach. I stole a glance, then another.
"AHHHHHHHH!" I shrieked, jumping back. "What's wrong with you, Olivia?" I muttered, berating myself. "Trying to take advantage of an injured man? You're better than this."
I busied myself preparing a hearty stew of tender mutton, barley, and root vegetables, hoping the mundane task would calm my racing thoughts. I needed to replenish my depleted mana.
After cleaning myself up, I headed to the dimensional room, frantically searching through healing tomes, desperate to rouse Gabriel from his death-like slumber.
I began casting spells, initially filled with hope and fervor, but each failed attempt chipped away at my resolve, leaving me with a growing sense of despondency. I returned to the dimensional room, refusing to surrender to my doubts.
None of the spells worked. Frustration gnawed at me. I was terrible at handling failure.
Kneeling beside him, I whispered, "You should have listened to me, Sir Gabriel. You wouldn't be in this position."
Let's try again.
I forced myself back upstairs, ignoring the rising tide of exasperation. Tears pricked my eyes as I gathered the last two healing books, dropping them with a thud onto the floor.
I tried the first one. Still nothing. Tears streamed down my face as I flung the useless book aside.
"Please work," I begged the last book, clutching it as if it held the power to grant my wish.
I read the first few lines, and a flicker of hope ignited within me.
"The efficacy of these spells depends entirely on the caster's skill. Even a slight error can cause them to fail."
My eyes scanned further down the page.
"But, the most successful and easiest way to heal is by committing to a kiss."
My heart slammed against my ribs.
"A kiss? I have to kiss Sir Gabriel?"