Chapter 9: A Gentle Kiss To Start It All

"A kiss?" I whispered, the word laced with disbelief. "This has to be some kind of sick joke." I shook my head, pacing back and forth. "No. I can't… I won't do that. It's wrong."

But the thought of Gabriel lying there, unresponsive, gnawed at me. There has to be another way! I snatched the book, flipping through the pages with increasing desperation, my fingers blurring across the text.

After a few minutes of flipping and perusing, the book revealed why the other spells didn't work. Sir Gabriel hadn't just been struck by any old lightning; he had been struck by a cursed lightning spell. No spell could undo the curse—except the caster herself.

"Another witch used her powers for evil," I thought. I had no choice right now, or Sir Gabriel would remain confined in this dreamlike comatose state. I clenched my fist to my chest firmly, signaling that I had to take action. And that meant sacrificing my first kiss.

I brushed my upper lip briefly with my index finger, still trying to digest the situation.

Taking it a few steps at a time, I could feel the thudding of my heart with each step. I was scared but determined to save him. I knelt beside him, inching my face closer to his, my eyes betraying my morals as I admired his sharp jawline and peach-pink lips. I swallowed a lump of what felt like guilt and mixed emotions. Sighing, I whispered, "Please forgive me, Sir Gabriel."

I reached in closer. The only thing parting our lips was a moment of doubt and a pang of fear, but I immediately dismissed them. I gently brushed my lips on his as a terse trice of passion consumed me. I pulled back slowly, my cheeks glistening red from embarrassment. I looked for signs, hoping and praying the curse would be lifted.

A slight twitching of his eye, followed by a manly groan. It worked.

I shot up, shouting and jubilating as I did a little victory dance.

"Sir Gabriel! You're finally up! You have no idea how scared I was." I shook him frantically like a child clinging to their favorite toy.

His beautiful eyes winced and met mine. They were as dreamy as the northern stars, and I got lost in the moment. Still holding him, my face flushed red as I let go and turned my back to him.

The awkward silence was broken by his sharp, deep tone that sliced through the air.

"Who are you?"

The joy in my eyes and heart immediately morphed into confusion. I turned back to him, trying to wrap my thoughts around the sudden pile of muddle.

"Sir Gabriel, c'mon. I never knew you dabbled in jokes. You could have easily gotten the position of the royal jester," I laughed teasingly, though my laughter was tinged with sadness and a glimmer of hope.

"I'm really sorry, but I don't know you," he said, his voice laced with vulnerability and genuine concern. He gently scratched his head, a gesture of confusion.

"Oh no," I murmured, trying to keep the alarm from my voice and eyes. "You've lost your memories. Do you… do you at least remember what you do?"

"I can't," he said, his voice thick with frustration. He covered his face with his broad hands. "I can't remember anything."

My heart sank with each failed attempt he made to recall even the smallest detail.

He got up and came close, towering over me in an instant, blocking the rays of the sun with his figure. "What's your name?" His voice was sweet and gentle as he asked.

"Olivia," I burst into tears, covering my face. We had nothing together, but I hated seeing someone in pain. I got attached to people quickly. It was a given that I'd cry.

Gently and swiftly, he pulled my hands away from my face. "I'm sorry I can't remember anything. I must be really special to you, right?" he said.

"Ugh..." My words got caught between my thoughts. Before I could finish, I was enveloped in the broad chest and arms of Sir Gabriel. His hands caressed my dark, coily hair, each stroke a testament to his genuine care, despite his amnesia.

I was shocked at how passionate a witch killer could be. I liked his touch, his smell, his body. My heart kept reverberating with each touch.

"Don't cry, Olivia. You saved me. I owe you my life," he said.

"Thank you, Sir Gabriel," I responded, sniffing as I wiped my tears.

"Who's Sir Gabriel? Please, call me Gabriel," he continued.

"I... can't... Sir Gabriel, you're one of the members of the respected Anti-Witch Synod. I can't disregard you," I managed to reply.

"Stop it, Olivia. I probably didn't like that role; otherwise, I would've remembered my previous self. I think... I think I prefer being with you, Olivia," he remarked, pulling me away from his chest gently as he scanned my eyes, as if searching for hidden treasures.

I couldn't hide the rose hue in my cheeks. "Sir Gabriel…"

"Shhh… it's Gabriel," he corrected.

"Ga-briel… I'm a stranger. You shouldn't be with me. You likely have a family, a wife, kids. You're living a good life. Don't let me taint it, please!" I murmured.

"A stranger that saved my life. It feels like I've been in a coma for years. I feel detached from reality. For now, just let me stay with you. Let me be there for you. Friends?" he mouthed softly.

The clanging of a large brass bell resounded, breaking the silence between us. It was the town crier, Thierry. "Stay here, please. I'll be back. Don't go anywhere," I said, pulling away from his grip and racing toward the market square as Gabriel's voice faded in the background.

"Ye here, Yè there! One of us is missing—the honored one, one of the gifted, a member of the Anti-Witch Synod. The king and the board of the Anti-Witch Synod have declared an expedition to search for him… Sir Gabriel!" Thierry declared.

The villagers stood in awed silence, trying to decipher the scene before them. The murmurs and whispers died down as I became lost in my own thoughts. I knew it, I whispered to myself, a sense of weary resignation settling over me. His people would come for him. It was inevitable.

"Before the expedition," Thierry continued, his voice firm, "village guards will be searching your homes for any clues. In fact, the searches are likely underway as we speak. Please cooperate fully with them, as these are the direct orders of our king. That is all!"

The confused crowds continued their activities, though murmurs lingered in the air.

I quickly ran to my hovel, haunted by the terrifying thoughts of Gabriel being discovered and me being wrongfully accused and killed. Besides, I hadn't accepted his friendship request.

As I reached my door, I realized I wasn't alone. I had been stalked and followed by a few village guards.

"You have him, don't you?" a commanding voice shook me, as beads of sweat trailed down my temple.

"I'm sor-ry, but I'm innocent!" I responded, my voice wavering as I resisted making eye contact.

"Then prove it by getting out of our way," another guard barked, thwarting my resistance and shoving me onto the ground.

"Pl-ease wait!"