I sigh softly, sitting in the chair across from Evelyn, guilt filling me to the core. Archer kissed me. Barely a day afyer they broke up. And i didnt p ish him away. I just let it happen bsfore running away, confusion deep in my bones. Evelyn didn't deserve this.
"Is everything alright?" She asked, her teil eyes bright with concern. I chuckled, a small smile on my lips as i lock eyes with her.
"Never better" I replied, giving her a lopsided smile. She chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ears as she stared at me imploringly.
"You're cute you know" I said with a small smile, butterflies erupting in my gut. She blushed, looking away from me.
"Aww thank you" She whispered, locking eyes with me. I learned forward, grabbing her hand.
"I hope you know, you don't need a man to make you happy. You're perfect. Just how you are" I murmured with a smile.
"You're beautiful inside and out. And if he doesn't see that in you, then he doesn't deserve to see the beauty deep inside of you. Show him a world where beauty is more than makeup and corsets. Show him a world, where beauty is just being you" I finished in a murmur. She smiled, before leaning closer, her eyes fluttering as she smiled a dazzling smile.
"Thank you" She whispered back. I felt my eyes flutter shut as our lips locked, butterflies erupting in my gut as we kissed. I smiled as I felt her hands slip around my neck, her eyelashes fluttering down over my cheeks bones. Then all too soon it ended, her pulling away with a blush.
"I'm sorry it just happened.. " She stuttered. I laughed.
"Don't worry about it" I whispered imploringly.
"Now we can tell Archer that we both kissed you. " Evelyn exclaimed with a smile. I froze, locking eyes with her teil ones, which hold nothing but excitement.
"You knew? " I asked, my voice barely a whisper. She nodded, her eyes dark with an emotion.
"I knew he had feelings for you. I mean he did choose to save you over me. And I'm glad. Because you're alive, and you're one of my new best friends. But that was proof enough he didn't really love me. And so obviously I knew he'd try to go for who he really wanted. I just didn't think it would be so soon" She finished off in a whisper. I felt my heart wrench as tears filled her blue eyes.
I really loved him. Hell I still do. But I don't know how to stop it. My love for him grows stronger and stronger each and everyday that passes. I try so hard to hate him-" She let's out a sob, looking down, "But I could never hate him" She cries. I open my arms, pulling her into them.
"I'm so sorry.. I really am. " I whispered. She nodded, before pulling herself out of my arms and locking eyes with me.
"Lucinda. I want to learn how to use magic. I want you to teach me" She mumbled. I smiled, a laugh rushing out my lips.
"Really! That's great Evelyn. I'd love to teach you! " I exclaimed. She smiled, looking up at me imploringly.
"Really? " She asked, doubtful of my answer. I grinned like a madwoman.
"Yes! " I squealed. I laughed as she hugged me.
"Ok, let's get to work. "
******
I laughed at the cats surrounding Evelyn. Each one taking there turns to attack her with love and affection, potion bottles shatters all around the concrete floor of the Guard Station.
"Cat potions are great" She squealed excitedly, struggling to let each one.
"Meow" One with a deep voice said, causing Evelyn and I to frown at it as it sways, walking past the other cats with prowess.
"Meow" It says again in that creepy deep voice. I struggled to contain my laughter, covering my mouth as it does a model walk in front of Evelyn,
"Uhhh" Evelyn whispers, causing me to burst out laughing, scaring all that cats away except the freaky one. I froze for a second, before watching it wink and walk away, swaying its butt as it goes.
"Uhhh" Evelyn says again and I bust out dying, falling to my knees as I doubled over with laughter.
"That isn't funny Lucinda! " She yelled at me, causing me to laugh even harder, my throat becoming g sore from all the laughter I was doing.
"Ok I'm done" I told her, wiping away my tears from laughing so hard.
"Good. Now, let's get back to work"
*******
It's been several days since I first started training Evelyn. She's doing magnificent in the potion aisle of the magic, creating all sorts of potions. Even to the extent of creating potions that temporarily give people powers. It's strange seeing a human become a witch so easily. But Evelyn's a quick learner.
"Ok Evelyn. Time for the spell casting part. Something you need to remember is that magic usually has a source of power. And eventually I'll make you an orb that will help. But you need to have mastered magic completely first. Orbs are tools to amplify your powers and give yourself a source to draw from, instead of your emotions. So your first step, is a duplication spell. Don't worry, know emotion is involved, but you're strength and will power is definitely needed. Watch" I informed her, waiting to see her nod eagerly be for grabbing a sword of the weapons rack. I set it down on the table, hovering my hand over it.
I closed my eyes, channeling my energy into my palms, feeling light resonate from them. Then after a minute I head loud flattering as the sword was duplicated, feeling my energy start to weaken. I opened my eyes, looking at the two swords laying on the table.
"You try" I tell her, stepping back. She nods, hovering her hand over it. I walked over to her, grabbing her shoulder.
"Breathe. Feel the energy running through your body. Imagine warmth in your hand, a tingling sensation pulsing through your arms. Now imagine that energy going through your arms and staying in your palms, feel that energy burn and pulse in your hand. Feel that light pulse from your fingertips" I coaxed., guiding her through it. I felt my lips part in a gasp as a faded blue light pulsed from her palms, before growing into a more prominent, electric blue. I stepped back as her eyes flew open, now glowing a bright silver.
"Now imagine the sword duplicating, turning into two swords laying at your grasp. " I exclaimed with a grin. She gasped as the light grew bold. And then just as I was about to give up, the sword duplicated, causing a loud clatter to sound from where the sword fell.
I laughed with pride, before looking at Evelyn, who's cheeks is flushed to a slight pale.
"Evelyn? " I asked. She swayed on her feet before stumbling into my arms, latching onto me.
"It's ok Evelyn... It's your first time. It's exhausting" I comforted her. Slowly she pulled back, locking tired eyes with me.
"Lucinda? " She whispered, before her eyes fluttered shut and she went limp in my arms.
"Rest. You've done well my friend" I whispered to her, before lifting her with all the strength in my lean body, and carrying g her to the infirmary.
*****
"What did you do to her! " Archer yelled, storming into the infirmary room where Evelyn was resting. She was so exhausted him yelling didn't even begin to wake her up.
"She wanted me to teach her magic. And I did. You made her feel weak! She wanted to feel Strong. I gave her that! " I defended, raising my hands. He ran a hand through his thick hair.
"She doesn't need magic to be strong"- he roared, causing g Evelyn to stir and open her eyes. But I just stood there, my arms crossed.
" She is strong without magic! And you have no right to take a risk like that upon yourself! Especially when it comes to Evelyn! " He exclaimed. I stormed forward, jabbing a finger in his chest.
"NEITHER DO YOU! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA THE PAIN YOU PUT HER THROUGH!! WITHOUT AN-" I couldn't finish my sentence before his eyes darkened, his hand grabbing mine.
"I did it for you! " He yelled at me. I shook my head.
"Why?! Why would you let the girl you grew up with die for someone you barely met! " I cried, glaring at him. He laughed viciously, glaring down at me.
"Because I didn't love her the way she loved me. I told her again and again. That I didn't want anything serious. And she got attached-" I shoved him, feeling rage boil in my veins.
"THAT GIRL HAS LOVED YOU ALL HER DAMN LIFE!!!! BEFORE YOU EVER STARTED SCREWING HER! THAS ALL YOU MEN KNOW HOW TO DO!!! IS RIP OUR HEARTS APART FOR YOUR LUST! YOU'RE DESIRE TO FEEL BIG AND POWERFUL" I felt the tears in my eyes start falling as memories with Christopher fill me. Each kiss, each smile all wasted because he left me to die.
"BUT OUR HEARTS!!! OUR FEELINGS ARE THE PRICE YOU PAY FOR THAT BOOST IN YOUR EGO! AND THAT'S WHY EVELYN WANTED TO LEARN MAGIC! SO THAT SHE COULD FIX HERSELF FROM THE DAMAGE YOU CAUSED HER!!! I RATHER TO HAVE DIED, THAN WATCH THAT POOR INNOCENT GIRL IN THERE GROW MORE AND MORE IN LOVE WITH YOU, JUST TO SEE YOU CHASE AFTER OTHER WOMAN LIKE A LOST PUPPY!!!! ID RATHER DIE, THAN WATCH YOU RIP HER APART! " I screamed, each word getting louder and more dangerous, rage filling me at the thought of Christopher.
"Lucinda-" Archer started, his eyes filling with fear.
"No!! Get out! " I roared. I could feel energy burning at my palms, my body humming with power.
"Lionheart" He whispered, closing his eyes. Then I watched him open them, shock filling me as tears filled their dark depths.
"All I ever wanted for Evelyn is to be happy... And she can't be happy with someone like me" He whispered, taking a small step forward.
"And neither can you" I felt my rage dim as the tears fell. He's actually crying. For the second time since I met him.
"Because I don't deserve love. Or happiness. But you.. From the day you walked in this village.. You made me want more. You made me want to be happy" He took another step closer to me, his eyes locked on mine the entire time.
"I've never seen you as this weak broken girl. I see you for the warrior you are.. Deep inside. Through all the heartbreak you've been through.. You managed to stay a light for people locked in darkness.. For me.. I've always seen you as a heart of gold. The ferocity of A Lion.. You have given me the idea that I could redeem myself. I couldn't carry Evelyn and you at the same time. But as soon as I could I went back for her. I held her dead body in my arms as I ran as fast as I could to the hospital. Barely making it. And then you died too. And they managed to save you. But not her. You gave her a light that I never could. And you are the light I don't deserve" He murmured, taking another step forward, grabbing my hand.
"I know, this isn't you. This power.. Isn't you. You're Lucinda Pierce. The girl who loves to help people. Who's cocky and kind. Sweet and pure. Please... Come back to me" He finished. I felt tears burn in my eyes, before I launched myself into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. He hugged me back, his arms soft around me as he comforted me.
"Lucinda.. " A small voice croaked. I turned, looking at Evelyn who's smiling in the bed.
"Thank you.. " She whispered. I smiled.
" Of course" I answered.
Then Violet light flashed in my eyes, causing me to scream in pain and fall to my knees.
"Lucinda! " Evelyn and Archer yelled at the same time, both rushing to my side.
"Rise... Daughter" A deep voice whispered in my head. Then everything went black.