Winona's POV
"Damn!" I heard the handsome young man curse under his breath as the arrows continue to shower us, and it feels like it will never stop. Before I know it, he pinned me to the ground while he put his body on top of me, and I want to scream and give this pervert a lesson when I realized he shielded me with his body, and I wanted to stop whoever is doing this to us. And as I watched the arrows continue to fall to us from the air, I saw a giant monkey on top of the big tree and can tell he was the one manipulating with the arrows.
He can use magic, and I raised my hand and faced my right palm to him and used my witch magic to stop him from playing with us, and suddenly he stopped moving and looked at me like he is admiring me. I put my hand back to the ground since I don't want this man to know I am a witch, and for sure, he will wonder why I am in Dasos forest.
"Hey, are you okay?" I asked him, and when his beautiful hazel green eyes looked at me, I thought I would melt.
"No, I am not." He answered, and he slowly gets off me, and he sat on the ground. I immediately got up from the ground, and when I check the damage on his back, I can't stop myself from covering my mouth with my hands. His back is filled with arrows, and I wonder what kind of creature he is because he is still alive. But he tried his best to save me, even though I know those arrows would never reach me if I used my actual power. Still, his act of heroism touched and warmed my heart, and I felt obliged to help him instead of running away from him, I pulled him up, and I looked for a safe place where enough to hide us if someone came.
"I need to leave now, but before I go, can I at least know your name?" He asked, and his eyes are looking at my face.
"You can't leave with your current condition," I said.
"Believe me, I am fine." He said.
"How can I believe you? There are arrows on your back." I said.
"Tell me your name." He asked again.
"Call me, Ana," I replied, I want to say Nona, but I am afraid it will give hint that I am Winona, I can't risk it.
"Wow! A beautiful name for a beautiful young maiden, I am Kai." He said.
"Are you a human?" I asked, and he nodded.
"Really? What are you doing here in Dasos forest? Don't you know this place is dangerous?" I asked.
"I will ask you the same thing; what are you doing here, Ana?" He asked, and I fell silent.
"If I am human, then what are you?" He asked.
"Well, I am an outcast; I am born with mage parents, but I don't have magic, so I think it makes me a human, but I live in the mage kingdom, and if I will leave our realm, there is no place for me to go. I am tired of being ridiculed by the witches, so I find my sanctuary here in this place; I love collecting herbs, and so far, nothing happened to me here." I lied, and I can tell he was watching me with interest.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked.
"You are so beautiful for a witch with no magic." He said, and I raised my eyebrows.
"Why? Have you been to the Mage Kingdom? Have you seen witches?" I asked.
"Well, I will tell you a secret, in the human world, there are gifted individuals, they practice magic, and it happens my grandma is one of those people, so she helped me visit the mage Kingdom once, and I am impressed." He replied, and I am fascinated with his story.
"Really? So, that is also the reason why you arrived here?" I asked.
"Yes, actually, I was passing by since I am hunting for a deer, and these arrows here are mine, and I think the giant monkey played tricks with me again, and he can create magic." He said, and when he removed all the arrows on his back, I realized and felt glad he had armored on his back.
"You scared me; I thought you are going to die," I said.
"Well, at least I got the chance to know you." He replied, and his intense gaze made me blush.
"I think you should never go back here; this place is not safe for humans," I said.
"Said the witch who doesn't have magic." He replied, and I laugh.
"I will only stop visiting this place if you stop coming here." He declared.
"Fair enough, but this is my only refuge; I don't have anywhere else to go," I replied, and it was true I wasn't lying to him about I have no other place to go.
"Then allow me to accompany you." He replied.
"Are you sure?" I asked, feeling excited; I know Lizardo asked me never to show myself to anyone, but this person is different, and I want to know him more.
"I have never been so sure of myself, Ana, and it seems I have another reason now for coming here." He declared.
"I want you to be careful, Kai; they said this place is dangerous," I said.
"Don't worry about me, Ana; I think you and your white cat should go back to the village now because it is getting late. I hope I can see you again tomorrow." He said.
"Can you tell me what kind of spell your grandma use to send you here in Dasos? You know I am collecting herbs because I love making different potions since I am powerless, which all I can do is make potions." I lie again, but it is true I love making a potion.
"I am not sure I never ask; all I ask her is to send me here, don't worry, I will ask my grandma when I get back. He wants me to Hunt for food, so in return, I always ask her to give me favors like visiting your realm." He responded.
"Have you seen the Capital of Thesirea?" I asked excitedly, and he nodded and smiled at me.
"Yes, it is one of my favorite." He replied.
"I wished I could go there someday," I said unintentionally.
"Why, you haven't seen the place?" He asked, surprised.
"Of course, my parents don't allow me to visit there because they are ashamed of me," I said.
"I can take you there if you want." He said, and my face lights up.
"But I need to disguise myself since I am afraid my parents and siblings will see me," I replied, and I know Lizardo will get angry with me if he learns I visit the capital, but I miss my hometown.
"Of course, but don't worry, I got that covered. Besides, there are potions for every kind of magic, so I think I can help you with that."He said confidently. And I realized he was right. A lot of individuals are born without magic in Theseria. That is why potions are in the market so the none magic casters can enjoy themselves. At first, it was an embarrassment of a family if one family member is a none magic caster. That is why the wealthy will never tell they have a nonmagic child because they will provide their child with so many magic potions.
"So, it is a date tomorrow, same time here; I need to go now, Ana, or else I can't come back here tomorrow." He said, and I nodded.
"Goodbye, Ana," Kai said, and he hides on a tree and then when I try to follow him he is no longer there, he already left, and it seems his grandmother is good, maybe his grandmother was a witch who fell in love with a human, and that is why she settled in the human realm.
"Winona, I think that boy is not an ordinary human being. I can feel it." Tac said the moment we get back to the cave.
"Relax, Tac, you know I am just happy that on my birthday I meet a friend. Besides, if he wants to hurt me, he could have abandoned me and didn't use his body as a shield, Kai tried his best to protect me, and it only means he has a good heart." I said happily, and I saw Tac rolled her eyes. And I know my familiar always worries about me, but most of the time, she worries about nothing.
"Whatever, Winona, but don't blame me. I didn't warn you." She responded, and I nodded.
Lizardo came, and he brought a roast turkey, and I couldn't help but hug him.
"Thank you, Lizardo," I said, and I can't stop myself from crying.
"You are welcome, Winona; happy birthday once again," He said, and we sat in front of the dining table made of rock.
"Let us now dig in." He said, and we eat our supper in silence, and I can't stop myself from feeling so guilty that I met a boy today, but I can't tell Lizardo about him, or else he will not allow me to get outside anymore. After I retire to my bed, I can't stop thinking about Kai. His handsome face, his beautiful smile, and most of all, his mesmerizing eyes. I hope I will see him again.
I never thought I would like a boy, and worst a human boy, how can I tell him I am a witch, maybe he will accept me if I am a witch, but can he take me if I say to him I am a dragon shifter? Why I am even thinking something like that, I have seen humans before; I can tell some of them are attractive, but Kai's beauty is different, and it makes me wonder how it feels to be human without power. Maybe I can ask Lizardo to hide me in the human world, and I am sure no one will look for me there. What am I thinking? I have only seen him once, and I am already willing to go to his world. I should stop myself from thinking about Kai, but it seems I can't stop myself, and I go to sleep with a broad smile on my face thinking I can see him again tomorrow and he will bring me to the Capital. I am so thrilled and happy that my new friend will make my wish come true.