As the witch took a step closer, Clyde instinctively threw himself in front of Vyan, which only made Vyan roll his eyes in pure annoyance.
"Can you stay back, please? His Grace has... issues being near dark magic," Clyde reasoned.
The witch tutted, shaking her head with a knowing smile. "He will be fine. Do you really think I have lived for nearly a thousand years without learning how to suppress my powers? This is hardly my first encounter with someone like him."
She turned, gliding towards the door of her cottage while Clyde, still channeling overprotective bodyguard mode, kept Vyan securely behind him like a human shield. Vyan hated it when Clyde did that, but he knew Clyde didn't do it out of a sense of duty, he was just instinctive.
"Come inside, children," the witch called, beckoning them with a lazy wave.
Vyan nudged Clyde aside and made to step forward, but Clyde grabbed his elbow. "What are you doing? What if she tries to hurt you?"
