High Witch (High Witch Book 1) (6 page)

Chapter 11

A week passed. Brayden and Ariel stayed with a woman from the village, who let them rent her spare room. She was a friend of the healer, and took pity on them. No one knew their true story — Brayden said Ariel had been attacked by a thief while they were traveling. They’d remained indoors most of the time while Ariel healed. She had used her magic to speed up the healing process, her injury improving very quickly. Her stitches were taken out after a couple of days, and her soreness had faded rapidly over the course of the week.

Brayden lay with her on their bed one evening. “How are you feeling?” he asked. He lay on his back, Ariel beside him, her arm against his chest. She nestled close to him.

“Better,” she said. “There’s no pain any more.”

They lay in silence for a long while. Candles cast shadows across the room. Brayden stroked her back.

“What’s on your mind?” he asked. “You haven’t been — talking much lately.”

She sighed. “I’m just waiting for their next move,” she said. “You are too, Brayden. They could have found us so easily, while we were waiting for me to heal. They could have come after us by now. They’re planning something, and it hurts so much not knowing what it is.”

Brayden frowned, holding her closely. “You’re right,” he said. “You’re right about everything. I don’t know what to do, Ariel. I believe in you so much. I just wish Julius didn’t know about you. We still don’t know how he found out.”

He shut his eyes, sorrow consuming him. Ariel kissed him on the cheek.

“I don’t know how he found out, either,” she said softly, playing with the fabric of his shirt. “I’d barely used my magic in years. I used it when I was a child, but stopped when my uncle told me not to. It only came out when I was angry or upset.”

Brayden stroked her back again, thinking. “What about...I don’t want to upset you, but do you remember how you reacted when your parents died?”

Ariel was quiet for a moment. “I was three — I don’t know. I don’t remember them at all. I was told they died in a carriage accident, and I was with them, but somehow I survived. I don’t know how I reacted. I don’t remember.”

Brayden felt sadness overtake him. “I’m sorry about your parents,” he said softly. “That must have been horrible, growing up without them. I’m so sorry you went through that.”

Ariel remained silent. Brayden ran his hand over her hair. She sniffed.

“The thing is, I was very young when it happened. How could I have done anything? How could I have used my magic at that age?”

Brayden hesitated. “You’d be surprised what you could have done,” he said. “You were born with your powers. You may not have been able to use them on purpose when you were very young, but at a time of great distress, something might have happened. Something big. Someone out there would know.”

Ariel became tense in his arms. “You mean Julius could have known about me? From when I was a child? That’s horrible!”

“No, Ariel, I don’t think he would have known from then. But when he started looking for a new High Witch, he would have spoken to countless people in his search. He knows what to look for. If you did do something very powerful at some stage, he would have found out about it. I’m not trying to upset you, my darling, I was just trying to figure this out. I’m so sorry.”

Brayden turned on his side, gathering Ariel to him. He kissed her hair.

“I love you,” he breathed. He held her closely. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to hurt you.”

Ariel sniffed again. Brayden knew he’d upset her. “I love you, too,” she finally said. She kissed him on the chest. He smiled.

“I remember what you said — what you said about love winning. Do you still believe that?”

She looked up at him. A smile touched her lips. His heart was warmed by the sight. He smiled back.

“Brayden, I want to believe it. I really do. The way I feel about you — the way I feel when I’m with you — I can’t believe that’s not more powerful than the most dark magic. I can’t believe that darkness could defeat love. I want to hold onto the thought that we’ll come through this, but we have to face so much. I don’t know what to think. All I know is that you mean the world to me, and I’d never give up having met you.”

His heart swelled in his chest, and he kissed her, holding her close. He wanted to kiss her all night, make love to her before she was taken away from him. He wanted to savor every precious moment they had together, before something went wrong. She kissed him back passionately, and everything suddenly felt good, felt right. He pressed her up against him, then abruptly pulled back.

“Are you ready? I was waiting until you were better.”

She smiled at him, and gently brushed his lips with hers. “I think we’ve waited long enough.”

He smiled at her, gazing at her fondly. “Oh, Ariel,” he breathed, kissing her deeply. She sighed in his arms. Everything was right. He had her. They’d get through it, whatever it was. They had each other. If their love couldn’t win, nothing could.

***

Brayden awoke early the next morning, cuddled close to Ariel. He drew the blankets over them more closely, as they lay in the cold room. Ariel was still asleep. He felt her breathing slowly next to him.

His mind began to drift over what they talked about last night, and over what they were going to do next. The usual anxiety that had been following him the last couple of weeks returned. It only disappeared when he was kissing Ariel; when he was making love to her. He didn’t know what they were going to do — where they were going to go. He sighed. It was all so difficult.

He felt an odd sensation come over him. It was as if a memory was on the edge of his mind, something dark, something unpleasant. He struggled to remember what it was. A dream? Was it a dream? He frowned, then images flashed through his mind.

Julius and Nadia.

His mother’s house.

His mother.

He gasped, and quickly sat up. Ariel woke up and looked at him. He scrunched his eyes shut.
“No, no, no!”
he cried, desperately not wanting it to be real. He rubbed his forehead, then turned to her.

“I had a dream. Julius and Nadia. They’ve captured my mother. They’re holding her hostage. They have her, Ariel! I don’t know what to do!”

She took a deep breath, and sat up. “I know. I had the same dream. I know, Brayden.”

They sat quietly, while the seriousness of the situation sunk in. Ariel sighed.

“We go to them,” she said softly. “It’s the only way.”

Brayden looked at her, wishing this wasn’t happening. He choked back tears.

“You know what will happen. We’ll be walking right into it.”

Ariel looked down, then nodded. “I know. But we have no choice. It’s what they’re counting on. We have to do this.”

He moved her hair away from her face. “I love you,” he said. “More than anything. Whatever happens — it’s not your fault. I’ll love you forever. You’re everything to me.”

She looked up at him, tears in her eyes. She moved forward and leaned against him. “I’d never hurt you,” she said. “I never would.”

He held her as she wept quietly against his chest. He didn’t say anything. Maybe, somehow, this would work out. Maybe, in some way, they would all survive. But he could see the outcome unfolding in his mind. They might save his mother, but Ariel wouldn’t get away from Nadia this time. And Julius would have some kind of elaborate plan in place. There was really only one way this could go.

As good as Ariel was, no one had ever passed the test.

And they were walking right into it.

Chapter 12

Brayden and Ariel traveled for a tense two days to get to his mother’s house. Brayden felt sick to his stomach thinking about his mother with Julius and Nadia for all that time, but there was nothing they could do. They rode quickly, stopping as little as possible to rest their horses and themselves. On the evening of the second day they stopped to camp in a clearing in a forest, when they couldn’t ride anymore. Brayden knew they’d arrive at their destination by the middle of the next day. He sat by the fire with Ariel, deep in thought, lost in his misery and anxiety. Ariel placed a hand on his arm.

“Brayden?” she said softly. He looked at her. She was wrapped in a warm cloak, the light of the fire reflected in her eyes. She gave him a small smile, squeezing his arm.

“We’ll save her. I promise you. I won’t let them hurt her.”

He looked down at his hands, surrounded by his own cloak. He sighed, and put his arm around Ariel, drawing her to him. She snuggled up to him, and he held her close, leaning his head against hers. He held her tightly. He was warmed by her nearness.

“I’m so worried about her,” he finally said. “My mother’s a powerful witch, but her power isn’t something that can protect her against them. She’s certainly no match for Nadia, and even Julius’ power can beat hers in a fight. Controlling fire and water is far more deadly than the gift of being able to call things to yourself. She can’t do anything to protect herself. I feel
sick
that they have her — I hate it so much.”

Ariel was silent for a moment. “I know this is horrible for you,” she said softly. “It’s obvious you love her very much. Tell me about her.”

Brayden paused. He hadn’t really spoken to Ariel about how he grew up. “My whole life it’s mainly been just me and her,” he said, feeling stung by the memories. “My father left us when I was little. She raised me on her own, selling potions she brewed to support us. Mostly things to cure ailments, help with pain. She tried to never create potions that could be used for darkness. We got help from my grandmother, her mother, and my Aunt Sophie, but really it was just us. I left her to work at the inn, and sent her what money I could, but I’ve hated that I haven’t visited her as much as I should have. I love her so much, Ariel. This is killing me.”

He bit his lip, then sighed deeply. “But it’s not just that. It’s you, too. I...I can’t even bear to think of what you’re going to go through. What we’re going to go through. I hate the thought of Julius putting you through the test. This sickens me. I don’t want him to hurt you.”

He felt tears prick his eyes, and he heard Ariel sniff. She wiped away her tears, her hands shaking slightly. She took a few deep breaths, then looked at him. His heart broke at how sad she seemed.

“Brayden, I want to tell you something, and I want you to let me finish before you say anything. Just listen for a moment.”

He held his breath. Ariel sniffed again, then continued. “I want you to know that I’d never give up having met you. I don’t regret it for a second. You’ve shown me more love in the last couple of weeks than I’ve ever experienced in my whole life. You’re giving, and sweet, and selfless, and I’ll always love you. I’ll love you into the next life. I’d do anything for you. Give up anything.”

Brayden’s heart broke in two. “No, Ariel. No.”

“There’s no other way.”

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. He kissed her hair, tears streaming down his face.

“I wish I could do this instead of you. I wish I could marry you this second. I wish we could run away, I wish Julius never existed. I hate him with every part of me. Oh, Ariel, I’m yours. I’ll always belong to you.”

She wept against his chest, then pressed her lips against his, kissing him with sadness and passion and intensity. He kissed her back, tasting their tears, tasting her sweet lips, her tongue moving in his mouth. His mouth moved hard against hers; he kissed her as if it was the last time he’d ever see her. He knew this was the last night they’d have together. It would all end, one way or another, when they went to Julius tomorrow. This night was all they had. He had to feel every precious moment. Had to make every second count.

He kept kissing her, holding her tight, heat coursing through his body mixed with his sadness. He shifted her into his lap and fumbled with their clothing, then he began to make love to her, clutching her as she straddled him. She held onto him tightly, riding him, gasping and moaning. He grunted, the feeling intense. Their cries became louder, her movement faster, the feeling stronger. He felt the climax and then the release, and they fell backwards, Ariel lying over him. He held her while they caught their breath, his heart racing. She breathed heavily in his arms. She was perfect. She was perfect in every way. He loved her. Oh, how he loved her. He didn’t want anything to happen to her.

They lay in each other’s arms, side by side, their gazes locked together. Ariel closed her eyes, and Brayden looked at her sadly.

“Marry me, Ariel,” he whispered. She looked at him, then put her hand on his face. She gazed at him fondly.

“In a heartbeat,” she whispered back. He smiled, but he knew his eyes were filled with sadness.

He knew one of them would die tomorrow.

He hoped it was him.

But he was starting to realize it might be her.

***

Brayden could barely breathe as they approached his mother’s house at noon the next day. They rode their horses quickly into the street where she lived, and he saw her house up ahead. He steered his horse into the garden at the front of her small wooden home, nestled among so many like it. Ariel arrived behind him. He dismounted, shaking, so full of anxiety he could hardly think. Ariel came to his side, and she held his face in her hands. He looked at her, taking deep breaths. He finally nodded, and she took his hand.

They walked under the porch, up to the smooth brown door. Brayden reached out and grabbed the handle, stilled himself for a moment, then pushed the door open. They walked into the front room.

Julius was standing in the right side of the room, by a table. Nadia stood beside him, grasping his mother’s arm, holding a knife to her throat. His mother’s hands were tied behind her back, her mouth gagged. Brayden looked into her blue eyes, and saw the horror in them. Her light brown hair was plastered to her head, her cheeks were tear stained. He couldn’t bear seeing her like that.

Julius stood there, staring at them, his arms crossed over his chest. He looked over at Nadia. “Go, now,” he said. Nadia nodded, and before Brayden could even react she put her arm around his mother’s waist and they disappeared. He screamed.

“This ends if you kill her!” he cried. Julius only smiled.

“I’m not likely to kill my leverage, am I?” he said. “And, frankly, you’re in no position to say when this ends. That’s up to me, and it’s up to her.”

Julius fixed his gaze on Ariel, his dark eyes looking her up and down. He looked at her closely, and Brayden wanted to smack the smile off of his face. What killed him is that Julius was right. He was useless in this situation. It was between Julius and Ariel. She tensed next to him, still holding his hand.

“We’ll go with you, but we need assurance you won’t hurt Brayden’s mother. I’m not exactly going to take your word for it. If she’s alright, we’ll co-operate.”

Julius nodded. “You’ll see her, soon enough. I’ll release her when things are...underway. No harm will come to her.”

Ariel growled. “You mean you’ll release her when you’ve killed Nadia. When you’ve killed your slave. If only I could get her to side with me, we could rip you to pieces.”

Julius smiled again. “You’ll be thinking differently in a little while. The last thing you’ll want to do to me is — rip me to pieces.”

Brayden saw Ariel go red. “You disgust me.”

“You enthrall me.”

“I
despise
you. I’d kill you now...”

“But then Nadia will destroy your little friend’s mother. If I don’t appear by her side, in the next hour, the boy’s mother dies. And so will he. Nadia won’t take too kindly to my death.”

Ariel’s breathing became ragged. She took a step forward. “Then let’s just finish this. We go to her, now.”

“In time. But there’s something I’ve been meaning to do first.”

Julius lurched forward and punched Brayden full in the mouth. He stumbled backwards, his face stinging, then was about to lunge at him when Julius shook his head.

“Touch me, and I’ll make sure your mother suffers before I release her. You can’t do a thing to me, boy.”

Brayden stood there, clenching his fists, breathing deeply. The coward. The devil. He wanted to rip out his throat, but he was just as bound as if ropes tied him. He could barely contain his hate. Ariel touched his shoulder.

“He’s not half the man you are. Not even a tenth.”

Julius let out a growl, then grabbed Ariel around the waist and pulled her to him. He forced his lips onto hers, his tongue into her mouth, while Ariel struggled against him. Brayden grasped his head, unable to stand it. Ariel scratched Julius on the face, and he released her, laughing. She wiped her mouth.

“You do that again and I’ll come back from the dead and cut you up. You’ll never touch me again.”

Julius roared. “Oh, so you’re willing to die for —
him?
Really? I’m sorry, darling, but I’ve done this before. No one ever chooses their own death over another’s.
Ever
. Everyone is inherently bad. You’ll kill him, and you’ll come to me, and I’ll have
every single inch
of you. And all this passion, this rage, this fire you have inside of you, will be mine to control. You’re the best one yet. It’s the good ones that become so
bad
. I can just taste it. Oh, I can
taste
it...”

“Enough! Enough!
Stop it.”

“Whatever you say, darling.” Julius put his arm around Ariel’s waist and pressed her up against him.

“Take hold of your little friend. He needs to come, too.”

Ariel reached her arm out, and Brayden grasped hold of it. She was so tense it was like she was made of steel. Julius narrowed his eyes, then they were all spinning, before their feet stood on solid ground again. Brayden took in lung fulls of fresh air. He realized he’d been holding his breath.

They stood on a cliff edge, a wild breeze blowing around them, through the trees behind them and the valley below. Nadia stood nearby with Brayden’s mother, two large men next to them. The men walked over and took hold of Brayden’s arms, dragging him to stand by Nadia. That’s when Brayden saw it.

Near the precipice, tall, looming over them, was the contraption Julius was going to use to put Ariel through the test. Brayden nearly collapsed. Julius had changed his methods. This was worse than fire. This was worse than anything.

He was dead.