Chapter 116 - 118

Chapter 116: Chapter 118

Chapter 118

The laughter of a man ripped through the small gathering.

"That’s my favourite story. Of course, I’d like to share." The man, dressed in rare fine silk, threw his head back, his silver hair caught by the glint of the last dying ray of sunshine as it set behind clumps of grey clouds, staining the sky in hues of pink and gold.

"So, this time, I was called by these rich couples." He belched as he landed the cup of ale against the table before him while a multitude gathered around. "Turns out the job was to cleanse their son of his illness. Guess what? He suffers a blight due to a demon’s involvement. Heard it’s a family curse. And what am I? An exorcist?"

His eyes rolled.

"I took the money and fled, and there, my friend, is where I learned, ’even the rich have their own problems,’ so drink away, be at peace, and enjoy the little timeframe you’ve got on this earth!"

As the crowd cheered and wooden cups and steely goblets were raised in the air, the door to the tavern threw open, admitting a young man in tattered robes, legs stumbling as he sped in.

"Save her. They’re going to kill her. They’ve all lost their minds."

The man with silver hair stood, approaching the frightened young man. "Who do you speak of?"

"This woman, she’s good to me. She housed me when I had nowhere to go. She’s done no wrong. She is softhearted, but they curse her because she gave birth outside of wedlock. They say she can never find a mate and thus, she must be stoned to death. And they call her a witch."

The man scoffed. "Ah, Moonblade is certainly known for that, but I cannot help unless I’m paid."

"You’re an Aetherblood. Isn’t all life sacred to you? Even one such as hers."

"I cannot save everyone."

"But if you don’t save one, how do you plan to save the multitude? Please, she deserves better. I’ll sell my soul to you if I must. Save her." The young man dropped to his knees, eyes brimming with tears.

???

"Part way for the blood of Aetherblood." A guttural voice called out from under the approaching moonlight, rain beginning to drizzle as the clouds rumble.

"Thank you, Patrick." The silver haired man patted the crier before approaching the woman, isolated on the pavement, her hands curled over her belly, protecting something swathed beneath a wrapper.

"Is it true you’re a witch?"

The woman raised her gaze, eyes flickering with fear, but the man also caught something else: defiance. None like he’d ever seen in a mere mortal, and most unlikely for an Omega.

"Does being a healer count as one?" The woman’s voice matched the strength in her eyes, and in that moment, the silver haired man knew he wanted to know more about her.

And so, he rose and called forth a shade to shield the woman from the downpour.

"I am Lincoln Walter, and with the blood of Aetherblood in me, I shall judge this woman." He turned to her, his eyes beaming with conviction. "What is your name, Mistress?"

"Daciana Bellaire. But my loved ones call me Ana."

"Can I call you Ana?" He questioned, and the woman tilted her head.

"I’ll think about it." She said as she revealed her baby from the wrap.

A ghost of a smile graced Lincoln’s face.

???

The sun shimmered over the lake, its reflection bouncing off a rock to the left where Daciana brushed her hair.

"You know, I still wonder how you saved me and Owens when you couldn’t even save yourself."

"I can’t swim. It’s not that bad."

"You can’t ride a bicycle. You can’t even knot yourself a tie. You can’t even cook, apart from boiling water. So, whatever exactly is your forte?"

Lincoln flicked his hair from his face, drying himself as he arose from the water and, turning, blew air towards the apple tree across the lake. Its fruits whirled towards him, spinning midair.

"I can do this."

"Hm, dessert for dinner. Certainly, you’re a lifesaver, Sir Lincoln."

"I appreciate the accolades, Miss Bellaire."

The laughter of the two rippled as they headed out of the forest towards a tower.

’The Moonblade tower.’

???

Daciana peered through the study room doorway, her gaze catching Lincoln just before he quickly hid something behind him.

"Owens is asleep. I thought I’d check up on you." Daciana whispered, carefully shutting the door behind her. "I’m so drained. I think I need a drink, and it seems you have one behind you."

"What? Gods no, I gave up on that a long time ago."

"I don’t judge, you know." She laughed, settling into the chair opposite Lincoln’s. Her face fell onto the table where stacks of papers and files sat. "You do realise I’m immensely grateful for your aid. You didn’t have to, yet you steered my life towards...peace."

She stood, heading towards Lincoln. Inches away, she caught the goblet in his hands, bringing it before them. Her eyes caught the gleaming moonlight, the once billowing curtains stilling to a freeze as Lincoln stared at her rare beauty.

"Thank you, my nerdy nerd." She giggled, her cheeks flushing.

Bewitching was an understatement. He was caught between intoxication and hypnosis, and for a man who had fought many battles, this was not a war he could win.

They simply watched each other. Neither he nor Daciana spoke. Silence intensified the charge between them both.

???

"Heavens, I can’t believe it!" Daciana cried out, the heels of her feet barely keeping up with her as her dark blonde waist-length hair, wavy at the ends, fanned behind her.

Inside the woods, her eyes settled on Lincoln who was rather tense and stiff.

Hearing her voice, he swallowed as he steadied himself. As she drew to a halt, she unfolded a paper in her hands.

"I can’t believe it. I got into the university. The Mayor himself promised a fully funded scholarship. You pulled this string, didn’t you?" Her voice broke, drowning beneath her joy. "My dream. Nursing. It’s happening."

Lincoln took her hands, his stomach stirring just from watching her. She had always been a jewel to him.

"I...I must confess something, Ana."

Her eyes flared. He barely called her by name.

"I love you." As though he hadn’t shaken her enough, he bent the knee. "And if you’ll have me, I’d love to ask this one simple yet demanding question."

"Yes, Lincoln. I’ll marry you."

"What?"

"Gods, I thought you’d never ask." She pulled him up. "I will marry you, Lincoln. I don’t even need a ring. You are more than enough, and with Owens, we are complete."

"I’d come to Moonblade to look for the next Seer but instead I found you and Owens. Destiny and Fate are indeed twisted ones." He muttered to himself as he finally kissed her, tasting the sweetness of their evergreen future.

???

"We are water and fire, smoke and dust, Yin and Yang, a complementary element. Our fates are entwined and our destinies interlocked. That’s what an Aetherblood and his Seer are believed to be. In every generation, the current Aetherblood would search for the next Seer. He would simply know, and this next Seer would guide the next Aetherblood nature chose. The cycle continues this way."

"And you’re sure it’s Owens?"

Lincoln nodded, affirming Daciana’s question. "Today, he marks his twelfth birthday. It’s the age when the blood of Seer reveals itself in the body."

"So, Owens would find the next Aetherblood after you’re..." She swallowed. "Dead?"

"When I age, another Aetherblood would be championed, and it’ll be Owens’ duty to do that. Seers may not wield magic, but their instincts and the blood they carry contain the hints."

"Why not teach him magic if he’s got what it takes?"

"No Seer has ever been an Aetherblood. It’s just...it’s just never done."

"And here I thought you said you don’t follow what these higher entities want." Ana snorted, rounding her fingertip over the rim of her wine cup.

"I don’t know. Perhaps truly, he can be the first Seer to wield magic. If not to become an Aetherblood, but perhaps..."

What wrong could come with trying?