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Ch 17: The Demon's Puzzle
Last Updated:
2023-03-05 13:08:02Related chapters
Blood Magic's Bond Ch 18: The Healing Ward
The moment Astasha had lost consciousness, the pain had ceased in Calder's chest and the panic rose. "Tasha!" He shook her hand and reached out for her face. It was pale and fragile. "Is she...?" He couldn't bring himself to say the word. If she was... He couldn’t even fathom the things he would do. Errant focused his energy over her heart. "There is a pulse of life within her still, though it’s faint. Hurry. I cannot help her like this." Zephyr used his power to help lift her on the air and carry her through the palace, while the older Fire Witch and Errant used theirs to try to hold back the bleeding, and no doubt, the demon. But Calder refused to let go of her hand. Finally, they reached the Healing Ward and called for servants to bring fresh linens and warm water. Astasha was placed gently on a bed, but the sight of the still open wound running down her chest made Calder sick to his stomach. He didn't care what pain it caused him, she needed to be healed. “For fuck’s sake,
Last Updated : 2023-03-06Blood Magic's Bond Ch 19: The Connection
Calder had insisted Astasha rest and heal before anything further was discussed or done, but she was adamant that the conversations needing to be had couldn't wait. So he called for fresh clothes, food and water, to be brought for her while they filled her in on what had happened during and after the attempted Extraction Ritual. His hand never left her own, no doubt his way of showing he had no intention of leaving her side. And while it was a comfort, she couldn't help but notice Errant's persistent glances towards the show of affection. Cal had become extremely protective of her, and so it was no surprise he refused to let Bryn apply an herbal salve to her wound, insisting he could do it himself. But it simply wouldn't be as potent without the Earth Sorcerer’s energy, and so she squeezed her Prince’s hand in reassurance. "It's ok Cal. Trust me." she said to him gently. From the look in his eyes, she couldn't imagine what hell he had been going through. More than that, there was
Last Updated : 2023-03-08Blood Magic's Bond Ch 20: The Re-Authentication Ritual
The Royal Magic Advisory made quick work of bringing the essentials for the ritual to the healing ward. The King had forced his way into the room despite Errant's pleas, citing the magic Helia had felt in the connecting scars as proof enough that Astasha was in control. Beside himself with fury at all that had occurred while he was barred from the room, he was even more furious that there was to be another Authentication Ritual involving his son. But Astasha had watched as Calder calmed his father, reassuring him that everything would be alright. It was extremely rare that the ritual was performed on two people at once due to the risks of traversing multiple minds at the same time, but it was argued that with their connection, it could be potentially more dangerous with only one. And so, with the room at last ready, Astasha and Calder laid down next to each other on two beds that had been pushed together. While she knew this was their best chance of finding answers, it still
Last Updated : 2023-03-10Blood Magic's Bond Ch 21: The King's Bargain
Five days that were supposed to be spent celebrating the return of the Prince had been turned to hell and horror. No one outside the Advisory and the royal family had any idea though. To keep the people from panicking, things had carried on as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening. And so, while Astasha and Calder had been suffering and fighting for each other and their lives, the people of Trenue had drank and sang and danced. And now, as Astasha sat in her room, a prisoner to her circumstances, the closing festivities were in full swing. Once back in her chambers, she had immediately used her fire to pull energy, but the power that flowed into her, for some reason, burned harder and brighter than before. It was strange, but then, all of this was strange. Helia had been able to piece together part of what was happening, but there were still so many things that hadn’t been explained. After cleaning off the grime, and sweat, and blood of everything that had happened, she ap
Last Updated : 2023-03-15Blood Magic's Bond Ch 22: The Last Night
After the King had excused himself, they could hear Errant's furious protests over allowing the Prince to stay with Astasha alone for the night. The two had listened from inside the room as Josnen raised his commanding tone, insisting if he was so worried, Errant could stand watch himself outside her door till the sun rose. The argument was settled faster than one would assume, as the King gave his final word and strode away, leaving the Grand Sorcerer swearing under his breath and barking orders. At last, the group outside dispersed, and Astasha turned to Calder. He was watching her, and she could feel the heartbreak stronger and stronger the more he did. "Cal..." She stepped toward him. "Run away with me." His words stopped her in her tracks. "What?" He crossed the remaining distance between them and took her face in his hands. "Run away with me. We'll find a way to banish the demon and live happily ever after together, just, come with me, anywhere but here. Anywhere but where
Last Updated : 2023-03-16Blood Magic's Bond Ch 23: The Tethering Spell
As much as they longed for it, willed it, time would not stand still. It passed like the moon overhead as they made love again and again, shared stories of their time apart, and reminisced about memories of their time together long ago. They refused to allow sleep to take them, not wanting to miss a single second of the time they had left together. Naked and curled up in each other's arms on the bed, Calder ran his fingers through her hair. Astasha’s eyes were fixed on the little window in her ceiling, unable to force herself to look away. “The light will be here soon." Cal pulled her closer to him and kissed her forehead. "Don't think of that yet, my love." Her mind had been working overtime, thinking of the way their scars reached out to each other each time they were in the throes of passion, hers a flickering gold, his an icy blue. She kept thinking of the feeling she had had when Cal had sent out the blast of energy in the healing ward, wondering what it all meant, what was
Last Updated : 2023-03-17Blood Magic's Bond Ch 24: The Fantasy's End
Time moves on. No matter the magic one possesses, or the desires or wishes for it to stop, it is of a singular mindset; to continue forward despite all obstacles or pleas. And thus, the sun rose. Light crept through the little window above Astasha's workshop, and despite her and Calder's desperate desire for it to crawl back behind the world, it smiled its bright face and called to them of the future they did not wish to come. As slivers of daylight crept into the room,Tasha curled herself deeper into Cal's arms. She nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck and pleaded with the Gods and Goddess to grant them more time. But she knew they wouldn’t. His fingers slowly trailed along her back, his lips pressed into her hair. There was a nervous anticipation, not of excitement this time, but of dread. It flowed between them, each moment, one closer to their last. Neither knew what to say, or do, but it felt as though a part of them was slowly being hewn away. Astasha refused to
Last Updated : 2023-03-19Blood Magic's Bond Ch 25: The Other Fire Witch
It took all of the strength in her for Astasha not to collapse in tears. So to keep herself from breaking, she reached inside and pulled the fire within, wrapping it around her heart, shielding it, cutting off her heartache. Her focus turned to the older Fire Witch who stood before her, watching her, reading her. "Please, come in." Astasha stepped out of the way for Helia to enter her room and followed behind, closing the door. She couldn't bear to look at her bed, so she led the way to her workshop. "I take it you have some ideas about how to do this?" "I do, but first, I just wanted to see how you were doing. The past couple of days can’t have been anything but horrific for you, and it seems everyone’s concerns have fallen far outside the understanding of basic human emotions and needs." "I am fine, Sorceress—" "Please, call me Helia." “Thank you Helia. But really, I’m fine.” She was far from it, but pity would do nothing for her now. Helia nodded once, watching Astas
Last Updated : 2023-04-11
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Blood Magic's Bond Ch 73: The Banners Of Love & War
If Astasha had been in awe of Calder before, it was nothing compared to the utter reverence and wonderment she felt as she watched him before their army. The energy had shifted so drastically it was like night and day, and the buzz of optimism only continued to grow from there as everyone made ready to move out, into the Land of the Dead and onto the Stone of Balance. Only hours before, she had fought to keep the darkness at bay, Zephyr’s words haunting her as she realized the severity of her situation. Which was why she had asked of Helia something no one else could know of; should she be captured, should the demon’s plan work, and her soul broken and the darkness take her, her fellow Fire Witch was to do the only thing that could stop the Dark Mage from using her as a weapon… end Astasha’s life before it was too late. Helia had stood there in silence for what felt like eternity after she pleaded her case, but she knew the older Sorceress was the only one who truly understood wh
Blood Magic's Bond Ch 72: The Prince Of Hope
The first gray of morning was just starting to crawl over the horizon as Calder looked down at the ground stained with the blood of his father’s Air Sorcerer. He knew he should be exhausted, but sleep was something he had grown used to going without. He and Astasha had spent the last several hours trying to find how their combined power worked, but to no avail. Over and over they had tried to recreate the blast that had knocked back their enemy and seared the flesh from its bones, but each time their hands touched, nothing happened. The only times they had used it successfully, they had been under threat of death by a demon… perhaps that was the only way for it to work. It didn’t matter now, though. He still had to find a way to rally his troops, to convince all those who were about to gather, that they stood a chance against the most deadly army to ever exist. Tasha had gone with Helia to check on Zephyr, leaving him alone with his thoughts, and as much as he didn’t want to admit
Blood Magic's Bond Ch 71: The Troubles Of Calder
“Half the camp is in a right state, ready to tuck tail and run. They’re scared, and rightfully so. Most have little, if any, experience with magic, and none have seen the likes of a demon. It fucking blinded a man without even being near him. You can imagine the whispers.” “And the other half?” Calder continued staring at the candlelit maps before him as his Captain filled him in on the latest reports. “The other half, well, they’re not so easily swayed. Most are convinced more now than ever that this enemy has to be dealt with, here and now.” The Prince sighed deeply before finally looking up. “Do you think half will leave?” Talib shook his head. “I’ve got Olander and Kashor and whoever else can speak to it trying to convince them not to. But, we should prepare for the worst.” Someone had to be working against them, spreading fear and doubt, and there was only one person he could think of who would do such a thing. Cal could feel the darkness, it was stronger when Tasha f
Blood Magic's Bond Ch 70: The Tragedy Of The Air Sorcerer
The sound of Zephyr’s screams cut through the air as all chaos broke loose. Astasha was faintly aware of the shouts and cries of fear from the crowd behind her, but her focus was on the man in front of her, his body tensed in agony as blood began to seep from his eyes. “End the ritual, NOW!” Bellowed Calder, but the Grand Sorceress of the Moon Garden stepped in front of him. “No! You risk all their lives if you interfere!” Tasha’s mind worked furiously to find a way to bring him back. “They need to alter their channeling. Shift the direction of the air and use the earth to draw him down.” Belvana looked uncertain for a moment but nodded and turned to the circle. The four other sorcerers were still locked in the ritual, muttering under their breath as sweat dripped down their faces from the strain of holding so long against the power of the demon. “She’s going to try to join with them,” Said Helia. “She just needs to be able to communicate the shift to them.” Narelle chimed in
Blood Magic's Bond Ch 69: The Wind Walker
There was an air of tension about the camp as the mages made preparations for what was now being considered the last opportunity for a fair advantage. While no one had been outwardly informed of what they were doing, whispers ran wild of a delicate and dangerous ritual that could potentially turn the tides. The five sorcerers who would be participating had spent several hours with Astasha going over the details of what it was they were about to attempt, before excusing themselves to gather as much energy as they could hold. An area outside of the camp, near the sorcerers’ lodgings, had been designated for the ritual, and guards posted to ensure no one inadvertently wandered into it, disrupting the carefully drawn runes or buried herbs and stones. Tasha stood overseeing the finishing touches, Olander at her side, as she tried desperately to force down the feeling that had begun to grow in the pit of her stomach. Taking a deep breath, she focused on all the reasons she had given for
Blood Magic's Bond Ch 68: The Looming Guillotine
The moon was high in the night sky as Astasha and Calder made their way back to their tent from the Dorthshire camp, their Captains following close behind. Kashor had bid them to stay longer, but they knew the Sorcerers of the Moon Garden would be arriving at dawn, and Tasha needed time to transcribe her memories of the Wind Walking ritual. “May the Gods bless you dreams of good tidings my King and Queen of fire!” He had called after them as they departed. “I hear you were gifted a name, my Golden Phoenix.” Smiled Cal as they walked. “Yes, though, I don’t know that I deserve the title as much as Kashor seems to think I do.” Calder slowed, pulling Astasha to a stop with him. “May I?” His hands reached for the fur wrapped around her, and she nodded once. He pulled it away, revealing the charcoal symbol on her chest and his fingers danced delicately over it. “I felt the same way when he gave me mine. But he sees things no one else can sometimes. And personally, I think he was
Blood Magic's Bond Ch 67: The White Dragon & The Golden Phoenix
Astasha had wanted to stay and begin work on transcribing her memories of the Wind Walking ritual, but her engagement to the Prince meant that her attention now had to be split between her tasks as a sorceress, and that of Calder’s betrothed. And so, she changed into a warm gown with one of the furs gifted to her over her shoulders, and the two headed out toward Kashor’s camp, their Captains at their side. “So, Talib,” she said as they walked. “I believe you owe me a story.” Calder looked at her curiously, his friend awkwardly clearing his throat. “Oh, uh, well, there’s not much to tell honestly. We’d been traveling together on our way here, gettin’ to know each other along the way. One night, we came across some trouble. I uh, might have been caught off guard a bit—“ “A bit?” Laughed Calder. “You were caught with your trousers down, literally!” Astasha tried desperately not to laugh. “Hey, even the Captain of the Prince’s Guard has to attend to personal business from time to t
Blood Magic's Bond Ch 66: The Many Uses Of Magic
Despite all that was required to be done, the remainder of the day seemed quite calm compared to the meeting in the War Tent. Astasha’s fellow mages all seemed eager to learn more about her plan to trap the demons, and with the protection of her own Captain, Calder felt comfortable enough allowing her to go with them on her own, so long as Olander never left her side. They sat outside in a circle as Astasha explained what it was she had done all that time ago in the clearing to free Calder and ensnare the demon within herself. Once she had finished, the group sat in silence for a moment pondering all they had heard. It wasn’t until the question was raised that Astasha realized she had inadvertently left out a key component of her story. “How did you not drain yourself using your own blood? The energy that spell would have required… it should have killed you!” The man who spoke was an older Water Sorcerer, one of the few Narelle had warned could keep a conversation going far past
Blood Magic's Bond Ch 65: The Princess's Plan
The War Tent felt much smaller with everyone present who was required to be there for strategic meetings. Astasha had spent the better part of the morning being shown around the camp and introduced to many of the leaders and key positions in preparation for it. For the most part, they had all been at least respectful, if not surprisingly kind. Some had even given her gifts of furs or herbs or food. But not all were so welcoming. Now, standing in the confined space of the tent, her senses were on high alert, honed in on those she had already read as potential threats. Thankfully, there were fewer than she had expected, and alone, she didn’t fear them. But with their army of men behind them… she chose not to think about the chaos that could ensue should they choose to end their agreement with the Prince. If Calder was at all nervous, he hid it well, even from her. He stood like a true leader at the front of the congregation, head high, his crest on full display on his tunic. His eyes
