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Ch 36: The Most Difficult Things
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2023-04-28 03:25:24Related chapters
Blood Magic's Bond Ch 37: The Spoken & Unspoken
Silence washed over the couple as they looked at each other. What does one say after facing what they had? Calder opened his mouth to speak, looking over the bruises and swollen flesh on Astasha's face. His brow furrowed and his lips closed into a thin line, exhaling sharply. His free hand lifted toward it, but his fingers hesitated and gently ran down her braid of hair instead. He shook his head. "I'm so sorry." The look of pain in his eyes... He began to say more but Astasha lifted her hand and gently placed her fingers against his lips. "Cal…" Her gaze melted into tenderness. “Tasha–” "I know all the things you would say to me. But you don't have to say them. None of this was your fault. There was nothing you could have done to change what happened. You did everything you could, to the point of death. But we're both here. We were given more time together. Let's not waste it saying things that need not be spoken." She moved her hand to cup his cheek and he reached his own up,
Last Updated : 2023-04-29Blood Magic's Bond Ch 38: The Burning Fear
Astasha knew these trees. She had been here before, but when, she couldn't remember. The forest was cold and dead. She found her feet moving slowly across the hard earth, but the sound of leaves crunching and breaking beneath them was absent. The only noise was an eerie breeze that surrounded her, whispering through the woods. Slowly, she made her way through the branches until her eyes fell upon a sight that made her breath catch. A dark stone castle stood before her, parts of it crumbling away, other parts overrun and overcrowded with ivy and plants void of life. It looked to have been abandoned long ago. A chill ran down her spine as if someone was watching her. 'Astasha.' That voice. It came from everywhere and nowhere. She had heard it before, and again it made her heart pound in her chest. 'It has begun. Everything that was shall burn. A new world will rise from the ashes. Seek for your answers here. Embrace the truth, Astasha. Set the darkness free.’ Her breath was labo
Last Updated : 2023-05-01Blood Magic's Bond Ch 39: The Puzzle Pieces & Recurring Problems
Knowing she wasn't going crazy had helped calm Astasha down a little bit. Well, maybe she was going crazy and it had just passed to Calder through their connection. But it was some comfort at least to know she wasn't going insane on her own. Errant had insisted on tabling all further discussions until he felt she was stable enough to continue. She had unknowingly attacked her friends and allies twice now, and not only was guilt beginning to gnaw at her soul, but a fear that something was truly wrong with her had settled in her heart. Now that the new Water Witch had arrived (Narelle, as Tasha learned she was called), a healing ritual was immediately performed on both Astasha and Calder. Much to everyone's relief, it seemed to have the desired effect, helping the cuts and bruises to mend, and their internal injuries to heal to a more stable state. But the Fire Sorceress knew there was damage she would bear that no amount of magic or time could fix. Once they had finished, a small
Last Updated : 2023-05-02Blood Magic's Bond Ch 40: The Queen's Quarters
As much as Astasha wanted to believe the Water Witch’s little trick would work, she knew better than to hope. But Cal had been so relieved at the notion that she might not have to face the terror of the Ritual Stone again, she couldn’t bring herself to be the bearer of reality. Instead, she had put her focus on determining the location of the dead forest and stone palace she had seen, but Calder insisted she needed more rest first. Errant had agreed, though he assured her he would personally see to it that every map available in the palace was brought to his study. There had been a tense moment upon their return to the Healing Ward, in which the Prince and Grand Sorcerer had come to a heated disagreement about where exactly Astasha was to rest, Errant insisting she stay there, Calder convinced a proper bed was what she needed. But Tasha was desperate to leave the ward, and upon Sorcerer Terrin’s inspection of her wounds, the Grand Sorcerer had at last seceded. Cal left immediately
Last Updated : 2023-05-04Blood Magic's Bond 41: The Little Human Moments
Astasha came out of a deep sleep, but she didn’t dare open her eyes. She couldn't remember the last time she had slept that peacefully, and waking up meant facing reality again. It had been too perfect of a fantasy for her to leave it now. An arm was wrapped around her, and she felt a gaze upon her, along with the sensation of deep affection flowing through her very being. Perhaps the fantasy wasn’t over after all. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open to find Calder watching her, a small smile upon his lips. "Hello, my beautiful sorceress." She couldn't help but smile back at him. "Well, hello, my handsome Prince." He brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her gently before going back to watching her. "What?" She asked playfully. He shook his head. "I was just thinking about how this was the first time I've gotten to actually sleep next to you undisturbed, to wake up and see your gorgeous face without anything happening." Astasha blushed. "Don't get too used to it." S
Last Updated : 2023-05-05Blood Magic's Bond Ch 42: The Pieces Thus Far
Errant's study was much like a smaller war room, combined with a library, tossed into a witch's workshop. There were shelves lined with scrolls and books, desks with herbs and crystals, and a table in the middle covered with maps and other writings. It wasn't a small room, per se, but with Astasha, Calder, Talib, the King, and the five other sorcerers, it felt a bit cramped. Errant closed the door and turned to the group. "I know the fewer who know all of the details the better, so my hope is that between those of us here, we might be able to put some of the pieces to this puzzle together before the High Council arrives." “Screw the High Council,” said Talib, making Errant’s brow furrow and a few of the sorcerers gasp. “We need to figure out how to kill the fucking thing.” The King put a hand on the Captain’s shoulder. “I know you thirst for blood, but we must first determine its motives and how it might strike again.” “Exactly.” Said Errant. “So where do we begin?” Everyone se
Last Updated : 2023-05-09Blood Magic's Bond Ch 43: The Seeds Of Doubt
The group had begun to disperse, everyone heading in the direction of their assigned duty. Astasha was to gather everything from her room she had found previously on the matter of the demon, and meet the others in the library. Cal had not returned to her side, remaining with his father in a fervent discussion, and so she slipped out the door and headed down the hall. She hadn’t made it very far, before a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her down a small side corridor. She knew who it was before she saw him. She had heard his rushed footsteps and felt his worried haste through their connection. “Why didn’t you tell me?” There was a look in Cal’s eyes she had never seen before as he stood in front of her, her back to the wall. The feeling pouring through their connection was overwhelming and full of doubt and confusion and pain. “Cal—“ she tried to ease his worries but he wouldn't let her. “Do you not trust me? You seem to have forgotten that I spent an insufferable amount of
Last Updated : 2023-05-10Blood Magic's Bond Ch 44: The Tale Of The Dark Mage
Frustration was palpable in the room. Astasha, Calder, Errant, Helia, and Narelle had been scouring the Magical Archives Library for hours in search of anything that might tell them what this evil was or what it wanted with the Fire Witch and Prince, but to no avail. It felt as though they were to find something in a haystack, but whether it was a needle or a hairpin wasn’t clear. Tasha was pouring over the multitude of books and scrolls she had brought from her room for what felt like the hundredth time, and yet was no closer to finding any information that could aid them. She sighed loudly. “Nothing useful?” Calder had come up behind her and was looking over her shoulder. She shook her head. “Nothing I can see. There has to be something. I just don’t know where else to look.” There was silence for a moment. “I’m sorry.” His voice was almost a whisper. She turned in her chair to see his face. “Cal—“ “No, you were right. We need to trust each other, to stay true to each oth
Last Updated : 2023-05-11
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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
