Chapter 47: Chapter 47

Sandy’s POV

I can’t believe what I just did. F***! I kissed a witch. Can you believe that? I kissed her…. My mind drifted to the way her soft lips moved against mine; they were so sweet, so tempting.

Ora wasn’t like the other witches. She was probably one of those rare good ones. Still, I shouldn’t have kissed her back. I couldn’t give her any power over me. Resolving to have better control over myself, I returned to the inn with some breakfast.

Evaan had already woken up and he was seated next to her, his little hands patting her head gently. Hearing my footsteps, he looked up, “How is Aunt Ora now? Did she wake up in the night?”

“She did….” I placed the bag on the table. “I brought some celebratory breakfast.”

His eyes lit up. Sliding down, he waddled towards the table. “Let me serve them in a plate.” He said as he opened the packaging. Evaan was very responsible for a five-year-old. I know I keep saying five-year-olds again and again. That is because I have to keep reminding myself that he is still a little boy. I hope that by chanting this, I won’t repeat the mistake I have already made. Something stung my eyes and I averted my gaze. Looking at Evaan, intensified the sense of guilt I had been feeling lately.

When I turned around, I found that Ora had already woken up. She was leaning against the backrest and watching Evaan with adoration.

“You are awake?” I said, trying my best to keep my gaze focused on her eyes. But, that was probably a bad idea too. The intensity of her gaze made heat creep my neck, and burned my ears. “How are you feeling now?” My heart pounded and my breathing became labored.

“I am good, all thanks to your k… I mean all thanks to your care….” My eyes betrayed me and turned the focus to her lips, enticing me again.

“Aunt Ora!” Evaan’s words had the effect of snapping fingers in front of me. I shook my head and turned my attention to him.

Evaan drew closer to the bed, raising himself on his tiptoes, he smiled, “Shall I bring your plate here?”

Ora ruffled his hair and her lips curved upwards. “I will join you both at the table.” It was a sad smile; the one that doesn’t reach your eyes. Dang! Why was I analyzing her smile now?

She got to her feet but staggered. She was probably still weak. Looking at me, she pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows, “Can you help me?”

I didn’t want to torture myself by being close to her but I had no choice. I supported her; led her to the bamboo table and helped her to sit down. Why was I feeling so hot suddenly?

I unbuttoned the top two buttons of my shirt as I sat opposite her; only to regret my action immediately. Her gaze was fixed on my chest. My face flushed and my mouth went dry.

“L..Let’s eat,” I managed to stutter as I started picking at the rice balls on my plate. Don’t blame me for the lack of hospitality. I had already used almost all of my spirit stones and couldn’t afford any fancy dishes.

“How did you find me, Sandy?” Her question startled me out of my thoughts. I raised my head and gaped at her; my mind still in a muddled daze.

“Grand Magus had put me in a room with seven magical restrictions. How in the world did you both manage to find me?”

“It’s nothing, Aunt Ora… You should focus on eating and healing for now.” Evaan spoke up quickly; in an attempt to distract her.

It didn’t work though. She placed the spoon and fork down and turned her complete attention to Evaan, “What are you not telling me, Cracker?”

He looked down and continued to pick the rice ball in the plate, “I might have taken help from Uncle Sandy and performed the soul binding spell….” His voice was so feeble; as if he had committed some grave crime.

“You did what?” The next moment, Ora’s hand slammed against the table, “Do you have any idea what you have done?”

“I am fully aware, Aunt Ora.”

She jumped to her feet as she shouted, “You little twit! How can you say that? I don’t think you know everything about the soul-binding ritual. If you knew, you would never have attempted something like this!” She tore her hair, “What am I going to do now?”

Evaan looked at her and replied in a confident and calm voice, “Please don’t feel guilty for this, Aunt Ora…. I already know that I will die in two years, once this ritual is performed.”

I felt like a bolt of lightning had struck me. What had I done? How could I have helped Evaan perform a ritual that would cut short his life? I reached over and held Ora’s hand, “Believe me, Ora… I didn’t know that this ritual will shorten his life else….”

My voice trailed off as the overwhelming sense of regret suffocated me. No matter what I said or did, it wouldn’t change anything. I was responsible for everything. I should have never let him perform the ritual without telling me everything about it.

The color drained from Ora’s face and she slumped into the chair again, “You knew you would die once the ritual is performed…..”

“I did….”

She gulped and let out a frustrated sigh, “Why did you do something as stupid as this, Evaan?”

“I have my reasons, Aunt Ora….” He raised his hand and flashed the bracelet around his wrist, “My fate was decided the day I was born.”

Ora held Evaan’s hand and started examining the bracelet carefully, “I have never seen anything like this…”

“I read through so many grimoires but never found any information about the light and dark bracelet. It was probably invented for me and my father.”

“Do you know what it does, Evaan? If you can tell how it works, Ora might be able to help you.”

“The evil witch put a similar bracelet around my father’s wrist. Both these bracelets are made of opposite energies. If we come close, we both will die.”

A gasp escaped my lips as the realization hit me, “Doesn’t that mean, you can never be with your father?”

Evaan’s lips pressed into a thin line and he lowered his head, trying hard to hide the tears in his eyes.

“Bloody Reeking Hell! How can someone be so cruel?” I cursed as a sudden surge of anger coursed through me. If I ever met that evil witch, I would make her pay. I knew that a werewolf was no match for a witch but I would find a way.

Ora lifted Evaan in her lap and patted his back soothingly, “Don’t worry, Evaan. I promise that I will sort out this mess…. I am not going to let anyone ruin your life like this.” She wiped off his tears and smiled, “After all, I am your master now. How can I let my pupil suffer?”

“There is no solution, Aunt Ora…..” Evaan sounded so disheartened that it tore me from the inside. “I just want to find my father before I die…. Then, mommy won’t feel alone after I am gone.”

I walked up to Ora and Evaan, placing my hand on his shoulder, I said, “Do you trust me, Evaan?”

He raised his head; gave me a long hard look as if reflecting deeply and then finally nodded. “What about your Aunt Ora? Do you trust her?”

“I do….” It stung how quickly he responded this time. Stashing away that petty jealousy, I stated, “Then leave everything to us…. For once, just be a little boy and let the adults handle everything.”

His eyes widened and for a moment I thought he would refuse. But, he nodded slowly and rested his head on Ora’s shoulder. My gaze drifted to Ora to find her smiling at me; this time it was a genuine smile. It felt nice – the idea of working with her towards a common goal.