Alexandra
“What the hell just happened?” Alex asked Victoria.
“I am not sure. Did you feel that too?” Victoria asked her.
Alex nodded. “It was like I couldn’t use my powers. They were still there, but out of reach somehow. How is that possible?”
“I think Ryhan’s little boyfriend has more powers than he let on.” Victoria said.
Alex contemplated for a moment. “Evangeline said his power was similar to hers right? She can help us control our powers because her powers come from the root of everything. What if he can control our powers too, and can completely block or turn ours off?”
“I don’t know, maybe that’s what it is. We can speculate later, we need to get back to the others.” Victoria said.
Alex agreed.
She stepped closer to the edge of the clearing. It was a small cliff overlooking the grounds of the castle.
Wrapping her arm around her gently, Victoria whispered in her ear. “Close your eyes and hold on.”
Doing as she said a light, floating sensation overwhelmed her, and before she knew it, they were back on the ground.
“You are awfully handy to have around.” Alex joked.
Victoria laughed and grabbed her hand leading her toward the castle. Thunderous footsteps boomed behind them.
“Our friend is back.” Victoria said.
Alex was afraid to look. “What do we do?”
“You think he’ll fall for the same thing twice?” Victoria asked.
Shrugging her shoulders was the only response she could muster. They had seconds to think of a plan before it was on top of them. She was about to suggest running faster when a rain of fire arrows soared above them. Few of them reached their target but it was enough to slow it down. Running faster she thought her lungs might explode. It would not matter if they reached the castle, the giant could probably smash its way through it.
They needed a plan. Reaching the gates, she found Lillian and Evangeline each with a bow in their hands, readying two more arrows they signaled to the group of archers behind them. They loosed the arrows and retreated behind the gate.
“No Lillian wait, I have an idea.” Alex said, and then added, “I need you to make a hole or a crater, something big enough to cover his head.”
“It won’t work, giants are earth creatures, and he’ll just break free of any earth trap I use.” Lillian said.
“Yes, but can he swim?” Alex asked.
Lillian smiled and shook her head.
“Oh you are a genius.” Victoria exclaimed and kissed her on the cheek.
The four of them stood together, arms linked, as Lillian created a wide deep hole in the earth. The giant looked as if he was going to run right into it and then leapt at the last minute. He landed just on the other side of it and then gave a proud roar as he moved toward them again. Pausing as a loud crackling noise rose up from beneath him. He looked down at his feet and then let out a yell as the earth collapsed under him.
Alex got to work filling the void with water, as soon as he fell. She had never summoned so much before, it was using a lot of her energy, but she felt Evangeline there in her mind slowly fueling Alex’s power with hers. When water nearly filled the hole, she stopped and watched the giant thrash around. Victoria stepped in and did one better by creating a whirlpool. Within minutes, the giant stopped struggling against the water and went limp. Lillian returned the earth to its previous state, swallowing the giant up in the process.
Alex felt saddened by the giant’s outcome. Guilt for killing another creature pained her. Relaxing slightly, she wiped away a tear.
“Don’t get comfortable, we still have to help Lord Byron with the others. We took out another with fire and scared two of them off, there are still two left back there.” Evangeline explained.
Alex followed the others. With Victoria’s hand in her own, she felt safe even in the midst of battle. She thought for a moment that maybe she understood why Ryhan chose Gavin. It was hard to imagine losing Victoria. She supposed she would do whatever she could to hold on to her. That moment she knew there was no going back and jerked Victoria to a halt.
She turned to Alex confused. “Alex wha-”
She was silenced her with a kiss. Putting every ounce of what she was feeling into that kiss, Alex knew that Victoria would understand.
Stopping Alex looked at her desperately. “I am so scared. I am scared that if we were in the same position as Ryhan that I would choose you over the world. That I would forgo the well-being of every person who depends on us, just to have you by my side. I am scared that we may not survive this war and that I might lose you. I am scared because…I love you. I love you more than I ever thought it possible to love someone. I know we do not have time for this, but I had to tell you. I couldn’t wait a second longer.”
“I love you too.” Victoria said, then added, “And I’m scared too, but we’ll make it through this, so don’t give me any more goodbye speeches. Okay?”
Alex nodded and they raced off to catch up with the others. As they ran hand in hand, all the fears she had ever had about the kind of love they shared fell away.