Note: This is a revised edition, better dialogue and narrative
Still in the old man's Sanctuary, Alicia is having a very personal problem concerning Daren. When he reaches for the power in his training, he over extends himself and she has to intervene. But what she lets be revealed to him in that moment is a secret that will change the two of them forever.
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This is NOT professionally recorded and is not intended to act like it is. This is a free audio recording of “The Ansville Gatehouse” short story. If you want to help support my projects and perhaps one day be able to make this professional, you can help by going to https://andrewnusz.com and clicking on the “Support Me” button. My hope is that you will enjoy this enough to encourage the writing and future publication of my writings.
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She wandered through the woods alone, her heart heavy with turmoil. Stopping briefly to gaze at the bubbling river to one side, she sighed. The sparkling autumn light cast a golden hue over the land, painting a masterpiece of beauty around her. It never got old walking the trails around the Sanctuary. And yet, it did little to soothe what she felt inside. She had weathered torture and years of uncertainty about her place in the world. But the ache in her heart remained, she had no idea how to move forward. She had sworn never to let herself venture into this vulnerable territory. Yet her heart betrayed her.
Looking over the field to her right, she saw Daren once again practicing in the meadows beyond the Sanctuary. Every morning at dawn, he would rise, eat something small, and head out to test himself. She had given him all the knowledge she could, shared it openly, and most mornings would use that time to practice alongside him. Training was second nature to her.
For nearly four months, they had lived under the old man's guidance while Daren honed his skills and embraced his legacy as part of Dragonblood. He had accepted his role and poured all his energy into training.
She closed her eyes, feeling shivers run down her spine, the unyielding, uncontrolled emotions that came with watching Daren in the circle. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't hide it from herself. He had become more to her than a simple friend. Somehow, he had reached parts of her she thought were locked away forever. And it scared her deeply. If she allowed him to know her true feelings, he could destroy her.
So today, she let him practice on his own while she made a circuit walk around the property, trying to clear her head of him. She needed to rebuild the walls around herself, walls that he too easily broke down. Ever since they had broached each other's minds, sharing thoughts and dreams, it became painful not to feel close to him. That intimacy terrified her, and she desperately sought to block everything out. But try as she might, traces of him lingered in her mind like whispers she couldn’t ignore.
She was about to turn a corner and follow the river north when that familiar trace of thoughts touched her again.
Pausing, she took a few deep breaths, telling herself she wouldn’t violate Daren’s space. He still struggled with building mental walls in their shared mindframe. Yet she could feel him now, a stream of emotions playing out vividly in her connection with him.
"Liar," she whispered bitterly to herself as a breeze stirred the autumn air around her.
She let the tendril of connection spread out and mingle with Daren's mindframe cautiously. At first, his energy radiated higher than usual, he was practicing after all, but there was something else beneath it: anger. It pulsed through him like he was battling himself somehow, erratic emotions flaring wildly.
And still… something else lingered in that touch, something unnatural.
Alicia frowned deeply as unease crept over her. This was different. Something wasn’t right.
She sent out another stream of feelers toward Daren’s mindframe, probing gently while hoping he wouldn’t notice.
Then it hit her, a chilling realization that froze her in place.
Her heart skipped a beat before fear spread through her body like ice.
Taking off at a dead run, Alicia sprinted across the meadow back toward the Sanctuary, toward Daren.
***
Daren swung his blade expertly at a flying clay disc and shattered it mid-air with precision. An instant later, the fragmented disc materialized again, this time forming into a blazing white ball of fire that crackled with energy before pausing ominously in mid-air.
With an intense hum reverberating through the air, the fiery orb swept toward him at alarming speed.
Daren yelled in surprise and ducked fast as it narrowly missed his head. Raising his sword instinctively, he swung, but knew immediately it was futile.
The blade passed through the blazing light only for its metal to glow red-hot before dripping molten droplets onto the ground.
Throwing aside the useless hilt, Daren spun around to face the flaming ball again. He raised one hand high above his head, and conjured a shield of hardened ice just in time to deflect its next strike.
Alicia’s breath caught as she watched from afar, her feet pounding over grass as Daren came into focus more clearly with each stride closer.
His movements were sharp and adaptive; his instincts honed by weeks of relentless training. Yet something was wrong, his emotions were raging uncontrollably through their connection like wildfire consuming logic and reason.
Even as he drew on more energy for defense, Alicia felt it, the craving hunger intensifying with each use of power, the need for more challenges growing insatiable within him.
The flaming ball wasn’t just an opponent; it was his creation, a manifestation of his own spiraling hunger for strength and control.
Skidding to a halt near where he practiced alone in an open circle surrounded by scorched earth and dying grass, Alicia glared at herself for not stopping this sooner, for letting things spiral this far unchecked.
“Daren!” Alicia screamed desperately as dark lightning crackled ominously around him, a ball of black energy sweeping overhead like death itself descending upon them both.
“Enough! Stop this!” Her voice broke as fear surged through every fiber of her being.
But Daren didn’t hear, or refused to listen, as he grinned hungrily at his creation opposite him…
The white fireball began to move toward him, slowly at first, then gaining speed.
With a growling laugh, Daren unleashed the black lightning ball.
It shot forward, and the two orbs collided in a brilliant explosion of light and chaos. From the point of impact, a shockwave of lightning and color erupted outward. The ground beneath them trembled as the energy spread across the meadow. Grass withered instantly, and nearby trees wilted as though centuries of decay had passed in seconds. The corrosive energy ate away at the limbs of trees and blades of grass, leaving destruction in its wake.
Swearing under her breath, Alicia leaped onto Daren without hesitation, ignoring the powerful energy coursing through his veins. She clung to him desperately, grabbing his arms and legs to pull him down to the ground. Her scream pierced the air as she fought to break his connection to the darkness consuming him. Without giving him time to react, she locked her eyes onto his, pouring all her emotions into their shared mindframe. She gave everything, her fear, her love, her pain, hoping it would be enough to sever his hold on the dark power.
Daren’s bloodshot eyes stared back at her as his body trembled violently from adrenaline. His chest heaved with labored breaths as he struggled against her grip.
Alicia intensified their connection, her voice trembling but firm. “Feel me, Daren! Let go of it all… please!”
Agonizingly slow, the crazed intensity in his eyes began to fade. His breathing steadied as he focused on her gaze. Blinking hard, he followed her lead, grounding himself in her presence.
The twin orbs of black lightning diminished gradually until only a faint spark remained. Yet even that stubborn spark refused to die out completely.
Their eyes remained locked as Alicia tried to pull away. But she knew it was already too late. She had let him feel everything within her to bring him back from the edge. Terror filled her heart as she realized what she had done. He knew now, he had seen everything. Her vulnerability was laid bare before him.
And now she felt something else through their connection: his hunger, not crazed like before but equally intoxicating. His lips parted slightly as he drew in a shaky breath, his sapphire-blue eyes never leaving hers.
Lowering her head, tears slipped down her cheeks. Daren had seen the truth of her, the ugly truth she tried so hard to hide. She wanted him desperately on an intense level she couldn’t control. What was wrong with her?
His hands reached up slowly, wrapping around her hair as he pulled her closer.
Her heart skipped several beats even as she complied without resistance.
His lips hovered inches from hers, their breaths mingling in the stillness that followed the chaos. Time seemed to stop altogether; the world around them faded into nothingness.
In a gentle motion, he tugged at her again but hesitated, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.
Alicia’s senses were ablaze as she gazed at his perfect lips and piercing blue eyes. This time, she didn’t wait for him, she closed the distance herself.
Their lips met in an explosion of passion that felt like a volcano erupting inside them both. She gripped him tightly as she explored his mouth with fervor, her breathing ragged and uneven. She burned for more with every passing second, and he responded in kind. His mouth moved against hers with equal intensity, as though he were parched and she was water.
Their kiss deepened into something raw and unrestrained, a wildfire consuming them both entirely.
Daren caught her in his arms and rolled her onto her back gently but firmly. He pulled aside her shirt to expose her neckline and pressed his lips there with longing, biting softly as if savoring every moment.
Alicia moaned softly, gasping as waves of euphoric pleasure coursed through her body like molten fire pooling deep within her core.
His hands roamed absently across her body while she arched into his touch like a cat stretching under sunlight. Her fingers tangled in his hair as he traced kisses along her salty skin down toward where her shirt had come undone. She gripped his sides tightly, silently pleading for more, for everything.
And then… the world froze.
Daren’s gaze fell upon her exposed torso.
Scars crisscrossed Alicia’s abdomen, some small and faint, others long and jagged like cruel reminders of battles fought and endured. One particularly deep scar stretched across nearly the entire length of her stomach.
Slowly, Daren released her and sat back with a distant look in his eyes.
The flood of guilt and self-loathing that followed was unbearable for Alicia. Daggers of shame pierced her heart as tears spilled freely down her cheeks. She felt utterly exposed, not just physically but emotionally, and it crushed her spirit.
Sobbing uncontrollably now, she curled into herself on the ground. The weight of everything, the scars on her body and soul, came crashing down around her like an avalanche. “I’m sorry,” she choked out between gasping sobs before scrambling to her feet.
Without another word or glance back at Daren, Alicia ran, fleeing into the woods with emotions spilling over like a dam that had burst wide open.
***
Daren sat, shaking his head slowly. He felt sick to his stomach. The memory of what he had said on the airship came back to haunt him. He didn’t know what to do or say. He had felt her, sensed the power behind her connection to him in a way he had never experienced before. It had ripped away his hold on the energy and replaced it with a flood of passion that poured from Alicia’s heart.
“Fool!” he whispered angrily. “Stupid fool!”
From behind, the old man approached, leaning on his cane. “You are human, Daren,” he said with a half-smile before lowering himself to sit in the grass beside him. “It’s not as if this were unexpected.”
At Daren’s frown, the old man chuckled. “Oh, come on. It’s plain to see. I’ve had you under my roof for months now, and it’s obvious how she longs to be near you, and you her. It’s natural.”
Daren shook his head. “I said things on the airship… things that are true, and now, ”
“You made yourself out to be a liar?”
Daren didn’t respond.
The old man lowered his staff and sat quietly beside him for a time, listening to the wind rustling through the tree leaves and meadow grass.
“Let me give you a piece of advice,” he said finally, picking up several blades of grass and twisting them together absentmindedly. “Do you love her? What I mean is, have you enjoyed her company these past months?”
Daren hesitated before nodding. “More than anything in the world.”
“Does she feel the same?”
Daren hesitated again, unsure how to answer. “I don’t know.”
“Because of her past?”
Daren nodded slowly.
The old man smiled mischievously. “Let me tell you what I’ve observed as an old man who has spent most of his life watching people. When you’re around each other, she has slowly come out of her shell, she laughs more, even giggles at times. She smiles in your presence… when you’re not being stupid and getting addicted to things.”
Daren hung his head.
“Even then,” the old man continued, “she worries about you and puts herself out there, risking her own fears, to save you. Yes, I felt what she did through your connection, though not as strongly since it wasn’t directed at me. Believe me when I say this: I would have struggled with those same feelings if they were focused on me, they were intensely powerful.”
“But the things I said…” Daren muttered bitterly. “Now she knows she can’t trust me.”
The old man laughed with a sparkle in his eye. “Boy, nobody can be trusted, that’s the human condition. Yourself included. Each one of us has to battle our own nature, and more often than not, we lose. What matters is what we do after we lose.”
Daren looked across the meadow toward where Alicia had run. “Will she be okay?”
The old man didn’t answer immediately. When he did speak, his gaze was distant. “That depends on future events between you two.”
“Huh?” Daren cocked his head to the side in confusion.
“You both have intense emotions for each other,” the old man explained patiently. “The issue is: can you control them?”
Daren frowned deeply as he mulled over these words before asking hesitantly, “Why should I stop? If we both love each other…”
The old man nodded knowingly with a smile. “And so we come to it at last.”
“What do you mean?”
“The question every young person asks: Why wait?”
For several minutes, neither of them spoke as they stared out at the meadow or watched clouds rolling across the sky.
“Why does marriage exist?” the old man asked suddenly.
Daren pondered this for a moment. He recalled how much his parents had valued marriage, even if most people seemed indifferent to it these days. Shaking his head slowly, he replied, “I don’t know.”
“Marriage is a legal contract that binds two people together, both here and in spirit,” the old man explained thoughtfully. “God claims that when two are married, He blesses it and sees them as one in some aspect. It’s a connection you cannot have otherwise."
He paused before continuing: "You can live together as a couple outside of marriage, even sleep together, but what truly holds you together as humans with corrupt hearts? The second one of you gets angry, and all couples do, there’s nothing stopping either of you from leaving or betraying each other."
"Marriage," he said firmly, "is a sacred trust, a promise made before others that binds you for your own good and for your spouse’s good."
Daren raised a hand to interrupt him gently. "Okay, I get that," he said warily. "But why are we talking about this?"
The old man’s eyes grew serious as he replied: "Because now that you’re set on this path with Alicia, you'd best make sure you're aligned with Elyon, or God will show you just how much you need Him."
He leaned closer as if emphasizing his point: "And that path, if taken without Him, is filled with misery and loneliness."
Daren rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile at the dry humor in the old man’s tone. "You sure know how to kill the mood."
“It’s a talent,” the old man quipped lightly before continuing: "The Ancient texts speak clearly about why sex was designed for marriage, not outside it."
He paused again before adding: "If you burn with lust for each other, as I suspect you do, it is better to marry than to let desire consume you."
"But what if one day we fall out of love?" Daren asked hesitantly.
"You will!" The old man laughed heartily.
Daren glared at him but drew in a frustrated breath.
"Do you think your parents were always happy with each other?"
Daren stared off into the distance as memories of his parents came flooding back. "No," he admitted softly after some thought.
"That," said the old man gently, "is part of marriage, and part of love itself."
He leaned forward slightly as if sharing an important secret: "At its core is sacrifice, the willingness to lay down your own desires for someone else’s good."
"Like most things the Ancient texts discuss, there's always a reason for why things are said. For instance, the design for sex was meant to be within marriage, not outside of it. Why? Because the human heart takes center stage again. It will always come back to the heart and where it aligns. If you can get away with it without getting married, you starve yourself of blessings, of deeper loyalty, security, and the bond you could attain. This is how things ought to be. You only need to look at someone in a marriage who understands this concept of unity and sacrifice. The hearts of a true marriage are unified and unbreakable. It's rare these days, to be sure, but if it is found, you will never experience anything like it."
"You're telling me I need to marry Alicia?" Daren blinked in disbelief. "I've only known her a few months!"
"And already, the two of you want to act like rabbits."
Daren clamped his mouth shut, heat rushing to his face.
"Some advice from the Ancient texts, especially from the newer passages: if you burn with lust for each other, it is better to marry than to burn with desire. It is not wrong to marry her, Daren. What harms both of you is using her outside of a secure union. She needs to believe she is safe, with all her emotions, everything that makes her a woman, for her to give all of that into your care. That is what marriage does: it binds you legally and spiritually so that you take it seriously."
"But what if one day we fall out of love?"
"You will!" The old man laughed heartily.
Daren glared at him and drew in a frustrated breath.
"Do you think your parents were always happy with each other?"
Daren stared off into the distance as memories of his parents surfaced. "No," he admitted softly, shaking his head. "They weren’t always happy."
"That," the old man said gently, "is part of marriage, part of love itself. This is where love gains its defining attributes. At its core is sacrifice. You sacrifice your own needs and wants for the other person. Love means laying down your own desires to build up the other. This is where conflict will always arise because the heart tries to deny this truth, it demands to come first. But take captive each thought and surrender to what is right: do not harm your spouse; instead, lovingly encourage them and build up their beauty from within."
The old man looked at Daren intently. "Can you honestly say this is your desire?"
Daren felt the weight of the old man's words sink deep into his heart. He turned in the direction Alicia had fled into the woods and stared for a long moment. His thoughts weren’t what they used to be in the slums beneath New Muskegon. Every morning now, his mind was focused on her, on how she felt, on whether she needed anything. Ever since she had shared her darkest, most haunting past with him, his desire had been to give her a different life, a life free from hate and fear.
He went out of his way each day after practice to show her this new life: engaging with her, sharing moments of laughter, creating a sense of belonging.
That last thought stopped him short.
Belonging.
Without realizing it, he had been making her a part of his life, and she had been doing the same with him. The realization shocked him even as another part of him berated himself for being so blind.
In just four months, Alicia had broken into his heart while he had been quietly doing the same to hers.
Slowly, Daren nodded his head. "I believe... I believe my heart is for her well-being."
"Then by all means," the old man said warmly, "if she wants it too, marry her! Grow in what that love looks like for each of you and help each other thrive. This is the beauty of marriage: the bond between husband and wife lifting each other up to new heights."
"It's not... too soon?" Daren asked hesitantly.
The old man scoffed with a harsh laugh. "Marriage and love know nothing of time! It has nothing to do with how long you've known each other, it’s an action you determine to take. That’s what love truly is, not fleeting feelings of giddiness or infatuation. Those fade quickly enough that if you base everything on them, you'll never find true love."
He leaned forward slightly for emphasis. "Love is a determination, a choice, to be the best at encouraging and supporting the one you bind yourself to for life. Even wolves and eagles understand this; they mate for life! It’s a beautiful thing."
Again, there was silence between them.
Daren glanced once more in the direction Alicia had fled.
"If you believe enough time has passed that you know what you want," the old man said softly, "go to her, and find out what’s in her heart."
Daren felt his heart thump hard in his chest at these words. He had just kissed Alicia’s neck moments ago and felt her intense emotions toward him, and yet now he felt vulnerable in a way he hadn’t expected.
Getting to his feet slowly, he glanced once more toward where Alicia had disappeared into the woods… and began to follow.
* * *
Each step toward the woods brought back memories.
Alicia's face appeared in his mind, and he found himself replaying the events of his life, always circling back to his parents. They hadn’t been perfect examples of a husband and wife, but according to the old man, no one was. He remembered something his father had once said: "Marriage is an adventure from one day to the next." When Daren had asked what that meant, his father replied, "An adventure isn’t always about fun or exciting activities. In fact, it has nothing to do with fun at all. An adventure is an undertaking of a questionable nature where the future is uncertain. When that involves another human being, your spouse, it adds even more questions and uncertainties. You’re bound to face life together, mingling two different lives and perspectives. Sometimes that means clashing perspectives. But the outcome, the joys and benefits of the union, far outweigh the pains involved."
A deep ache jolted through him as he thought of his parents. He missed them terribly in that moment and wished they were here to talk with him. But he knew that was never going to happen.
As he approached the meadow’s edge, where the first oak tree stood tall, he paused beneath its sprawling branches. In such a short time, he had done things he never dreamed possible. Now, as he stood there, he hoped and prayed he wouldn’t mess this up. His heart pounded in his chest as if it might burst. He knew what needed to be done, but was Alicia willing? That was the unanswered question.
Taking a few more steps forward, the light of day dimmed slightly as tall trees cast their shadows over everything.
He scanned his surroundings briefly before turning to the right. He knew where she would be, where she always went when she needed to reflect on her uncertain future. He had gone there with her a few times before.
Following the trail to its end, Daren felt his heart pounding harder with each step. His nerves tightened like a coiled spring. What was he doing? Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined finding a life like what his parents had shared. And now here he was, pursuing it. Or at least, he hoped that’s what this would become.
* * *
Alicia sat on the bank of the river, tall trees shading an opening in the forest where they had shared a campfire a few times over the past several months. Her head was down, her face buried in her hands, with her feet dipped into the cool water.
Daren slowly walked the few steps to where she sat and slid off his shoes. Sitting down beside her, he submerged his own feet in the river and gently placed his arms around her.
Her entire body went rigid at his touch. He could feel a slight tremor from his nearness. She took a long, deep breath before slowly relaxing and leaning into him, a soft cry escaping her lips.
"Alicia," Daren whispered as he brushed strands of hair away from her face. Everything in him, since awakening emotions he thought were long dead, wanted to console her, to comfort her. He gently lifted her chin so she would look at him. Her eyes were bleary with tears, her expression one of someone who had endured too much pain. The contrast was sharp compared to when he had first met her. Back then, she had been cold as ice. Now, she was lost in a flood of emotions.
She looked at him for a brief second before her eyes darkened. She closed them and hung her head. "Leave me alone, Daren." She tried to push away from him but found his arms firmly wrapped around her. When she realized he wasn’t letting go, she looked up at him with daggers in her eyes. "I said leave me alone!"
"We need to talk," he said softly.
She gave a disgusted laugh. "About me, right? Forget anything happened. I let you feel me, and it was a mistake. Forget it ever happened." She turned to glare at the water. "Tomorrow, we’ll spar in the circle, and all of this will be forgotten."
"I can’t forget it," Daren said gently. "And I don’t want to forget it."
His words stopped her cold; her body went rigid again. She looked at him, puzzled and uncertain what to say. She studied his eyes, trying to understand what he was getting at.
He gathered his thoughts carefully before continuing. "I want to know something, and it must come from inside you. How do you feel about me?"
Alicia tried to look away, feeling as though her ugliness was on full display. But Daren’s words, and certain strange emotions emanating from him, made her look up hesitantly. "Why? Why does it matter? I’m broken and used. You can’t possibly want anything more than friendship with me." She hung her head again. "I’m not even a virgin. You want someone you can experience everything new with."
Soft fingers against her chin gently caressed her face.
Unbidden tears slipped down her cheeks at the unexpected tenderness of his touch. He whispered, "Sometimes things don’t take years to understand initially. And even when they do, it requires risk to gain that understanding." His gentle fingers firmed slightly as he turned her face toward him again. Blinking in confusion, she felt emotions emanating from him that she couldn’t identify, emotions she had never felt before.
"Alicia," he said haltingly, "I met you as a man lost in a dying world… and you were lost in your own world too. We ventured together to this place. I know it hasn’t been long enough by most people’s standards… but I believe the conversations we’ve shared have grown our understanding of each other deeply."
Alicia closed her eyes briefly, reflecting on the many nights they had spent under the stars together. From the glow of campfires, they had slowly begun to talk and laugh, finding solace in each other’s presence and eventually peace. A few times they had fallen asleep right here by the river in each other’s arms.
She returned Daren’s gaze for a moment before asking softly, "What are you getting at?"
Daren faltered briefly and looked away before meeting her eyes again. She felt his heart flutter next to hers, a sensation that sent a shocking realization through her mind.
"Do you love me?" she asked suddenly.
"But you told me on the airship I, "
"Do you love me, Alicia? Can you see us together forever?"
"But, "
Daren placed a finger gently against Alicia’s lips to stop her protest. "I’ve thought about this since we got here," he said quietly. "I can’t think about anything else anymore." He hesitated briefly before whispering, "I want you in my life forever, not just as a friend but more than that." His voice softened further as he added, "I want you as my wife."
Alicia slowly pushed herself away from Daren and stared out at the river in front of them. Warring emotions flooded through her like a storm raging inside her chest. Shaking her head slowly, she whispered, "I’m broken, Daren… I am so, "
"Human," Daren interrupted softly as he took Alicia’s hand in his own. He willed her to look at him again and continued when she did: "We’re all broken in some way or another, that’s not what defines us though. What matters is who we are on this journey… and who we’re with along the way." His voice grew steadier as he said firmly, "I want that journey to be with you, to blaze our own adventure together."
"But you said it would be harmful," Alicia murmured.
"I wasn’t considering marriage then," Daren admitted with a crooked smile. "Marriage brings security… safety… commitment." He sighed deeply before adding with conviction: "I will never betray something so sacred with you."
Alicia smirked faintly through tears threatening to spill again. "And you’re thinking between your legs."
Daren paused briefly before closing his eyes with a small smile tugging at his lips. In a whisper laced with honesty, he replied: "No… not for the most part anyway." He opened his eyes and touched Alicia’s face again gently but firmly as he added: "I’m thinking with my heart, and my mind." His voice softened further as he continued: "You are who I’m thinking about, and how much it would hurt not to share every part of life with you."
Alicia stared at the rushing water intently as if trying to ground herself against the overwhelming emotions threatening to drown her completely.
At last, she turned back toward Daren with tears brimming in her eyes but also something new, a smile unlike any he had ever seen before spreading across her face.
"I accept," Alicia whispered softly before laughing aloud suddenly, and leaping into his arms.
---
Neither of them noticed how slippery the bank was until, in seconds, they slid down into the water, laughing. They didn’t mind the coldness of the underground stream; instead, they stood there gazing at each other.
Daren gently took hold of Alicia’s neck, tilting her face toward him before kissing her passionately. Moments later, he scooped her up in his arms, carrying her out of the water and back to the bank.
Still cradled in his arms, she whispered breathlessly, "How do we go about getting married? Who is going to marry us?"
"Ah, why must you ask such a silly thing?" a deep voice interrupted from behind them.
Turning quickly, they saw the old man leaning on his walking stick, a smile spreading across his face. "What is to stop me from marrying you now?"
"Now?" Daren and Alicia blinked at him in unison.
"Why not?" The old man glanced around at the trees before turning back to the couple.
"I mean..." Daren began hesitantly, glancing at Alicia. Neither of them had thought this far ahead.
The old man looked around again as though expecting something. Then, as if summoned by magic pulsing through the air, the trees parted. The unicorn Alicia had encountered earlier trotted forward gracefully. Its horn sparkled in the sunlight as it approached the old man. When it stopped a few feet away, it turned its head to look at him.
"Long have the years been filled with pain," the unicorn spoke, its voice resonant and otherworldly. Daren’s mouth fell open in shock. "We have wondered if humans were worth saving. We have watched our kin die mortal deaths, their spirits sailing across the undying seas." The unicorn turned its gaze to Alicia, who went pale and lowered herself to her knees.
The unicorn gave a gentle whinny. "Rise to your feet, Princess Alicia. I would speak to you face to face."
Alicia’s heart trembled as flashes of her former self flooded her mind. She saw fields of battle drenched in blood stretching across Eden’s grasslands. Ancients, magic-born beings who resisted her family’s dark incantations, waged war against Garland armies of mages and tech soldiers. At the front of those lines stood Alicia herself, commanding legions of Nightbreed with a sword radiating black magic. She had relished the screams of death as madness consumed her soul, a puppet wielded by a dark god.
The unicorn’s keen eyes sparkled like diamonds as it watched her. In a soft voice, it said, "I witnessed my world devastated by your hands."
Alicia turned away sharply, her heart pierced by his words. Memories of screams and destruction etched themselves into her mind once more. She flinched as she felt Daren’s arms wrap around her protectively. Trembling uncontrollably, she buried herself in his embrace.
Daren’s eyes hardened as he faced the unicorn. "With my people’s memories returning," he said in a voice unfamiliar even to himself, "I recall one of my father’s teachings: forgiveness is a core ideal for Dragonbloods, even for those who were once enemies. We live by that code and open our arms to those who find their way to the light."
The unicorn studied Daren intently before replying in a voice that matched his own: "Indeed, Daren, son of Trevor Cole." It whinnied softly before continuing. "Your father and I met once, he was a man of honor… more honor than the king your family served." A glint of anger flashed briefly in its eyes.
Daren drew Alicia closer and turned his gaze back to the unicorn with determination. "What was done in the past cannot be undone," he said firmly. "But I know with absolute certainty that what she did was not truly her doing. Her choices were stolen from her at an early age, she was made a puppet for dark spirits. She has renounced that darkness and now walks in light." He looked down at Alicia with unwavering resolve. "I have asked her to marry me, and she has accepted. I find no fault in her."
The unicorn slowly shook its head before allowing a small smile to creep onto its face. "I have come to witness this… strange event," it said softly before addressing the old man. "There are those among my kind who never thought this day would come, a union between a child of Garland and a child of Dragonblood is monumental."
Daren and Alicia exchanged bewildered glances but said nothing.
The old man smiled warmly at them both before speaking again: "Mind you, I must know that you take these vows seriously, this is a lifetime commitment to each other through good times and bad. You will be bound together as one body and soul. Do you swear before Elyon to love each other? To put each other’s needs above your own? To keep each other’s secrets in trust? To live for one another?"
Daren turned to Alicia with tears brimming in his eyes as he took her hand in his own. "Everything you’ve said, I’ve already sworn it to myself," he said earnestly. "Alicia… I swear there will never be another for me but you. I will bind my life to yours through good times and bad, even through ugly times, and I will never give up on you."
Alicia blinked back tears as she pushed wet strands of hair from her face. Her voice trembled as she replied: "And I will forever love you… cherish you… hold nothing back." She paused briefly before continuing through tears: "I will give every part of myself to you, even the parts I fear most, in sickness and health, through every facet of this life."
Daren’s heart soared at her words; he knew how much it had cost her to say them, and he knew she meant every word.
The old man nodded approvingly before saying: "Traditionally we would exchange rings, but since we have none…"
The unicorn stepped forward gracefully into the water where they stood. "Allow me," it said softly before lowering its head toward their clasped hands.
As its horn touched their joined hands, both felt a sudden sting on their ring fingers, a dark tattoo appeared on each finger in the form of intricate rings adorned with flowers and knots that glowed faintly blue between their designs.
The old man grinned as he placed his hand over theirs once more. "As Drugi-ward and guardian of these worlds," he declared solemnly, "I pronounce you husband and wife."
He stepped back with a grin before adding cheerfully: "Well? What are you waiting for? Kiss the girl!"
Daren turned toward Alicia with love shining brightly in his eyes before pulling her into his arms for another kiss, one filled with passion and promise.
Alicia's gaze locked onto his, her green eyes staring intently as if searching his soul. Daren’s heart fluttered so hard he felt like he might take flight. Taking her in his arms once more, he kissed her deeply, feeling as though the world had vanished around them. For a brief moment, nothing else existed, just the two of them, lost in a kiss of pure enchantment. Alicia didn’t disappoint; she returned his kiss with even greater passion, a deeper intensity that sent tingles through his fingers. When they finally came up for air and the world around them came back into focus, they saw the old man and the unicorn, Starlight, watching them with amused expressions.
The old man stepped forward and patted Daren on the shoulder. "Now you will begin to understand what this next chapter of life is about," he said warmly. "Feel that strong bond between you and remember the sacred trust Elyon has placed upon you. Protect her at all costs, for she is a gem, fierce but also vulnerable. She isn’t weak, but her strength as a woman will pour out for you even though it can easily be broken. Women are emotional creatures of beauty. Cherish her deeply, and she will never lead you astray. There is wisdom in a woman’s heart. Take heed and listen."
Turning to Alicia, the old man took her hand gently in his own. "Feel the raw power of your husband’s need for you," he said softly. "His entire being now desires to protect you and create a home for you wherever he is. Trust in his leadership as he trusts in your wisdom. Be each other’s bedrock of security, learn from one another, grow together, and mold each other through your differences. One day, far into the future, you will look back and marvel at how deeply your bond has grown. In truth, only death will be able to sever what binds you now. You are two halves of one whole."
Starlight waited patiently until the old man returned to the bank of the river before speaking in a clear voice that resonated through the woods: "I sense a future unfolding that many of my kind have only dreamed of for so long. I wonder if you two are part of a prophecy, a foretelling of events still far down the line." The unicorn whinnied softly before continuing: "This union you have forged between houses, be on your guard and always watch each other’s back. You will make powerful enemies but also allies you have not yet imagined. They will come when they hear your story unfold. A council of phantoms will be born in you." With those cryptic words, Starlight turned gracefully and disappeared into the trees.
Daren and Alicia stood silently for a moment, watching the unicorn vanish into the forest's shadows. Then they turned to each other, their expressions filled with wonder, and uncertainty, about what Starlight’s mysterious words might mean.
It was only then that they realized they were alone. The old man had gone as well, leaving them with nothing but the quiet woods and each other.
***
They sat on the log, looking out over the river, neither one wanting to break the silence that had fallen between them. Each could feel the nervousness radiating from the other, the sensation seeping into their shared connection.
"I feel awkward," Alicia finally whispered. She didn’t dare look at Daren, something unidentifiable knotting her stomach.
"Maybe because this is new territory? We don’t want to mess it up so soon," Daren replied softly. A sense of awe and wonder rushed over him. He had just sworn an oath that bound him to her forever. She was his, and he was hers. It changed everything. Even now, he wasn’t sure he fully understood what that truly meant.
Slowly, and with hesitation, he let his fingers drift across Alicia’s damp clothes before gently caressing her cheek.
She leaned into him but with evident hesitancy.
He paused, noticing the sudden change in her demeanor. Anxiety flooded him at her strange reaction. In a whisper, he asked, "Are you okay?"
Alicia nodded, but he knew instantly she wasn’t telling the truth. Taking her hand in his, he whispered again, "Something is bothering you."
Alicia shook her head quickly, trying to appear normal, but her expression betrayed her. In a quiet voice, she said in a dejected tone, "I don’t know why I’m feeling this way now. Just an hour ago, I wanted you all to myself. Now… I feel afraid."
"Are you afraid I’ll hurt you?" Daren asked gently.
"No," Alicia said quickly before stopping herself and frowning. She looked at him and said quietly, "Do you remember when I told you on the airship never to touch me again?"
Daren’s expression fell as he leaned back slightly. It felt like an invisible knife had jabbed him in the heart. He nodded slowly, trying to hide what he was feeling.
"Stop it," Alicia snapped, her eyes flashing angrily, though more at herself than at him. She grabbed his hand and held it tightly for a moment. Her heart raced as emotions swirled wildly within her. She knew something wasn’t right but also knew she had to fight through it. She couldn’t let what happened next between them become a disaster; she wouldn’t be able to live with herself if it did.
She stared into Daren’s eyes, willing herself to calm down. His eyes often had that effect on her, grounding her when she felt lost. Now, as she gazed into his silent but compassionate eyes, she sighed deeply and pulled his hand closer to her chest before closing her own eyes. She placed his hand directly over her heart beneath her wet shirt and held it there firmly.
Tiny shivers ran through her as she fought against everything screaming inside of her to stop. A tear slipped down her cheek just as she felt Daren’s arms fold around her protectively, his entire being becoming a shield against the dark thoughts threatening to overwhelm her.
In a choked whisper, she said, "I promised myself to you… I won’t break that promise."
"Alicia," Daren murmured as his fingers gently trailed across her face. "I don’t want you to be hurt because of me."
"It’s not you that hurt me, Daren," she whispered back sorrowfully as she looked into his eyes. "It’s memories… they creep up unbidden at the most inappropriate times, like now." Her gaze darkened as she glared at nothing in particular. "I was so ready this morning! Why can’t I… why can’t I just be normal?" She clenched her fists tightly and took several shaky breaths. "Why do I have all these feelings now? I hate this… I don’t like this."
In a gentle voice, Daren replied, "It’s called being human again." He kissed her forehead softly before adding tenderly, "You’ve let yourself become vulnerable, and it terrifies you." He looked into her eyes with unwavering sincerity and said firmly, "Alicia, I won’t pressure you or demand anything from you. I’m here beside you all the way because I love you."
Alicia’s heart beat in rhythm with Daren’s words as awe filled her entire being at his deep compassion for her. She never dreamed such love could be real, and yet here it was.
Shaking her head slightly to refocus herself on the present moment, Alicia took another deep breath and looked into Daren’s eyes again. She willed herself not to retreat into memories of the past but instead stay grounded in this moment with him.
After several steadying breaths, she nodded resolutely to herself before taking a few steps up the bank to a flat patch of grass surrounded by sparse branches. Together they lay down on the grass facing each other, their hearts beating faster with every passing second.
Daren touched Alicia’s cheek gently and said softly, "What if we make new memories, to drown out the bad ones?"
Alicia slowly nodded and whispered back, "I’d love that very much." She studied his face for a long moment, his eyes, his ears, down to his neck and shoulders, letting every detail burn itself into her memory.
After a minute of silence passed between them, Daren asked curiously, "What are you doing?"
"Studying you," Alicia replied with a faint smile. "I want to burn your image into my mind so I can hold onto you when something unpleasant sneaks up on me."
Daren gave a sheepish grin. "Am I really that good-looking?"
Alicia chuckled softly despite herself. "Stop it, you’re making me lose focus." Her smile faded slightly as seriousness took over her expression. In a hesitant whisper, she began to say something but faltered.
"I want…" Her voice trailed off as fear gripped her again, the fear of speaking aloud what she desperately wanted but couldn’t bring herself to say easily.
Clenching her fists tightly against the warring emotions inside of her, shame from the past battling against hope for the future, she finally forced out in a strained whisper: "I want… I want to see you naked."
Her cheeks flushed deeply as she looked down at herself in embarrassment, her wet clothes clinging uncomfortably against her skin, and felt her heart race wildly once more
She wanted to scream at the injustice of her betraying heart, the flip-flopping of wild and erratic emotions. This morning, she had no problem wanting to tear her clothes off and see Daren naked. Now… now she felt completely vulnerable, bound to a promise she had never made before. It terrified her to know she would be so open, so completely bare, heart and soul. This final piece of connection would seal her heart irrevocably. If Daren wanted to, he could destroy her in an instant, and she would be powerless to stop him. The act of giving over this control was utterly terrifying. Yet, she wanted so badly to do it, for him.
Daren looked at her with concern. Through their connection, he could feel the turmoil raging in her heart. He also saw her hesitation. Shaking his head slightly, he placed a hand on hers. "Alicia, we don’t have to do anything. If you’re too uncomfortable, "
"Yes! Yes, I do!" Alicia shot back angrily. "I’m not angry at you either, so don’t take this the wrong way." She tried to regain control of herself as her voice softened. "You are special to me. You are everything, and I want to give my heart to you." She looked into his eyes with determination as if resolving something deep within herself. "I don’t want to be ruled by my past." Her last words were barely a whisper.
With deep breaths, she rose to her feet and stared down at Daren as he watched her from the ground.
Slowly, she tugged at her shirt and slid it over her head before dropping it onto the grass. She refused to look down, she had always hated mirrors. She knew what Daren was seeing now, and it made her sick. But she reminded herself that these were thoughts from her past. Daren didn’t see her this way; he loved her…
When her pants fell to the ground, she bit her lip hard and again refused to look down. She fought the urge to cover herself, to give in to the revulsion screaming inside her mind. So many scars, so much abuse, so many reminders that she was far from innocent.
Daren extended his hand toward her, beckoning gently. She complied, lowering herself into his waiting arms while shivering from the knowledge that he was once again looking at what she considered a vile and wrecked body. How could he see any beauty in her? How could he view her as anything worth wanting? Before another accusing thought could take hold in her mind, his mouth found hers, and all thoughts scattered under the sensation and heat of his lips. Silence enveloped them as joy flooded through Alicia’s tears at his acceptance.
For several minutes, they lay together in the grass, kissing each other from mouth to neck, exploring one another as husband and wife.
Alicia tugged on Daren’s clothes with a firm grip and said playfully yet forcefully, "Your turn." She hadn’t meant for it to sound so demanding but felt self-conscious being the only one nude. As Daren began removing his shirt and exposing his shoulders and muscles, Alicia watched with fire burning in her belly. His body, she realized again, was hers now. The thought sent waves of sensations through her that she didn’t know how to process fully. But one feeling stood out above all others: desire, and she held onto it as it burned into her core.
She noticed Daren had caught the look in her eyes; he stared at her sheepishly yet questioningly.
She smiled softly at him, causing his eyes to brighten considerably. "Come here, my husband… my lover."
He complied without hesitation as Alicia grinned hungrily at him, finding perfection in what she saw before her. A whisper crept into the forefront of her mind, a comparison between them: She was abused, whipped, marred, the one covered in scars that marked places all too private. _Does he find this a problem? Can he look past what is tainted and used?_ Vulnerable thoughts began pulling at her heartstrings again.
Daren’s fingers lifted Alicia’s chin gently as she lowered her head in shame. "I know what you’re thinking," he said softly but firmly. "Stop it."
She blinked back tears of shame as his words pierced through the darkness within.
"I know you want to believe I find you ugly," Daren continued quietly as his finger traced a scar running diagonally from Alicia’s shoulder across her breast toward her stomach. "But I don’t." He placed his hand over her heart and met her gaze directly, daring her to believe him. "You are beautiful, Alicia."
She stared into his eyes once more and found a well of deep love and compassion there, no revulsion or sadness for what she wasn’t but acceptance for who she was now. Breathing deeply, Alicia let herself relax as her eyes trailed down Daren’s body before returning to meet his gaze again.
"I don’t deserve your love," she whispered faintly.
"I will love you anyway," Daren replied without hesitation before kissing her deeply.
Alicia immediately rolled onto him as they stared into each other’s eyes, each knowing exactly what the other was thinking.
In that moment, everything became crystal clear for Alicia: Her heart pounded furiously with longing for their connection to be complete. Her world swirled with emotions until bliss scattered every thought in rapture through every fiber of her being. She gasped softly while looking into Daren’s intoxicated eyes as sensations exploded within her body like waves crashing against a shore.
Their minds connected fully through their bond; their hearts beat as one in perfect harmony, mind and body intertwined completely in blissful unity.
Alicia buried her head into Daren’s shoulder while gasping breathlessly, and begging for more.
And then… everything shattered.
Her world spiraled into screams as white-hot phantom pains tore through her mind like lightning bolts striking suddenly without warning. Images flashed violently across Alicia’s consciousness until she reeled back with a terrified scream, her eyes lost in an abyss of darkness.
She was on a bed, a whip slicing through the air with a sharp whistle before cracking against her bare flesh in brutal savagery. Above her loomed the dark menace of hate, his eyes gleaming with twisted pleasure each time she screamed in pain. He licked his lips seductively as he pinned her to the bed, her body bleeding from the open wounds he had inflicted with various tools. His sadistic nature was merciless. He laughed at her tears as he advanced on her, repeating what he often said: that he needed to torture her before he could find pleasure. But even this was far from pleasure, it was violence. She was his toy, used in whatever depraved way he wanted. And she screamed as he touched her over and over again.
Alicia cried out in a loud, gasping sob, her eyes squeezed shut as she shook violently, her mouth open in a silent scream. The images tore through her mind like daggers, and she rolled off Daren, curling into a fetal position as wave after wave of gasping sobs wracked her body. She shook uncontrollably from the savage memory that had surfaced without warning. Her fingernails dug into her skin as she huddled on the ground, trembling.
Daren was instantly by her side, enveloping her in his arms and holding her tightly. Tears streamed down his face as their shared connection through the mindframe flooded him with Alicia’s brutal and gut-wrenching emotions. In a soft, choked whisper, he said, "You’re safe, Alicia. You’re safe with me. Let it out. You don’t need to be ashamed. If you need to scream, let your heart feel it. You don’t have to hold anything back."
Alicia continued to shake as her mind spiraled through a nightmare of images and scenes from her past. She had buried them so deeply that she had never allowed herself to mourn. Over time, this suppression had created a hardness within her, a wall built to keep the past at bay. But now, triggered by the most intimate of feelings shared with Daren, that wall had shattered. The emotions she had locked away turned on her viciously, forcing her to relive the brutal abuse of her childhood.
Revulsion and red blots clouded her vision as volcanic emotions erupted from deep within her, hot and searing like molten lava. She heard Daren’s gentle whispers in her ear, his voice filled with understanding. She had been terrified that he wouldn’t understand, that he would be angry at her for breaking their moment of intimacy. Instead, he held her close, sheltering her from the storm of violent emotions tearing through her mind. For the first time in her life, Alicia felt truly safe.
The volcano inside exploded fully as she screamed aloud, clutching Daren tightly while gut-wrenching emotions ripped through her soul. The child within cried out for help, for release from the abuse she had endured for so long. Wave after wave of sorrow and pain overwhelmed her in wrenching sobs and blinding tears that pushed her over the edge.
All the while, Daren held onto Alicia firmly yet gently, his arms cradling her naked form as he stroked her hair softly and whispered prayers for healing and comfort. He felt the depth of her wounded heart through their connection but refused to break it despite knowing how to do so. He rode the waves of darkness with her, the wrenching scenes of innocence stolen away by cruelty, and felt every cry of remorse and loss that poured out of Alicia’s soul. She had never mourned the child locked away inside until this moment, and now that cry for help burst forth like a dam breaking under pressure.
Daren coaxed Alicia gently, letting her know it was safe to release everything she needed to feel, that there was no shame with him. He would never judge or shame her for what had been done to her or how she coped with it now. His love for her only deepened in this moment; his empathy grew stronger than ever before. He silently vowed to protect her heart at all costs, to ensure nothing like this would ever happen to her again. If necessary, he would die before allowing such pain to touch her once more.
Neither of them knew how much time had passed; Daren didn’t care. He cradled Alicia in his arms completely, wrapping his body around hers like a cocoon of safety and warmth. In his embrace, she felt secure, protected from everything.
Silence stretched between them for a long time before Alicia stirred slightly, lifting hollow yet searching eyes to meet Daren’s gaze. She felt drained, spent, but another part of herself reserved only for him filled with unimaginable warmth. In a soft whisper filled with shame, she said quietly, "I’m… sorry, Daren. I’m sorry for ruining what was supposed to be special for us." She looked away briefly as if wanting to cover herself, not wanting him to see all of her after destroying their intimacy.
Hearing the hesitancy in Alicia’s voice and sensing the worry behind it, Daren tightened his arms around her protectively. "There’s nothing to be sorry for," he said firmly yet gently. "Nothing." His fingers traced one of the scars across Alicia’s abdomen, a large crease that ran lower toward her pelvis, before looking into her eyes again through their shared connection.
"I ask only one thing," Daren whispered softly before kissing Alicia tenderly on the lips. "Don’t hide from me… don’t ever feel ashamed of how you look or who you are." He placed his hand over the scars on her abdomen and continued earnestly: "What is yours is mine, and what is mine is yours, including your scars." Leaning down gently, he kissed one scar after another before meeting Alicia’s gaze again with unwavering love in his eyes.
"I will never find you unattractive," Daren said firmly yet tenderly as his hand rested on the small of Alicia’s back while staring deeply into her eyes.
In a hesitant voice filled with vulnerability, Alicia asked softly: "And if I… if we have trouble again? What if I relive another memory during… during sex?"
"Then we deal with it," Daren replied simply with a reassuring smile before pulling Alicia closer into his embrace again.
They lay together in silence for several minutes, Alicia reveling in the closeness they shared while knowing Daren wouldn’t force anything on her. She could feel his desire for intimacy but also knew he would wait until she was ready again, and that meant everything to her.
Lifting her head slightly to look at him resting beside her with closed eyes, Alicia whispered softly: "Daren?"
"Hmm?" he murmured without opening his eyes just yet.
"I love you," she said quietly but earnestly.
Daren smiled warmly at those words and replied just as softly: "I love you too."
"Daren?" Alicia asked again after a brief pause.
Opening one eye curiously at hearing his name again so soon, he replied playfully: "Yeah?"
"You’re beautiful," she said shyly before craning forward slightly to kiss him gently on the lips.
Daren chuckled softly at what she was doing before leaning down fully into another kiss, one filled with tenderness and passion alike.
As their lips parted after an extended moment of exploration between them both, Alicia nestled back into Daren’s comforting arms once more, feeling completely at home for perhaps the first time in forever.
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