From Fish to Friend – By Kristen Elizabeth #4
Wizard Drak smiles fondly at the young elf-witch. “Another time is fine. We must harvest these as soon as we can. Their abilities are vast and valuable.”
Ardus assists in the quest for flower harvesting and soon the crater is cleared of the blue florals.
The trio opens the doors of Elf Coven Headquarters and are greeted by Guardian, the young elf from the night before.
“Wizard Drak,” he addresses fretfully, “the guest is currently eating breakfast. He has asked to speak with you.”
“Just who we were looking for. Thank you, Guardian.” Wizard Drak pats the boy’s shoulder as he enters the common area.
Niko is sitting at the same table enjoying a plate of scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, and bread. His entire demeanor brightens as he sees Avylerie. “Avy! Are you ready for the tour?”
“Yes,” Avylerie sits down next to Niko, “but first we have amazing news! So my magic did a thing, and apparently, I somehow grew midnight blue flowers.”
Niko blinks at her, his expression mirroring his fish-faced confusion from their river meeting. “And that means?”
Wizard Drak steps up to the couple. “Midnight blue is a very rare flower with the ability to break any curse.”
Niko’s eyes bulge in surprise. “Break any curse? What would I need to do?”
“Eat one.” Wizard Drak states simply.
Confusion creases Niko’s brow. “Eat a flower?”
“Precisely, Niko. Eat the flower and your curse is no more.”
Niko looks at Wizard Drak suspiciously, “Is that safe?”
Wizard Drak throws his head back with a hearty chuckle. “Of course it is. Midnight blue has other properties, but it is most well-known for curse breaking. You shouldn’t feel any pain if that’s what you’re nervous about.”
Niko glances at Avylerie. Her eyes glitter with happiness and hope – she really wants him to be rid of his curse. “Okay,” he agrees, “I shall do it.”
Ardus holds out a basket full of midnight blue.
Niko plucks a flower from its companions and studies it.
The blue petals are slightly fuzzy, hence the velvet texture, with an emerald green stem and short stocky leaves.
Niko plops the flower into his mouth in one go and chews slowly.
The apple-like flavor explodes on his tongue, coating his mouth in a sweet concoction.
“That’s actually not too bad,” he comments as he finishes chewing.
The small group waits with baited breath for immediate changes. There is no transformation, no grand explosion of magic, no fanfare. “I’m not sure it worked…” Niko trails off as he feels tingling throughout his body.
Avylerie watches as a slight blue glow emits from Niko.
Wizard Drak smiles encouragingly at her, winking.
She turns her attention back to Niko and the magic emanating from him.
The glow surrounds Niko as if it is a second skin, highlighting his beautiful features even more.
Sluggishly, the glow fades until it is no more.
“Is that it?” Niko wonders aloud, “Am I no longer cursed?”
“You shouldn’t be,” Ardus answers, “according to the Old Texts. However, we will be continuing our research just in case this has failed. We came across a few items that can work.”
Avylerie smiles wide and flings her arms around Niko in a tight hug. “You’re no longer cursed! You’re you again!”
Niko returns the embrace. “Thank you, Avy. Without you, this wouldn’t have been possible.”
Wizard Drak clears his throat, “As Ardus stated, we will still be looking at other options, but from what I can see, the curse has been lifted. Avylerie, we still need to discuss your reading of the Old Texts without permission, but go on and enjoy your day.”
Avylerie nods her agreement. “Yes, Wizard Drak. Thank you!”
“Yes,” Niko agrees, “thank you for helping me.”
Wizard Drak holds up a hand. “No need to thank me, Niko. Besides, it’s as Avylerie said before. It was her magic that brought midnight blue here, not me.” He winks at the seated pair and leaves with Ardus trailing behind.
Niko holds Avylerie’s hands in his. She can feel the heat radiating off his palms and seeping into her skin. It sets her aflame. “Thank you,” he whispers, emotion clogging his throat.
“Anytime,” she whispers, staring into his eyes.
“I believe you had a tour to take me on?” Niko grins and the room feels brighter.
Avylerie returns his grin, her cheeks growing red with exhilaration. “There’s so much to see. How much time do you have?”
“For you? All the time in the world.”
Avylerie’s heart flutters in her chest as a butterfly. She squeezes his hands and stands. “Let’s get a move on!”
Niko laughs loudly as Avylerie drags him out of Elf Coven Headquarters and into the next chapter. No longer stuck as a fish but a friend, and perhaps one day, even more.
I am a Mom to four beautiful girls and a ginormous fur baby (she's 90 pounds and considers herself a lap-dog).
I love spending time with family and friends, writing and reading, and watching anime.
I am currently working on an adult dark fantasy trilogy, but I dabble in other genres as a self-proclaimed genre-hopper.