Chapter 9
WINDY
The next day, the sun is high in the sky, filtering through the dense canopy above as Wallace and I trudge through the underbrush, our goal clear in our minds: the rare and magical moon bloom.
We’ve been following leads and whispered legends for days, and now, we’re close. I can feel it in the air, a tingle of magic just beyond reach.
Wallace walks beside me, his usual aura of desperation replaced by something lighter, more hopeful.
It’s infectious.
I glance at him, catching his eye, and he grins. It’s a boyish, almost shy grin that makes my heart flutter.
“So,” he says, brushing a stray branch out of our path, “what do you think we’ll do when we find it? What is the next step with the flower?”
“Make a wish, of course,” I reply, half-joking. “Isn’t that what you do with magical flowers? But I do have to get the three kisses.”
“That brings up something I was wondering… is it three kisses from one person or three people?”
“Um… well, I was told it had to be three of love’s kisses. When I asked further, I was informed that I had three fated mates and each must kiss me with love.”
Wallace chuckles. “I thought you’d have to do something more elaborate. Like, create a potion...”
I roll my eyes, playfully nudging him. “Maybe the potion is in the kissing.”
“Maybe,” he says, his voice softening. “If the flower grants any wish, I’d wish for more time with you.”
I stop in my tracks, my breath catching in my throat.
Wallace’s gaze is intense, his eyes dark and earnest.
For a moment, everything else fades away—the forest, the quest, the looming threat of the curse. It’s just us, standing close, the air between us charged with unspoken feelings.
“Wallace...” I whisper, my voice barely audible.
He steps closer, his hand brushing against mine.
I can feel the warmth of his skin, the electricity of his touch. Our faces inch closer, the world narrowing to just his eyes, his lips?—
My stomach growls loudly, breaking the spell. We both burst into laughter, the tension dissipating in an instant.
“Looks like someone’s hungry,” Wallace teases, his smile wide.
“Guilty as charged,” I admit, feeling my cheeks heat up. “We should find something to eat.”
We continue walking, our pace leisurely now, eyes scanning the forest floor for anything edible. Eventually, we stumble upon a creek, the water clear and inviting. It’s a perfect spot to rest and forage.
Wallace kneels by the water, scooping some into his hands and drinking deeply.
I follow suit, the cool water refreshing. As I look around, I spot a patch of wild berries a few yards away.
“Over here!” I call, making my way to the bushes.
The berries are ripe and plentiful, and we start picking them, chatting and laughing as we work.
“I bet these taste better than anything that tavern serves,” Wallace says, popping a berry into his mouth.
“Anything tastes gourmet when you’re starving,” I joke, though my mind briefly flashes to the kind barmaid who slipped us extra potatoes.
We’re lost in our playful banter when a sudden rustle in the bushes makes us freeze.
I turn slowly, my heart pounding.
Emerging from the shadows is a massive black panther, its eyes gleaming with a predatory glint. The air around us grows thick with tension, every muscle in my body tensing.
“Wallace, don’t move,” I whisper, trying to keep my voice steady.
The panther’s gaze locks onto us, its movements slow and deliberate.
My mind races. We need to hide and to stay hidden, undetected. I focus, summoning a spell to cloak us in silence and invisibility. My hands weave the air, the incantation forming on my lips.
Unfortunately, just as the spell starts to take effect, a sudden spark of energy crackles in my fingertips. The magic surges uncontrollably, bursting out in a bright pink, explosive flash.
The panther’s eyes widen, its ears flattening as it roars in anger.
“Windy, what did you do?” Wallace shouts, panic lacing his voice.
“I— I didn’t mean to!” I stammer.
The spell has gone wrong.
The panther crouches, preparing to pounce.
I act on instinct, thrusting my hands forward to create a barrier of light between us and the panther. The creature hesitates, its eyes narrowing at the shimmering wall. It paces back and forth, looking for an opening.
“Wallace, run!” I scream, trying to keep the barrier stable, but he doesn’t move.
“I’m not leaving you!” he yells, grabbing my arm.
His touch sends a jolt through me, and I realize he’s trying to siphon my magic to take over the spell and strengthen the barrier.
The barrier flickers, our combined magic struggling to hold the panther at bay. The creature’s growls grow louder, more menacing.
Sweat beads on my forehead, and my energy drains quickly.
“Wallace, we can’t keep this up!” I gasp, feeling the strain. “We need a plan!”
He looks around desperately, his mind racing. “The creek,” he says suddenly. “We can use the water to our advantage!”
Without waiting for me to respond, he grabs a large branch and dips it into the creek.
Channeling my remaining energy, I enchant the branch, hoping to turn it into a makeshift weapon.
It worked!
Wallace swings it, sending a spray of enchanted water at the panther.
The panther recoils, hissing in surprise as the water splashes its face. It shakes its head, momentarily disoriented.
Seeing our chance, Wallace and I make a break for it, dashing through the forest with the panther hot on our heels.
Branches whip at our faces, the forest a blur as we run for our lives.
I can hear the panther behind us, its heavy footsteps and growls growing louder. My lungs burn and my legs feel like they’re on fire, but we keep going, driven by sheer adrenaline.
We burst out of the forest into a clearing, the sunlight blinding. The panther slows, hesitating at the edge of the trees. It watches us for a moment, its eyes full of fury, before slinking back into the shadows.
We collapse to the ground, gasping for breath, our hearts racing. For a moment, neither of us speaks, the adrenaline still coursing through our veins.
“That... was close,” Wallace finally says, his voice shaky.
“Too close,” I agree, looking at him.
Despite everything, he’s still here, still with me.
I reach out, taking his hand in mine. “Thank you, Wallace. For not leaving me.”
He squeezes my hand, his grip warm and reassuring. “I told you, Windy. We’re in this together.”
As we lie there, exhausted but alive, I realize that this isn’t going to be easy.
There’s a loud thump, and we both spin to see someone has followed us.