Page 128 of Living Legend

“He is an intruder, Your Highness. I am disposing of what isn’t wanted.”

Natalia was standing over me now, flicking her hand up as I watched the blue flecks of magic around my throat disappear. A ghost of whatever was wrapped around my neck licked at my skin, but for the most part, it was gone. I looked at her feet, covered in her closed toed sandals as the hem of a plum-colored skirt swayed around her ankles. I peeked up at her through my lashes and saw she was giving me a thoughtful half-smile.

“I told you I was expecting someone, did I not? I told you to come get me.” She was looking at the male Enchanter, Zane.

I looked over my shoulder at him. I recognized him. He was the very tall, very large enchanter that barreled towards us the first time we had come here. The one who was highly upset over the wellbeing of the High Priestess. His biceps were about the size of my head and pulsed with muscles. He wore only a vest and nothing underneath, showing off his olive skin and various tattoos. Swirls of black ink decorated his chest and arms. He wore black pants that were wide at the ankles, collecting pieces of dirt as he walked along the ground. His hair was loose, curls falling down his back.

“You did, Your Highness, but my priority is your safety. With everything going on, I don’t trust anyone.”

Natalia leaned down and grasped my hand, pulling me up. I stretched my neck and readjusted my sword at my back. Natalia patted my shoulder and looked at Zane.

“I appreciate that, Zane, but my orders were to come get me when Nicholas arrived. That is a direct quote from my mouth.”

The female Enchanter stepped forward. “We are sorry, but you only gave us a first name. There could be many Nicholases, so we weren’t sure.”

Natalia casually glanced over to her. “That is when you come to retrieve me to get my final say. You do not take matters into your own hands when someone does not pose a threat against me.”

The female Enchanter gave Zane the most death inducing side-eye I’d ever seen.

Zane scoffed. “Your Highness, he…” he started, but she cut him off, lifting her finger and instantly making him close his mouth. He let out muffled noises, but the magic from Natalia’s fingertips told me she had temporarily sealed his lips shut.

“Did he threaten you or me in any way? Show any signs of malicious intent? Draw his weapon?” she asked, her voice still light but authoritative.

All Zane could do was shake his head.

Natalia nodded. “I want us to work together, Zane. I admire you wanting to keep me safe, and I will be eternally grateful for it.” She reached out and placed a hand along his bicep. “My mother wanted you to take care of me, but disobey me again and I will no longer be needing your assistance, is that understood?”

He parted his lips a small bit, affirming she had released his lips from the spell. He glanced over her shoulder at me, narrowing his eyes. “Yes, I understand.”

“Wonderful. Happy we got that settled. You and Anya can go back to your posts.” She did the most graceful turn and walked back over to me. She placed her hands on my arms to turn me around, right as I watched Anya and Zane make their way further into the forest, their shoes crunching against fallen leaves.

Natalia walked in front of me, and I started to follow behind her when I heard Zane call out to me. “What is your whole name, so I won’t forget you and I can tell the others?” He sounded slightly apologetic, but more likely, he didn’t want to make another mistake.

I paused for a moment but twisted my body towards him ever so slightly. “Nicholas Cassial.”

His eyebrows shot up to his hairline. “Cassial?”

I nodded.

“As in Maurice Cassial?”

“That’s my father, yeah. Do you know him?” I asked, placing my hand around the leather strap across my chest.

Zane furrowed his thick brows, as if he was contemplating his answer. “Yes, actually. He was one of the few angels I ever really liked, one of the few I trusted.” He opened his mouth to say more, as if there was something else at the tip of his tongue, but he didn’t let it out. He just started to walk backwards. “I am sorry for the mistake, Nicholas.” He turned his back to me.

I squinted at his body as it moved further away, feeling Natalia pull at my forearm. She hooked her arm through mine and led me through the pathway towards wherever she came from. I noticed more of my surroundings and my brain wasn’t processing the changes very well. The weeping willows were still present, but they looked freshly watered and thriving. I heard rustles to my left and noticed a fucking squirrel leaping out of a bush and climbing up a tree.

I leaned down towards my companion. “What the hell is going on?”

“Hmm?” Natalia answered, staring straight ahead.

I pointed around me, not really knowing where to start. “All of this. What the hell happened?”

She squeezed my arm and sighed. “What do you think, Nicholas?”

I blinked over to her but answered anyway as we kept walking. “It looks like you removed the glamour, but you wouldn’t do that…right?” I let my voice lift at the end, like a legitimate question.

She glanced over at the flowering plants and the moss that covered rock formations. “I would.”

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