Ch 13: The Undoing of The Fire Witch

The joy Astasha had felt only moments before, turned quickly to horror and dread. Grabbing her dress she quickly pulled it on and stood.

Errant looked as though he could destroy the entire clearing with the wave of his hand. His eyes were dark and his brow beyond furrowed, his hands in fists at his side. He was trembling in rage, and it was terrifying.

She didn't know how he had found them out, but she knew Cordelia had to have had something to do with it. The look on the bitch’s face was vile and Astasha wanted nothing more than to curse her on the spot. She assumed it was the bandage on her hand that had given her away.

Regardless of how he had gotten there, Errant was there, and Astasha had no idea how much he had witnessed or felt.

A part of her panicked and attempted to reach out her energy to him, to sense what kind of trouble she was in, but there was none left. There was no magic within to help her.

“Grand Sorcerer, I can explain."

"Silence!" His voice had never had that tone before.

He looked at Astasha and then to the Prince who had gotten his pants on and was coming to stand by Astasha.

“Errant! You don't understand..." Began Calder.

"Where is the demon?" The Grand Sorcerer cut him off, something no one usually dared to do, but considering the circumstances, he didn’t seem to care.

Realization dawned on Astasha. He was assuming she had released it. That would explain part of his rage, and what she thought was a hint of fear. She knew there was nothing that could spare her from the punishment of using blood magic, but convincing him that she hadn't set the demon free might help him have some mercy on her.

She stepped forward and opened her arms out. "See for yourself Grand Sorcerer."

Errant reached out with his energy and his eyes grew wide. Instead of dissipating, his fear doubled.

Shouldn’t he be relieved that the demon was trapped? She didn't understand.

"Sorceress Astasha, you have trapped a demon inside a powerful magical vessel, one that if it were to break free of its bonds, it could wield to the destruction of this kingdom and all others. And to do so you have broken the laws of this kingdom and of your magical oaths."

Shit. She hadn't thought of it that way. How could she have been so foolish? The thought hadn’t even crossed her mind. Once again, her love for the Prince had caused her to do things without thinking of the possible dangers or repercussions. Yet while she blushed in embarrassment, she felt no regret for her decision to do what she had to do to save him.

Calder stepped forward. “Don’t you see, she did all of these things to save my life, the one and only heir to the throne!”

Errant looked to the Prince. "And to that, we are all grateful, but the laws of magic cannot be overruled by those of your kingdom. Nor should the safety of its people be overlooked for the safety of one prince."

Astasha understood what he was saying. She had acted against all that she had been told not to, had willfully ignored her oaths, and for that, she knew the punishment. The King had already told her he couldn't protect her if she was caught. It all meant only one thing.

Her breath left her as the Grand Sorcerer turned his hard gaze back to her.

"Sorceress Astasha," There was a formality and finality about the way Errant said her name. "you shall be stripped of your power and the demon with you at sunrise, as should have been done in the first place, after which you shall be banished to the Dark Lands should you survive."

"No!" Calder moved in front of her, his arms out.

"Your highness, the laws cannot be forgiven even if they are broken to save the last heir. Be grateful for her sacrifice and focus your energy on recovering from your ordeal."

Calder looked as though he would shoot ice from his eyes. "You will not fucking touch her Errant."

Errant's eyes softened for a moment. Astasha watched the silent battle between them. Errant had watched Calder grow up, he had been in the service of the King for many ages, but he was also bound by his own magical oaths. She understood the threat that now rested inside her and what responsibility rested with the Grand Sorcerer to remove any such threat. In her desperation to save the man she loved, she had overlooked the risks outside of the immediate one to the Prince.

Astasha reached out and gently touched Calder's arm. "It's ok." She whispered. He turned to her, confusion on his face. "You're safe, that's all that matters. But he's right Cal. If the demon breaks free of my binds, there is no knowing what it could do." The look on her love’s face broke her heart but there was nothing she could do.

Calder shook his head. "No. I fought through hell and worse to be here with you again, I won't fucking lose you now because you tried to save me."

Cordelia was looking between the two of them as if she was trying to determine her suspicions to be true, but realization donned on Errant's face as he finally put together what was happening. It didn’t matter any more if they knew about them though. Astasha’s life was forfeit already. There was no point hiding anymore.

She reached her hand up and touched Calder’s face, his perfect face, the face that had lived in her dreams for five years. "Our love reached beyond death, it will not stop us here."

Cal took her in his arms and looked into her eyes. That look was just as she had remembered it, full of love, passion, a look that showed she was the only woman he could see. She never wanted to look away. But she knew she had to, so she placed a soft kiss on his lips and stepped away, wishing she had the energy within her to protect her breaking heart but knowing she wouldn’t be able to avoid the pain anymore.

She went to move around him towards Errant, but Calder grabbed her and pulled her to him, his lips smashing into hers in more passion than she had ever felt before, as if he was trying to show her everything within his heart with that one kiss. His hand tangled in her hair, the other on her cheek as she clung to his chest. Their tongues danced with each other, and the fire in her chest burned.

"Enough!"

The blast of Errant's magic forced them apart, knocking the air out of Astasha.

"Another crime to add to the list." Sneered Cordelia.

"Silence." Errant's voice was broken. Was it pity? Or was he disappointed in himself that he hadn't noticed their affair sooner? Whatever it was, his face remained hard. "Sorceress Astasha. I need you to come with me. Please don't make me bind you."

Calder looked desperately at Astasha. Taking a deep breath she raised her head. She turned to Calder. "I love you."

"I love you Tasha. I will save you, as you saved me, I swear that to you!”

His hand brushed hers as she walked by him, towards her doom. "I know you will."

She followed Errant as he turned toward the castle, leaving the love of her life standing heartbroken in the clearing under the moon.

**Author's Note:** *So sorry for leaving everyone on that last cliffhanger for a few days! Work got a bit crazy unexpectedly! As an apology, this is one of two chapters I'll be releasing tonight! And the next chapter will finally take us into Calder's side of the story! How exciting is that? Let me know what you think so far! Love and light!*