Afomia's pov
Asher and I were the only people left in the library, as neither of us finished their work.
This man keeps blinking and looking away... I'm gonna say something
"Yo, what's your problem man?"
"You keep clicking your pen nonstop"
He Gritted his teeth
My gaze dropped to the pen i'd forgotten I even had
"So..?"
Sitting back, I proceeded to so impotently partake in none of the blame
He sat back in his chair, crossing his arms
"It's throwing off my focus"
I pressed my tongue against my palate
"What's the deal with you anyway? I thought healers were supposed to be nice"
"Well, I thought witches were supposed to be ugly-"
He paused, realizing too late that the words he uttered can never be unsaid. His eyes grew feral, his forehead furrowed & he was definitely fighting back tears
"Wait that's not what I... that's not what I meant"
He got up, his gaze never lifted from the book he's spent all afternoon on
I walked up towards him slyly
"You think I'm attractive?"
A flush crept up his face
I admit today, upclose, he wasn't so unbearable to look at.
His fists clenched against the table, so determined not to budge. I grabbed his wrists and turned him around towards me
"Don't be so full of yourself, witch"
"The not so ugly witch? Nah I think I will be"
I teased
His mouth snapped shut
"Asher wasn't it?"
"Don't you think it's a little unfair you know my name and I don't know yours?"
"You'll just have to work for it"
I winked, caressing his veiny arms
It was rather enjoyable, making him so physically unsettled
"You're ... wasting my time"
"Shut up. You haven't flipped a page since morning"
My hands traveled all the way up to his shoulders, he surrendered himself completely and held me by the waist
"Your eyes were elsewhere, no?"
He teased
His shoulders dropped and our eye levels were the same, his breathing got heavy, in his eyes lived an urge he was so adamant against, his words were the only thing fighting, the rest of him surrendered so easily at the touch of my hand
"Tell me more about how not ugly I am"
I had the upper hand, until Audra returned with her book
"Oh Afomia, you're still here good. I've been meaning to ask you about something..."
I tuned out the rest of the question
The upper hand was lost.
Damn it!
Asher's pov
"Yes, Audra?"
Afomia leaned against the brown table,
Thank you, Audra...
My gaze shifted towards her, a dragon breathing fire.
I kid you not, this woman held up the back of her hand as to conceal her face from me, her other hand tightened around her dress's material, squeezing it relentlessly.
"Can you create one?"
"A witch circle? Oh ...I know what you mean-"
She snapped her fingers as to remember "-In our lingo, it's commonly referred to as pentacle. I've done it before yes"
"Might it help Destiny?" Audra wondered
"We can discuss it with Caelum and the rest but from my experience, I don't think it would do much. it has very specific purposes" Afomia looked away, pouting
She added, "Strange, isn't that book supposed to be one of mine?"
"I've been trying to get past the few first pages since we started" Audra chuckled
"Well..."
Audra put the book down on the table
"I'll be off then."
I patiently waited for her to leave to explode with laughter
"Shut up!"Afomia punched my shoulder
"I will do no such thing, Afomia"
"Ugh! You're unbearable!"
Her grunt was followed by a dramatic exit, soon after I followed her then got intercepted by Destiny
"Asher..."
Destiny was out of breath
"Princess, what can I do for you?"
"I need your help"
"Anything." I crossed my arms, looking down at her
"Can we talk somewhere? Privately?" She held onto me
"Of course"
"Ash, a word."
Who else but our almighty jealous future king Artemis?
"Destiny you must excuse me, where can I meet you later?"
Destiny: "Come to my room once you're done"
She clicked her tongue, making sure her tone was loud enough to stick in Artemis's memory.
Her energy shifted completely to that of a player's, following it with an exaggerated hip-sway walk away.
Artemis: "While I'm still young Asher?"
I swear he can be so melodramatic at times... Then again, who would survive a scene like that from their soulmate?
My role in their love story was distinctively clear now; I'm the safe land between Artemis and Destiny; 2 unfortunate soulmates in denial.
"What's up Art?"
Artemis: "I questioned Lydia without any truth serum, like you asked"
"And...?" I urged him to continue
"There's a secret stash of books, all dark arts that Merlin has hidden for years"
"Well, where are they?" I crossed my arms
"Lydia just placed them on the desk, we'll need to go over them with Caelum "
"Well, why don't you start looking over them and I'll come help you once I'm done?"
"No, we must start with them immediately!"
Although my thoughts were completely inhabited by Afomia, her beautiful name, and her witchy attitude, that didn't stop me from physically feeling the exaggerated work ethic.
"Princess Destiny called for me, in case you've forgotten" I politely suggested
"Oh... right... her..."
Artemis pursed his lips, stressing on that last bit.
An hour ago, he was pining over her. But it seemed he needed to delude himself into forgetting that.
"Yes, see ya now"
Waving sarcastically, I turned around, going all the way to Destiny's room. Leaving a century's worth of jealousy behind, I knew he trusted me but he reeked of jealous love. His hands were tied in the middle of Destiny's games.
The princess didn't know me well enough to invite me to her room, but I had no choice but to oblige, I couldn't assume anything despite my hunch saying differently.
I knocked, and she told me to come in
"Evening princess, how's your day been?"
I tightly wrapped my arms behind my back, suggesting formality and service
"Oh Asher" Destiny dramatically threw herself entirely on the bed
Oh Asher indeed, what a day
"I need your help"
"Anything you need princess"
"I want you to keep me company, I'm so depressed..."
Something didn't sit right with me, but I played it off
"Of course whatever you need"
"Why don't we take a walk around the gardens?"
"If you feel it would help you, why not?"
Her intentions were not purely a walk in the park, but who knows? It might inspire Artemis to take a step forward. Because Destiny's intentions appeared to be in a rather gray area.
While Afomia, love saying her name, would certainly love me for helping out her best friend no doubt.
[oh Asher...]