The Girl and The Gift

Chapter Five

Okay, that should do it. 

Milo sat in the center of his room surrounded by various open books, three candles, and a massive pile of crumpled paper. It had taken him almost three hours and seven-hundred pages of research to find this spell, but it was just what he was looking for. According to the text, this spell, when combined with naturally occurring teleportation magic, would allow him to send someone a holographic version of himself made of pure mana. The perk to this would be that the senses of this hologram would be tied to his own, allowing his hologram to look and feel like him. It would also allow him to feel everything the hologram did, just like he was there. Milo took a deep breath.

Getting to the bottom of this situation would require talking to his witchy soulmate, and she needed to be comfortable to do that. Maybe this would help him understand her better. 

Mana accipietis, ut integrum mihi imaginem suam mittet.

Mana accipietis, ut integrum mihi imaginem suam mittet.

Mana accipietis, ut integrum mihi imaginem suam mittet.

Milo chanted the spell three times in his mind while focusing all of his energy imagining of Fae. He continued to focus until it suddenly felt as though his body was being pulled forward. He felt himself floating outside of reality and hoped he had done the spell right. Abruptly, it stopped. He opened his eyes and found himself standing in a magnificent bedroom. Bookshelves lined most the walls from top to bottom. Dark, blood red curtains framed elegantly domed windows and soft black carpet spread out beneath his feet. In the center of the room was a four poster bed with a sheer black canopy covering the corners, hanging loosely and fluttering in the breeze. 

There in the center of the bed he saw her. Her curly red hair joined the canopy, flowing in the breeze. Her head was hung in a way that she couldn't see him yet, and he took a pause to admire her. She sat cross legged in a berry colored nightgown and silky looking black robe. And though he could hardly see her face, soft, perfect, pink lips appeared to be perched in an inviting pout. Milo took another steadying breath before taking a step forward. 

"Fae?"

Milo's voice was almost a whisper, but it startled her anyway. She jumped to her knees and scuttled backwards on the bed. 

"Milo!? What the hell are you doing here? How did you even get in here, do you know how dangerous this is, I..."

Fae trailed off as she took in the scene. Milo hadn't put much thought into his appearance before casting the spell, and so he stood there in the center of the room shirtless, sporting just a pair of pajama pants. Fae watched as his markings glittered and swirled in the dim light of her room. He was beautiful, and more importantly he wasn't actually here. After just a moment of examining him, Fae realized he was obviously some kind of clone made of mana. She took a moment to compose herself before speaking. 

"Okay, I'm sorry. That was an overreaction, you're obviously not here. Is this a side effect of the gift?"

Fae was breathing heavily and looking at Milo with almost sympathy, as if this had been done to him. 

"Um, no, actually...I looked this spell up so I could come here and apologize. I don't know how you're dealing with all of this, but it's a lot. I just wanted you to see me, and I guess, show you that there's nothing to be afraid of."

Milo shuffled awkwardly in place and Fae's face turned bright red. So she had been wrong about him, she thought to herself. He only wanted to be partners in solving their dilemma and she had run off. Embarrassment crept into her face and she felt tears begin to well in her eyes. She was a silly stupid girl after all, making this poor elf use so much mana because of her. She had clearly hurt his feelings, I mean who wouldn't think she was afraid of him after how she'd acted. Milo stood on the balls of his feet, trying to peer between the curtains of Fae's hair. He saw a single tear dribbling down her cheek and he rushed to her side. 

"I'm so sorry, Fae. I shouldn't have just barged in like this, again, I didn't think about you at all. I'm so sorry, I'll leave right away."

To his surprise, Fae reached out a hand and placed it on top of his. 

"No, Milo, please stay for a bit. I'm the one who should be sorry. I thought maybe you were trying to trick me or something, I was afraid...not of you, but myself, my feelings and the life I'm being forced to live. It's not your fault."

Milo nodded understandingly and took a seat on the bed next to her. 

"Can you drink like this?"

Fae wiped the tears from her face, seemingly less distraught. Milo nodded enthusiastically, if there was anything he needed right now, it was a drink. Fae waved her hand and a dark colored bottle and two glass floated across the room to her. 

"Have you ever had witch's wine?"

Fae smiled as she poured them each a hearty glass, and with another wave of her hand, Milo found the glass floating in front of him. 

"Thank you. I don't think I've ever had this before, it's not a commodity in the Elven region, I suppose."

Fae sighed and shrugged as she tossed back her glass in nearly two sips. Milo felt himself smile, he had to admit she was intriguing. Plus, there were few things he found more attractive than a woman who could handle her liquor. Milo followed suit, tossing his own cup back in no time. 

"Easy, that stuff is potent."

Fae giggled and held a hand to her mouth as she drained the last drops from her glass. She looked to Milo, who was seemingly in heaven. His eyes were wide with delight, cooing sounds of satisfaction. She felt herself blush a little, and so did Milo. 

"I'm sorry, but it's just so delicious! I've never had anything like this before. I'll have to visit more often."

Milo laughed and Fae did too, but there was a soft sadness behind the laughter. 

"So, Milo, why don't we talk a bit about what we know of the gift? I think it would be helpful to share information."

Milo nodded, that was why he had come here after all. Though the longer he stayed, the more he realized how much he was enjoying her company. The two of them each enjoyed a second glass of wine as they discussed the recent events and what they knew of the gift. Fae groaned, and rubbed the furrow of her brows.

"Okay, so from what we both know, the gift can't be removed or altered, and the only kind of magic that appears to work on it is concealment. That of course doesn't apply to me, and the gift will supposedly get more intense the longer we're apart."

Milo and Fae looked at each other seriously, both equally processing their collective information. 

"Well, we're screwed. I mean, what the hell could we possibly do about this? I'm a witch, you're an elf, this is just unreal."

Fae's shoulder's slumped and she began to pour them a third glass of wine. Milo studied her expression carefully before speaking. 

"Fae, you know, if we're really soulmates, would it be so bad to be together? I mean maybe we could go somewhere else in the realm where they don't care about region or race...I - I know that sounds dramatic but if it can't be changed..."

Fae's eyes widened as she looked at him in disbelief, and then understanding. 

"Milo, your heart is in the right place, it really is. For a witch, the gift is usually a beautiful thing, something to be excited about...even if you are an elf. But, for me? I just can't Milo, I have a position here and responsibilities. "

Milo sighed, he'd become caught up in their familiar banter for a moment and forgotten that he too had responsibilities at home. 

"I know what you mean, Fae. I-I have responsibilities too, back home I'm the son of my tribe's Elven Chief. I'm supposed to take up his position when he retires."

Fae felt a weight lift off her chest as Milo spoke, for the first time in her life she felt truly understood. There was finally someone in the world she could share her burden with, if only for a little while. Milo continued on.

"I've never wanted to fill my father's position. It's too much stress and it would mean I would be stuck in the village forever. I would never get to see the world, or meet new people. I get it, really."

Fae laughed lightly. 

"It might be selfish but I'm glad to hear you say that, Milo. I come from a long line of royal witches. Unfortunately for me, my parents were killed in that war between our regions when I was 10. I'm the last one left, so I guess that makes me the head witch."

Fae shrugged as if trying to shrug off the weight of what she had just said. Milo reached forward with one hand and squeezed leg, with his other he brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Fae. I know I can't imagine what that feels like, but I lost family and friends in that war too. I share your pain. War is senseless, no one wins."

Fae felt herself relaxing at his touch, her cheek resting softly in his warm palm. She was surprised at the high level of this spell, he felt like flesh and blood, and warm mana. His skin was soft against her face, but she felt an inviting fire where his hand rested on her leg. She shook herself out of his daze and turned to face him. 

"Milo there's something else I should tell you."

Milo raised an eyebrow and waited patiently.

"Because I turned of ruling age today, the Tribune of Elders has picked a husband for me. Someone to rule the region with me. It's political of course, and I had no say in it. I just thought you should know..."

Milo felt a white hot rage begin to bubble in his stomach. The Elven Council were bad, sure, but to force someone into a loveless marriage, that was just evil. He tried to settle the rage in his gut before he said anything stupid. 

"Have you met the guy?"

Milo's voice came out gruff, barely concealing his anger. 

"Yes, earlier tonight. Actually, he was about to kiss me...and I saw your face. So I sent him on his way and, well,  that's when I tried to reach you..."

Fae's cheeks were flushed in light pink, her voice barely above a whisper. Milo felt the anger in his stomach flood him like a wave, before gently receding. She had seen his face, he thought, she had pulled away from a man who was supposed to be her husband, and sought him out instead. A smile crept onto his face. 

"Knock it off, okay!" 

Fae's voice was shrill and demanding, though her expression was still soft and embarrassed. Milo laughed and poured himself another glass of wine.

"Well isn't that something. I guess we really are soulmates."

Fae poked him in the side and glared up at him. Milo smirked, and growled jokingly. 

"Watch it there Miss. Witchy-Princess, I'm above your weight class."

Fae giggled and blushed for a moment. 

"I'm not weak you know, I'm a royal witch, I'm sure I could take you."

Milo chuckled, almost spilling his wine. 

"Sure thing, sweetheart."

Fae scowled, but found herself laughing anyway. It was unusual for her to feel so out of control, but she liked it, it felt like something she had been missing all along was finally starting to click. She looked up to find Milo frowning. 

"What's wrong?"

"It seems like I'm running out of time. I'll have to head back in a moment, I don't want to be stuck out of my body."

Fae's face fell a little but she nodded. Milo started to stand, but she quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him back down. Her face flushed again, more embarrassed than she'd been all night. 

"Before you go, I'd like to try something. I just wanted to see if...it's what I think it is."

Fae blinked at Milo, looking up through her hair, big green eyes glossy and wide. Milo shuddered, something deep within him said he would do anything this woman asked him. He was suddenly overwhelmed by how close she was. He resisted the urge to cup her face in his hands. 

"Of course, anything..."

Milo's words were a horse whisper, as Fae inched closer to his face. She looked into his eyes for a moment, waiting for a level of discomfort to sink in, but it never came. She leaned in closer, and closed her eyes, her face hovering just above his. Milo could feel her sweet breath on his lips, he gripped the blanket beneath him in an attempt to steady himself, but it was no use. He could feel the last strings of his will breaking. Milo reached out and placed a hand on the small of Fae's back and pulled her in. Her soft lips landed firmly on his and without hesitation she parted her lips, allowing his to fall in-between. Fae instinctively pressed her body against his, shifting her legs to fall over his lap. 

Milo felt out of control, his hands wandered her body as she bucked and writhed at his touch, soft moans escaping into his mouth. His lips devoured hers urgently, his tongue swirling the inside of her mouth. Soon he found his hands gripping the underneath of her thighs. pressing her more tightly against his groin. Fae moaned and whimpered, meeting the pressure of his body with her own. He groaned into her mouth and lifted her, laying her down on the bed that stretched out behind them. 

Fae wrapped her legs around his waist and kissed him passionately, allowing her robe to fall away. Milo stared in awe at her beauty. Her night gown cupped her large breasts perfectly, allowing the perk of her n*****s to show through just barely. He kissed her neck gently and watched as her nightgown rose dangerously higher as she bucked with every touch of his lips. Suddenly she gasped and sat straight up. 

"What's wrong, are you okay? Am I moving too fast?" 

Milo silently cursed himself, she had attempted to make the first move and he'd stolen it from her, adjusting the mood to his own liking. 

"Shh, nothing's wrong. Someone's coming! It's probably just Amethyst but the walls are cloaked so we can't be detected and I can't tell. You have to go now!" 

Fae was whispering but the urgency of her request snapped Milo out of his own head. He gathered himself and jumped to his feet. Fae stood on the bed and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. Milo gasped at the touch of her skin again and reluctantly pushed her off.

"If I don't go now, I won't go at all."

Milo gave her an earnest look, and Fae reluctantly accepted. He smiled and waved as he focused on his mana body, carefully making each distinct body part dissipate. Fae sighed as she quickly tidied the room and collected her robe. Just then she heard a short knock on her bedroom door. 

"Come in!" 

Amethyst poked her head around the corner.

"You okay? I thought I heard something."

Fae nodded.

"I'm fine, just using a bit of magic to send a message to Deidrick thanking him for coming today."

Amethyst smiled. 

"That's kind and appropriate of you, you'll be such a fine head witch. Get some sleep, you deserve to rest!"

With that, Amethyst closed the bedroom door and headed back down the hall and down the stairs. Fae breathed a deep sigh of relief, and then groaned realizing she would in fact have to send a thank you to Deidrick now. Oh well, that could wait until the morning. Fae sunk into her blankets, taking in all that had just happened. Frustrated at the lengthy tease she'd just endured, she let out a soft scream into her pillows. What a tease, she thought, he'd pay for that soon enough.