SWNOVELS Chapter Chapter Fourteen
Amethyst’s Pov:
My heart raced as everything returned to normal. There were only moments for me to complete what Gretchen spent fourteen years perfecting. Scared out of my wits and unsure of what I was about to do, I pointed my hand towards the exploding witch. I needed to widen the shield which I attempted to enclose her in. Silver tentacles enveloped Gretchen as the last part of her being became nothing but pure power.
The strength of the magic explosion reverberated through the ground. The winds which once surrounded Gretchen now wrapped themselves around me as the full force of Gretchen’s failed magic hit me.
Never had I absorbed such power before. The bitter sting kissed my skin as it searched for a weakness within me to tear me apart. “Goddesses, lend me your strength,” I pleaded. Under the pressure of the explosion, I forced my other arm up towards the night sky to release the power which surrounded me.
Casting my eyes up at the night sky, to my surprise, for a moment, the sky appeared bright as day. The tentacles rained down from the sky and moved out, swallowing the isle.
Relief swept through me as I still could draw air into my lungs. The cool night air felt good on my burning skin. Suddenly, the world spun, and I became lightheaded, almost as if I drank too much. All of a sudden, a pair of powerful arms lifted me from where I stood. “Thyst? Are you ok?” Timothy asked. The alarm in his voice took me by surprise. “Yes, why do you ask?” I replied.
Tim’s Pov:
“You can’t be serious, Gretchen,” Amethyst shouted. The shock in her voice was overwhelming. “Of course, I am Amethyst,” Gretchen hissed. She did little to hide how much hate she carried for Thyst. Amethyst peered at me with pleading eyes. Although I was not sure what it was she was hoping to achieve.
“Gretchen, your body can’t handle that amount of magic. If you even try, the magic you absorb will rip you apart, killing everyone here,” Amethyst blurted out with utter annoyance.
Shocked by her outburst, I stared at Amethyst. Surely, she was wrong. Gretchen, of all people, would realize the dangers of what she was about to do, wouldn’t she?
“Says who Amethyst? You?” Gretchen scoffed. Once again, she appeared to be unbothered by her outburst. Unfortunately, in recent weeks, this was something which seemed to happen more often than not.
Even though it was Amethyst who the Goddesses favored to take Gretchen’s title after she passed. In this instance, it was Gretchen who was right. Amethyst showed little discipline lately.
“Yes Gretchen. While it may have escaped everyone else’s notice, but the more magic you absorb recently, the frailer and sicklier you are becoming,” Amethyst fired back. This time, she was refusing to back down.
Amethyst’s words hit me like a tsunami. I studied Gretchen carefully. She appeared to be twice the age she actually was.
I sighed inwardly at myself as it appeared Amethyst might be right. Gretchen fired back with an insult I couldn’t be bothered to listen to. Her jealousy over little Thyst has gone on far too long.
“Gretchen, perhaps in this case we should listen to Thyst?” I attempted to reason with her. As much as I hate to admit it, Amethyst was right. “Timothy really, your pet has no more magical talent than my baby toe. Why do you insist on feeding her delusion?” Gretchen spat.
“You are my Alpha, and I am your Beta. Because of this, for once could you please show me the same support you show for that brat?” Gretchen linked.
“No more interruptions!” she yelled. “You are right Gretchen,” I conceded to her. After all, we ruled together. Her strength was magic. She knew it far better than anyone else. Above all else, she needed me to trust her.
Once again, Amethyst attempted to get me to side with her. In order to prove to Gretchen she had my support, I raised my hand to stop Amethyst from protesting. Amethyst had me wrapped around her baby finger and she knew it.
“Please continue,” I said. Almost instantly, I regretted it. The glare which Gretchen sent Amethyst was unnecessary. Much to my relief, nothing more became of it as Gretchen started her spell.
“Amethyst is right, you know,” the Girl laughed, appearing next to me. “Amethyst is only a child,” I retorted. “She is no more a child than I am. Stop doubting her mind,” the Girl scoffed.
My heart felt as if it stopped beating. Suddenly, terrified screams filled the night air. I peered at Olympia. She locked eyes with me, but only a moment before she raced to shield those who were too scared to flee.
Without warning, Amethyst leaped onto the stage. Our eyes met. Instantly, I understood what she was about to do. “Amethyst NO!” I screamed in horror, not caring who heard. Desperately, I attempted to make it to Amethyst before her prediction came true.
Although there was little I could do to protect her, at least I could shield her body with mine. And just maybe I would save her life. “Leave it be, boy,” the Girl growled, holding me back from Amethyst. “She doesn’t need you to save her.”
“I’m sorry Gretchen, I can’t stop this,” Amethyst whispered before the ground shook. With my heart filled with terror, I glanced at Amethyst. At this moment, I realized there was little I wouldn’t do for her. I would fight the Goddesses to get to her, to save her if I needed to.
“Just pay attention,” the Girl growled. Her warm breath tickled the back of my neck. The colour of Amethyst’s eyes matched my mother’s own before widening the shield around Gretchen. Amethyst raised her arm. And from her palm, brilliant silver threads shot out, wrapping around poor Gretchen’s exploding body.
The threads absorbed the magic, which was tearing Gretchen apart. With one last deafening wail, Gretchen disintegrated. Helpless, I watched the power race through the threads that Amethyst was producing. They raced towards her at the speed with which lightning strikes as they chase one another through the night sky.
I held my breath, unsure of what would happen next. She raised her other hand to the sky as the wind picked up, enveloping Amethyst along with the brilliant silver threads she was producing. Fear took hold of my heart.
“No, no, no,” I stammered, fighting my way to her. She was far too young to die. Her black hair turned white as the threads cascaded upward, illuminating the night sky. The air crackled with power. As fast as it started, it was now over. Although the night sky was now slightly darker. Amethyst succeeded where Gretchen failed.
Suddenly, all the colour drained from Amethyst’s face. I raced over to her collapsing body and scooped her into my arms before she hit the ground. “Goddesses, name Amethyst, why did you risk yourself like that?” I growled, angry at her recklessness.
It nearly cost Amethyst her life. She didn’t respond to me. My anger grew at the childishness of her actions. Annoyed, I glared at her, only to realize she didn’t hear a word I said.
Wracked with worry, I studied her face. To my horror, her eyes rolled to the back of her head as she went limp. “Thyst? Are you ok?” I cried, shaking her, hoping she would remain conscious. “Hess, shoo I who shoe as?” she replied before collapsing into me.