Chapter two
Injuries and idiots
2 years b.l

(y/n) POV
Age 14

Five years have passed since the night I met Hunter.. Even though I'm not supposed to, I visit him every night. Some nights he's injured more than others, which I don't understand as I watch him train. I see him do incredible magic, and sometimes he teaches me as well as simple self defense tactics. We enjoy each other's company. He's become my best friend. Around others, he seems stoic and cocky, but I know it's all just an act. Because every night when I see him, he acts like a small puppy. And most nights we stay up talking and teasing each other, but lately he's been sleeping a lot sooner in preparation for my debut.

Oh yeah, that's happening. My father is introducing me to the Coven. He's not ready to show me to the world quite yet, but he thinks it's time for me to expand. There I will choose a guard to protect me. I already know who I'm gonna choose but even so, Hunter insists on training twice as hard. He's been working himself to the bone for this tournament. It's adorable the way he tries to wait for me, but I always tell him he needs his rest. Even so, he refuses. Because it's the only time we can see each other. In any case, the ceremony is the day after tomorrow, and I hope all goes well.

I watch eagerly as Hunter trains in the training room. His focus lasered in on the enchanted soldiers as he gets into a fighting stance, waiting to see who would strike first. Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, the battle begins.Hunter moves swiftly, dodging attacks, and using the skills he's built up over the years. After a few moments, the battle becomes nothing but speed and light, so much so that I lose track of what's happening before he pushes off his enemies and sends them back. All of them topple to the floor except one. He looks up to me before attempting a spell I've never seen before. He does an amazing backflip in the air before trying to stab the enchanted soldier from behind, but he was too slow. The enchanted soldier grazed Hunter's abdomen causing him to fall to the ground in pain.

The enchanted soldier then raised its spear ready to stab Hunter from behind. Dropping from my hiding place,I cast a plant spell restraining the guard from causing anymore damage before running over to Hunter. Kneeling down beside him my (h/l) falls in my face as I grasp Hunter's right arm,  firmly trying to bring him to his feet. As I begin to lift him off the ground he groans in pain as he clutches his right side with his left arm. "(y/n) what are you doing down here? You could get caught!" he hissed as I set him down on one of the nearby benches. "I don't care if I get caught! You're hurt, that's my number one priority right now, Hunt!" Shaking my head, I quickly grab his staff that's still laying on the ground before returning. Tapping the bulb three times a bright light shines before giving me the healing balm I make. The staff then spits out a bandage as well. 

Unscrewing the top of the small jar, I dip the tips of my fingers into the creamy, greenish-yellow substance. Placing the jar on the bench, I move his hand from the wound gently pushing his shirt out of the way. "This is gonna sting you,dingus." I inform before I slowly rub on the minty balm causing him to yelp back in pain as he grasps my hand tightly. "OW!  Oh wow that hurts!" he grasps my hand even tighter as he hisses out in pain.

"I told you I was gonna sting! Consider this your punishment for being so reckless.'' I sigh  as he grabs my hand tighter than before. Taking my hand from his grasp I grab the bandage that had been resting on my leg and wrap it around his abdomen,tying it tight before placing my hand over the wound. Drawing a small light green circle the patch of skin glows lightly, slowly healing the wound underneath. Sighing out in relief I then grab the balm and place it back inside the staff.

"Thank you (n/n)" Hunter whispers as he sits up properly. Sitting beside him I grab his face looking for any more injuries "You're  welcome! Are you hurt anywhere else?" I asked, worried. No,no, Ithink I'm good!" he s, clearly lying through the skin of his teeth. "Oh? goood" I sang before...

*SMACK*

I smack him right upside the head. "OW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?" he demands while grabbing the back of his head. "Never and I mean never do that kinda thing again, you idiot! If I Wasn't here watching, who knows what could have happened! You could have died!" I scolded the puppy in front of me. Hee looks down, giving me his famous puppy dog eyes. "No! Nope! Nah I'm not falling for this again!" I say turning away from him. But when I open my eyes, he's once again in front of me with a pleading look on his face. Frustrated, I turn away again only for him to pout more.

"(n/n)? Pwease? Forgive me?" Opening my eyes, I turn to face him and see his big round red eyes. "Ugh, fine! We can't very well have my future guard out of commission now can we?" I ask, he immediately perks up at my sentence. Before I know it he's picked me up swinging me around happily muttering "Thank you." Over and over again. Giggling at his joy, he then sets me down gently taking my hands into his. Suddenly the bell chimes, causing us to both look out the window at the bell tower. His hands grip mine slightly tighter as if not wanting to let me go.

"I-I guess that's my cue to-to leave..." I stammered out sadly as I looked down at our intertwined hands. He looked at me with a sad smile on his face before he raised my hands to his mouth, placing a small kiss on my knuckles. He let go of my hands as I slowly walked back to the secret passageway. Crawling back in, I close the door and the last thing I see is him waving at me as I leave.

***

Belos POV

After finishing the preparations for tomorrow's ceremony, I hear the chime of the bell tower signaling me that it's time for my daughter's lesson. With a sigh I get up from my throne and exit the throne room. Taking my time, I notice how the castle seems to have a calm glow about it as everyone goes about their business.

As I make my way through the castle halls the Coven members bow to me in respect. Smiling at them, I make a quick stop at the kitchen to pick up some jelly tarts. Their (y/n)'s favorite after all.claiming what I came for, I make my way down the hall before I hear training from the training grounds. Deciding to take a peek I look through the doors to see the soldiers I have hand picked for my daughter to choose from, preparing for tomorrow's events.

As I look around the room I see each honing their skills. Some practice their aim, others are sparing against one another but one catches my eye. Hunter.

He's defending an illusion of a girl from enchanted soldiers. It seems as if his main goal is to keep the illusion safe at all costs. As he dodges and attacks the enchanted soldiers, he never forgets to check on the illusion. Looking at him in shock, I'm slowly impressed by his skills. If my daughter chooses him, I will know for sure he is ready.

satisfied with my evaluation of the recruits, I start back on my path to my daughter. One again that aura of sweet calmness washes over me as I make my way to the restricted part of the castle. Coming upon the grand oak doors  I grab my staff, and with a deep breath, place it down on a circular symbol on the ground. A light blue energy ripples through the door, slowly opening it. As I stride inside the doors emideately close behind me and it seems as if that feeling from before has grown stronger. Curious, I continue to follow the feeling. Only to realize that I'm going in the direction of my daughter's room.

***

(Y/n) POV

Making it back to my room I close the passage door behind me with a dreamy sigh. Laying down on my bed, I smile to myself at the thought of tomorrow morning. I'm suddenly brought back to my senses as I hear my father enter my room. Sitting up, I quickly run my fingers through my hair. "(Y/n), I got you your favori-" "Good evening father!" I cut him off, greeting him sweetly as I placed a small kiss on his cheek before making my way out to his office for our lessons.

Belos POV

I walk into my daughters room as the calm feeling intensifies in a nice way "(y/n) I brought you your favori-!" I try to say, but she suddenly comes up to me and gives me a kiss on the cheek. "Good evening father!" She exclaimed before skipping her way to my office. I stand there, shocked for a moment before I watch her run off fondly. "They really do grow up so fast.... Do they not??" I ask  myself before hurriedly following after her.