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_____________♧ZIA POV♧_____________

//

The place was magnificent. It was lit up with many glowy lights of different colours. It was also decorated with chandeliers that hung from the ceiling above. Zia had never the pleasure to witness such a royal place before. A part of her envied Ace. He was really lucky to be able live in such a magnificent accomodation.

The place smelt like citrus and mint. It was pleasant to get a whiff of it. Zia entered the palace with her invitation card given by Ace. She and her friend, Iris, got each a card. They offered them to the guards and entered carefully. "Wow."

Iris chuckled. "Better get used to this,"

"What?" Zia asked.

"I mean, don't be so amazed. Try to mingle in. To look normal."

Zia blushed. "Oh, sorry." She couldn't help but get carried away by the palace. It looked too beautiful like a dream come true.

And after a while, a group of people started playing a piece of piano. It sounded enthralling yet held a vibe of sadness within it causing it to be so difficult to relax to. Zia closed her eyes for a sec to imagine herself Dancing freely to the said melody.

Getting to much into the vibes, Zia failed to notice someone creep behind her back.

"Boo!"

Zia gasped, startled. "Oh my God! Ace!"

The said boy was busy laughing at her priceless expression. "I'm sorry." He said. Although he wasn't really sorry.

Zia nodded, laughing as well. She starting checking out Ace's costume. The boy wore a long red tuxedo decorated by a black scarf on his shoulders. He also wore black pants underneath the vest. His hair dangling into his eyes and was tucked neatly behind his ears.

The boy cleared his throat which got Zia out of her daze. "you... look handsome."

Ace smirked. "You look pretty too."

"Thanks," Zia said, blushing.

"Thank you for coming" he said.

Zia nodded, "It's fine, when's the wedding starting?"

Ace smiled. "When my sister gets ready!"

Zia nodded. She couldn't still believe Ace belonged to royalty.

"Can I entertain you while waiting?" He asked hopefully.

Zia hummed.

"Then let's go to my personal favourite place!" He sing-songed happily like a pup.

Zia then felt herself getting grabbed. "Where are we going?" She asked.

The boy simply shrugs. "Just wait!"

Zia smiles. She notices everyone giving her weird looks. As if she stole something or someone. She wants to dismiss their looks and to clear their thoughts because they are just friends but she bites her tongue before she says something offensive to the people that drank little bit too much of the sight. She glances at Iris and finds her smirking at her. Smirking!

Zia feels her neck getting hotter by second - She feels embarrassed. They all start to think that they were maybe lovers. She give a helpless look to Ace.

Ace smiles. He doesn't really notice the attention they are getting. "What....? I told you to just follow me!"

Ace pulls her with him outside of the fancy room to the garden. He grabs a chair and beckon her to sit. "Sit."

Zia nods and sit down. "Now what?"

Ace looks at her with happy eyes. "Look at the sky! The view is enthralling from here."

Zia looks up and feels her breath get caught up in her throat. "Wah." The view is indeed captivating. A lot of stars are lined up beside each other lighting up the night sky.

"They make a heart sign tonight," Ace mumbles.

Zia didn't notice the shape but when she continues to stare, she definitely notices a heart-like-shape. "It indeed is."

"My mom used to let me draw whatever I see everynight. She also used to tell me stories out of every shape."

Zia smiles. "She sounds like an amazing person."

Ace nods. "She was." He says.

Zia widen her eyes. "Oh I'm sorry."

"Don't be, she's been gone for years now."

"But it still hurts the same isn't?"

Ace turns to her and nods slowly letting a lone tear fall. "It is."

Zia comes closer to the boy and motion him to lay his head on her shoulders. "Come here."

Ace does what he's told, he lays down slowly and like a dam that bursts, he cries. "I- I'm sorry."

Zia smiles, patting his hair in an affectionate manner. "Don't be, there's nothing to be sorry about when letting you emotions come to surface."

Zia feels him nod against her. She stays silent until only sniffles could be heard. "From when are you this wise?" Ace suddenly breaks the silence.

Zia laughs, nudging him slightly. "I've always been."

Ace also joins her and laughs. "Ok, ok."

After some moments, Zia feels her shoulders become heavier. She glances at the boy and notice him drifting off. She chuckles to herself. "Ace." She says softly, not wanting to let him sleep but lowkey enjoying it.

"Hmm?" He says removing himself from his former position. "Am I too heavy?" He asks smugly.

"No..." Zia smiles and put her arms around herself protecting herself from the chilly night.

"Are you cold?" He suddenly ask looking at the sky.

Zia nods. "But it's fine, I-"

Zia feels a weight on her body, she looks up and sees Ace putting a fur coat on her body slowly. Zia blushes. "Thank you..."

Ace nods. "I'm sorry for ruining the mood, I wanted to take you here because you are my first friend and that is my secret place. I used to come here after my mom....yeah, and sit in the same place and gaze off the stars, sometimes counting them and sometimes silently crying. I guess I'm too much of a cry baby."

"It's...ok to cry. I don't want to alleviate your feelings but i- I've been in the same place or I am still. It doesn't matter because I think I'm finally understanding it." Zia replied.

She sensed Ace moved slightly to face her. "What do you understand?"

Zia sighed. "Everything, well maybe not, but I think I finally understand why I am alone. Why I am suffering and most importantly why i am not normal."

Ace nodded. "Will you tell me, one day?"

Zia smiled. "Yes..you're my friend."

Ace smiled too.

//

The wedding didn't still start and that's a good thing because Zia wanted to see the bride entrance and the couple walking down the aisle. She never had witnessed that and she wanted to, now. She and Ace had returned after sometime.

"Hey!" Ace suddenly leaned closer to whisper in her ear. "My sister's coming!"

Zia nodded and looked over at the door eagerly with endearment decorating her features. She hears whispers nearby and even some people jumping from the excitement. Traveling with her eyes, she spots her best friend with an unknown guy. She frowned already planning to corner her and ask but was interrupted with the doors opening.

Everyone gasped at the sight that their eyes laid on. Zia took a look at the entrance and saw a beautiful lady with silvery hair entering with a smile blistered on her rosy lips. Her white dress was being held by three bridesmaids behind her. Zia couldn't believe that a gorgeous person like this could exist.

After being frozen by the sights, another door opened revealing a Male which she assumed was the bride's groom. Zia and most of the people there were almost drooling over the sights. It was marvellous.

Zia glanced at Ace who went silent. "Is this your sister?" She asked.

Ace nodded still in a trace. "She's beautiful isn't she?"

"She is."

The bride went to her father's side who had a proud smile on his lips. The groom went to the other side waiting for the ceremony to begin.

An old man entered which had everyone bowing to him in respect. Zia figured she had to do too. After entering, he bowed respectfully to the king and the other royal figures.

"Shall we proceed?" He asked.

The king looked at his daughter looking for her approval. She looked reluctant but nodded nonetheless. "Yes."

The groom then approached the king slowly until he was directly infront of him. He extended his hands respectfully and waited.

The princess took a small step forward as if she was trying it out. Her eyes searched the crowd and she suddenly smiled.

Zia looked around her and noticed that Ace was encouraging his sister with a smile. She in turn, smiled at the endearing behaviour.

The princess took the groom's extended hand with hesitancy. The groom smiled at his future wife with a tug of lips. He held her hand and turned to face the fascinated audience.

"Now with the speeches."

The princess took a step forward and cleared her throat. "I never been in love so I don't know the feeling but I hope I can experience it with you. I ought to be a faithful wife, a loving mother and a patient partner. Please accept me as I am with my faults and mistakes." She smiled at the prince sweetly.

The prince, in turn, cleared his throat. "When I saw you, my breath hitched. You are simply too perfect for me and I can't even defy you. I hope our marriage become successful from making peace with the two nations to a lovely future. I'll promise to be a caring husband as well as a responsible figure in our lives."

Zia heard Ace snicker beside her. "What?" She asked confused.

"He's a liar." He simply said.

Zia turned to face him with disbelief. "What? Why?"

Ace shrugged. "I'll tell you later."

Zia nodded and resumed watching the soon-to-be wedded partners.

The old man hummed and took a step forward. "Do you, Prince of the East, take her as your wife?" He asked.

The prince nodded. "Yes, i do."

The man turned to face the princess. "Do you, Princess of the north, take him as your husband?"

She also nodded but slowly with a frown. "Yes...I do."

The man smiled. "Now I announce you a husband and a wife."

Zia felt herself smile at the title. She never had the glorious chance to experience someone getting married. In a way, she wanted it too. She wanted to belong to someone. She wanted someone to belong to her. But as her thoughts started going far, she suddenly remembered she wasn't normal. She was a witch. She couldn't simply fall in love with a wolf or a vampire and like hell she could even see a witch like her. She doubted her future life, if she was bound to become alone like her aunt then she was going to live with at least someone. Not necessarily a lover, it could be a friend. She just didn't want to live alone; the thought of it made her insides shiver up in anxiety.

And subconsciously, Zia ducked her head in sadness. She didn't realise she was emitting the scent of someone hurt until she felt Iris nudge her. "Hey."

Zia slowly looked up and noticed people around her were staring at her with pinched noses. Zia felt her cheeks blush in embarrassment and she quickly bowed apologising. She turned to face Ace who wasn't facing her. Weird, she thought. She decided to ask him later about it.

"Are you fine?" Asked her friend in clear concern showing on her soft features.

Zia nodded. "yeah, yeah. I was just thinking about something."

Iris seemed to be weighing the truth to her words but she nodded nonetheless dismissing her. "Alright."

"Weren't you over there? With some guy?"

Zia swore Iris flushed for a second. "Yeah, but I smelled your distressed scent and came over."

Zia rolled her eyes. "Go back, I'm fine."

"Are you su-"

"-yeah!!"

Iris nodded then, reassuring her friend. "If you need anything just call me over. I'll try to not be distracted." And with that she left with a wink.

Zia smiled. She then looked over at the bride and her husband who were sitting at the throne, beside the king. She noticed how everyone seemed to quieten.

Frowning in confusion, she turned to face Ace. "What's happening?"

Ace looked surprised for a bit. "Oh, I'll assume you aren't familiar with the traditions here but simply, after someone gets married everyone must pray to the moon wolf to make their marriage blessed. I kind of don't believe in this tradition but it's an obligation anyway."

Zia nodded fascinated. She wanted to pray like them but she didn't know how. It was all confusing. She considered acting like she was.

Soon, the noises of laughter and chatter came back doubled. It was clear they finished their prayers and were getting back into the party.

Zia found herself quickly bored, with no one to entertain her. She considered calling her friend over but when she noticed her obvious flirty giggles she was dropping on the poor guy beside her, she bit her tongue letting Iris enjoy her time. Zia glanced at Ace who also looked bored out of his mind but the difference was that he seemed to be in dreamland or was deeply thinking about something.

Zia fidget with her earrings in hesitancy but found her legs carrying her to the boy. "Hey, what are you thinking of?" She asked.

Ace looked taken aback by her presence. Eyes panicky for a second "Oh, nothing."

Zia knew it was an obvious lie but she decided not to linger on something that was causing clear discomfort to the boy. Albeit she was a curious cat. And at the thought of a cat, she suddenly remembered the orange cat.

"Where's your cat?"

Ace smiled. "Oh? Lucas?"

Zia nodded. "He's upstairs in his house, he got fed and he might be sleeping."

Zia almost cooed at the profound expression Ace displayed.

"I missed him, he hated me back then."

"Don't worry, he isn't so trusting near strangers but if he saw you again, he might recognize you and warm up."

Zia nodded. "Are you bored?" Zia quickly thought of another subject to keep their conversations going.

"Yes, what about you?"

"Me too."

"Now what?" He asked.

"I don't know, isn't this supposed to be your house? Why are you bored then?"

Ace sighed. "I don't know, I'm not really that much sociable I guess."

Zia nodded in return. And soon their conversations were replaced by awkward silence between them.

"Do you want to have some fun?" Suddenly the older of the two asked.

Zia seemed surprised but she nodded.

He smiled in triumph and grabbed her wrist again.

She let herself be dragged into God knows where.

//

"Whaa" Zia sighed with amazement. Her eyes were tingly with excitement. They were currently in a really big, big library. Filled with possibly millions of books. Zia never considered herself to be a reader but the sight itself was beautiful to anyone even to someone like her.

"And this is my secret hideout, where I spend my days without taking a break. You could probably guess I'm a book nerd." Ace said in a voice filled with admiration.

Zia felt her heartbeats become quicker by just looking at the endearment look on the boy. She felt herself smile and approach him.

"Wow, I truly respect you. Anyone who reads is gifted, you are special."

She feels the boy stare at her for like some seconds before he clears his throat. "Ah thanks?"

She giggles at the dumbfounded look on him. "Yeah."

"You might not like 'this' kind of fun...but I will try to entertain you!!"

She nods waiting for whatever he will do next.

The boy basically started running like a hungry man, he searches some sections carefully looking for something. Zia sat watching him for a couple of minutes until she heard a happy loud sigh from behind one of the sections.

Ace approached her with careful steps, holding a big green book. "Here." He hands it over to her.

Zia holds the book confused but with a silent nudge from the boy, she opens it with a surprised squeal.

"What...."

She can't believe her eyes, it's a magic book full of different spells. She doesn't know whether to thank the boy for aiding her or to get angry by his naivety.

"Why?...." she askes confused. They could get caught right now, with Zia holding the book and Ace excitedly waiting for her to do something. It's too risky.

"I want you to try something." He slowly says with the same endearment in his eyes.

Zia couldn't find the nerve to deny this look so she simply sighs and starts reading.

There are many spells and thankfully they are all written in Latin which was why no one maybe suspected the book. She carefully reads each and everyone with hesitancy. They are too many and she can't keep up. She decides to try a simple healing spell.

"Ok, just so you know, it's too risky."

"Don't worry, no one comes here and if they did they won't be able to enter except if they knocked. I locked the room." He then reassures her.

Zia sighs in relief mixed with anxiety. She carefully reread the instructions.

"- find the wounded area.
- place your hands over it carefully.
- close your eyes to feel the power of magic
- when your powers find the area, you will start talking gibberish which is actually the spell working.
- after you feel nothing then slowly remove your hands.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO USE TOO MUCH POWER OR YOU WILL SLIP IN A BURNOUT AND BECOME UNCONSCIOUS. "

good, she can do that.

Zia take a deep breath and starts scratching her arm wanting to injure herself.

Ace audibly gasps instantly removing her arms in anger. "What are you doing?"

Zia huffs annoyed having to be disturbed. "I'm trying a healing spell, I need to have a wound to heal it."

"Hurt me then."

Zia widen her eyes. "What...?"

Ace slowly comes a little closer holding eye contact. "I said hurt me, don't do it to yourself."

"I-"

"Please." He basically begs.

Zia slowly nods not knowing what to do. "Ok...but I'm scared I won't be able heal you and then you could walk around with a wound and you are a p-"

"Just do it." He firmly says still maintaining eye contact.

"Are you su-"

"Do you trust me?" He says.

Trust? She trusts Iris, she trusted her mother and of course she trusts her Aunt but does she trust Ace? Someone who was a stranger a month ago? Someone who entered her life suddenly. Someone who makes her skin warm by just thinking about him? Someone who knows the real her? Someone who stayed by her side and offered to help her? Does she trusts him? To that she has no answer. But she definitely feels safe with him. Then, is that trust? Or...

"I- I don't know." She says with desperate look. She doesn't want to hurt him. Hell, she doesn't even know what is she doing. She never performed ANY spells. Not only with him but with Anyone. What if she hurts him? What If he despised her forever? What if he called on her? Is she ready for that?

Ace suddenly comes even more closer. He smiles with a tug of lips. She starts to feel warm all over again. Just what is happening to her? "I do, I trust you."

And all over again, her heartbeats quickens wanting desperately to come out of her chest. It becomes too painful that she takes a step back. Why does he trusts her when he doesn't even know her? "Why?" She can't help herself and asks.

Ace looks around for a minute before smiling again. "You were my first friend."
He basically declares.

But Zia, she feels something wrong blooming in her chest. Why does the word 'friend' makes her body shiver and heart hurts? She doesn't understand these emotions that came over her.

Zia tries to smile but it comes as forced. "Ok, but are you really sure?"

"Yes."

Zia takes a deep breath once again and removes one pair of her earrings. She never had to hurt someone willingly so her hands start to shake terribly. Ace notices her reluctant approach and takes the earring from her. "I'll do it." He says with the same stupid smile as if he wasn't going to hurt himself just for her sake.

Zia averts her eyes in fear and after a moment she hears Ace hisses in pain. She looks over and starts preparing her spell. It hurts her too much to see a wound on his sun-kissed skin. It's a small wound though so she figured it doesn't hurt as much.
"Are you ready?" She asks.

The boy nods enthusiastically holding out his arms.

Zia quickly but carefully places her hands on the wound. She then closes her eyes with a sigh. She almost feels nothing to which it starts to unnerve her. But after a few other tries she feels a small spark blooming in her chest.

This spark starts to feel suffocating by getting larger and larger per second. She feels the magic slowly ooze out of her hands. Making them light up. although she is currently blind to the light, she feels it. She feels the magic sweep through her insides making her powerful but it's too much.

And suddenly, a voice inside of her starts to speak making her speak it too. She herself doesn't understand it even in that state. But she surprisingly speaks it too fluent. By time the voice starts to fade, she again feels the same suffocating feeling but it's fading too as if there was a sunset and sunrise in the same area. And after nearly a minute she opens her eyes. The light of the room too much for her vision so she covers them.

She feels someone hug her. She peels her eyes open and finds Ace hugging her with happiness. "You did it! You did it!" He chants excited.

Zia too looks at his arms and find nothing. Nothing!

She can't believe her eyes. She just casted a spell! She did it. The feeling of achievement slowly becomes too much that she starts weeping. "I- I- I did something!"

Ace peels himself off of her and nods. "I'm so proud of you!" He declares.

"I- thank you..."

And once again the same smile is leaving her breathless.

//

I'm so sorry for late update but I was too distracted to sit and write. This chapter might not be the best but I tried to post something. I'll try to update more frequently but no promises!