Taking a deep breath I readjust my tie. My snow-white tux blends in with the white vines hanging from the treetops. Red, purple, blue, and pink flowers were spread in different spots on the vines, like drops of paint on a canvas.

The light from the sun streamed down through the trees lighting up the red rose petal aisle towards the altar.

The sound of my family and the villagers buzzed in the air bringing a smile to my face.

The altar stood proud in the center of attention. The white wood like the vines was spotted with flowers.

Running to the altar I was met with smiles and "Congratulations". Today is the day I marry the love of my life.

I turned towards the groom section of the chairs and smiled at my mam sitting in the front row. Her hair hung loose in a half pony and her gold dress hugged her body, gracefully trailing down to the floor. The whole coven sat alongside her. Even Halin was sitting beside Lily.

" Are you ready?" The priest asked me.

" Ready as I'll ever be." I smiled and the music began to play.

I turned to face the end of the aisle and there she was.

Her gorgeous white dress trailed behind her as she slowly walked towards me. I yearned to see her face, her smile but her veil covered her face completely.

As she reached the altar the music came to a slow end. Taking her hand in mine I helped her up to the stand.

" May I take this off?" I asked her lightly tugging at her vail.

She nodded in response.

My smile grew wider as my fingers gripped the bottom of the vail and began to lift it.

Impatiently I basically ripped the veil off desperate to see my beautiful bride.

But to my utter dismay, the woman staring back at me was Naomi.

" What?" I stumbled back baffled.

Looking back at the crowd I gasped, all of the villagers were gone and only the coven members remained. Their once bright colour dresses and tux changed to midnight black.

" What's going on?" I asked reaching my hand up to reach for my head.

I stopped midair, my hand is caked in fresh blood. Drops rolled down my arms leaving behind a river of red.

Looking down at my tux I cried out at the mass of blood on my tux.

" What happened?" I screamed at Naomi.

" See for yourself." She said pointing at the ground in front of the altar.

Slowly turning my head towards the ground I start to see more blood. A foot catches my eyes, then the leg and the abdomen, and finally her head.

I cry as I look into Ava's lifeless eyes.

" No, baby no!" I wail.

Dropping to my knees I cradle her stone-cold body in my arms.

Wiping her hair away from her face my eyes dart to the large cut across her throat.

" Who did this to her?" I cried looking back up at Naomi.

" You did."

" What no?"

Looking up I am met with a large full body mirror. The first thing to catch my eye is the large curved and bloody knife in my left hand.

" My dream has come true. You're just as evil as I hoped you would be." My mam smiled patting my shoulder.

" No." I cried looking back into the mirror.

I gasped, my normal green eyes are bright yellow symbolizing pure evil.

" No!"

" Tobias wake up!"

" No!"

" Tobias damn it wake up!"

" No!" I yelled jumping up my pillows flying across my room.

Large beads of sweat flowed down my face and chest. My heavy breathing flooded my ears.

Using the edge of my palm I wiped off the sweat before it fell against my eyelashes.

My mam stood over me, her cold eyes glaring into mine.

" Finally I thought you would never wake up." She grumbled.

" What happened?" I groaned rubbing my eyes.

" You had a nightmare it's probably just some pre weddimg jitters I used to get them all the time. Speaking of the wedding I'm heading off to the temple Veronica and I have a few arrangements to finalize with Lizzie."

" Or you could just cancel the wedding altogether, it might save you some stress." I suggested.

" Lizzie told me to tell you that she will be unable to teach you and Cleo today but she has left some notes on the lesson she would have taught today. I'll see you later." She turned in her heels and strides towards the door," Oh, and try not to be late for your lessons." She added before opening the door and leaving.

Sighing I sink back into my mattress.

Stupid nightmare!

" Are you alright master?" Halin asked.

" I will be once we have a plan to get out of this wedding. But right now my mind needs to be elsewhere. I'm gonna go take a quick shower then we can get going."

" Okay, master."

The ice-cold wind sliced against my face and chest as I slowly trudged through the mud from last night's unexpected rain.

" I'm so glad I don't have to walk through that stuff." Halin squawked.

Looking down at my pants I sighed at all the mud caked on the bottom of my pants and all over my shoes.

" Yeah, but if be careful about what you say I might just cast a spell that makes those wings of yours ineffective and make you walk through the mud." I chuckled.

" Sorry master I'll stop talking."

" That's what I thought." I smirked.

As I reached the temple I wasn't at all surprised to see Naomi waiting for me.

" Good morning." I smiled leaning against the wall beside her.

" Do you know that our mothers are finalizing our wedding plans today?" She asked, her voice sounded weak like she was holding back tears.

" Yeah, my mam told me before she left." I sighed," but today we will be finalizing plans of our own."

" Yeah." She smiled.

" But for now during training, we have to keep a straight face and pretend we are somewhat excited to get married."

" What like hold hands or something?" She chuckled.

" Never mind that will give everything away. Let's just act normal."

" Got it. Now in the spirit of acting normal what lesson is first on my list for today?"

" Familiar class but because my mother is busy Agatha and my sister will be teaching us today. After that, you will have training with Nathan who will be giving you the notes Lizzie made."

" Is that all?"

" No, Peggy told me to tell you that there is basically nothing else she can teach you apparently bone witches don't have to learn much. Now that's all."

" Well then let's get going."

As we neared the room where Violet and Agatha were waiting for us we heard what sounded like kissing.

Stopping in our tracks Naomi and I looked at each other in confusion. Smirking I tapped my pointer finger to my lips signaling for her to keep quiet.

Walking on the balls of our feet we slowly made our way towards the door. Standing on either side of the door I quietly placed my hand around the handle.

" Go." Naomi mouthed at me.

Without a second of hesitation, I shoved the door open and we barged in.

" What's going on here?" Naomi asked.

Violet pulled herself off Agatha, her lips smeared are swollen and smeared in blue lipstick.

Agatha's dress was slightly pulled up exposing her clean-shaven legs.

" It's not what you think?" Violet mumbled pulling her dress straight.

" You know that's a weak excuse." Naomi scoffed crossing her arms across her chest.

Agatha nodded her head in agreement.

" Yeah you're right it is a weak excuse," Violet sighed," and this exactly what it looks." She added and I can't believe I'm seeing this but a smile suddenly appeared on her face.

" Is she smiling?" I asked my eyes widening in surprise.

" Yeah, who are you and what have you done to my sister?" Naomi chuckled.

" Very mature Naomi." Violet rolled her eyes.

" You have very little sense of humor, Agatha I hope you change that about her."

" I'll try my best but she's a tough nut to crack," she laughed," no matter what I try." She added smirking at Violet. She tried to hide it but I could tell she was biting her lip.

" So how long have you guys been dating?" I asked dropping into the beanbag.

" Only a few days." Agatha shrugged.

A few days and they're basically or actually having sex.

" Well, congratulations." Naomi smiled.

" Speaking of congratulations I've been meaning to congratulate the two of you on your upcoming wedding." Agatha smiled.

" There's no need." I said.

" What of course there is when the two of you join in the powerful union that marriage is your power feeds into the earth and the coven." Violet explained.

" And when you guys have a kid that child will have powers beyond belief. That will help our coven grow in strength." Agatha added.

" So the only reason we are getting married instead of I don't know Martha and Nathan is because we will give more energy for the coven to feed off of." Naomi hissed.

" Why are you so angry, it's what's best for the coven. A coven who you are a part of. Is there any reason why you would be against that?" Said a voice behind us.

Turning around in shock we were surprised to see Cleo leaning against the door.

As per usual she is wearing tight black pants and a black strappy shirt with you you guessed it black boots.

Peering over at Naomi I could tell she wanted to break down and tell them everything but like the pro she is, she took a deep breath and slipped on her mask of calmness.

" You're right, this coven is my family and I want to do everything I can for it. Right, Tobias?"

" Absolutely."

After an hour of not learning anything in familiar class, I said my goodbye to Naomi for the time being then headed off towards Nathan's room.

Thankfully Nathan wasn't making out or having sex with Martha when I got there. Shockingly she wasn't there with him.

" Oh, Tobias good morning. Here are the notes Lizzie made for you. Just put them anywhere and then get in the ring and warm up. Today we will mainly be doing some sparing but we will be combining everything we have learned. And if I think you're ready the second spar we might even use knives." He explained.

I set the notes on a small table by the door so that I don't forget them.

Slipping off my jacket I stepped into the ring.

" Just to warn you I'm not gonna go easy in you." Nathan smirked.

" Bring it on."

At the end of the day, I won two out of the three fights so in the end, not a bad day. If you don't count the bruises and cuts from the knife I am walking away with.

Rushing through the hallways I tried to make my way to Naomi's room. Only I don't know which way it is.

" This is just great." I sighed.

" Are you lost?" A voice asked behind me.

Jumping up in surprise I twisted around to see who this person was. Surprisingly yet not surprisingly it is Lizzie.

" Actually I am, don't suppose you know which way Naomi's room is?" I asked.

" Ten doors down to the left."

" Thank you."

" So how have you been, how are your classes going?" She asked before I could leave.

Since when is she interested?

" Alright, it's fun learning about all the different things. Although sometimes it is overwhelming. Guess having these powers is both a blessing and a curse." I chuckled.

" Yeah, well since you brought up your powers have you figured out as to why you possess so many different powers?" She asked leaning slightly forward eager for my answer.

" Well no but I don't see why that matters anymore." I scoffed.

" You're right I guess my curiosity got the better of me. I should be going."

Before I could even blink Lizzie was scurrying down the hallway and out of sight.

" That was weird master."

" Yes, it certainly was."

" Should we be worried?" He asked turning his head to look at me.

" No, let's get going."

Rushing down the hallway in the direction Lizzie pointed out I was relieved to see Naomi leaning outside of her room.

" You're late." She hissed.

" Woah no need to get mad at me. I've never been to your room before and I just got lost. Then I ran into Lizzie." I explained.

" What did she want?"

" She wanted to know why I'm so powerful. She seemed very interested in it."

" That's weird."

" Yeah, but that is not the point of this meeting. Shall we get started?"

" Yes." Naomi beamed.

She opened her door and ushered me into the room locking the door behind her.

" Oh, this is cute." I smiled.

The room wasn't large but It was big enough. The first thing your eyes are drawn to is the queen size bed draped with gold and silver blankets. The floor is lined with a blood-red carpet. On the west side of the room, there is a large dressing table and her closet. And on the east is her workspace. Her desk is covered with books and prices of papers containing spells and potions.

Above her bed are jars containing fireflies. It seemed like the jars were sealed with wax to keep them from falling off the strings they are attached to.

" What were you expecting?" She asked jumping onto her bed.

" Something less colourful and more old lady style." I chuckled.

" You're a real jerk." She giggled.

" I think you mean warlock, now let's get to business."

" Yeah, what plans have you come up with so far?"

" Well, the main one I'm leaning for Is a memory-erasing spell. We erase the coven's memories of the fact they are witches as well as erase the villager's memories. But once I examined the potential complications I decided against that plan." I said sitting down beside her.

" Yeah I thought about that as well but when I told Gareth about the complications he also disagreed with it." She sighed.

" There must be something we can do."

" I don't care what we have to do. I can't lose Gareth and I won't give this coven more magic. I won't be some evil witch people should fear." She choked back a sob.

Like my nightmare.

" Naomi I completely understand. I don't want any of those things either. Last night I had this nightmare that we were at the altar and Ava was dead in front of me. I had become this evil thing and I killed her. Now I know what happened in my dream will never happen but nightmares can sometimes represent a deep fear we have. I also fear losing Ava and becoming the evil warlock my mam has always wanted me to be. So right now we need to put our emotions aside and come up with a plan."

Taking a few deep breaths she calmed herself down and wiped away some tears that had fallen.

" Thank you for that," She smiled," But I'm sure we've come up with anything magic-related we could think of and all of them have dire complications if something goes wrong. And with our lack of experience in these kinds of spells or potions required, we will make a mistake and we don't have the time to practice." She added.

" Good point."

" So what do we do know?"

Tried everything magic.

" What if we tried something non-magic related." I suggested.

" What do you have in mind?"

" Have you ever heard of the fight or flight response?"

" Who hasn't?"

" I haven't master."

" Not now Halin." I snapped.

" What are you suggesting?"

" Well, we don't have a fight plan so we will do what people with no other option do. We will pack our bags and run like our lives depend on it. Which they sort of do. "

" Why didn't I think of that?" She sighed leading back into the mattress.

" Well, I have always been smarter than you." I smirked.

With a flick of her wrist, she flung me off the bed. I groaned as I crashed into the ground.

" You're a real bitch." I hissed in pain.

" I think you mean witch." She smirked.

As the sun began to set over the horizon Naomi and I snuck out of the temple and made our way to the cave where we will be meeting up with Ava and Gareth.

Not too surprisingly Ava and Gareth were already waiting for us in the cave. They sat on some dried logs they must have brought in, a warm fire was made.

" What took you guys so long?" Ava giggled running over to me.

" We had to fight a giant werewolf to get here." I smiled.

" Really?" Gareth asked.

" No, but I'll admit that is one creature I would never want to fight. Werewolves are powerful creatures especially in their wolf form." I explained.

"Werewolves are real." Ava gasped.

" Oh, honey, there at many things out there that you don't know about. One day I'll tell everything but for now, Naomi and I have a plan."

" Wait really?" Ava exclaimed.

" Yes, do you want to hear it." Naomi smiled.

" What are you guys waiting for." Gareth chuckled.

Naomi took a seat beside him while Ava and I sat in the long opposite them.

" So Naomi and I have decided that magic will not fix this. The spells are very complicated and we don't have the training nor the time to practice. So we decided on a non-magical route." I explained.

" Which is?"

" We are going to do a good old fashion running away." Naomi said.

Since filled the air as they ran it through their heads.

I could tell this plan saddened Ava, the thought of leaving her father the only family she has left is heartwrenching.

" I'm in." Gareth said smiling at Naomi.

" Really?" Naomi beamed.

" I love my family and this village but if this is the only way I can be with you then I'm definitely on board."

Smiling Naomi pulled him closer and kissed him. The kiss only lasted a few seconds then they turned back to Ava who still hasn't told us her answer.

Is she going to say no?

What do I do then?

" Ava." I tapped her shoulder.

" Is this really the only option?" She asked some tears were forming in the corner of her eye.

" For now but we can always find a way to come back here safely if you want."

" Then let's do this." She smiled wiping her years away.

" Are you sure?"

" Yes, I love you and I don't want to lose you."

Pulling her close I rested my forehead against hers.

" Well then it looks like we have a plan," Naomi smiled," but when should we do it?"

" On the wedding day." I said.

" Shouldn't we do it before the wedding?" Gareth asked.

" We can't Tobias and I will have to arrange for some spells or potions to make sure that our coven won't find us." Naomi explained.

" Plus on the wedding day, we will all be left alone to get ready. With nobody around, we could sneak out very easily." I added.

" Well maybe for you guys but Naomi and I won't be. We are the bride's after all." Ava pointed out.

" Okay I'll sneak out get Naomi then we will come together to the village and help you guys sneak out. And we should leave our luggage here in the cave the night before the wedding. This cave is en route to the boats. Nobody will be suspicious if we get caught packing. With all of us getting married we will be moving out." I said. 

Everybody nodded in agreement. 

" Well, then it looks like we have a plan." Naomi smiled. 

I smiled down at Ava who is resting her head on my shoulder. We finally have a plan, one that will work, one that will allow me to escape this life and start a new one with the love of my life, with my mate. 

With Ava.