Eternal Undying Chronicles

The morning light streamed through the large cabin windows, gently rousing Alicarde from his slumber. He hadn't even realized when he had fallen asleep, much less that he could sleep so deeply.

For once, he hadn't woken up to nightmares, hadn't felt the usual suffocating dread creeping into his dreams. Lying next to Malefica, there had been an unexpected peace, a rare escape from his traumas.

He shifted slightly, intending to move his hand, but found it held down by a soft, feminine weight.

Malefica was nestled against him, pressed so close that he could feel her breath, his right hand resting on her chest. As her voluptuous breasts rose and fell with each gentle breath, Alicarde gulped. An urge stirred within him, tempting him to squeeze just a little.

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He had never considered himself a gentleman—he believed only lesser men pretended to be such—so he tensed his fingers, gently squeezing.

Malefica let out a soft moan in her sleep. Startled, Alicarde froze, afraid he might wake her. Quickly, he reconsidered his earlier plan of being a lesser man and decided perhaps it wasn't the best idea after all.

'Better not let Argint hear about this,' he thought, imagining her mocking him for being a pervert. But what could he do? He was only human—or at least, somewhat.

'She's not gonna wake up and be mad, right?'

He glanced down, realizing it wasn't him who had moved into this compromising position. It was Malefica who had rolled into his arms. There was still space on her side of the bed, yet here she was, pressed against him while he teetered on the edge.

'Huh. I forgot what the edge of a bed felt like. King-sized beds don't usually have this problem.'

He chuckled softly, shifting closer to her as she rolled again in her sleep, resting her head against his chest.

'Well, can't blame me now,' he thought, moving his hand to her waist and pulling her a little closer. He closed his eyes, peeking at her occasionally as she slept, her breath steady and calm. He ended up watching her for a few minutes, almost like a creep, until her eyes began to flutter open.

'Oh, crap.'

Alicarde quickly closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep.

Malefica woke, blinking as she realized she was in his arms. She looked up at his face, noticing his suspiciously still breathing.

"Good morning," she said softly.

"..."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Alicarde kept silent, unsure if she was testing him.

"Stop pretending to be asleep. I know you're awake."

Alicarde smiled, opening his eyes.

"How'd you know?"

She glared at him. "I didn't. I took a guess."

He smirked with mischief in his eyes.

"And you call me paranoid."

Malefica's expression was unreadable. She didn't seem displeased, but she wasn't exactly pleased either.

"Unhand me. I'm not a body pillow," she stated, her tone sharp.

Alicarde raised an eyebrow, eyes glinting mischievously.

"Funny you say that after rolling into my arms. If anything, I'm the victim here."

Malefica shot him a withering glare. He chuckled lightly.

"Imagine if I rolled into your arms, you'd burn me and call me a perv."

Alicarde sighed, adding,.

"Why do women always have double standards?"

She huffed, resigning herself since she clearly was the one who moved into his arms.

"Very well, this was my mistake. But you're still holding me, and I never accused you of anything. I merely asked to be let go, yet you seem to have a guilty conscience."

Alicarde pulled her a little closer, whispering.

"Guilty conscience? More like guilty pleasure."

Her eyes widened, her expression hardening.

"What did you do to me in my sleep?"

"Nothing, unfortunately. I decided to be a lesser man and let you sleep. Besides, if I wanted to do something, I'd prefer you were awake."

"You incorrigible..." She muttered, her irritation growing.

"Truly, old dogs can't learn new tricks."

Calling him incorrigible made him smile.

'She almost sounds like Carrisa, if she calls me a rouge then that would be exactly like Carrisa'

He scoffed. This would have been a good time to call her a spinster, but he decided against it.

"Can't blame me. I never had a good teacher. Maybe I could've picked up a few tricks along the way if I did."

Her eyes twitched. He was clearly taking a jab at her.

"You were just a lazy student," she muttered.

Alicarde was about to fire back but paused, realizing she was still in his arms, and here they were, bickering like an old married couple. He chuckled.

"What is it now?" Malefica asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Nothing," he replied, still chuckling.

"I was just thinking... you look really beautiful in the morning."

She opened her mouth, then closed it, glaring again.

"Are you saying I usually look ugly?"

Alicarde blinked, not expecting such a response.

"There's no pleasing you, is there? You're always pretty."

"Pretty, beautiful—now it's just 'pretty'? Make up your mind."

"Same thing," he grumbled.

She pushed against his chest.

"Now let go, will you? I can't get up if you keep holding me."

Alicarde sighed and finally released her. Malefica hurriedly went to the closet grabbed a towel and headed toward the bathroom.

"What's with her? Was she embarrassed?" he muttered to himself.

He got up and walked to the window, noticing the village already awake. He had no idea what time it was—his phone was still fried after Malefica had hit him with her inferno spell. Outside, the witches were going about their day, some glancing at the cabin. In the distance, he noticed someone peeking from behind a tree, trying to be inconspicuous.

'Really? She thinks she's being stealthy?'

To no one's surprise, it was the young blonde witch from the day before. Whoever had put her on surveillance duty clearly didn't have the best judgment, assigning someone so unreliable.

He sighed and pulled the blinds closed.

Walking back he slumped into the bed, which still faintly had Malefica's scent. Hopefully today they would get information on the demon of noon.

He wondered if Carrisa and the others had tried to call him, after his phone was destroyed.

'Sure hope I didn't make them worry'