by P. A. Peña
“I, I’m sorry,” Virgil said hastily as he pulled back.
“You’re fine,” Aurelia replied, looking back behind her shoulder. “I just like the way it feels when you touch me.”
“You do?”
Aurelia smiled. “Of course,” she replied, her tone playful and inviting. “Don’t you like touching me?”
“N-no,” Virgil said quickly, his face flushing, his body hot. “I mean, I don’t mind it.”
Virgil continued on, moving lower and lower down her back. His shorts became tighter with each inch of skin he covered. “Okay,” he said, pulling his hands back and clearing his throat. “You’re all set.”
“Already,” Aurelia whined, as she began tying her swimsuit back up. She spun around to face Virgil and flashed a smile. “My body thanks you.”
“It was nothing,” Virgil said, trying his best to casually place his hands over his lap.
“Well, whether you want to admit it or not, you’re my hero.” Aurelia gestured to Virgil to turn around. “All right. Now, let’s do you.”
“N-no,” Virgil said sheepishly. “I mean, I don’t need it. I’m a pyromancer. Applying sunblock for us is like putting a floaty on a fish.”
Aurelia pouted. She grinned as she stood. “In that case, let’s hit the water.”
“Sure thing. You go on ahead though. I’ll be right behind you.”
Chapter 46
Virgil flew through the water. A quick glance behind him confirmed Aurelia was still hot on his trail. He pushed himself to go faster until he felt a strong current ahead of him, drastically reducing his speed. He looked back once again to find Aurelia reaching for him. She grabbed him and charged towards the surface.
“I got you,” she exclaimed as they shot out of the water.
“You cheated,” Virgil replied. “You used your magic to hold me back.”
“You were using your magic to swim faster.”
“Well, I, that’s different. I’m not an aquamancer.”
Aurelia giggled. “Whatever makes you feel better. All I know is I’m a shark, and you’re a little fishy, and you’re mine now.” She looked down and held onto Virgil tighter. They were hovering over the water, several hundred feet in the air. “I guess I overdid it, huh.”
Virgil laughed. “Maybe just a little. I’ll make sure we get down safely.”
He began lowering them towards the water before Aurelia stopped him. “Wait.”
“What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you’re afraid of heights, too.”
“What?” Aurelia asked. “No. Who’s afraid of heights?”
“You mean you don’t, uh, never mind. It’s not important.”
“Okay,” Aurelia said slowly. “What I was going to say is, I’ve never seen a view like this before. The beach looks so beautiful from this high up.”
“Say no more.” Virgil positioned her on his back. “Just make sure you hold on tight, okay.”
Aurelia rested her arms around him, and Virgil tried his best to ignore the gnawing thoughts compounding in his head. The warm feeling billowing in his chest. Her soft and supple body pressed so firmly against his back. Her breasts. Good god, her breasts. He tried to push those thoughts and feelings aside. After all, they were just friends. Best friends, but friends nonetheless.
They flew around the beach, taking in the sights. Everything looked so minuscule. They could barely see the people down below. The sun glistened off the water, giving it a crystal-like appearance. They could see the many jungles that covered Ozryn’s inland, and the various villages that rested between the foliage. Everything looked sublime.
“Look at that.” Aurelia reached over and pointed to the side. Her body shifted, causing her to abruptly tighten her grip on Virgil, drawing them even closer together. “I’m sorry,” she said hastily, her face hugged tightly against Virgil’s neck.
Despite their aquatic frolicking, Virgil could still smell the sweet scent of peaches looming off her. Butterflies swirled in his gut as he placed his hands onto Aurelia’s thighs, further securing her on his back. “It’s all right. Even if you fall, I promise I’ll catch you.”
Aurelia ran the tip of her finger across Virgil’s chest as if she were drawing hearts in his skin. “I know. That’s one of the things I love about you. You always make me feel so safe. Like no matter what, we’ll always be okay and I can really be myself with you.”
Aurelia’s touch sent a shiver through Virgil’s body, and he could feel her breath gliding down his neck with each breath she took. It was exhilarating, and his mind surged with thoughts. Again, he tried to cast them out, but he might as well have been asking the sun to stop its radiant glow.
Okay. Everyone was right. No! You’re just friends. Her finger slipped! Yeah. She wouldn’t do that. Not intentionally. Yeah. Stop being weird, Virgil. You are just friends. FRIENDS!
“You still with me?” Aurelia asked.
“Y-yeah. What is it you wanted me to see?”
“Those trees over there. To the east.”
Virgil turned his head. “Oh yeah, I see them. From up here, they look like, like a heart.”
“I know, right!” Aurelia gushed. “They’re two beings coming together to form one heart. Isn’t it just so romantic?”
“I suppose it is.”
Yeah. Right. You know that was the most romantic thing you’ve ever seen. And she pointed it out. Why would she do that? Wait. Is this a date? Am I on a date right now? No! We’re just here to have fun. Fun with friends. Only it’s just us. Alone. Looking at this romantic heart. Fuck! This is a date. But then again, what if it’s not?
Aurelia gave Virgil a gentle squeeze as she placed her cheek against his neck once again. “Thank you,” she whispered. “You don’t know how much this means to me. I promise I’ll never forget this moment with you.”
Virgil smiled. It does feel good when she holds me like this. If we were a couple, we could do this all the time. I think I’d like that.
“Yeah,” Virgil replied. “Neither will I.”
Aurelia sighed. “It must be nice. You get to see things like this all the time.”
“I suppose it is pretty amazing when you think about it. When you’re so used to flying, I guess it’s easy to forget that.”
“What’s it like? Flying, I mean.”
“You should know by now. We’ve been up here for a while.”
“You’re flying,” Aurelia giggled. “I’m just along for the ride. I meant what’s flying like for you? What’s it like to not be controlled by anything? To be able to just get up and go where you want, when you want?”
“Well, you pretty much hit it right on the head. When you’re up here, nothing can bother you. It’s liberating.”
“Is it hard?”
“It’s about as hard as breathing. Well, at least for me anyway. Just because you’re born with a talent, doesn’t mean you’re born with the ability to use it. It could take years to master.”
“How long did it take you?”
“I don’t really know. I’ve been flying since I can remember. My father used to scold me for floating for no good reason. Apparently, it was a hard habit to break.” Aurelia giggled once more. “You just pictured a little version of me floating around, didn’t you?”
“Maaaybe,” she replied, her tone elongated and playful. “What if I did?”
Virgil chuckled. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.”
“Well, whatever you decide, can it include lunch, preferably of the fried variety?”
Virgil turned his attention to the pier. “I think we can make that happen.”
The pair flew over and slowly descended upon the pier. After a brief wait in line, they had their lunch in hand: chicken tenders, a basket of fries to share between them, and frozen smoothies to wash it all down. They sat down at one of the many patio tables spread about the pier.
“So,” Aurelia said after taking a sip of her drink. “Are you having a good time?”
“Defini
tely,” Virgil replied. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve had so much fun. Thank you for that.”
Aurelia reached over, plucking a fry from the basket. “You’re so welcome, oh bestie of mine.”
Virgil smirked. “Oh, so I’m ‘bestie’ now.”
Aurelia winked. “For now.”
“I see. I should be careful before I get kicked to the curb.”
“I would never do such a thing. Not to you.”
“You say that now, but . . .”
Aurelia paused, awaiting Virgil to finish his sentence. However, his attention was drawn elsewhere. “Virgil,” she said, waving her hand in front of his face. “Are you still there?”
“Excuse me.” He stood up abruptly, knocking over his chair. “I’ll be right back.”
Virgil fought his way through the crowds of people. His mind was focused on one thing. She was a short elven woman with hair as black as midnight, and her skin was a powder blue. Her white sundress fell just shy of her knees, and her hair was tied up in a ponytail. She was walking along the pier, heading inland.
“Excuse me, miss,” Virgil said as he placed his hand on the woman’s shoulder. Startled, the woman turned around. “I’m sorry,” Virgil continued. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. I just. You. Do you happen to be related to Olivia Abernathy? You look like you could be her sister.”
“N-no,” the woman said, shaking her head. “I’m afraid I have no idea who that is. Is she a friend of yours?”
Virgil frowned. “She used to be.”
“Oh. Well, I’m sorry to have gotten your hopes up.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Virgil said as he turned to walk away. “I’m sorry to have bothered you.”
Virgil walked back to the table with Aurelia and sat down.
“Find something you like?” she asked, dragging a soggy fry through a pile of ketchup.
“That’s good,” Virgil said. “Keep pretending to be mad at me.”
Aurelia scoffed. “Done.”
“When I tell you to, take your drink and dump it on me. Then I want you to storm off and go get Roxanne and Logan. Meet me at the heart-shaped trees. If I’m not there in fifteen minutes, have Roxanne evacuate the island.”
Aurelia raised her brow. “Okay,” she began. “Now you’re starting to scare me. What’s going on?”
“I’ll explain later.” Virgil placed his hand on Aurelia’s.
“Don’t you try and kiss up to me now!” Aurelia stood up. “I can’t believe you would do this to me after all I’ve done for you!”
Aurelia grabbed her drink and tossed it into Virgil’s face. Turning her nose up, she turned and stormed away. Virgil wiped the frozen drink from his face. Although he had known it was coming, that didn’t make it any more pleasant. The stares from the other beach patrons didn’t make it any better either. Nevertheless, he promptly cleaned off the table, and proceeded to leave the pier.
Chapter 47
As Virgil approached the heart-shaped trees, he saw Logan, Aurelia, and Roxanne standing there. Logan was stern and calm, his arms folded. At first glance, Aurelia appeared to be just as relaxed as her brother, but Virgil had come to be able to tell how she really felt inside. Her nervous, shifting eyes confirmed her anxiousness. Roxanne, however, stood just a few feet away from the siblings. She had her phone up to her ear and was deep in conversation.
“Understood,” Roxanne said. “I’ll mobilize the task force immediately.”
“What’s going on?” Virgil asked.
Roxanne turned her attention back to the group. “That was Aiden. Nobody’s on the move again.”
“What? Is he sure?”
“Absolutely. The Scarlet Mage has been sighted in the Amber Nation, and he’s not alone. Aiden’s forces are in pursuit as we speak. I’m going to assemble our team and join the hunt. If the attack on Akata Castle taught us anything, it’s that the Scarlet Mage is not to be trifled with, and that was before he got his hands on a dragon’s treasure.”
“We got this,” Aurelia said. “If we all work together, I’m sure we can take him down.”
Roxanne paused. She looked at the trio and took a deep breath. “I’m leaving you three behind.”
“What?” Logan asked, his jaw nearly dropped to the ground.
“I don’t understand,” Aurelia added. “I thought you wanted us to help stop Nobody.”
“I did,” Roxanne said, “I mean, I do. I thought we’d have more time but—”
“But you think we can’t handle it.” Logan finished.
Roxanne pursed her lips and let out a heavy sigh. “Look, the truth of the matter is that none of you are ready for this. You’ve each made incredible strides since I’ve been working with you, but as it stands right now, the odds of you surviving this battle are just too unfavorable to risk it.”
“But—”
“I’m sorry, Aurelia. I know you three have been putting your all into this, but I’m not willing to put you three in danger when I don’t have to.” Roxanne then turned to Virgil, who had yet to say a word. “Are you okay?” she asked. “I expected you to be the most upset of all.”
Virgil looked at Roxanne. “Frankly, I couldn’t be angrier with you, but I’ll live. I mean, that’s the point. Right? I can’t be a good dog if I’m dead.”
“Virgil, I—”
“Don’t bother. After all, this is the life I signed up for. Being told what to do and when to do it.” Everyone fell silent as Virgil turned to walk away. “If you don’t mind, I’ll make my way back to Fenmont on my own.”
“You can’t be serious,” Logan said. “The Diamond Nation is several thousand miles away.”
“I know. I’ll have to stop here and there, but I’ll make it back eventually. I could use a nice long flight right about now.”
Roxanne nodded, and Virgil walked away.
“Wait,” Aurelia said as she followed behind Virgil. “I’ll come with you.”
“No,” he said, not even bothering to look back. “I’d prefer to be alone right now. Please understand.”
Virgil left the group and returned to the beach. He slipped back into his normal attire and left Ozryn.
Or at least that’s how he made it seem. Once he was sure he wasn’t being followed, he returned to the pier. It had been nearly an hour since he was last there, but in all that time, he kept his aura perception focused on the elven woman.
He began his journey deep into the island’s inland and stumbled across a remote village. The buildings were small, appearing to be made out of a mixture of straw, bamboo, and leaves the size of blankets. Virgil had stopped seeing paved roads, and the natives were mostly nymphs. He stuck out like a sore thumb, and he didn’t know the first thing about speaking nymph. Fortunately, he had a clear trail to follow.
He stopped, and panic began to set in. Virgil tuned his aura perception as high as he could manage, but it was no use. The woman was gone, as if she had simply vanished off the island.
A large hand grabbed his shoulder. “Okay,” a familiar voice said, “that’s far enough.”
“Logan!” Virgil spun around. “How did you find me?”
Logan pulled out a cell phone. “Aurelia and I both agreed you were acting weird, so we devised a plan to tail you.” After dialing a number, Logan pulled the phone to his ear. “You can join us now.”
“I don’t get it. I made sure I wasn’t followed. I didn’t sense any aura.”
Logan smiled as Virgil’s eyes grew wide. “Shortly after Roxanne brought us back, we left Fenmont. We told Riley we were going out to catch a movie. Not sure if she bought it, to be completely honest, but that’s neither here nor there. After Aurelia transported us to Ozryn, she left, leaving me to wait for you. The one person who could tail you without you even realizing it.”
A blue void appeared, and Aurelia stepped through. She was livid, her face red and her fists balled. As she approached Virgil, he opened his mouth to speak, only for his words to be slapped right out of his mouth. He h
eld his face in shock. Aurelia’s eyes were glistening, and it looked as if she would burst into tears at any moment.
“Aurelia, I—”
“Why did you do it?” she asked, her tone low as she cut Virgil off.
“I. It’s. It’s complicated.”
“Then un-complicate it.”
“Aurelia. You don’t understand. I—”
“Make me understand!” she blurted out, tears falling down her face. “Please. Just make it make sense. I thought I meant something to you, but you just left me behind. Why? Why would you do that to me? You promised you would call for me. You promised we’d face this together.”
Virgil fell silent, floored by her outburst. Again, he opened his mouth to speak, only this time, he failed to find the words to say.
Aurelia turned away trying her best to wipe away her tears. “I can’t even stand to look at you right now.”
Logan reached out and patted his sister on the head. “I’m sure he has a good reason,” he said as he looked to Virgil. “Right?”
“R-right,” Virgil nodded as he swallowed the lump in his throat. “You see. I. On the pier. I caught a glimpse of someone who looked kind of like Olivia. Not strange, I know, but when I looked at her aura, it was a dead match.”
“That’s impossible,” Logan replied. “Auras are as unique as someone’s fingerprint, and Olivia died at Akata Castle. You burned her body yourself.”
Virgil tensed up and his stomach lurched at the thought of her burning corpse. “I know, but, I mean, I know what I felt. I swear the auras are a perfect match. I don’t know how it’s possible, but something isn’t right. Don’t you find it odd that the Scarlet Mage would appear mere moments after I spoke with this woman?”
Logan stroked his chin. “I admit it. That is quite the coincidence. Let’s say Olivia is alive somehow. That would mean she likely faked her death at Akata Castle. If so, there’s a good chance she’s been a spy for Nobody all along. It would certainly explain the assault on the island.”
Aurelia turned back around still fuming with anger. “That doesn’t explain why you left me!”