3 2. Ethan

Norah was constantly looking at the clock, asking why every second was slower than the last. She cleaned the last book on the shelf without using any magic, as the rules dictated. Her hands were already tired of doing so much manual work.

Three… two… one…

"Yei!"

She went down the stairs running to the entrance of the castle. Her heart was beaming with joy and her red hair fluttered with the light breeze from outside. Whenever she passed the curious boys on the entrance, the countless heads turning her way were shining with admiration.

"Norah!"

The voice of Sir Simon came just in time to see her sweet smile. She turned around and looked at the handsome man in his shiny white knight uniform coming her way. He looked fantastic with a big smile painted on his face, she almost drooled.

"Norah, are you ready?"

His white teeth showed while he smiled extending his hand to her. Her heart almost popped out when she rested her hand on his palm.

"Yes!"

"Let's go then."

He guided her towards the beautiful autumn garden behind the castle and they strolled for a few minutes before arriving at the small and cozy tea shop. They kept talking about many little things that the time flew faster without them noticing.

"Norah?"

"Yes?"

"I… I wanted to…" His ears were turning red when her beautiful eyelashes flickered like butterfly wings.

He took her hand and looked at her directly to the eyes. Her heart was beating so hard that it was difficult to breathe. She somehow was waiting for that exact moment.

"Yes?"

"I wanted to ask you something."

"Yes?"

Her lovely eyes sent his heartbeat on a rampage and he couldn't help but gulp when she bit his lips waiting for him to speak.

"After the punishment is over… would you… consider being my…"

"Time is over. Come here, Norah!"

The unexpected deep voice of Ethan interrupted their dear moment.

"…"

She wanted to punch his face so much and sent him flying to the end of the world.

"Master Ethan, can you give me a few minutes, just one is fine."

"No, right now I need you for something."

"You!"

"Come over here Norah, or I will punish you right here."

She knew what kind of punishment he was talking about and she was not going to let that perverted wizard has his way.

"I am going now, Sir Simon, maybe we can continue another day?"

"Yes, of course, dear Norah."

He kissed her hand and she blushed. She was so distracted with the smile of Sir Simon that she didn't notice the gloomy eyes of the Wizard behind her.

"Are you done?"

"Yes"

She turned around to look at the man, but her eyes were no more cheerful.

"Excellent, let's go."

He smiled coldly at her angry eyes and took her wrist roughly. She let him led her back to the tower where his accommodations and study were. She has been living with him for the last month, and she was now used to his habits and the standard of living of his house, it was much better than the dorms and without jealous roommates, she was grateful for that.

They arrived at the study room and he closed all the windows and curtains completely with a flick of his finger. He opened a drawer of his desk and tossed her a little glass bottle with a strange blue liquid inside.

"What is this?"

"Drink it!"

"I won't drink it if you don't tell me what this is."

"I order you to drink it or you will extend your punishment… you wouldn't want that, do you?"

He squinted his eyes and made a mocking sound to her furious face.

"You!"

"Careful darling, I am you master."

"…"

"Drink it now!"

"Fine!"

She opened the bottle and looked carefully at the strange liquid. It was a clear blue with a tint of grey. She looked at the wizard again then she drank it all.

"Done!"

She yelled but at the next moment, she felt a sudden flow of memories being pushed inside her mind. Or not? It felt like they were there from the beginning.

"What is happening? What did you do?"

She looked in pain and her red eyes started tearing.

Then the pain stopped.

"Ethan?"

She looked at him and her eyes changed from having anger inside to ones that showed affection and love. Then she smiled and started weeping at the same time.

"Ethan!"

She ran towards him and jumped at him hugging him tightly. Ethan looked at her gently and his smile was so different from before that anyone seeing him would be stunned.

"I missed you so much, darling."

He whispered and then leaned to kiss her forehead, then her eyes, her nose, and finally her lips. She let him do it feeling happy. He kept gently kissing her for several minutes when she started to take the initiative to touch him more intimately.

"Darling, I want you." She whispered and deepened the kiss. "I want you, Ethan."

"I know, but we may not have much time."

She frowned.

"Are you mad?"

"Yes."

"But… you know that I couldn't remember."

"I know, but I am jealous. You let him touch you."

"I am sorry, but…" She said while blinking her eyes. He let out a small sigh knowing well he couldn't resist her. "Ethan, just a bit more, and I will be able… to… ah... ah!"

A sudden pain invaded her head with such intensity that she became red from the feeling. Then everything got cloudy and her eyes returned to the previous Norah.

"What is this? What happened?"

She looked at the man that was hugging her with sad eyes.

"The experiment failed, and I caught you before you fainted. I will take you to your room."

He carried her upstairs like a princess. However, he was behaving so gentle that she couldn't get used to it and kept silent not minding him touching her. His eyes from before were so warm that she didn't know what to say or do, she just let him do it. She didn't know why but she trusted him even after all he had done to her.

He rested her on the bed and she fell asleep instantly when he whispered a sleeping spell.

"Sigh… how long it would take, love? I miss you so much."

He kissed her forehead and covered her with the bedsheets. Then he walked away.

****

She didn't remember what happened that night, but Ethan was acting a bit distant and… sad? She couldn't understand why would that be. His cold and indifferent eyes were replaced with gentle ones making her feel different and warm.

"Well, I shouldn't care anymore, this punishment is about to end."

It was the weekend, and she didn't need to go to the school or the library. However, she had some duties within the tower. He had made her stay inside the tower to clean the first floor that was full of bookshelves with ancients scrolls and books.

The time was going slowly while she cleaned little by little without the help of spells. He never allowed her to use magic inside the tower as she didn't have good control over it, and she would end causing a disaster for him to clean up later.

"This is so boring."

Thump…

She had finished cleaning the first shelf when a loud thud interrupted her labor. Ethan had left the tower that morning to attend a meeting in the Royal Palace and she was all alone inside.

Thump…

Again, another thud followed by a big explosion. She knew where it was. She ran upstairs and found an old woman inside the study room ruminating on the shelves and drawers.

"Who are you?!"

"Little girl, you shouldn't meddle in my business."

The old woman had been throwing things around the study as if looking for something. It seemed that she didn't care about Norah.

"Stop right now!"

"Girl, you can do whatever you want but if you get in my way, I will have to be rude to you."

Norah narrowed her eyes and whispered a spell. Then a golden mist surrounded the old woman sending her out from the big hole she did to enter the tower.

"Heh…"

Just when Norah was dancing in victory. The old woman returned flying at an amazing speed while throwing a ball of fire at Norah. She dodged to one side, but the woman made another explosion shattering the desk and the bookshelf.

Then the woman started laughing maniacally while holding a golden ring with a red gem on her wrinkled hand.

"Thank you, darling, you helped me big time."

"I won't let you take that!"

Norah whispered again but now her golden eyes were glowing more brightly this time. The old woman stopped moving and widened her eyes at the little witch that had cast an advanced spell paralyzing her body.

Norah walked in front of the old woman carefully and took the ring from her extended hand, but the moment she touched it, the red gem emitted a bright red light that wrapped her entire body.

The last thing she saw was Ethan entering the room with panic written all over his face. Then she blacked out.