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An Unlikely Match: The Princess and the Thief	By : LadyPhoenix99 Category: S through Z > Spellbound Views: 2292 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Spellbound, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
Again, there are more references to Chapter 9 of Spellbound Sidestories here as we see that Zahara still suffers mentally from his brutal attack.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

An Unhappy Reunion

“You’re next unless you tell me why you want him…” Aurora warned him.

“Not likely,” Malcolm growled as he rushed to attack Kaida. She was ready for him

“Whoa, down boy!” She said calmly as she lifted a hand. He met contact with that hand and was startled when he received a small electric shock, forcing him to back off.

“Just tell us where Blake is,” he ordered her, holding his chest. From the other side of the room, Gabriel used the wall to prop himself up and regain his balance. He scowled as he spit blood from Aurora's attack. It had not been an attack he was familiar with at all. He spotted his next target and launched himself at Adair.

“Hart!” He shouted as he reached for him, grabbing Adair by the collar. Atem rolled his eyes at the dark immortal and reached up to grab his wrist, twisting it till it cracked and forcing Gabriel to let go. “Where is he, Hart?”

“As my wife and everyone else here has already told you, we don’t know where he is. He left a while ago and never said a word to anyone,” Adair told him calmly, with barely controlled anger, carefully avoiding the detail that Zahara was with him.

“We can’t tell you what we don’t know,” Aurora added. “But since you refused to answer our questions, we cannot even trust your intentions. So why would we bother telling you, if we were to know this information?” Gabriel glared at them before turning toward Malcolm.

“Forget this, let’s go and find him, Mal.” Malcolm nodded and the two walked out the door.

“Thank Ra!” Belle sighed as she fell back into her seat. Ryan looked concerned.

“But what if they find him with Zahara?”

“Come on,” Aurora said, heading toward the door. “We have to follow them, or at least track Blake and Zahara down before Gabriel and Malcolm get to them.”

“If we split up we have a better chance at finding them,” Ryan suggested. There were nods of agreement and within seconds the surf club was empty.

**************************************

Blake reached for her again and pulled her closer to him. He used the tips of two fingers to lift her chin and make her face him.

“I want you to listen to me, Zahara. I want you to hear me, because you know how I am. You know I don’t show emotions normally. You have brought out a side of me that no one has ever seen.” He took a breath and gave her a look that could only be described as an if-he-had-puppy-ears-they-would-droop look.

“Zahara, I love you deeply; the sound of your voice, and the way you touch.” Man do I love the way she touches, he thought with a slight tremble. “I love your warm smile, and your kind, thoughtful way. The joy you bring to my life every day. I love you today, and I think I have loved you from the start. No matter what happens today or in the future, know that I’ll love you forever, with all of my heart…” His voice trailed off and he managed a somewhat shy smile.

Zahara melted and this time the tears in her eyes were tears of joy. Her worries forgotten at the moment, she flew herself forward and tackle hugged him. “Oh, Blake! You really do love me!” She cried out. “And here I thought it would be just some plan to really get at my father… build an army of children you could brainwash or something…” Blake laughed nervously.

“Now why would I want to do that?” He asked her with a shaky smile. How did she know? Damn, she must be sharp…He recalled the previous moment when she had seemed to be able to read his thoughts, and decided to attempt the mask the words that had just been in his head. “Of course I love you, that’s why I got us to run when I did.”

Zahara was able to catch the last part of his thoughts which he had accidentally let slip through his defenses. “I am sharper than you realize apparently…” she said with a grin. “Come on… You brought us here,” she said, taking his hand. “Might as well get on the ice.” Blake suddenly tried to picture himself ice skating and his eyes went wide.

Oh my Ra…

*******************************************

A few moments had passed as they skated around the rink, trying to forget about the danger for the time being. Outside, Kaida was looking up at the rink. It was the only building the group had not yet searched as they all met up in front of it. She shook her head, with soft disbelieving laughter.

“Whoa- never imagined Blake in a place like this…” Ryan and Belle pushed passed her and swung open the doors calling out in unison.

“Blake! Zahara!” The couple skated to a sudden stop, staring at the doors in fear.

“Oh, no,” Blake whispered. Zahara swallowed hard and cuddled closer to him.

“If they found us… then…” Her words faded and she closed her eyes, burying her face in his chest. “No! I won’t go back to that place! Blake- I can’t go back!” It had taken her months to climb out of the darkness she sank into after Malcolm’s attack. She never wanted to be faced with that kind of nightmarish world again.

Aurora watched her daughter’s reaction in shock trying to piece together what had brought about the reaction. She turned to face Blake who was openly glaring at them. “They are on their way, and I am certain you know who I am talking about… You are lucky we found you first.”

“They are not in the best of moods either,” Adair added. “We can help protect you… If you allow it.”

“And let’s not let pride become an issue here… For Zahara’s sake at least,” Aurora finished. Blake could not help but notice the violent shaking going through Zahara’s body by this time. She was truly frightened about what would happen if she was found. It made him wonder.

Just what did Malcolm do to her all those months ago…? “Why did you have to find us?” Blake asked aloud instead, angry with them, with Gabriel and Malcolm, and angry with himself for putting Zahara through all this. He held her tightly against him. “Why did you have to come?” Ryan had noticed Belle closing her eyes and chanting. He drew nearer to her and realized what she was doing. Trying to block out all sound and image of where they were so Gabriel could not use their link to aid their own search. He helped by placing his hands over her ears.

“I have no idea where we are, I have no idea where we are, I have no idea where we are,” she chanted over and over again. Aurora turned back to Blake.

“We got ambushed by them, Blake. Why are they in such a hurry to find you? What do they want?” Adair silenced them all with the most important question as his darker voice spoke up.

“Is Zahara in danger?” Zahara shoved herself away from Blake and skated to the far end of the rink where she had left her shoes.

“I won’t go… I won’t… They won’t find me… No one will…” Her hands shook as she slipped her shoes on her feet, preparing to run.

I can’t lie to him, Blake thought dejectedly. Not now. “Yes, Zahara is in danger.” He said softly, making an attempt to skate over to where Zahara was. Ryan snickered at Blake’s attempts, but was silenced with a sharp stab of Belle’s elbow in his side.

“Sorry, I couldn’t help it.”

“Zahara,” Blake reached her and knelt beside her, trying to hold her close. “I’ll make sure they won’t get you. I promise. If you run now, the chances of them finding you are much higher.” The fact that she was in danger was not lost upon Adair.

“How so- tell me. I will help you. What do you need? A distraction so you can get away? A place to stay? Say it and it is yours.” Aurora, though wide-eyed at the change in Adair, understood what he was doing and nodded.

“Agreed. Blake, you are a member of this family now. We stand beside each other and protect each other. You take care of her… We will take care of them.” She gave him a harder look. “Unless you have a better plan.” Zahara looked up at him, torn between fleeing and staying there in his arms. Her fear could be sensed by everyone.

“I-I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do!” Blake exclaimed softly, Curling his fingers in Zahara’s hair as he held her tighter to him. A frightened cry wrenched itself from her throat and she struggled to pull away so she could run. He grasped a hold of her even tighter, begging her to stay. “I can protect you better if you stay,” he whispered to her. Adair and Aurora made their way across the rink to them.

“Take her and go. We will do what we can,” Adair told him. Blake gathered her and helped her stand after putting his street shoes back on. Adair swallowed hard. “And Blake?” He turned back to face Atem. “Keep her safe. Wherever you go… Just keep her safe and bring her back to us when this is over. One way or another…” Blake nodded and was about to turn to leave when Aurora spoke up again.

“Wait… Something just doesn’t add up. They are upset with this pairing right?”

Zahara looked over at her mother. “He said he never told them.” Aurora arched an eyebrow at the words but chose to say something else.

“How odd… I saw the signs long before the card game, long before now. I am certain Gabriel has seen them, too. Even if he hasn’t yet put everything together. It would not be long before he realizes who you have been with, Blake. So what exactly is the reason he would be against the relationship? The fact that she is Adair’s daughter… Or was there another reason? Something you were supposed to do, but have not been doing because of her? Has she ruined some chaos-creating plan you two had cooked up? And where does Malcolm fit in all this?”

“Malcolm… I don’t…” He felt the violent tremor go through Zahara at the name again, and his mind switched tracks. “You said Gabriel was here with Malcolm?

“Yeah, he is here,” Aurora answered rubbing her neck while remembering how he tried choking her. “He didn’t like me very much when they left the surf club.

“I am guessing the Gabriel and Malcolm combined make things worse?” Sanura asked.

“But what does Malcolm have to do with this?” All eyes were directed toward Zahara when she shoved Blake away.

“Stop! Please stop saying his name! Please,” she whimpered, cowering away and avoiding eye contact with everyone. Aurora gasped.

“Dear Ra! Zahara! You remember?” Zahara hung her head as another tremor shook her. “I prayed you wouldn’t remember. Dear child, I am so sorry this is happening…” Adair scowled as the memories of Malcolm’s attack on Zahara filled his head as well.

“Blake-get her out of here. We will handle them. Don’t let him near her, no matter what, you hear me?” Blake nodded and reached for her again. Her fear had taken control and she completely broke down.

“No! No, no, no, no! Please no! I can’t… I won’t … Not again… Not Malcolm…” Blake picked her up and held her tightly against him. He was not sure just what Malcolm did to her, and a part of him did not really want to know. But he was certain it was nothing short of his typical torture. Then again, she was Adair’s daughter… That meant his torture was even worse for her. He hugged her and looked back at Adair again.

“I will protect her; protect her with my own life,” he promised the former king. Adair nodded. Sanura looked around.

“Anyone have any idea where they are so we can get my sister out a different way?” Aurora looked over at Belle.

“Can you tell if Gabriel is near? Any idea what he wants?” Zahara started mumbling softly, shaking. Blake tried to half hear what Belle had to say as he whispered random sweet nothings in her ear to calm her.

“No, Malcolm… no, please don’t…” He was beginning to think her mind had gone. She had pulled so far within herself she no longer noticed anything or anyone. All he could do was hug her tightly again.

Ryan heard Aurora’s question and uncovered Belle’s ears. She looked up at him.

“What?”

“Aurora wants to know if Gabriel is near.”

Belle sighed. “Oh, I could check… But it might be a risk to him finding us.” Aurora frowned thoughtfully.

“Just what is Gabriel capable of? I mean, I know what Ma…” She stopped herself, glancing over at Zahara, hoping to spare her any more grief and pain. “…the other is capable of and I can handle him. But what about Gabriel? And no one seems to be able to answer the question of just what they want with Blake or whether it has anything to do with Zahara.” Adair sighed. Blake bit his lip, struggling with his conscious.

“I don’t think Zahara should know. It’s not something I want her to know. Actually it’s not something I want anyone to know…” he said softly, clinging to her

“Either way, we can’t put them at any more risk. We may have to go to Gabriel ourselves,” Adair stated.

“So does that mean we are risking it?” Belle asked them.

“It’s Blake’s call,” Aurora answered. “He and Belle are the only ones who truly know what Gabriel is capable of.” She looked at Blake. “You will have to face them eventually…” Without warning, Blake was nearly knocked off balance when Zahara started thrashing in his arms, screaming. Adair and Aurora drew nearer to help him and Aurora hissed in pain as Zahara accidentally scratched her in the process.

“You are going to have to help us end this torment, Blake. Her reaction is verifying that Malcolm is near by. Too near. One way or another, this has to end.”

“There is a lot at risk here,” Blake told her, gazing down not only at the ring on Zahara’s hand, but at the family ring Atem had given him as well. Then he looked at Zahara, sadness in his eyes.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gabriel and Malcolm were growing tired and irritated by their search. They were running out of places their friend could have been hiding.

“Now where to go…” Gabriel mused, looking around as he got out of the car one last time.

“We’ve searched nearly everywhere!” Malcolm told him in an exasperated voice. He found it hard to believe that Blake could remain hidden from him of all people for this long. Gabriel suddenly gave a lazy grin.

“The key word here, Malcolm, is nearly.”

“Huh?” Gabriel pointed at a building a few feet away from them.

“We haven’t checked in there.” Malcolm looked up at the sign on the building and understood his friend’s smile. They were standing near the Iceland Ice Skating Rink.

*****************************************

Zahara’s struggles stopped when she opened her eyes to see Blake looking down at their rings. “‘B-Blake? What are you thinking? Please don’t leave me to him. Please… don’t… He will kill me, Blake. He will. He told me he would,” she whispered.

“Don’t worry. I would never leave you. Especially to him.”

“It won’t happen, Zahara,” Aurora assured her. “He can’t get to you… We won’t let him…” Kaida joined them.

“No… They aren’t going to do anything to you, Zahara. Not if we have anything to say about it.

Adair stepped closer to Blake, getting close enough to speak softly so the women could not hear him, but Blake would get the message loud and clear.

“I suggest you at least talk to me… We can help each other.” Blake never had the chance, however, as the doors burst open and Malcolm’s shocked and angry voice filled the room.

“What is going on here?”

“Oh no…” Belle whispered. Malcolm’s voice froze Zahara before she shrank away from the light to avoid being seen.

“Please Ra, no…” Aurora and Adair stood with Kaida to place themselves between Gabriel, Malcolm, and Blake and Zahara. Aurora looked back at Blake one last time.

“Just remember, no matter what happens, don’t let him get to her,” she told him nodding at Malcolm as Zahara squirmed in Blake’s grasp. He kept his head lowered in an effort to further shield her from his two evil friends.

“Oh no… Please, Ra, no…” he whispered, echoing Zahara’s pleas. Gabriel’s voice echoed in the room.

“Blake!” He called out, shocked. “Who is she?” Malcolm strained to look around the group to get a better look at the girl in Blake’s arms.

“Good question, Gabe.” The hair seems familiar… he thought as he racked his brain trying to remember. Aurora sneered back at him, taking his own words from earlier.

“It’s no business of yours. Get out of here.” Zahara chanced looking over Blake’s shoulder to see Malcolm. She bit her lip hard to keep her screams inside as she whispered in his ear.

“Please Ra don’t let him see me… He will remember if he sees me. Don’t let him see me…” She tightened her grip in his shirt and shoulder, ducking her head back down and biting her lip even harder which gave her the coppery taste of blood in her mouth as she made an effort not to be heard. Adair closed any gaps when he noticed Malcolm trying to look around them.

“You heard her- leave!” Gabriel matched his glare and made no effort to move.

“Answer the question, Hart. Who is that girl?”

“And what is she doing with Blake?” Malcolm added. Everyone was startled when Gabriel seemed to appear beside Blake without moving. Aurora realized then he had a slight ability of teleportation. He moved at a deadly pace and grabbed one of Blake’s wrists causing Zahara to cry out in more fear, ducking her head and burying her face in his chest so he could not see her. Malcolm’s eyes widened at the cry. It was one that sparked a slight memory in his mind, but he had yet to piece together which of the memories of torture he was remembering. Blake shook off the offending hand.

“Blake.” Gabriel said in a pointed tone that said “it’s time”. Though no one seemed to know just what it was time for except Malcolm, Gabriel, and Blake.

“No, I’m not. I won’t,” Blake said evenly, his teeth clenched.

“But you know it’s time. Everyone is waiting. It’s ready.” Blake returned the death glare at his friend. He shook his head and uttered the word that would change his life.

“No.”
- 7
- 8
- 9
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An Unlikely Match: The Princess and the Thief