SPELLBOUND

Silence enveloped the dark room illuminated by a bluish light coming from a ball of magic that was placed on the small table. Gideon had yet to move at all. Not even for an inch. He just sat there, frozen as a statue as he hugged the woman in his arms, making sure she was fully enveloped within the circle of his embrace. 

She was still burning hot, and he could still feel the heat coming off from her in waves. But the good news was that she had stopped crying and moaning. Her shivers had stopped as well and now he could hear nothing but her faint heartbeats and her slow and calmed breathing. 

As he sat there holding her in his arms, he could feel her burning heat seeping through the layers of her clothes to him and he felt like he might actually melt as though he were made of wax if he kept on holding onto her like this. Even though he had thought of it that way, instead of pulling away, Gideon dropped his head, leaning it gently over the crown of her head and then held her even closer to himself. He held onto her as if he was craving for her heat, as if he had finally found the warmth he had been longing for after an eternity of time, all that time just embracing nothing but the cold and murky darkness in the depths of his own being. And now that he was holding her, he found that he had not the slightest intention of letting her go even if her heat ends up melting him away. 

Hearing her pleas while she was still asleep made Gideon finally realise why he could not find it within himself to leave this person alone. She had never once screamed out for help even when she was frightened to death while being chased by that human predator. She had never even whispered out that one word 'help' when that man had harmed her, much less cried out for assistance from others around her. And yet, here she was, unconsciously pleading for help in her sleep, over and over. 

Gideon could not help but see himself in her. Both of them were similarly tormented, utterly broken creatures who seemed to be beyond anyone's saving grace. Gideon had also experienced the same thing, where he had been talking in his sleep as well. And that was why he had never let anyone sleep next to him since a long time ago when he had found out he had this problem. He had always chosen the room which was isolated, and he always put up a soundproof barrier whenever he sleeps. It was all just so no one could hear and see what he was actually going through every single night. 

To think this frail little human was going through the same thing as him… what had she done to deserve this? What kind of demons plagued her during her sleep? Gideon wondered to himself.

The corner of his lips lifted slightly. Of course, she had not done anything. Just like him, she must be just another creature with an unfortunate fate. Just another person who was born just to suffer and then die within the cycle of life. 

As that thought played in his mind, Gideon's hold on her tightened a little. No, she was not like him. She had not reached the point of hopelessness yet. This person was not beyond saving. She still had a future. Unlike him. 

… 

Vera could not believe her eyes the moment she awoke and opened her baby blues. She was utterly shocked at the sight displayed before her eyes. He… Gideon was next to her, hugging her and… he was asleep. Her heart skipped a beat, and she became paralyzed. The feel of his heavy arm around her made her cheeks burn hotly as an itchy feeling crept around within her heart. And it was just shocking how she felt incredibly relieved the moment she realized it was him who was with her in bed. 

But as she thought about it, a small smile bloomed over her face. This was the first time she had woken up with someone holding her like this. She had gone through many terrible fevers and other illnesses in the past and she had survived them – all by herself, alone and without the care of anyone. Even during those times when she had wished she would not wake up anymore, she still awakened the next day with no one around to even help bring her a cup of water to moisten her parched throat.

And yet, here she was, waking up comfortably wrapped up in someone's arm as if she was being cherished like a precious treasure. Her eyes were hot as she thought 'so this is how it feels like being taken care of'. Even though this might not be like what she was expecting – as perhaps he was here by accident or probably by force – Vera did not care. Right then, she just wanted to stay like this, being held in his strong arms as though she was a cherished maiden. Even though he would become cold to her again when he wakes up later on, Vera would still be happy and grateful. All because he had allowed her to experience this feeling of being treasured like this at least for once in her life. 

With eyes blurring with tears, Vera moved and snuggled herself closer to him, gripping a handful of his shirt and bringing it close to her face. He was surprisingly warm and had a wonderful earthy fragrance that enchanted her. He was so much warmer than any pillow she had ever slept with. And why did he feel a million times better when he was not even as soft as her pillows? 

While Vera was revelling in the feeling of him, Gideon finally opened his eyes. His electric blue eyes circled as he realized that he was still in bed and… still hugging her. He had slept?! How was that possible?!

He was so shocked that he could not move for a while until she began moving even closer to him. She even shifted her knees quite a few times, not caring where her knees were rubbing and touching.

Gideon abruptly held her shoulders when she suddenly kneed him right there. At the contact, both of them froze for a second. 

Then their eyes met. Both eyes, one a vivid blue and the other a pale one, circled wide as they stared silently at each other.   

A/N: Second chap will come a bit later ^^