Chapter 14 - The Magic of a Date

The morning air was cool as Aiden and Valerie stepped out of the guild hall for the first time without bandages binding their ribs and shoulders. Robert and Gloria had signed off on their release with firm instructions: rest, but practice. They weren’t to dive into battles yet, but small bursts of Heartlink magic would help rebuild their rhythm until it felt natural again.

“Don’t push yourselves,” Gloria had said with a wag of her finger. “But don’t hide from it either. Magic grows the same way love does—through use, through trust.”

They nodded, thanking the couple before leaving. Chloe, of course, had pressed a folded piece of parchment into Valerie’s hand as they walked out.

“It’s a list,” Chloe said, proud as though she’d just delivered treasure. “Places you absolutely have to visit. Sweets you have to try. Shops you have to peek into. Don’t come back until you’ve crossed at least three things off.”

Valerie had laughed, squeezing Chloe in a quick hug. Now, with the list in hand, the couple wandered down the cobblestone street, fingers laced together. The market buzzed around them, vendors shouting the day’s deals, children darting underfoot, the smell of bread and roasted nuts wafting through the air.

“Feels strange,” Aiden admitted, glancing at their entwined hands. “Walking without half the town staring daggers at us.”

Valerie smirked. “Give it time. They’ll remember soon enough.”

He chuckled, though the sound held nerves. “Maybe today we start rewriting what they remember.”

She glanced at him, her smile softening. “That’s the spirit.”

Halfway down the street, Aiden slowed. “Think we should try it here?”

“Try what?”

“Restorative Spring. Just a small version. See if it works when we actually mean it.” He lifted his hand, a faint ember of earth magic sparking at his fingertips. Valerie mirrored him, water shimmering faintly in her palm. They pressed their hands together.

“Ready?” Aiden asked.

She nodded, determination bright in her eyes.

They focused. Earth and water swirled, colliding awkwardly. Then—pop! A harmless puff of light fizzled between their palms, startling them both.

For a split second, silence. Then they burst into laughter.

“Was that supposed to happen?” Valerie giggled.

“Totally,” Aiden deadpanned, then cracked a grin. “First step in every great spell is a firework show.”

Valerie, cheeks flushed with excitement, tugged him closer. “Let’s try again.”

This time, they slowed their breathing, letting their magic seep together rather than clash. A faint green glow flickered, dim at first, then steady. Warmth pulsed through their hands, spreading into their chests. Aiden straightened suddenly, realizing the stiffness in his back had melted away. Valerie gasped softly, hand against her chest. “The heaviness…it’s gone.”

Their eyes met, wonder reflecting in both pairs. It was small, barely more than a flicker, but it was real.

“We did it,” Aiden whispered.

Valerie squeezed his hand. “We really did.”

They gazed at each other, love and excitement shining in their eyes. Until Aiden’s stomach growled loudly.

He clutched his middle with a sheepish grin, cheeks burning red.

Valerie giggled. "How about we go try some of those sweets Chloe recommended?"

"Sounds good to me...and my stomach," Aiden laughed.

The bakery Chloe had scribbled at the top of her list stood at the corner of the square, its windows fogged with sugar steam and its door chiming cheerfully as they stepped inside. Sweetness hung thick in the air—honey, cinnamon, and the sharp bite of citrus glaze.

But the warmth faltered when they spotted two familiar figures at the counter.

Zachary and Everly.

Their posture stiffened, eyes cutting back as Aiden and Valerie entered. Zachary’s smirk was immediate, sharp as a knife. “Well, well. If it isn’t the Heartlink failures. Come to start another fight?”

Aiden’s gut twisted. His hand tightened around Valerie’s instinctively. For a moment, anger licked at him, hot and reckless. He pictured himself decking Zachary like before. But Valerie’s arms wrapped around him gently from the side, grounding him.

“You don’t have to,” she whispered. “Not if you’re not ready.”

The fire in his chest cooled. Slowly, he drew a long breath. Then he stepped forward.

Zachary tensed, as if bracing for a punch. But Aiden stopped just in front of him, voice steady. “I’m not here to fight. I’m here to apologize.”

The bakery went silent. Patrons glanced up from their bread rolls, murmurs dying on their tongues.

“I’m sorry for hitting you with that fireball in the dungeon. Sorry for punching you in the square. I was reckless, and I let my pride get in the way.” He extended his hand. “I hope someday we can at least tolerate each other. Maybe even be friends.”

Zachary blinked, clearly caught off guard. His smirk faltered, then returned, weaker this time. “About time you admitted it.” He eyed the offered hand but didn’t take it. “Friends? Doubtful.”

Aiden held steady, though his heart sank. He withdrew his hand slowly.

Valerie stepped forward. Her eyes softened when they landed on Everly, who still bore faint burn marks across her skin. “You’re still hurt.”

Everly blinked. “It’s fine—”

But Valerie was already reaching for Aiden’s hand. Together, they let the magic flow. Green light shimmered, soft and healing. Everly gasped as the burns melted away, smooth skin left in their place. Her hand flew to her mouth, tears welling. “...Thank you.”

Valerie’s smile was warm, intentional. She leaned forward, pulling Everly into a gentle hug. Everly stiffened, surprised, then began to lift her arms...

“Everly,” Zachary snapped. His tone was sharp, commanding.

She flinched, pulling back quickly to his side.

Zachary’s jaw tightened. “We’re leaving.”

They turned and exited, the bell chiming above the door. The whispers returned at once, louder this time. Not scornful, but curious. Some patrons murmured that maybe Aiden and Valerie weren’t what Zachary had painted them to be.

Valerie touched Aiden’s arm softly. “That was brave. I’m proud of you.”

He exhaled a shaky laugh. “Honestly? I really wanted to punch him again.”

She snorted, covering her mouth. “And yet, you didn’t. Progress.”

His grin widened. “Baby steps.”

They collected their pastries and stepped back into the street. As they shared bites of frosted buns, Valerie nudged him. “Did you see Everly’s face? She wanted to hug me back. She looked so…sad when she couldn’t.”

Aiden’s eyes softened. “Maybe she’s never really had someone to care for her. Not like that. You should try again. She might need it more than you think.”

Determination lit Valerie’s face. She nodded firmly. “I will.”

The day should have ended with sweetness and laughter. Instead, it ended in fire.

The explosion rocked the town square, sending a plume of black smoke curling into the sky. Screams tore through the air. Aiden and Valerie dropped their pastries, sprinting toward the source. Flames licked greedily at the wooden beams of the apothecary. The sign that swung above the door cracked in the heat.

A man stumbled out, soot clinging to his skin. Two guards caught him by the arms—one of them Jaxson.

“My apprentices!” the man cried hoarsely. “They’re still inside!”

Jaxson’s eyes went wide. “Avery?” He lunged for the door, but villagers grabbed him, holding him back. “The flames are too strong!” someone shouted.

Chloe skidded to a stop beside Valerie, her face pale.

“Why isn’t anyone using water magic?” Valerie demanded.

Chloe shook her head. “Our magic isn’t enough. Water conjured by individuals are in small amounts. To fight this blaze, you would need a water source—a river, a well. There’s nothing nearby!”

Aiden’s chest heaved as he stared at the fire. Jaxson struggled against the people restraining him, roaring Avery’s name. Valerie gripped Aiden’s arm. “We have to do something.”

He swallowed hard, an idea sparking. “I have an idea...but it's a little crazy. We're going to have to try something new.”

Valerie blinked at him. “New?”

“What if we combined earth and air together to create some kind of rocky armor? The earth will be my shield and the air will keep the flames off me, keep me cool.” His voice was rough, fast. “Theoretically of course.”

Her jaw dropped. “Do you even know what theoretically means?!”

He gave a crooked grin. “Not really. But do you believe in me? In us?”

Tears pricked her eyes, but she set her jaw and nodded. “Always.”

They joined hands. The air stirred around them, tugging at loose leaves. Stones quivered against the cobblestones, then rose, circling in a storm. Wind wrapped around Aiden’s body, holding the rocks in place, forming plates of rough armor. When the spell settled, he stood clad in stone, a faint breeze whistling through the cracks.

He flexed an arm, awe flashing in his eyes. “It's not heavy at all.”

Valerie smiled softly, blowing him a kiss. “Go get them, my hero.”

Aiden strode to the door. Jaxson froze as Aiden clapped a hand to his shoulder. “I’ll bring them out, I swear it to you.”

Jaxson gave a slow nod of thanks, his eyes wide with awe at the sight before him.

The heat slammed into Aiden as he pushed through the doorway. Even with the wind cooling his skin, sweat poured instantly. Smoke clawed at his throat. He forced his legs forward, dodging falling beams. “Avery! Anyone?!”

A faint cough answered. He stumbled deeper, weaving between flames until he found them—Avery crouched over another woman, straining to lift a beam that pinned the apprentice’s legs. Her arms shook, her face streaked with soot.

“Oh thank The Creator, Aiden!” she gasped. “Please, help!”

He dropped beside her, bracing his shoulder under the beam. They heaved together, but it barely shifted. Panic pricked his skin. His vision swam—and then memory surged, violent and unwelcome. Valerie. The crash. The branch pinning her legs. His own helplessness.

Not again. Never again.

A roar ripped from his throat. He summoned a stone from his armor, wedging it beneath the beam. Earth magic flared as he forced it up, creating enough space. “Now!”

Avery dragged her apprentice free.

The building groaned under its own weight, the strained support beams cracking in protest.

“There’s no time,” Aiden coughed, eyes stinging. “Get close.”

He widened the armor, stone plates expanding. Avery and her apprentice pressed against him, and he pulled the armor tight around them, encasing them in a shield. Heat seared his back where gaps left him exposed, but he grit his teeth. The air hissed, holding flames just enough at bay.

Together, they stumbled forward. The ceiling groaned. Beams snapped. And then—the world collapsed. Fire and rubble rained down, but the armor held. They burst into the open air, crashing to the cobblestones just as the apothecary caved in behind them.

Valerie’s wind ripped the stones from around them.

Jaxson barreled toward them the moment the stones were cleared. He scooped Avery into his arms, his voice breaking as he choked out thanks, tears streaking down his soot‑covered face. Avery clung to him, coughing but alive. Beside them, a woman rushed forward with a cry, collapsing to her knees as she gathered her sister—the other apprentice—into her arms. The siblings clung to each other, weeping with relief as the crowd closed in around them.

Valerie fell to her knees beside him, tears streaming. “You idiot! You scared me half to death!”

He lay panting, burns raw across his arms, and managed a crooked grin. “But…I looked cool, right?”

She punched his shoulder, not hard. “I thought you weren’t going to be reckless anymore!”

He coughed a laugh. “This time…I had you with me. I figured it would be okay this time.”

She sobbed, then kissed him fiercely. When she pulled back, she pressed her forehead to his. “Don’t you dare do that again.”

He smiled weakly. “Can you heal me?”

“How about we do it together this time.” She grabbed his hand. Together they whispered, “Restorative Spring.”

Green light bloomed, brighter than ever before. It washed over the square, rolling outward in a wave. Aiden’s burns vanished. Avery stirred, gasping as her wounds closed. Even the apothecary owner’s bruises faded where he lay.

Gasps erupted from the crowd. Some clapped, others whispered. Doubt lingered, but awe outweighed it now.

Chloe dashed forward, throwing her arms around them. “Group hug!”

Aiden and Valerie laughed, letting Avery and Jaxson join. For a moment, the smoke and ruin didn’t matter.

Later, as the fire smoldered and the crowd dispersed, Aiden looked at Valerie. “Sorry our date got ruined.”

She laughed, cheeks still damp with tears. “Craziest date we’ve ever had. And honestly? One of the best.”

He squeezed her hand, heart lighter than it had been in days. Together, they turned toward the guild, the taste of sugar still lingering, the warmth of victory brighter than the flames they had just escaped.

Aiden chuckled suddenly. "Gale Plate."

Valerie blinked, tilting her head. "What’s a Gale Plate?"

"The spell, the armor one. Robert said we’d get to name Heartlink spells as we grew stronger. So I’m calling it Gale Plate. You know...air and earth, wind plus stone. Sounds fitting, right?"

Valerie stared at the goofy grin spreading across his face. She sighed, though her lips curved. "It’s cheesy. But…it fits."