141 Not A Test Anymore (1/2)

She spoke first, ”You have the nerve appearing before me again. I would kill you and make sure you stay dead this time around.”

The ferociousness and anger in her eyes and voice as she spoke showed dominance, determination and power. Also it told of how serious she was.

Everything happened so fast, that it took the White Tiger-Phoenix beasts a while to take it all in. To say he was shocked was an understatement.

What had he done wrong? All he did was to hurry towards her, but rather than get a warm welcome, he got this.

Immediately, the warmth, love and charm in his eyes were quickly replaced with confusion and sadness as he stared deep into her black orbs.

”Astrid, it is I.” He said, his lost voice finally finding its way back home to him.

”Same old trick. It wouldn't be a case of once beaten twice shy. You are not real.”

”What! What do you mean? Come on, snap out of it. It is I.”

”Since you want to play that game, then I won't. Pretend all you want, you are still going to die.”

Her eyes darkened the more and before he could argue again, she removed the dagger from his neck a bit and plunged right back at the same spot.

When the dagger was but two inches away from its target, she heard a voice.

”Astrid, no!!” The voice screamed inside her head.

She winced at the sudden intrusion and stopped, but her narrowed gaze still held his.

”Astrid, let go of him, that is Jareth. This not a test anymore, this is reality. If you plungled that dagger into his neck, Jareth's going to die, for real.”

”White-Fire.”

Her gaze left his and moved to the White Tiger-Phoeonix beasts. White-Fire moved, closing the distance between them.

”White-Fire?”

”Yes Astrid, it is I.”

”If you and little White Tiger are here, then it would only mean one thing. This is Jareth.”

Her gaze went back to the young man within her hold.

”Let go him child.” White-Fire said again through the mind communication.

Till now, he didn't move, he knew she was being careful. Whatever she saw during the test, made her not trust him. He couldn't say he was happy but he was definitely hurt a bit.

Slowly, she moved the dagger away from his neck and loosened her grip on his shirt, letting go of the clothing before stepping back and creating some distance between them.

She was still skeptical even after what White-Fire said.

The little white tiger ran towards her and jumped happily near her leg. It was then she really believed. She looked around and everywhere was cleared, no more mist.

Everything that happened earlier on seemed like a dream just now. Then she realized she had wronged him.

”I am sorry.” Both of them said at once.