CH30

“Why not test it out for yourself? Is it okay to assume the main reason you don’t like touching people is because of your charm magic?”

“That’s right.”

“Well then let’s see if it has any effect,” He held his hand out towards her and waited to see what she would do. She stared at it for a moment before slowly and hesitantly reaching out to him, and gently taking his hand. Even though Falk and Sanya believed it would be fine they still waited with bated breath.

“Feeling fine so far,” He told them.

“Charm wouldn’t be very effective if a person realised they were charmed,” She replied with a shake of her head and a thoughtful look on her face.” I would need you to do something you wouldn’t normally do.”

She thought on it for a moment, still holding Ben’s hand, before giving him an instruction.

“Punch uncle.”

“Hey!” Falk yelled at this, but they both ignored him.

Ben looked down at their hands briefly before answering. “Thera you can’t ask something so tempting after I find out he’s let a misunderstanding stand between us for over a month, I’m going to want to do it,” Still he contained himself to prove that there were no passive effects taking hold over him, though Falk still wasn’t happy with the response.

“Now what did I do?”

Even Sonya had to chime in. “You could have at least mentioned to your apprentice that he might want to show Thera his card. He certainly doesn’t seem to have any privacy concerns.”

“Is it so wrong that I wanted Thera to try and open up a bit herself?” He said in a huff. “The girl needs to learn to put some trust in others.”

“Well maybe you’re right,” Sonya said after some thought. “And what’s done is done. Hopefully now that they’re more aware of each other’s circumstances they’ll grow even closer.” She smiled and gave them a look as she spoke, well not so much them but the fact that they were still holding hands at the time.

When Thera noticed her cheeks flushed a light gold, making Ben wonder if that was the color of her blood as well, before she let go and took a couple of steps back.

“Well,” She started, not making eye contact after being embarrassed by her aunt. “I guess you really aren’t under my influence, so that’s good at least.”

“Yeah, so when I’m in better shape we can go hunting again without worry,” Plus maybe now she wouldn’t be so hesitant around him which he considered a win. But as he brought up hunting again the atmosphere darkened and everyone grew quiet.

“Um, guys? What’s going on? Don’t tell me I’m going to be bedridden for a while now?” He was still sore but he thought he could move if he had to.

“Well, quite a few of your bones were broken and you experienced some organ damage, not to mention suffered some deep cuts where you were bitten, but most of the serious damage has been treated. You were out for a few days and I had to call in all of the town’s healers to look after you almost around the clock in that time, but you’re out of danger now. After a few more days of treatment you should be completely fine,” Sonya explained.

“Oh boy that sounds expensive,” He winced.

“Well it probably would be, but I’m friends with all of the town’s healers since we work together at the clinic, and I would never think of charging someone who almost died to save Thera’s life. The issue is…” She trailed off, not sure what to say, before Thera took over.

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“The issue is me,” She said bluntly. “I’m currently under house arrest.”