Stella kept sleeping into the next day. When she didn't wake by noon, chase sent a messenger to Master Fung to tell him the news, both good and bad. The messenger came back in an hour to reveal that Master Fung is alright with this, but if she doesn't wake by the next day, he'll send the monks to get her. Chase understood these conditions. They don't trust him and that's fine. However their worries about him corrupting her was useless. He will bring her to the dark side with him, no matter how long it takes. He smiled evily at this thought. It won't be long till she will join him, and be his queen of darkness. He set the message on fire before heading to stellas bedroom. The darkness loomed inside, not good for a fairy of light. Begrudgingly he opened a curtain to reveal the bright sunlight and the everlasting Mountain View Of China. The sun hit stellas face, making her squirm a bit, before finally opening her eyes.
"Chase?"
"Good morning, sleepy head. " he said, back facing her as he stared out the window.
Stella sat up, rubbing her head in pain. "Where am i?"
"My home. You really did a number on your-AUGH!" He turned to see Stella sitting up, forgetting she was still in the clothes from yesterday, which was her bra and shorts. He looked away, covering his eyes.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Look at yourself!"
She looked down, turned red and covered herself. She never felt so embarrassed in her life!
"Fetch our guest some clothes!" He yelled at his jungle cats. They pounced out the room and appeared just as they disappeared with a pair of black robes. Gold swirls with red birds and dragons filled the silky fabric. Stella reached for them and quickly put them on under the covers.
"Ok, I'm decent now." She announced. Chase turned around, nearly having a heart attack at the sight of her in those robes. He gave her a small smile.
"How are you feeling?"
"Like garbage. How long was I out?"
"Little over a day."
"A DAY!? I have to get back to the temple!" She jumped out of bed, and one step was all she could take before collapsing. She fell with a loud thud, groaning in pain and weakness. Chase sprinted over, scooping her up and putting her back in bed.
"Are you insane?! You've used all your magic yesterday and your body needs time to recover!"
"But Master fu-"
"You don't think i would've TOLD him what happened? He knows and is giving you a day to recover here before sending the monks after you!"
"Oh...thanks."
Chase sighed. "You're welcome." He tucked her back into bed, wrapping the sheets around her very gently.
"Now rest. Your magic still needs to recover."
"Alright." She snuggled into her pillow, closing her eyes and smiling.
"Thank you chase."
"For what?"
"Taking care of me."
"I'm just making sure you're alive. I don't want Master Fung nagging me about losing one of his monks." He scoffed
"Stop acting tough." She muttered before falling back asleep. Chase smiled, watching her intently. After a few minutes he closed the curtains a bit to make the room just a little dimmer so she can rest peacefully, and headed out her room. Two tigers were waiting for him.
"Watch over her. Make sure no one besides me gets in there." The tigers nodded and took their post. Chase went back to smiling and started training in another room. After a few hours he went and showered, dawning a pair of black sweatpants. With his magic he made his whole lair warmer so he didn't have to wear a shirt. He walked to the kitchen and opened a can of loa mang long soup. He barely gotten a sip when he heard something. Screaming. He bolted towards stellas room, which was on the opposite side of his home. He sprang up into the air and noticed his tigers freaking out too over the screaming. He pushed the door open to see Stella thrashing in the sheets.
"NOOO!STAY BACK! PLEASE DONT! AUGHHHHH!" She kept screaming. Her magic was fading in and out around her, trying to defend her but still not strong enough to. Chase ran over and started to shake her.
" Stella! Wake up! Stella!" He yelled. She sprang up, gasping for air and trembling terribly.
"Where am i? What's going on?
" In bed. You were having a nightmare." He replied. She held onto him and started crying. This took him by surprise.
" what's wrong ?" He asked
"Reiner. I saw him...H-he was doing awful things to m-m-meeee." She blurted out between sobs. Chase held her, smoothing her hair out and holding on tight.
"Shhh..it's ok. He's gone. It's over now. I'm here." He spoke into her hair, rocking her back and forth. It took awhile for her to stop crying, but chase still sat there, holding her. After awhile he looked down to see if she fell asleep, but she was wide awake.
"Rest young one. You need to rest more." He tried to let go, but Stella held on tighter, tears forming again.
"I'm afraid to."
Chase rolled his eyes. " It was just a dream, Stella."
"No. It was hell. I've never gone through that and i never want to again. "
"It's over now. You're safe here with me." He kissed her forehead gently.
"Stay with me."
"What?"
"Stay with me till i fall asleep."
Chase groaned. "Fine!" He complained. He made himself comfortable, leaning on the headboard of the bed. Stella went to lay on her side, her back facing him. Chase waited till he heard her breathing going steadily, and made his move. He tried to slowly creeped off the mattress, when the slightest movement had Stella turn around and grab his arm in her sleep, cuddling with it. He turned red as his arm was right in her chest. He stuck around till he was sure she was in a deep sleep and tried again, but Stellas grip grew tighter. Chase groaned.
"If I'm gonna be here awhile, i may as well lay down." He muttered. He laid all the way down this time, and for some reason Stella let him move that much. Next thing chase knew Stella cuddled onto his bare chest, wrapping her arm around his waist. She started to snore softly. Chase gasped at all this before sighing of content. This girl was like no one he's met before indeed. She seems to actually care about him and not for the need of power. He rested his head on her hair and closed his eyes. His hand found her waist and held her closer.
"As long as I'm here, I'm not letting anything happen to you." He proclaimed. He laid there awhile before finally dozing off.
"You're...worth the trouble..." he muttered before drifting off to sleep.
Little did he know Stella was up and heard him say that. She smiled and drifted back to sleep, nuzzling his chest.
