Chapter 19
“T
hank you for updating me, Brother,” Karver was nothing but patient after Jayce had communicated that he had located her and brought her home. Finally able to provide him with some updates, Jayce spilled the last twelve days and his girl’s progress.
“The King has been made aware of the incident in Itotaki and wants an update. I forged a letter that said that after deliberation, you guys decided to get back on track from Itotaki to Ilkiz. The only update in the letter about Azahara was that she was provoked and was claiming her innocence. Anything else would have held too much suspicion on you. I’ll keep creating mock updates, at least for now.
He makes me read them anyways, not that he’ll catch on to the writing. ”
Do you think he is suspicious?
“I wouldn’t say he is, but Jaakobai, that is another story. He nearly made the decision himself to send out his forces to find her when the news came of her destroying—”
It was Goddrick, not her, that destroyed Itotaki’s port.
“Apologies, those were the reports, I know it wasn’t her.”
It’s fine, Jayce had his arms wrapped around her then, she was sleeping soundlessly against his chest. Please, continue.
“He was only sedated by the King, surprisingly. I honestly don’t know why Jaakobai would go through the trouble of an alliance with the King when he will likely betray him anyways.”
The King is either too stupid to notice, or does, and is riding out the wave. Either way, they are both a threat to her.
“Agreed.” Karver paused momentarily, and Jayce knew he wanted to say more. Giving him a moment, he twirled a strand of Azahara’s curly red hair between his fingers. The bounce when he released caused a smile to line his lips. “I can sense her soul now.” He finally continued.
I know. It’s home.
“Did that mean he had it this entire time?”
I’m not sure, but the thought of that being the possibility hurts beyond belief. To think that was why I could never feel it this entire time… And why hers never… Even just the prospect of saying those words were painful. Though, it made sense, all of it.
“Jayce,” Karver’s voice was pained, “has she said anything about it?”
No, I’m not sure if she has noticed. Humans don’t normally have a physical connection with their souls like we do. He took a deep breath and released it softly. It’s strong, just like she is.
“I know, it’s why I can feel it, even without the bond. Being locked up for five hundred years, I imagine it’s just as pissed off as you and yours.”
Jayce would help her understand just how truly strong she is. Even if it took years, hundreds, even thousands of them, she would come to realize how powerful both physically and mentally she is.
Karver must have taken his silence as ending the conversation regarding her soul, and reassured him, “It’s here now; that is what matters. We can protect it now.”
His fingers brushed against her cheek, looking down at her perfect complexion and the freckles that lined from ear to ear across her face.
Those plump lips were lightly parted, ready to spew words of both affirmation and profanity at any given second.
A perfectly bridged nose that, when she scrunched it in frustration, only made him fall harder.
Even with her insides being scarred and battered, his girl was still a beautiful person. She fought so hard and would never stop fighting.
We will keep her protected while fighting beside her. After what he did to her, she won’t allow herself to be the damsel in distress. As she did then, she will fight like hell, and we will not stand in her way.
“Exactly, Brother, and—”
“Sam?” Feeling a rippling sensation tug at the side of his mind, he immediately threw out Karver and closed his eyes.
“Are you there?” She was at his window, and a tinge of fear rippled through him, shooting bumps down his arms and legs. “Don’t hide from me, please.”
Stifling an audible noise, he opened up and let her in. Sunshine, I would never.
It felt like she was trying to reach for him through his mind, to find him and see him, but she wouldn’t be able to. He wouldn’t allow her to, not yet. I’m proud of you. He said, knowing that she hadn’t spoken with him since bringing her home.
“You saved me, thank you…” Her voice was broken, and he understood why. She wanted to know who Sam was. To thank him properly, not through the darkness she was seeing.
You did it and went through unimaginable things for me to get to you. I just showed up.
“That is the thing, you showed up for me. I still don’t understand why.
” When she confessed who Sam was to her, she observed him for his reaction.
It was a similar look to the one that he had given her when he brought up Zephyra, watching for some sign of jealousy from her.
Little did she know that it was impossible to be jealous of himself.
So many people want to keep you safe; you have no idea. I am merely one of them. He felt her shift in his arms. I can protect you, so I will. I failed you in the moments that Goddrick took you, but never again. Never, ever, again.
He wondered if she was awake then or at least coming to. Her hands were gripping tightly at his shirt, and her face was nuzzling against his chest as though she was hiding away from him.
“Sam…”
Yes, Sunshine?
“I may not know why everything is happening the way it is, and sometimes that frustrates me. I want to know what I’m getting into.
My life, I want to be in control of it for once.
” Her tone was mirroring pain, but he felt the strength that it held.
“I hope one day you’ll come to me as you are.
To be fully in my life, because, truthfully,”
He hadn’t expected to feel her soul reach out and touch his.
The feeling was impossible to explain, but it was identical to being at the highest point in the realm, where the air was thin and crisp, and breathing it brought forth a sensation of exhilaration and awe.
It was a profound warmth that ignited him, transcending all boundaries, and encompassing the intertwining of passion, compassion, and a connection that could never be broken.
It felt like love.
“I don’t know all of you, but I know what love feels like, and I hope to be able to give it to you one day.”
He needed his heart to slow. It was pulsing at a rate even he couldn’t bring down. Everything felt hotter then, and he was both happy, and angered. Happy that the soul he was meant to have was finally back where it belonged. And angry at himself that he couldn’t just tell her.
Swallowing, he looked down at her and took a deep breath. One day, I promise you, I will give you everything that I am.
Feeling her shift her leg across him, as if she was trying her hardest to get closer, she said, “I have nothing but time, Sam. I trust you.”
She left then, and he adjusted her a bit. Her leg was wrapped around his hip, one arm draped across his chest and the other tucked between them. Her face was hidden, and he watched intently to see if she would wake.
She was still asleep, thankfully. He could tell by the rate of her heart and the subtle twitches of her hands when she would slip between the darkness of her mind to a mild dream.
It surprised him how in-tuned to Magic she was. Being able to open the winnox while she was sleeping was not an easy feat.
He turned to his side, wrapping his arm around her neck and with the other, brought her leg up and over his hip. With her arms tucked between them, he wrapped her in his embrace and tucked his head into the curve of her shoulder.
He felt her falling into a dream and drug out the onslaught of memories heading her direction. They were relentless, and he wondered if Goddrick had any hand in their frequency.
Having to see what he did when he pulled them from getting to her, was a test of his patience. She was going to destroy Goddrick one day, and he was going to help her. That was what she deserved; to have her revenge.
She deserved the world.
But nothing more than that god’s head spiked upon the realm as a warning to the gods. No one would touch her, and if they dared, he would wage war upon them.