Chapter 33 #2
She observed as he raised his hand and effortlessly sliced open the space in front of her, tearing apart a wether as if flipping a pancake. Beyond it, she caught a glimpse of dark wood, but he promptly covered her eyes. “Ah, no peeking. Jeez, you are so bad.”
Her laughter echoed, and soon she felt her back against his chest, his arm around her waist guiding them forward. She took another deep breath, acutely aware of the unique sensation these portals invoked, mentally preparing herself.
Yet, the only indication she’d passed through was the absence of dirt beneath her feet, replaced by the sound of wood creaking under their steps. It had been the smoothest portal she’d ever experienced, raising her excitement. Just how strong was Jayce?
His hand still lingered, but she caught the scent of the sea and, perhaps, flowers or candy—she couldn’t quite place it. Alongside the aroma, a soft violin played a gentle melody, harmonizing with the calm water that ebbed and flowed around them against what she now could recognize as the Neptune.
“Dance with me first, just me, and then I will tell you everything.”
She bit her lip, heart racing as his hand lifted from over her eyes. “Okay.”
Almost instantly, the urge to cry welled up within her, prompting the contemplation of whether this surge of emotion mirrored the essence of true happiness—a profound feeling cascading beyond the boundaries of her being.
Lanterns adorned the ship’s hull, their exquisite paper casings casting a mesmerizing play of lights that gracefully pirouetted across the vessel.
Artfully arranged flowers and vines adorned the posts and were scattered throughout, thoughtfully positioned around a circular clearing where he led her.
Turning toward the music, she expected to discover someone on the ship playing the violin. However, she found the wether still ajar, just slightly, allowing the entrancing notes to slip through while maintaining the mystery of what lay beyond.
“Jayce...” His name escaped her lips in a breathless whisper.
“I think you’re missing the best part,” he remarked, gently lifting her chin. Her eyes widened as she beheld the nearly full moon, its brilliance undimmed by any veiling clouds.
His arm enveloped her back while the other tenderly clasped her hand. “Is this a good start?”
She fought back tears, managing to ask, “A good start to what?” Lost in a state of euphoria, she missed the essence of his question.
Her eyes drank in the beauty of each lavender bloom and the seemingly infinite vines.
The scent transported her back home, evoking memories of waking up with her window slightly open, the fragrance of the nearby forests wafting in.
“Your forgiveness,” he responded. Her head turned at last to meet his gaze, finding the warmth in his eyes. As the music swelled and they moved closer, their bodies blending in a graceful rhythm, igniting a dance of passion.
“I’ve already forgiven you, and honestly, there’s nothing to forgive. I just wanted you to simmer for a bit,” she said with a smile, prompting a sigh and a shake of his head. “What?”
“You.” He released her to twirl her before reclaiming her back into his arms. “I’ve kept asking myself how anyone could hurt you. You are kind, beautiful, understanding—and have quite the fire on that tongue of yours.”
Sheepishly chewing on her bottom lip, she shifted her gaze downward, focusing on his hand holding hers. “You should have seen me when I first boarded the Neptune. I’m surprised they didn’t throw me off immediately.”
He laughed lightly, “Oh, I saw.” She shot him a look of surprise. “What? Are you really shocked?”
Suppose she wasn’t, and the longer she thought about it, it would have been stranger if he hadn’t been there. Nonetheless, she eyed him, and he laughed again, this time with a touch of nervousness. “You promised not to hurt me.”
“Physically,” she clarified, stepping out from his embrace, twirling under her arm, and releasing his hand. Coming to a halt a few feet away, she regarded him with veiled eyes and a gentle smile gracing her lips. “I have other ways to hurt you.”
The feigned devastation on his face as he gazed at her stirred a hunger in her stomach, causing her resolve to falter.
Her hand extended, but he quickly seized it, pulling her back.
With her now facing away from him, he wrapped one arm around her waist and the other across her chest, his hand resting on her shoulder.
“Thank you,” she murmured, her head nestled against his chest, sensing him lean down to rest his cheek against her temple. “For everything.”
He chuckled, “You never have to thank me. I want to give you the world, and I don’t plan on stopping there.”
Her eyes closed, surrendering to his embrace as he guided them in their soothing dance. She realized she had been mistaken; the way he moved them against the melody was almost too perfect. He knew how to dance, leaving her to ponder on what else she could tease him about.
“I hope I can give you everything too, Jayce. The world, love, affection, protection.” The hand on her shoulder shifted, gently tilting her head up to meet his gaze.
“You have already give me everything I’ve ever needed. Anything more is just a bonus.”
She pressed her lips together, not accepting that. Nothing was going to stop her from giving him her everything, whether he asked for it or not. At the very least, she was determined to try. After everything that had happened, she hoped she could.
“Can I ask,” he inquired, turning and drawing her close, his hand snaking up her back as he dipped her down, “When did you know?”
While she anticipated the question, she felt nervous about answering, and she swallowed before responding. “I guess I’m not as bad at lying as you thought I was.” Her fingers ran through his hair as she looked up into his patient eyes. “I saw you.”
He drew her back up to him, holding her close yet maintaining enough distance to see her face.
“When you saved me from Goddrick,” she confessed. His eyes widened, and the genuine shock etched on his face added to her nervousness.
Everything had happened so quickly, and when he burst through the portal and separated her from Goddrick, she thought she was hallucinating. That, or, Sam, in an effort to ease her discomfort, had somehow made her perceive Jayce instead of a stranger.
It was when she saw her soul, as though she was a ghost of herself, moving towards and pressing against him for comfort that she knew.
“I—” His hand rested against the side of her neck, his forehead gently meeting hers, providing comfort for her frayed nerves.
“I was hoping you’d tell me the truth then, the times I would bring up Sam, that you would crack and just be honest with me.
Except, your words about it not being the right time resonated. ”
“So, you knew it was your soul reaching out to me when you spoke through the winnox,” his voice, soft and gentle, brushed against her heart.
“I did,” her voice equally as soulful.
He chuckled, “My girl.”
“Then, there was Alyse—” She playfully pinched his side, causing him to jolt.
“Who told me about the letter in Celadon, and that you had convinced Rowlin that you weren’t trying to ship me back to the King…
” He planted a kiss on her forehead, a soft laugh escaping from his chest. “Through shared memories between us, and your words, the ones you told to Rowlin in the room while you thought I was sleeping.”
“You are my everything. Always have been, and always will be,” he echoed the same words, now directing them at her. The sensation, much like it had been before, surged through her like a whirlwind of love and care.
“While difficult, I played ignorant. It was when I began to do a lot more connecting. That, and it helped place the pieces together regarding Xol.”
He shook his head, exhaling a sigh of relief. “You never cease to amaze me.” His hand traced down her arm, a sheepish look on his face. “Thank you.”
An unfiltered grin adorned her lips. “You’re welcome, but now I never want to hear you call me a bad liar again.”
With a conceding shrug, he kissed her nose and gently guided her away from him. She hadn’t even realized the music had ceased, and the portal was now closed.
Feeling her heart quicken once again, she gazed at him as he casually put his hands into his pockets.
“Man, I’ve thought about this day so much,” he admitted, his nervousness evident in both his smile and his tone.
“But before I tell you everything, there’s one last thing.
It played the biggest factor in me not telling you sooner. ”
Damn it, now I’m even more nervous. Her heart lodged in her throat as he advanced towards her, eventually dropping to his knees.
He gently took her hands into his and looked up at her.
“I know what you’ve done for Kaed.” It wasn’t at all what she was expecting, and she felt her eyes welling up.
“Keeping his soul tethered to this realm, hoping he wakes up. Xol told me.” Her vision wavered, and she sensed her stomach tightening.
“Azahara, I want nothing more than for him to wake up and return to you.”
Feeling her knees weaken, she leaned against his hands for support.
“No matter what, I know you love him and would die for him. There’s no place in this world you wouldn’t go for him, no depths too endless that you wouldn’t dive to bring him back.
When he comes back, Azahara—” When… The word hung in the air, and tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to blink, preventing them from falling.
“I will love and protect him just as fiercely as you do. And if it becomes too much for you, if you wish me to leave, I will. As long as I know you’ll be happy and safe. ”
Her tears fell, despite her efforts to hold them back. “I may be too late to be your first love, but trust me when I say, I’ll do everything to just be one of them.”
No amount of strength could have kept her standing then, and she collapsed into his waiting arms. His grip on her remained steadfast, and she clung to him as though he might disappear, fearing he was too good to be real.
“You idiot,” she mumbled through her tears, nestled in the crook of his neck. “Why’d you say that? Now my face paint is really messed up.”
Jayce chuckled, his arms embracing her even tighter. “Don’t tell Kaen.”
“I’m telling—” she sniffled, rubbing her eyes against his shirt, observing the red paint staining it. She pulled back, meeting his patient gaze. “Okay, I won’t,” she hiccuped, “she scares me.”
“Terrifying,” they both quivered in mock fear, leading to a shared moment of laughter.
“Jayce,” she found his hands in hers. “My world wouldn’t exist today if you weren’t here. The mere thought of not having you in it is like losing Kaed. There will never be a time when I don’t want you with me.”
He wore a smile that reached his eyes, and she pressed on, “Ilkiz told me that you saved my soul, imprisoned for five centuries,” His smile slightly faltered, “breaking the curse and Goddrick’s grip on me.
” A revelation crossed his eyes, not so much surprise as a sudden clarity.
“When you came for me, you freed me. My soul, Jayce, didn’t want me.
It wanted you. If it were a tangible thing, I’d have had to wrestle it to keep it from attaching to you.
“But I didn’t need my soul to know of my true feelings for you.
It merely confirmed my heart was leading me in the right direction.
” His eyes brimmed with tears as he leaned towards her, and she drew him in to close the gap between them.
Their lips met, and he leaned over her, cradling her head and gently lowering her onto the deck.
His entire weight rested upon her, careful not to smother her beneath his frame, but he enveloped her, nonetheless.
Their kiss deepened, becoming passionate, and she was willing to forsake everything that led them to this moment just to keep him close.
Drawing him nearer, she locked her arms around his neck, feeling his body respond to the dance of her tongue against his.
His arm slipped beneath her, fingers gripping the fabric of her dress, and she sensed him trembling, fighting every urge not to tear it apart.
“Let me show you,” he pulled back, breathless, “just how long I’ve waited for you.
” Another kiss followed, accompanied by a magnetic pull on her mind.
The force was so intense that no amount of strength could have anchored her to that ship.
Before she knew it, her eyes flickered open, and she found herself no longer in Ilkiz.
Instead, she stood on the outskirts of a village, surrounded by trees and people, with Jayce passing by as though she weren’t even there.