Galena

Jace stared at the door after Vanessa slammed it shut. He was tired of her expecting things from him that he couldn’t do - or rather wanted to do. He knew this fight was over the job. He refused to do something she asked him to do, so she screamed that he was weak and stormed out.

He shook his head and left out the backdoor, grabbing a beer from the cooler outside. He fought down the anger that stirred within him and twisted off the top on his bottle. He took a sip and stared into the forest behind the house.

“Just another day in paradise,” he said, throwing the cap into the small fire pit he had lit.

Jace stood at his grill making a burger and drinking another beer. As he flipped his burger, he turned to glance at his friend grabbing a beer

“Drinking beer and grilling alone can only mean one thing,” his friend said, falling into one of the patio chairs. “Girl problems.” He took a swing of his beer, then added, “I really don’t know what you see in her, Jace.”

“I often wonder that myself,” Jace told him, putting his burger on a bun and throwing another on the grill.

“Must be good in the bedroom.”

“It’s a plus,” Jace shrugged, biting into his burger.

“She’s trouble, man. I told you that the first time we met her in that bar in Nord.”

“Don’t remind me,” Jace gulped down a large sip of beer.

“She’s going to have your job one of these days,” his friend continued, “I will put gems on it.”

“So, you heard?”

“I heard she tried giving you an order then went against yours.”

Jace handed his friend his burger and as he walked around to sit on the other patio chair – his eyes opened to the ceiling. He sat up and threw his hand through his hair, wondering why he could never see his buddy’s face. He fell back onto his pillows, letting out a heavy sigh. His dreams about Vanessa were no longer pleasant – they were constantly arguing about things Jace still couldn’t understand. He looked at the clock to see it was only 8AM. Emma was coming over in a few hours, so falling back asleep was pointless. He got up and got ready for their day in Galena.

A few hours later, he met Emma at the gates of Galena, and they walked around the city with their arms linked. During their walk, Emma noticed something was on Jace’s mind. She asked him what was wrong, and he took a moment before answering her. He told her about the shaman that tried to bring his memories back and that the only thing that seemed to be helping him remember were dreams. He spoke about Vanessa and how he believed they were together as a couple in his past; but was pretty sure it was over from the last dream he had.

As they continued through the streets of Galena, they neared the gates of Nord. Nord served as the housing quarters for the Knights and was off-limits to civilians. Instead of following the path, Jace and Emma stopped at the stone wall to look over Ori and the river, Naal. Ori was dubbed the Lost Forest and for good reason. The forest was thick and the paths formed mazes – causing anyone who dared to venture inside to become lost forever.

Naal was once a place the people of Galena fished from, but with the rule of Garos, the waters became too dangerous to go near. The stone wall was high enough to not be affected, but the bridge that crossed over into Ori was beaten and breaking down. Emma took in the scene, wishing to have known this river when it was calm and serene. When she was a child, Marie would tell her stories about the glittering fish she had seen in the waters when she was a Priestess. Emma stood on her toes, leaning on the wall to see if she could catch a glimpse. The river was no longer clear and beautiful. All the fish Marie once saw were long gone by now, she figured; and with that thought, a small sparkle caught her eye. Her eyes lit up and she turned to Jace to tell him what she saw, but he was off to the side, staring intensely at Ori.

“What is it?” she asked, going to him.

Jace fought back the urge to go into the abandoned area and explore. The more he thought this, the faster his heart began to beat. “I think I lived there…” he let out, staring at the woods.

“Is that even possible?”

“I think so…” he answered, then pulled his eyes away from forest. “Let’s head back to the house,” he said, giving her a small smile and putting his arm around her shoulder.

As they turned to leave the overview, Jace bumped into a person walking by. He went to apologize but stopped when he saw it was a Knight. He locked eyes with her icy blue eyes that pierced through him, showing him her anger.

“Sorry about that,” Emma said, looking up at the Knight and giving her a smile. She pulled at Jace’s arm and ushered him to keep walking.

A few steps down the road, a sharp pain hit Jace in the head, making him grab his head and hunch over. He assured Emma that he was fine and that it was just a headache, but from the look on his face, Emma knew it was something more. She offered to heal him when they got back to the house. At first Jace didn’t want her to worry, but after another shot of pain, he agreed to it.

At the house, they sat on the couch facing each other. Emma gently placed her hands on Jace’s head and he closed his eyes as the warmth filled his mind. He felt the healing go into the sharp pains that stabbed him and the pressure release from his temples. Eventually he felt the pain dissipate and he opened his eyes to look at her. He took her hand and kissed her wrist, thanking her.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“What if Vanessa comes back into your life…” she answered, “What happens to us?”

The corner of Jace’s mouth rose and he held Emma’s hands, answering, “Nothing. You are the one I want to be with and who I love.”

Emma felt her cheeks flush. “You love me?”

“I’ve been wanting to tell you for a while,” he smiled.

Emma smiled and leaned forward to kiss him. “I love you too…” she let out, resting her forehead on his.

Jace cupped her face and tilted her head to meet her lips with his. Their mouths clashed, and their kissing went deeper than the other times they’d kissed. It had more passion and Emma could feel herself losing her senses. As much as she wanted Jace’s hands to start exploring when they did, she pulled back from him, letting out between breaths that Maggie was upstairs.

Jace kissed her neck as she said this. He didn’t think about the possibility of his sister coming downstairs to find them doing this on the couch. He whispered if she wanted to go to his room and Emma nodded.

Jace took her hand, leading her upstairs.

They quietly went into his room and the minute the door closed, he gently tugged her back into his arms, continuing their intensity they started downstairs. As their mouths moved in sync and their hands explored, they moved to the bed, falling together in bliss - enjoying the sensual moment between them both.

As they continued, Jace lifted his mouth away from hers. He cupped her face and caught her gaze, whispering that they didn’t need to do this. They were naked on his bed and he knew they were close to becoming one.

Emma kept her gaze on his for a moment, telling him she wanted to do this. She pulled him back to her and they sunk back into their emotions and moving their bodies together as they connected.

***

In the morning, Maggie didn’t expect to see Emma in the kitchen so early with Jace. She gave them each a look, having an idea of what went on, but didn’t ask. She made a cup of tea and drank it quietly at the table with them.

Halfway through her cup, Emma asked her if she wanted to join her at the temple. Maggie accepted the offer and Jace stood up, telling the two to have fun and that he was going back to bed. He kissed Emma on the head and Emma caught the look Maggie gave her. She looked away from her, blushing.

When they reached the temple, Maggie watched Emma kneel before Yhden. Her hands were clasped under her chin and she was whispering. Maggie couldn’t understand what she was saying, but after a few minutes of speaking with her idols, Emma nodded and climbed to her feet. She looked back at Maggie and told her she was ready to go.

They made their way into Central Galena to get breakfast and Maggie figured she’d ask what she thought might’ve happened between her brother and Emma. “Did you spend the night in Jace’s room?”

Emma’s entire face turned red when she answered, “Yes… That’s why I wanted to go to temple.” She let out an embarrassed laugh and tried to hide her face.

Maggie gave her a smile. “It happens, Em. You’re adults! You don’t need to be embarrassed,” she said, then turned to where they heard yelling.

They watched as multiple Garzils approached a woman who was screaming and threatening to attack them if they didn’t leave her alone. Maggie quickly ushered Emma out of the square and into the nearest store. They stood at the window watching what was happening.

“Is that Heath?” Emma asked, watching another Knight approach the woman and raise his arm. A small screen popped out of his glove and he began to read the woman her rites.

Maggie turned away from the scene. It reminded her too much of when her mother was arrested. Emma continued to watch as the woman broke free from the Knight who held her and punched Heath in the nose. Heath stepped back from the shock of the sucker punch while his officers kicked the woman’s legs out, dropping her to the ground. Emma watched Heath wipe the blood from his nose then turn to the Knight who let her out of his hold. He pushed his finger into the Knight’s chest plate, scolding him.

Emma turned back to Maggie and ran to catch up with her. “Have you spoken to him lately?” she asked.

“A few times… He’s been busy,” Maggie answered. She crossed her arms and hugged them to her, thinking about the night he brought her to his home. She pulled her thoughts away from that kiss and looked back at Emma, “So, I guess it’s official with you and Jace?”