Chapter 1
Jade entered the welcoming shade of the wildwood with a sigh of relief. She glanced over to kit and flashed her a small smile.
Kit drifted away from airks side and meandered closer to jade. “Glad to be back?”
Jade took a deep breath, drawing in the refreshing forest air and nodded. “Its strange really.”
“What is?”
“Being here...” Jade eyed the thick trees and the soft light filtering through onto the brilliant green moss covering most surfaces. “How it feels…right.”
Kit nodded and her eyes flicked to jade, noting how the knights eyes shone brighter than shed seen in ages and how jades shoulders seemed lighter, lost of their habitually rigid posture. Kit moved even closer. She forced herself to smile. “It makes sense,” she reassured her girlfriend.
Jade searched kits face. She opened her mouth, but whatever she was going to say was cut off by a loud voice calling out.
“So. You have returned,” scorpia called down to the group of weary adventurers. Her voice was somewhat sarcastic, but her eyes couldn’t hide her delight. She swaggered determinedly down from the overhanging rock to meet the bedraggled troupe. Her keen eyes took in the lack of the hastur prince as well as the new addition, but her attention was focused the dark man strutting forward and her baby sister, smiling at her joyously.
Scorpia blew past Boorman, who spluttered, and wrapped her arms around jade, squeezing as tight as she could. She held on until she was convinced that her sister was still in one piece and then held on a little bit longer. “Welcome home,” she whispered.
Kit watched jade return scorpias hug eagerly, burying her nose into scorpias neck and clinging to her shoulders with both hands fisted into her sisters shirt.
kit had a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. She swallowed and shifted closer to airk, who was looking around at all the bone reavers surrounding them with some concern.
Scorpia finally released jade and held onto her sisters shoulders, eyeing her. Then she draped one arm around jade and addressed her people. “Tonight. We feast!” There was cheer. “To celebrate the return of my sister and the completion of the quest.” There were more cheers. “Come!”
Scorpia turned, her arm still around jade as she led the way for the others to follow, back to the bone reaver encampment. She gave her sister a squeeze. “I have to thank you. For bringing that one back in one piece.” She nodded towards Boorman.
“Ah, yes well. You know-“ Boorman started but stopped suddenly as scorpias lips found his.
Jade rolled her eyes and kept moving further into the woods. She recognized the giant, mossy boulders and the cleverly hidden trails. She had only been to the bonereavers camp once, but the path still felt familiar.
Airk walked so close to kit he practically tripped on her. “So…jades a bonereaver now?”
Kit raised an eyebrow at him. “I mean…I guess technically she always was?”
Airk nodded uncertainly. “Right. Cool.” After a few moments of picking their way among the shrubbery he continued. “Um. Aren’t they the bad guys?”
Kit shrugged. “Turns out, not so much.”
“But…don’t they, like, kill people?” airk questioned.
“They are just trying to survive,” elora said defensively. “Same as the rest of us.”
Airk nodded and looked like he wanted to say more but then decided against it.
“Plus, it turns out WE are the assholes,” kit said, raising her eyebrows. “We killed jades family, kidnapped her and then mom lied about it jades entire life…”
Airk stopped in his tracks. “Woah,” he let out in surprise. His eyes flicked from scorpia with her arms around jade and Boorman, to his sister. Kits mouth pinched like when she was worried but trying to hide it. He started walking again. “That sounds…complicated,” he observed.
Kit hmphed and then hurried forward several steps, arms wrapped around her middle, telling herself she wasn’t running from this conversation, she just needed space from her annoying brother.
Airk raised an eyebrow and shared a look with elora. She shrugged. “Talkings not really their strong suit,” she remarked dryly.
Airk let out a laugh in agreement. “No kidding. That’s never been kits strong suit.”
“Now sword fighting on the other hand…” elora raised an eyebrow speculatively. “They are very good at that.”
Airk made a face. “Eww.”
Eloras eyes widened. “No! I didn’t mean it like that...” She held out her hands then tilted her head as she thought. “But also, like maybe?”
Airk groaned rubbed a hand against his face. “I liked it so much better when I was the one making out, and NOT my sister.”
Elora patted his shoulder sympathetically, hiding a smile.
Airk looked back to kit. Her hands had dropped to her sides and she tried to appear nonchalant as she scanned their surroundings. But he could see how her eyes constantly returned to the redhead at the front of the group. He bit his lip and looked to jade as well.
It was still so weird for him that kit and jade were together or dating or whatever it was they were doing. All three of them had grown up together, doing practically everything together for as long as he could remember. So much so, that he considered jade to be a second sister…He shook his head, just hoping that neither of them would get hurt.
Scorpia stopped outside her tent and scrutinized the rest of the group as they approached. She had finally let go of jade and stepped in front of elora. She raised an eyebrow. “Nice hair. You look good as a ginger.”
Elora colored slightly and fiddled with a strand of her red locks. “Thanks.”
Scorpia bowed her head slightly to willow. “Welcome back master sorcerer.”
Willow grinned and nodded in return. “Its good to be back,” he reassured her.
Scorpia continued down the line and frowned at airk, eyeing him up and down. “So. You are the wayward prince?” Her eyes flicked to kit then back to airk, clearly seeing the family resemblance.
Airk swallowed then nodded. “Uh, yeah. That’s me.” He shifted. “It’s a pleasure to meet you…?”
Scorpia smiled, more teeth than was necessary. “Scorpia…Jades big sister.”
Airk gave an uneasy smile. “Right. Um. I’m Airk. Kits brother, well twin actually. Though im-“ he forced his mouth shut before he continued to ramble any more as scorpias attention slid past him to kit.
She eyed kit for a long moment. “So. Princess. You succeeded in your quest to rescue your brother.”
Kit narrowed her eyes, uncertain at scorpias tone. “We all did,” she clarified. They stared at each other for several moments. Finally scorpia turned back to the group.
“I am gladdened by your return, friends. Though im am sure there is much to share. Including what has befallen the hastur princeling.” There was a somber silence that overtook them. “But first, rest, as preparations are made. For today is a day of celebration!”
There was another shout from the bone reavers before they all scattered, moving quickly to prepare for a night of revelry.
Scorpia linked her arm with jades and moved towards her tent. When Boorman went to follow, scorpia released her sister and placed a commanding hand on the tall mans chest. She raised an eyebrow then leaned in close. “I have plans for you,” she whispered seductively. “But,” she buried a hand in his beard, “you will have to wait,” she tugged on his thick, luscious beard. “Until,” she kissed him teasingly. “Tonight.” She eyed him through half lidded eyes then kissed him soundly.
Boorman only stumbled slightly when scorpia released him and he cleared his throat, feigning indifference as the mistress and keeper of his heart walked up the steps to her tent, arm in arm with jade.
He turned to meet kits raised eyebrow. “What?”
Kit just made a face and shook her head. “Nothing.”
“What?” elora asked. “I think its adorable.”
Kit rolled her eyes. “You think everything is adorable.”
Elora shrugged. “That’s because most things are.”
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I was thinking when the trolls were torturing me,” kit said sarcastically.
Airk looked sharply towards his sister. “Wait. What now?” He hurried after kit as the group looked for someplace to nap. “Trolls were torturing you!?” They had shared quite a few stories with him, but clearly not everything.
Kit shifted and eyed the motes of dust floating in the dappled green sunlight of the forest. She lay under a massive tree with both hands under her head, airk snoring softly next to her. Boorman had grumbled and mumbled for a while before also settling down in the shade. After a brief rest, Willow had set off to find a cold drink.
Kit chewed her lip and tried to bury the sick flipping and churning in her stomach. She sighed and shifted again. The band of tightness around her chest twisted harder. Kit thought about getting up and finding something to distract herself with when she was forced out of her thoughts by elora. The redheads face twisted and she murmured. Kit leaned up on an elbow and waited. Elora had been plagued by nightmares ever since the immemorial city. Ever since Graydon…
Elora cried out then jerked awake sharply. She drew in a breath and whipped her head around quickly.
Kit met eloras wide eyes. “Its ok elora. It was just a dream.” She sat up slowly and scooted over slightly so she was next to the ginger.
Elora let out a shuddering breath. “No.” Her voice was ragged. She sat up as well and hugged her knees. “It actually happened.”
Kit bit her lip and nodded. “I know. I-I miss him too.”
Elora nodded as her shoulders shook with silent sobs. Kit hesitated only a moment before she wrapped an arm around her de facto sister and pulled her close.
They sat quietly, leaning into each other for quite some time. It wasn’t until eloras breathing evened out again that kit dropped her arm, with their shoulders still touching.
“I-I think I will go see if lori needs any help with dinner,” elora mumbled before she stood and dusted herself off.
Kit watched the redhead go then laid back down. Her eyes glanced once more in the direction of scorpias tent, but there was still no movement from inside. She huffed quietly and plucked a blade of grass, turning it over and over in her fingers. She was exhausted but couldn’t seem to find sleep.
She hadn’t felt this way since…after her dad left. She used to roam the castle at all hours, crawling into bed with her mom or with airk. She said it was because she couldn’t sleep. She wouldn’t let herself acknowledge the real reason; that she was simply terrified of going to sleep and having someone else she loved disappear while she slept.
Jade and scorpia finally emerged from the tent. Kit relaxed slightly at the light, easy smile that lit jades beautiful face. She had removed her armor and loosened her shirt, once more wearing the decorative necklaces and beads of the bonereavers.
Kit couldn’t help but examine every inch of her knight. She felt entranced by the laugh that bubbled up and escaped jade, her head tilted back exposing her throat, her perfect lips surprisingly pink and surrounded by even more mesmerizing freckles than usual. She felt her breath catch at the way the sun backlit jades hair, making it glow like it was literal fire. She felt drawn forward and sat up without even realizing it. Jade called to her so deep in her bones that-
Airks annoyed voice snapped kit out of it. “Seriously? You HAVE to stop doing that!”
Kit startled slightly then glared at her brother. “What?”
Boorman gave a chuckle. “You know what.” He tilted his head raising an eyebrow to kit. When kit just glowered at him, eyes wide in annoyance, he continued. “Undressing your girlfriend with your eyes.”
Kit drew back with a face. “Ugh! What? No-I…” kit spluttered.
“Uh huh,” Boorman agreed, unconvinced. He turned back to scorpia and jade as they announced the beginning of the merriment. “No judgements here, princess. In fact, I quite enjoy partaking in the practice. It can be quite satisfy-“
“Stop,” kit cut him off, holding up a hand. “Just stop. Right there.”
Boorman flashed her a wink then jumped to his feet and meandered his way non too subtly towards scorpia.
Kit slowly got to her feet as well and joined the crowed heading to the party. She watched as everyone leisurely spread out, helping themselves to different, delicious looking foods and tankards of ale. She watched willow as he laughed with a group of bonereavers. They sat on various benches, pillows and rugs and had clearly been drinking for a while. They all cheered deliriously when someone appeared and handed round a plate full of roasted chicken.
Elora efficiently oversaw every aspect of the feast, effortlessly giving instructions to lori, stirring several different pots and prepping several other dishes with an ease that kit had never seen in the sorceress before. It warmed kit to see the ginger so much in her element.
Then she gave a soft chuckle. Elora had effectively banned kit from cooking on their travels since she was so terrible at it. Even with eloras patient help, kit could never manage to make anything edible. So the group, by unspoken agreement, had left kit off the cooking rotation. Of course, elora usually ended up making everything anyways so kit didn’t feel too bad about it…
Airk appeared at her elbow, with a plate loaded heavy with food. Kit raised an eyebrow and quickly grabbed a roll before it slid off the overflowing plate.
“So,” airk said.
“Hmm” kit responded, munching on the roll. It was delicious, unsurprising since elora had made it.
“How are you doing?” airk asked, enjoying the quiet bubble he seemed to find himself in with is twin.
“Fine,” kit said quickly. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Airk raised an eyebrow. “Kit,” he said disapprovingly. “Its okay to-“
“Im hungry,” kit declared. “Im gonna go grab…” she pointed towards the general direction of the food and quickly walked away.
Airk watched his sister practically run away with a sigh.
Kit circled the assorted tables of food, weighing her options, refusing to acknowledge the way her eyes continually flicked towards jade. Her girlfriend was surrounded by a number of bonereavers, who all seemed fascinated by the knight. They stared at her like she was a hero from the epic tales reborn and stood much too close to the redhead, in kits opinion.
Kits eyes narrowed and she frowned, feeling a flash of something sour and unpleasant. Looking down, she grabbed the first thing she found. It was a bunch of grapes. Kit ripped one off its stem and shoved it in her mouth. She chewed viciously, barely noticing the sweet, refreshing taste.
She forced herself to look away from jade and the gaggle surrounding her, and was rewarded with the sight of scorpia feeding grapes to Boorman one at a time, as he lay with his head in her lap.
Kit choked and quickly put down her remaining grapes. Drawing in a deep breathe, kit forced her clenched fists to relax. Then, pointedly keeping her eyes focused on the tables, she saw a plate of sandwiches that looked promising. Kit moved closer, trying to determine which one had the most cheese and meat when the sound of jade laughing caused her head to jerk up.
Jade admirers had moved even closer, especially one girl who tilted her head and looked up at jade through half lidded eyes. Which was ridiculous, kit observed, since she was even taller than jade! And...kit swallowed and grit her teeth.
The girl had a mane of jet-black hair braided back on both sides, spilling wildly down her shoulders. Her dancing, dark eyes were accentuated with kohl which only seemed to highlight her perfect, caramel skin. Even from a distance, kit could see the muscles coiled under her loose tunic and appreciate the ones on full display. Three thin, black lines traveled from behind her right ear down the side of her neck to her collarbone.
“Tasia is our best fighter,” one of the group said, nodding towards the striking girl.
Kit rolled her eyes and grabbed the closest sandwich, thinking dark thoughts about stupid, exotic bonereavers with intriguing tattoos and delectable muscles for days.
“That’s impressive,” jade remarked. “Considering how many warriors you have here.”
The girl grinned and twitched an eyebrow. “We will have to spar sometime. See how we measure up.”
Jade smiled and nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! Of course. Ive been wanting to learn more bonereaver techniques.”
Kit coughed and the sickening feeling in her stomach intensified, twisting cruelly. She tried to ignore it and shoved nearly the entire sandwich in her mouth to cover the growl threatening to spill out. She chewed the giant mouthful and nearly choked before managing to swallow. She tried to distract herself from the terrible tightening in her chest by going to get a drink.
But she couldn’t stop herself from looking back towards jade. THAT girl had moved so she was standing right next to the redhead, her elbow brushing the knights every time she raised her cup to take a drink.
Kits fingers tightened around her own cup and her eye twitched. She snagged a tart from a passing tray and jammed it into her mouth.
For a brief moment the corners of kits mouth bent upward. It was cherry, her favorite. But kits smile quickly disappeared and the tart seemed to lose all flavor as tasia rested her hand on jades arm.
“You were so brave to go into the dread mines of skellin.”
“Yeah,” the gaggle (swarm? swoon?) of others agreed. “No one ever escapes from there!”
Kit glowered, unable to look away.
Tasia tilted her head slightly to jade, her fingers warm on jades arm. “Thank you, for helping return our people to us.” Her eyes were dark and intense as she stared unblinking at the knight. The moment seemed to stretch and catch before she squeezed jades arm and finally let her arm drop.
“It-it was nothing,” jade tried.
“Nonsense!” tasia corrected vigorously, this time her fingers resting firmly on jades wrist. “It was a testament to your bravery, your loyalty and skill as a warrior. It was heroic the way you risked everything to save the others, to save the princess. Who’d managed to get herself kidnapped.”
Jade licked her lips and cleared her throat, not used to such intense praise. “Uh, thanks.”
The food kit had scarfed down seemed to curdle in her stomach. She turned away and quickly made her way over to refill her cup. She didn’t know why tasias words seemed to ring in her ears, making her insides churn and burn with something kit didn’t want to think about.
She quickly downed a cup of ale. But even this tasted bitter and empty. Kit frowned and dropped her cup with a growl. She ignored the way tasia handed jade a cup of her own to drink. And how she constantly pointed out different dishes jade needed to try, keeping the knights plate full as she piled it high foods.
Kit ground her teeth and tried to breath. Everything felt like it was spinning and rushing around her. She rubbed a hand against her chest, trying to draw in a full lungful of air. She turned away and grabbed desperately to the trunk of an ancient tree, clinging to it with her eyes closed, until she felt her heart rate calm to acceptable levels. She just needed to take a moment…
Kit finally straightened with a deep breath. Then pointedly avoiding looking over at jade, she searched the crowd. Eventually she spotted airk, surrounded by his own gaggle and looking slightly panicked. She charged towards them and planted herself at her brothers side.
“Hey airk,” she said with faux calm. “You good?”
“Y-yeah,” he said, glancing towards the several bonereavers looking at him like he was a tasty snack.
“We were just chatting,” one bonereaver started, a blonde with several colorful ribbons braided into her hair. She bit her lip as she slowly ran her eyes over every inch of airks body.
“He seemed lonely,” said another bonereaver with wavy brown locks that fell delicately into his face. He shifted closer, flexing his tanned bicep slightly as he moved. “We just wanted to make sure the prince felt welcome…”
“Uh huh,” Kit said unconvinced. She crossed her arms and placed herself infront of her twin. “Look. My brother just got out of a really bad relationship-“
“Well I mean it wasn’t that b-“
Airks mouth snapped shut at the look his sister flashed him. “You tried to kill me and elora-“ she started before she shook her head and held out one hand. “The point is, my brother isn’t ready for…company right now.” She stared meaningfully at the gathered assortment of hopeful bonereavers.
Most dispersed with sighs and longing looks at the gorgeous prince. But the two who had spoken remained. They eyed the prince wistfully, like besotted idiots and something in kit snapped. She stepped forward, reaching for her sword which wasn’t there and hissed. “Airk is OFF LIMITS. So back the fuck up!”
Their eyes widened and they reared back. But when they didn’t retreat fast enough, kit lunged forward with a shout and shoved them away. “I said GO!”
They two scrambled away as everyone nearby looked towards kit in alarm. Airk quickly stepped in front of his twin and took her by the shoulders. “Its okay kit. Im okay,” he reassured her gently.
Kit put her hands up and tried to shuffle away from her brothers grasp, breathing heavily.
“Kit,” airk said gently. “Its ok, to not be okay, right now.”
Kit shook her head and pulled herself free of airk, insisting she was fine, but didn’t move away. She looked back towards jade, who talked animatedly with tasia since all the other admirers seemed to have drifted off. She felt the sick gnawing in her belly return and didn’t even notice elora standing next to her until her sister spoke.
“Its okay to be jealous, kit.”
Kit startled then flicked her eyes to elora. “Im not…” she tried weakly.
Elora just gave her a hard look and kit swallowed.
“Well, it makes sense,” airk offered. “You’ve never had to share her before.”
Kit scoffed, “What do you mean?”
Airk shifted closer to his sister and said gently, “I mean, any room we were ever in, it was always you that people wanted.”
“I-its not like I wanted any of that!” She paused. “Wait, why? Has jade said something?” she asked somewhat frantically, taking a step closer.
“No. That’s not what im saying,” airk tried to clarify. “Its just,” he waved his hands around in frustration.
“Shes had to share you with an entire realm,” elora supplied.
“Yes!” airk sighed gratefully. “Even…having to accept you marrying Graydon.”
“Okay…” kit started slowly, her eyes flicking quickly to elora then back to her brother.
“But jade was always…yours,” airk continued. “No one even dared try…”
“Wait. So you never hit on her?” elora asked airk curiously.
Airk drew back, offended. “No! Of course not. Shes basically my sister!”
Elora just raised an eyebrow looking at kit watch jade intently. She gave a short laugh. “Clearly kit didn’t get that message.”
Kit ignored airk and eloras familial squabbling. Music had started at some point and now the clearing was full of bodies swaying to the rhythm. Jade laughed and moved gracefully, dancing with tasia and the other gaggle of devotees.
She clenched her fists and jumped when elora rested a soft hand on her tense shoulders. “Relax kit,” the redhead instructed.
Kit spluttered. “How can I relax when that-“ she fumbled for the right word, her hands pointing towards tasia who was twirling with an athleticism and control that was enviable, “is dancing with my…with jade.”
Airk bumped his shoulder into kits. “You can call her your girlfriend, you know. That’s what she is,” he reminded his sister gently.
Kit just bit her lip. She wrapped both arms across her stomach. “B-but what if…” but kits mouth went dry and she couldn’t force herself to finish her terrible sentence, didn’t even want to think it.
Elora grabbed both of kits shoulders and forced the brunette to look at her. She stared intently and leaned in. “You love her, kit. And jade loves you...Hell, she flung herself off the edge of the world for you.”
Kit shifted and tried to look away but eloras eyes held her firmly in place.
“Its okay for jade to…explore new things. That doesn’t mean she is going to leave you.” The ‘like your dad’, went unsaid.
“So, what do I do?” kit whispered, eyes wide and terrified.
Elora smiled. “Let her know you love her. That you will always be there for her. No matter what.”
“What if it doesn’t work?” kits voice was so small elora could barely hear her.
“Jade is worth the risk, worth failing. Isn’t she?”
Kit blinked then nodded. “Shes everything,” she said simply.
Elora nodded. “Good.” She squeezed kits shoulders. “Then get your shit together, and go get your girl.”
A smile slowly spread across kits face and she let out a breath, nodding determinedly. Elora let her hands drop and watched kit surge forward. She flashed a worried glance towards airk. “You don’t think shes going to like, start a fight or anything, do you?”
Airk raised his eyebrows. “Honestly? Id say theres a fifty fifty chance.”
“Oh dear,” elora muttered and brought a hand to her mouth. “Maybe we should-“
But airk shook his head. “No. Kits gonna do what kits gonna do. Theres no stopping her. Plus, I think this is something they need to figure out.”
Elora nodded with a sigh. She bit her lip and watched kit slip through the dancing bodies.
Kits eyes never left jade as the knight twisted and turned and jumped in time to the music. She constantly amazed kit at how graceful and agile she was. And now with her cheeks flushed with exertion, eyes practically alight, soft lips drawn into a beautiful smile…
Kit wound through the crowd until she slid in front of jade.
Jades eyes lit up even more when she saw kit and she grinned. She reached out and rested a hand on kits shoulder, squeezing firmly. “Hey!” she shouted over the music and laughing.
Kit returned her grin. “Hey!”
Kit had never felt comfortable on the dance floor, never felt comfortable being the center of attention, even though she had to learn how to adapt her ‘princess’ persona to satisfy her mother. She never really felt comfortable in her own skin. Only when she had a sword in her hand, sparring with jade, did she feel completely at ease in her own body.
But seeing jades infectious smile and the easy way she moved, loosened something in kits chest. She felt a laugh bubble up and let her shoulders relax. She forgot about everyone else and moved closer to jade. She stared at those perfect lips before forcing herself to meet jades sparkling eyes. She felt something break free. ‘Go get your girl’, elora had said. Well, kit planned to.
Still staring at jade, Kits smiled mischievously. She leaned in and grabbed jades hand, spinning her around. She trapped jade in front of her and whisper shouted into her ear, “You owe me a kiss.” She let go with one hand and spun jade away from her.
“What?” jade asked confused, having to yell over the music.
Kit stepped ninety degrees to jades right, forcing the redhead to turn to face her. She leaned in as if to capture jade in a kiss only to slide away at the last second. She smiled wickedly at the way jades lips trailed after her.
“Last time we were here,” kit clarified. “You promised to kiss me.”
Jade couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Kit. Ive kissed you loads of times since then.”
Kit smothered her smile and sidestepped again, forcing jade to turn and follow her. “But I want THAT one. The one you promised me.”
Jade tilted her head and searched kits face for a moment. Kit raised her eyebrow in challenge and took a small step back.
Jades eyebrows raised and a smile spread slowly across her lips. She matched kits step and quickly took another, bringing her nose to nose with the princess. “Are you sure?” she asked, looking between kits eyes, much darker than usual, and her deliciously soft lips, puckered in a half smile. “I told you what might happen if I did.”
Kit slid to her side, eyes never leaving jades as the redhead shifted to match her. “Im willing to risk it,” kit breathed. “In fact. Im counting on it.”
Jade couldn’t stop the smile that burst forth. Her eyes practically crackled as she tracked kits every move. “In that case, princess...” Jade stepped forward and grinned wolfishly as kit retreated a step.
Kits coy smile turned brash as jade followed her. She winked as she spun away and jade mirrored her effortlessly. She quickly swooped and changed directions but jade moved in tandem with her.
Kits eyes danced playfully. She turned slowly as she and jade circled one another, studying, assessing, probing. Until Jade twirled away and kit followed in equal measure, only to quickly reverse direction as jade charged her. kit twisted away and grinned as jade followed. She felt alive for the first time in ages, filled to the brim with a connection that sparked and sang with intensity and joy.
They moved to the pulse of the music on a dance floor full of people, but it felt like they were the only two people in the world. Kit never took her eyes off jade. The knight matched every move she made, and kit responded to every step jade took.
Jade lunged forward but kit danced away, raising an eyebrow infuriatingly. She circled slowly and jade complemented her steps. She leaned back as kit swept in close and followed as she spun away with a graceful twirl.
She took several quick steps forward, trying to cut kit off. But the brunette ducked away and retreated, daring jade to follow her. Jade couldn’t contain her smile as she obliged.
They wove complicated patterns all over the dance floor, constantly advancing and conceding, whirling into a challenge, spinning into a response, bodies matching each other step for step, eyes never wavering from the other.
Elora watched the spectacle with her jaw hanging open. Even though she had watched the two of them spar countless times, this was something else entirely.
In fact, it seemed everyone was just as impressed and enthralled as elora. Most of the people had moved to the edges of the dance area, content to sway slightly as they watched the two perfectly matched souls twine their hearts together.
“A-are they fighting?” airk asked uncertainly. “Or dancing?”
Elora just laughed. “Yes.” She cheered along with the others when kit ducked suddenly and moved in to place a quick kiss on jades cheek.
Jade laughed and charged after kit. She spun and cut the princess off, surprising her, planting her own kiss on kits cheek.
Elora and the onlookers cheered again. Not that jade or kit had any idea; they were too lost in each other to notice anything else.
The pair moved, challenging, chasing, evading, competing, completing each others movements until they finally ran out of room. Kit found her path blocked on one side by a massive table laden with food and a row of onlookers on the other. She slid to the other side, but jade was there, waiting for her.
Jade advanced slowly. She cut kit off when she tried to slip away. She shifted but refused to allow kit circle or turn her. She backed kit up until the princess bumped into the heavy wooden table. She braced both hands on the wood on either side of kits waist, trapping her in place.
“Princess...” Jades voice was low and husky. Kit swallowed and stared at jades lips. She forced herself to tear her eyes away and looked up into jades abnormally dark eyes. The intensity she saw there sent a jolt thrilling through her.
“Yes?” kit breathed.
“Im going to kiss you now,” jade whispered, leaning closer and closer.
Kits eyes flicked back to jades perfect lips. “Okay,” she managed with a swallow.
And then it felt like her heart might burst with happiness as jades lips were on hers and her strong arms pulled kit close.
Kit hummed in appreciation and cupped jades cheek and throat with both hands. Her heart thumped in her chest and her stomach flipped, but pleasantly this time. She stroked jades soft skin with her thumb and knew even if jade spent a lifetime kissing her, she would never get sick of this feeling. She leaned forward, eagerly pulling jade closer.
Elora clapped and cheered with the entire camp of bonereavers as jade and kit finally kissed. She laughed as lori wiped at his cheek absently. “Its so beautiful,” he rumbled in his terrifyingly deep voice.
“Aaaagh,” airk let out a strangled cry next to her. “I cant watch this…” he lamented with a hand over his face.
“Oh relax,” elora chided. “Its adorable. Plus, we had to watch you make out with the crone so…”
Airk slid a tentative finger away from his eyes, only to hiss again at kit and jades heated kiss, which only seemed to be getting more passionate.
“Oh,” elora squeaked and quickly sent a pitcher of water flying to dump its contents over the kissing couple.
“Hey!” kit exclaimed, pulling back from jade. She looked around and finally realized the audience. “Oh,” she said stiffening, suddenly feeling like shed been flying only to crash harshly and awkwardly back into reality.
Jade shifted to wrap an arm around kits shoulder and pulled her close. “Don’t worry about them,” she whispered. She guided kit away from the once again crowded dance floor to the relative calm fringes, next to a table full of deserts.
Night had fallen while neither of them noticed. Kit smiled at jade through the twinkle lights strung among the trees as her knight handed her a small cherry tart.
“I love you, you know that?” kit said softly, crumbling one corner of the tart between her fingers.
Jade smiled and turned to face her princess. “Yeah?”
Kit nodded. “Yeah.”
Jade softly cupped kits cheek and stroked her thumb softly back and forth. “Good,” she whispered as she leaned in close. She placed a soft kiss on kits lips. “Because I love you too.”