Jessi saw every movement Chen made and even predicted he would make a grab for Fei. But, he thought she saw it too. In all their time together Jessi never saw her get taken off guard; yet that's exactly what happened. Now with an ice dagger to Fei's throat, all Jessi could think was
how. How did she miss it? Unless… No, she wouldn’t. She would never let herself get captured… Would she?
This was a question for later. Right now he had to focus on getting this filth away from and the dagger was melted… Once the weapon was gone Jessi sprung into action! Or at least he was ready to, until Solanne and Lorelai beat him to the punch; Sol literally tossing Fei to him while Lorelai downed Chen.
With the situation practically defused, Jessi lead Fei away from the clearing both for her protection and interrogation. Though he still didn't want to believe it, something Solanne said made him think she was on the same page, he had to ask.
”Mind telling me what happened back there? You and I both know that Librarian shouldn't have even been able to touch you yet you practically fell into his grip!”Just as she had suggested, Chen grabbed Fei and held a dagger to her throat. She gritted her teeth in annoyance. Pretending to be weak was definitely not something she planned on doing ever again. The idea of some pathetic traitor beating her in such a way was beyond ridiculous. Should the cards be flipped, the boy would already be burning on the ground and the entire lot of Librarians taken back to the manor. Perhaps it was too ridiculous to believe any of the powerful warriors standing before her to buy it. Fei should have known better.
Chen foolishly allowed the blade to touch her skin, although it made no mark, it quickly disintegrated into thin air.
“You idiot.” She muttered softly to his ear. Damn the Jester. She hadn’t believed the contract to be as strong as it was, or even knew if it would work outside Exilia. It seemed as though it would remain until her duty was finished.
Things seemed to finish quickly after the dagger disappeared. No one would show mercy after seeing Chen pull such a stunt, even if it was Fei’s idea. While Lorelai moved to attack Chen, Fei was yanked to the side by Sollane. It was beyond humiliating; she wanted to scream out in frustration and annoyance. How dare they just shove her around like a mindless object? She could take care of herself, and she would have started screaming at everyone right then had Solanne not shoved her into Jessi’s arms.
Damn them all He led the two away from the chaos while the warriors quickly took out the danger.
Jessi soon began grilling into her about what had happened, and Fei was too angry to control herself.
“It’s none of your business! I don’t recall ever giving you permission to constantly question my actions! I will do what I see as fit, and you will stay out of it!” She screamed, already knowing she was going to regret everything in a few hours.
Putting his hands on his head Jessi turned away from Fei. He had tried to remain calm, even understand why she was acting this way, but her screaming sent him over the edge. Turning back, he let her have it,
“In case you have forgotten, it's my job to look out for you. I am responsible for your safety! So when you go and do shit like engage an enemy without backup or willing get yourself captured you better believe I'm gonna damn well question it!” Jessi was practically steaming as he scolded the girl.
“You should know better than anyone that I can take care of myself! I don’t need a freaking babysitter! That was my chance to find Emilia and all of you blew it! Do you really think I would let someone get that close to me without a plan?” Fei threw her hands up in anger as she spoke. Why couldn’t he just trust her? By gods, she was more than capable of handling a traitor like Chen.
“Alright, then let's hear it.” Jessi took a step back and folded his arms still keeping a stern look with Fei.
“Let’s say we backed off, let you get kidnapped. What then? You really think the Librarians would tell you what you wanted and just let you go?” Jessi moved in closer almost getting into her face.
“No. They would have turned on you. Thrown you in a cell and used you as leverage or worse make an example out of your corpse!”Jessi pulled back giving Fei a bit of space, but kept on with his lecture.
“And if you think you could just kill everyone there, let me remind you what happened in Exilia. All it took was two curses and both of us were nearly killed by a bunch of thugs! If you think those revolutionaries wouldn't stoop to the same level then you've got another thing coming!”Clenching her hands into a fist, Fei fumed with anger. Hundreds of remarks and words were spinning through her head, ready to explode on Jessi. Why did he think so lightly of her? Couldn’t he just trust her? She always found a way, no matter what life tried to throw at her. Why didn’t he see that? Rage swept over her mind and a slight fire trickled upon Fei’s hair. He was supposed to be the one person who understood her actions. He was supposed to trust her. He was…
As Jessi took a step forward, the two were so close she could feel his breath up against her skin. Her heart beat began to thud louder than her thoughts, and she sweared even Jessi could hear its echoing rhythm. Tingles raced down her body, and her face felt like it was burning. Staring into his golden brown eyes, she suddenly forgot what they were talking about.
“I…” She spoke softly, unsure what to say next.
Seeing she was speechless, Jessi was ready to keep going with his scolding. But something about her in that moment. The sudden flush of red that filled her cheeks, the way the light flame in her hair danced giving her eyes a slight shine, it was mesmerizing. In an instant, Jessi's anger and frustration melted away into guilt. Maybe he had been too hard on her, let his emotions get the better of him.
Snapping out of his trance Jessi let out a quick sigh before speaking.
”Look, princess I… Fei. I get what you’re going through. You've got questions about things no one will give you answers to and you feel empty and confused without them. Now you have the opportunity to get those answers and not matter what you're going to get them; even if you have to risk everything. But… Nothing says you have to do it alone. Jessi moved in close again, gently placing his hand on Fei’s shoulder as he finished.
“The Next time you're going to do something stupid and risky, just let me know so I can watch your back rather than chase you down every time.”Hearing Jessi speak such genuine and heartwarming words, Fei felt droplets of tears cascade down her red face. All of her life she had believed herself to be alone, isolated from the rest of the world. She had only looked ahead, chasing after her mother’s triumphs and dreams. Never look back. Train. Grow Stronger. Caring for others was a weakness, Fei had always told herself that. It was better this way. Those kids don’t deserve to be your friend. You will one day control all of their fates. Ignore their smiles and continue being the bright flame that you are.
How foolish she had been. She didn’t need to run away anymore. All she needed was to take a step back for he was standing right there, as he always had. Fei’s chest grew warm as a soft light glowed from her tome. Of course, she was too busy staring at Jessi to notice. She took a step toward him, filling the gap between them. Leaning in inches from his lips, Fei hesitated before kissing him. Did he want her? What if he thought her touch was repulsive?
With Jessi’s tome, he could process sensory information nearly five times faster than an average fighter, yet not even he saw this coming. A mix of surprise and confusion flooded him as Fei moved in for the kiss. His eyes widened and his body became stiff.
After a moment however, he let go of his worries and fully embraced the moment. His arms slowly wrapped around Fei holding her tightly to him. His senses were so overwhelmed he could hardly feel anything other than her in this moment.
Throwing her arms around his neck, Fei lost herself within Jessi’s soft lips and warmth. Her breath was taken away and the only thing that existed in that moment was the two of them. The kiss felt wild and dangerous, but everything about it was right. A wild fire blazed across her hair as the two were encased in the light of her tome. Jessi had heard her story, seen her obnoxious and bratty side, watched her train endlessly, and yet, here he was. He wasn’t appalled or scared of her. Jessi had stayed by her side through everything, and Fei soon realized, she loved him fiercely for it.
Please. She thought to herself.
Stay by my side forever…Though it felt like it would last forever, the moment eventually passed and Jessi released his lips from Fei’s. He eased his grip but didn't let her go just yet. Still enchanted by her shinning pink eyes, Jessi managed to force out a few words as he gently brushed strands of her crimson hair out of her face.
”The...others will...be at the chateau soon. We should…probably...head back…Fei nodded, still slightly out of breath.
“Oh, um..Of course.. The chateau..” She glanced up one last time at Jessi, trying to relish the moment for as long as she could before taking a step out of his reach. Scratching her hair, Fei couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed for her bold actions. She turned around quickly, hiding her flamed cheeks.
“Well, uhh… Let’s get going then,” She coughed loudly as her feet started to quicken toward the chateau.
”Right uhh.. Right behind you.” Jessi followed Fei still in a sort of shock about everything. Had that really happened? What did it mean? He ducked his head slightly to try and hide his face with his shoulders; but all the while he found his gaze going back to Fei who no doubtedly was feeling the same. And though he tried to at least push it out of his mind, he couldn't help but think of the image of Fei still in his arms.