The story so far:

----Xan learns from Aija what really happened to him; he feels hurt. He wants to warn his family about the experiments to save his siblings. Goldstar finds out Vincent is Ytean-human. And that he was responsible for his reputation. He is upset. He chooses to leave behind 'Goldstar' and be Rei. It is Ze's wedding day. Ruyanir's and Ze's wedding takes place. Ze challenges Na'thwir for the position of Zayr chief. Thieron goes to Zya'ara with everyone. Meets his family after years. The Company is on their way to attack again. Aija and Thieron fight with the Zya'araeans against the Wy'sith. Aija gets dragged away from Thieron. Nala and Luka struggle to shield Eiva and Afe. Nala is losing control over her shield. Zuri arrives to help. Thieron panics when he loses Aija. The ji'var attack him, but Aija finds him. Together they manage to kill the metal-controller, but when the Utzrn withdraw, Thieron realises it's to drown them. Aija calls Tai'un for help, and tells him she'll do anything in return for help. Tai'un uses the Avo to help them. Xan meets Vaughn, they spend time in Sier Ghat. Aa'di Irih'va has lunch with his grandfather, who tells him about his parents.

----Zuri waits for Aija to wake. When she goes to check on Luka, she hears Nala talking to Z'our. Thieron tells Aija he's in love with her. Aija tells him she hates him. Thieron is stunned by Aija's non-acceptance of him. Thieron accepts Irih'va's offer to work for the Crown. Rei gets back with Vincent. Wiet publicly executes Gale members, Rei is upset that he isn't able to do more for his people. Luka speaks with his former mentor and tells him he's quitting the Ithi'hra. Aija and Irhi'va speak in the Throne Room. When Irih'va kisses her she kisses him back but realises she cares more for Thieron. Irih'va is devastated when Aija leaves. Ruyanir is scared for Ze. She hopes he wins. Ze wins against Na'thwir. Zuri and Nala attend the Red-Moon festival. The Gale releases their video on the Main-Lands. They bring the Leadership down. Mike Wiet escapes, Rei asks Je'ai to catch him.

----Aija accepts Thieron.

✽✽✽

****32 AIJA****

Warmth.

Warmth encompassing her. And touch, his touch.

Aija woke, easing steadily out of sleep, something she hadn't been able to do in a long time. She felt the weight of his arms over her, feeling safe, at home.

Aija rolled to face Thieron, still asleep, breathing deep and restful. Strands of black-red hair brushed his face. Aija stroked them back with her fingertips; he slept through her spark-inducing touch. Aija felt peaceful and content in a way she hadn't ever before.

The suns had risen, cushioning the room with satiny-golden light, softened by snow. The paintings on the dome lent their colours, dabbing them with their vividness.

Aija and Thieron had stayed in bed all night just talking. He spoke of Zya'ara, his parents, aunts, cousins, and about Ytèan. He told her how Eiva and Afè met, of how he, Nala, and Luka had met. He spoke of Afè and Nala's shared love for sweets. Afè admitted it, Nala didn't. Aija had pictured Nala and Zuri having cake for breakfast, made for each other. Aija had listened to Thieron speak, letting his voice wash over her senses; the lilting ebb and flow, the highs like thunder, the lows soft as rain, cocooning Aija in a soothing thunderstorm.

Aija didn't know Thieron talked or smiled as much as he did through the night. He always seemed grim, quiet, and content alone. But he'd spoken of things that mattered to him, and Aija had let herself drown in her moment of euphoria of having him talk to her.

She traced the angles of his face with her fingertips, drifting down to his neck, collarbone, and chest where the H'eon tattoo didn't exist anymore. Instead, she saw the tattoo of two suns and two diagonal cuts under them. Aija swept her fingers over the scars, feeling the slight rise of the healed skin. The same diagonal cuts were on both his temples. Aija had seen them on every Ytai and Iernei she'd come across but hadn't given them much thought until then.

Tattoos winded over Thieron's arms from fingers to shoulders. She put a finger over the bow of his lips, letting out a soft squeal when Thieron kissed her finger. She didn't know when he'd woken; now, or when she'd been trailing her fingertips over him.

Lazily, Thieron opened his eyes, resting them on hers. A smile graced his lips; it tugged at her heart. He put a hand over her cheek and moved forward to place a kiss on her head. "Aija," he whispered; a hymn, a paean.

Thieron closed his eyes again, sleep pulling him closer to itself, jealous of his attention on her. Aija placed a kiss on the tip of his nose. She rose and was halfway off the bed when Thieron caught her by her wrist. He sat sleep vanished, alarm in his eyes.

"Where are you going?"

"Back to my room,"

"Why?" he frowned. "Aija, don't you want to be here?"

Aija hadn't even considered it; she'd thought she was supposed to get back to her room last night. But they'd laid in bed talking for so long, she'd given up the idea of getting back.

"Stay," Thieron tensed, his hand gripping her wrist a little tighter. "Stay with me, Aija."

Aija thought of her chambers opposite Aa'di Irih'va's like she'd left half her heart there. But she'd made her choice; the warrior over the Emperor.

"Aija, do you want to go?"

Aija dismissed the thought with a wave of her hand, but it sat in her mind like concrete, hardening with each passing second.

"Ah'n," she said and heard the breath catch in his throat. Each time she spoke his name, it was like he heard it anew; each time, it took his breath away. Aija knew she had power over him in that tiny, infinitesimal length of time and fancied it the name love. "The climb to the Library is too much. I need my clothes. If you get them, I'll stay."

"That's it?" he studied her, amused. "Is that all it takes?"

Aija giggled. "Yes,"

Thieron kissed her and slid off the bed. "I'll go right now,"

Aija laughed.

Thieron searched for his robe; he dragged it free of the tangles of the blanket. All the time, Aija had her eyes on him, a strange heaviness dusting her senses.

Thieron caught her watching him and stilled.

"What are those cuts over your heart? They're also on the sides of your forehead."

"Blessings," Thieron's voice dropped a notch. "Every Ytai and Iernei are blessed by the blade on birth."

Aija's hand subconsciously went to the spot over her heart.

"You want it?"

"I'm not Ytai or Iernei,"

"Humans on Ytèan get them too," he approached the bed, where she still sat, voice low.

Thieron rested his palms on the bed in front of her, leaning forward, so close, Aija could see herself in his eyes. He put his hand over her cheek, over the scar, tracing lightly, eyes dark with desire. He'd taken every opportunity since last night to touch her, always a hand over her, a graze of his lips over hers. He'd held her through the night as they talked and fallen asleep.

"I can't give the suns' avn, but I can give you the blessings," he murmured; his breath tickled Aija's lips. Thieron trailed his fingers over her cheek, her jaw, and down to her neck, to her collarbone, stopping for a mere moment.

Aija's skin was on fire under his touch; her heart wild, the lightning eliciting sharp delights.

His fingers went lower, lower, trailing down her chest on bare skin, her robe unhooked from last night, stopping in the tiny space between the soft curves of her chest. He brushed her skin gently to the left, stealing her breath right with it. Voice husky, he said, "The first cuts are over the heart." He traced upwards, fingers never leaving her skin, eyes unwaveringly on hers, back over her neck, jaw and cheek to her temple, making Aija shiver with pleasure under his gaze and light touch. "The second ones are here." He then trailed his fingers down to her shoulder and back, slow, agonisingly slow, and stopped between her shoulder blades.

Aija felt herself coiling with yearning as he touched her, winding, winding, winding tighter. She wanted more of him.

"The last ones, here, where we once had wings," voice heavy with desire, he crooned.

Aija's hands fisted the sheets, body tense; heady warmth daubed her. Her breaths shallow, her body weighted with desire, nerves fizzing with want, Aija parted her lips to let a breath escape. Thieron swept his fingers back up and rested them on her chest just under her clavicle. He bit his lower lip, eyes shining with wonderous ache. He knew what he was doing to her; he knew and drew pleasure from her desire. He wanted her.

Thieron straightened, standing. Aija gasped at the heat amassed in her. He smiled; didn't laugh, didn't smirk at his influence over her, but smiled, a sweet, joyful smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes. "Let's get your clothes, va rye'la," his dimples flashed. Those damned dimples that had captured her attention since the first time she'd noticed.

Breathless and tense with a longing that made her awareness of him sharp, as if he were fire and she dry wood, Aija let Thieron pull her off the bed. She peered up at him, from under her lashes, heart unruly. Thieron gazed at her, smile replaced with need. Aija almost begged him to kiss her; she parted her lips to ask him when he reached for her, kissing her. Not those demure, gentle kisses he'd given her since the previous night, but hurried, imbued with want like their first kiss days ago. Thieron tugged her towards him, carrying her in his arms; Aija put hers over his shoulders, fingers caressing his hair, kissing him back. He laid her on the bed and climbed over her pressing his lips to hers. He nipped at her lower lip, evoking a divine moan from her. He groaned deep in his throat. Aija drew him closer by his robe; he indulged her, cupping her face in his hands, trailing kisses over her neck, making her want more of him. She arched forward, her chest flush against his, her fingers in his hair. He bit her lightly over her chest; she gasped, delight taking over.

Aija craved more, wanted more of him. More and more and more. He slid the straps of her crop-top off her shoulders, placing kisses, and,

And Aija's stomach growled.

Thieron stopped kissing her. She gasped for breath, cheeks warm. He laughed, placing a kiss in the crook of her neck as her stomach protested again. Thieron kissed her on the head, "Let's feed you,"

Aija shook her head; he pulled her up, anyway, and brushed his nose against hers. "Va lh'ean,"

"Kiss me, Ah'n," she ached for him.

There it was, the gasp at his name on her tongue. He kissed her once. "Food, now. Come,"

"Shouldn't we ask for food to be brought up?" Aija interlaced her fingers through his; their lightning flared like it had all the while he'd touched her.

"I know something better," he grinned, devilish. "We go to the kitchens."

****

It turned out that the kitchens had an enormous dining-hall for the staff. Hot and smoky, blissful aroma of food filled the area.

A large spread lay on the table for them. Thieron brought them plates from the kitchens; Aija eyed him incredulously. How had he discovered he could eat there? Even the staff had welcomed them; the Head Chef had recognised Thieron.

Aija sat beside Thieron, feeling his warmth radiate onto her skin. She ate, serving seconds; he glanced at her several times.

"What?"

"I'm glad you're eating well," he smiled. A while later, he said, "I'm sorry."

Aija stopped eating. "For what?"

"For everything, kidnapping you, keeping the truth from you; for hurting you, making you sad," he put his palm over her cheek. He loved doing that. Aija put her hand over his. "I never intended to make you sad. All I want is to make you happy, Aija. I'm sorry; I've long owed you an apology."

Aija blinked back tears. "I can't tell you how much that means to me."

"I know," he affirmed. "I've hurt you. I miss your presence. I wish I could reach into the bond to know how you feel because every second, it feels like you hate me for what I did."

"I choose you, Ah'n," she tightened her grip over his hand. "I choose you, today and tomorrow. And I chose you for the rest of my days. I want you. You, Ah'n,"

"That means the world to me."

"I know,"

"My smart girl,"

****

Aija watched Thieron remove the meagre collection of clothes from the cabinet. She'd given away most of the heavily embroidered ones, and they'd found their way back. No doubt Ne'vei's work.

Silently, Thieron folded her clothes into neat piles. He hadn't let her help; her backpack sat beside her clothes, ready. She'd kept random stuff like Rei's Gale coat; even the candles Thieron had placed on the cake he'd made her.

The sound of the door opening grunted through the quiet. Aija's heart skipped a mortified beat; she couldn't face the Emperor. Irih'va, she'd called him by his name. And then, left.

Aija's worry eased seeing Xlo'qua Ne'vei enter but returned when the Healer's expression turned sour on seeing Thieron handling her clothes.

"Ah'n,"

"Xlo'qua," he bowed.

Aija went to the startled woman.

"I came to ask you to join me for dinner," Ne'vei glimpsed between Aija and Thieron, deducing what went on between them.

"I'd love that," Aija accepted.

"Where are you going?"

"With me," Thieron answered. "She's staying with me."

Ne'vei's shock morphed to sadness. Aija felt awful.

"Ah'n, I need to talk to her alone."

Thieron nodded, bowed to the Healer, and left. The door closed; Ne'vei hadn't moved a muscle.

"Don't get me wrong, Aija. I thought you loved Aa'di."

Aija blinked back the tears that rushed forth. Still, one escaped. She'd wanted Aa'di as much as Thieron. But she'd chosen her closeness with Thieron over everything else.

"You do," Ne'vei sucked in a deep breath. "You are in love with Aa'di."

Aija didn't know what to say, her silence a loud answer on its own.

"You love them both," Ne'vei stated, panicking.

Aija wanted to embrace the Healer, comfort her, but couldn't.

"May I be bold enough to ask you to choose Aa'di? He loves you, Aija," tears coagulated in Ne'vei's eyes.

"Ah'n loves me too,"

"I know. But," she stopped, taking deep, steadying breaths to alleviate her panic. "Marry Aa'di, become consort. Aija, please,"

Aija cried.

"Aija,"

"I chose Ah'n," Aija sobbed. "I'm sorry, Ne'vei. I love Irih'va. But it's unfair to love them both. I choose my time I've already spent with Ah'n over the time I'll get with Irih'va. But I hate to see his heart break. I don't know what else to do."

"Oh, Aija," Ne'vei clasped her in her arms.

Aija put her arms around the Iernei, crying her heart out. "I'm sorry,"

"Don't be,"

"You hate me now,"

"No, Aija, trun nyer'h, never. You have the right to be with who you want. I'm the one who owes you an apology. I'm sorry."

****

Back in Thieron's room, Aija sat in a lull.

He hung her clothes next to his. Once done, Thieron knelt in front of her. "Are you okay?"

Aija nodded; her face, still red from crying, must worry him.

"Do you want to go back to your room?"

"Why would you ever ask that?"

"You seem upset to stay with me,"

"I'm not. I want to stay with you."

"What did she say? She made you cry," Thieron's tone was hoarse, laced with cold fury like he'd go wage war against the Healer.

Aija took his face between her hands. "Do you trust me?"

"With my life,"

"I trust you too,"

Thieron put his hands over hers on his cheeks; it made her heart explode with adoration.

"Before the fight in Zya'ara, you told me we'll get through it together."

"Hmmm,"

"We'll get through the rest of our days together. You and me, Ah'n,"

"Together?"

Aija kissed Thieron. "Forever," 

✽✽✽