The state of Endir was a mess. Jazz had been to Yraik many times, and even some other, smaller port towns, but deep within the heart of the land, the poverty was crushing. For him, it was a matter of curiosity, but Jinx seemed to be feeling it to her very core.

She'd never shown any particular loyalty to her kingdom. Just like him, the moment she'd left, she'd cut ties with everything. But apparently being back there unleashed a torrent of memories she could no longer ignore. He felt awful, but in true Jinx fashion, she refused his sympathy. Her wall against weakness wouldn't come down even for him. He accepted it, only made sure she knew she could always count on him if it became too much.

It was how it had always worked with them. When they met, neither of them was looking for a relationship. It was the complete honesty and comfort that pushed them together romantically. For him, it was also how exceptionally beautiful and attractive she was. But it was her personality which had made him stay.

Ever since they'd met, she'd always been lively and optimistic, even in the most dire of situations. Seeing her lose her fire muted the colors of his world. And the deeper into Endir they moved, the more thoughtful she became.

They had to keep pretending that he was an Iridian slave to make it work. Jinx was very good at treating him like trash when people were around, but he could see it got to her. Even if she'd stopped apologizing at his request, it was obvious that the scenario they were playing out was affecting her more than it did him. Furthermore, even after wandering for so long, they were unable to gather any decisive information to bring back to Cage.

No one outright spoke of what was happening in Corosa. Some people seemed to have hope that magic had returned, others just wallowed in their misery. The army appeared to be on the move, but not towards the borders. It was an inconclusive mess of gossip that didn't seem to go in any one direction.

"I hate this," Jinx said one night as they were resting in yet another decrepit tavern. "But I think we'll have to wander into Corosa."

Jazz took his chain off and rubbed the back of his neck. "I figured that much."

She let out a long sigh and walked over to him. "I'm so sorry about this." She placed her hands on his neck and tried to soothe the discomfort.

"We've discussed this multiple times. This is the best plan. You don't have to keep apologizing."

"It's hurting you!"

He huffed. "What? The chain? Be serious! It might be slightly uncomfortable, but it is by no means hurting me."

"It's degrading and humiliating," Jinx insisted. "I hate seeing you like that."

He quirked an eyebrow. There seemed to be more to it than even that. "Like what?"

She hesitated, suddenly unsure of what she wanted to say. "Submissive. Defeated."

"Oh, love." He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him. "I'm not submissive or defeated and you know it."

"I know, I know," she mumbled into his chest. "But I hate even the thought that you could ever be."

He buried his face in her hair. "You know you don't have to be scared for me, right?"

She tensed at his words. They'd always lived a dangerous life, but ever since they returned on land, something was different. He hadn't discussed it with her, but he suspected it had something to do with his wanted status. Since he was on land, he was much easier to catch. His suspicion was confirmed once Terrani showed up in Valona, and she became even more jumpy.

"This is not a game, Jazz," she said, pulling away from him. "You're not safe here."

"You're a spy for the king of Iride. Neither are you."

"Yes, but they would have to figure out I'm a spy first. They merely need to look at you and they'll want to kill you."

"You know I'm not easy to kill."

"Hardly the point," she mumbled.

"You're still upset you missed your mark?"

Jinx nudged his shoulder, a small smile on his face. She'd wanted to kill him and take his ship when they met. He ended up hiring her instead, fascinated both by her ability to wield fire and her skill with a sword. It felt like eons ago. He could no longer imagine life without her.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked, keeping his tone soft.

"Talk about what?"

"What's really troubling you."

"Nothing is troubling me."

"Jackie..."

She winced. "Sometimes I wish I'd never told you my name."

"Then we wouldn't be where we are."

Names were sacred, and everyone with an ounce of common sense should know that. They could be used against the bearer, to twist his will, control him. Jazz had found out during his studies in Talia, when he'd wandered into a section of the library destined for the advisors of the Governor. The knowledge was no longer widespread, not since Iride banned magic. Even if Talia hadn't outright done the same, the practical nature of the people had kept the magic away to begin with.

Because, as he'd found out, it was magic that used the name to ensnare. Naming a child tied his fate to that name and Jazz had seen firsthand what the decisions of the parents could do to the red strings.

Even before he was cursed to see the fates of those around him, he realized the danger of a name. He came up with his new moniker and went by Jazz, to his father's chagrin. It ended up serving him well. He was sure Cecille could have done much worse to him if she knew his name. He had always wondered if she knew Cage's.

With Jinx, the decision to forsake her name had been made on a whim. Out of some deep seeded and primal realization, the moment she was granted magic, she renounced her name and adopted her new persona. She'd only told her that her name was Jaqueline after they were in love, when he expressly asked.

Because it was safe. And because he needed it for them to tie themselves to each other. They could, after all, only be married by their real names. And as much as she complained, he knew she didn't regret telling him. Because, just like when she used his true name, the power the knowledge brought could be used for good. In their case, to soothe fears and worries.

"No, you don't regret it. Ever."

She still pouted. "I do when you use it like this."

"I'm just trying to calm you down."

"I know! You're using it to make me feel safe. Loved." And yet her words sounded reproachful.

"I'm sorry that my love upsets you." He couldn't keep the smirk in as he said the words.

Jinx groaned and settled on the only bed in their pathetic room. "I don't like being back here. It's triggering me in ways I couldn't foresee."

He sat next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "How?"

"I was weak here, Jason," she whispered. "In Corosa, before the fairy took pity on me, I was at my worst. I knew what would follow and I had no means to defend myself. Going back there..."

The sound of his name on her lips had him feeling some of her pain, of her confusion and fear. He tightened his hold on her and kissed her temple. 

"Love, that is where you became strong. Yourself."

"I know! Which is why it makes no sense. But I feel like I have a boulder in my stomach that becomes heavier the closer we get. And then there's Kat."

He tensed at the mention of her name. "What about Kat?"

"You can't pretend to forget what we did to her," she whispered.

Jazz gritted his teeth and looked away.

"You pushed her. We both did," she said, her voice still low.

"I had to."

"I know you did. I know that if you didn't do it, her powers would have manifested in a worse way, that Lucille wouldn't have come when she did and that we wouldn't have all survived."

He shuddered at her words. He'd seen both her and Trix dead. He'd seen Cage dead which meant the end of Iride. There had been so many things at play, and he'd chosen what he considered the lesser evil. But Jinx was right. They had pushed Kat, and she wasn't going to forget that in a hurry. As far as she was concerned, they were the reason for her current potential misery.

"She hurt you," he said. "And she knows that. She felt bad about it."

Jinx frowned. "Why are you telling me this?" The worry in her voice proved how well she knew him.

"No reason in particular. Just pointing out that you might not be in as much danger--"

She stood and punched his shoulder. Hard. "Shut your mouth. You're not going to take this upon yourself."

Oh, he was, but he knew he couldn't argue with her about it. But he'd planned it all carefully. He would do anything in his power to protect her.

"Besides," she added, "it's not like we're going to get caught."

Jazz nodded and was relieved when she sat down next to him again, then settled in his lap. He took her face in his hands and kissed her, long and slow. There was nothing more he enjoyed than being with her, loving her, getting lost in her, if only for a few hours.

Once she was asleep next to him, he dared dive into the realm of the fates. He'd been there as little as possible recently and always when Jinx was asleep. Because he didn't like what he saw. He knew what had to be done, and he couldn't avoid it. All he could do was lessen the blow.

⚜

Unlike the small towns and villages they'd been in so far, Corosa was bustling with life. It was much easier for Jinx and Jazz to get lost in the crowd now. Merchants, priests and soldiers filled the streets and there seemed to be a general atmosphere of anticipation.

This time, they stayed at an inn located in the poorer district of the capital city. No one gave them a second thought or a glance, even if Jazz was still chained up. It was also much easier to find out everything they needed. Everywhere they turned, the subject on everyone's lips was the same: the marvelous ice queen and her magical powers.

"Well," Jinx muttered, "I guess Kat didn't have trouble winning her people over."

"With a kingdom obsessed with magic, what did you expect?" Jazz sipped his ale, his glance fixed out the window. "There are a lot of soldiers running around."

"Do you think she's gathering an army?" Jinx whispered.

"Most likely." He downed the rest of his drink. "So much for peaceful negotiations."

She hummed, drumming her fingers on the wooden table and glancing outside, too. "It feels odd, seeing the country like this."

He turned his attention to her. "Like what?"

"Hopeful. I've only known Endir as this bitter, miserable place. No one liked the Steward and we felt forced to follow his laws. This is a lot more dangerous."

It was indeed. Kat might have had fewer resources, since Endir was obviously poor, but she had something Cage didn't, and that was the trust and loyalty of her people.

"Do you think any of the other nobles oppose her?"

Jinx glanced around the tavern filled with rowdy patrons toasting to the queen. "Do you think it matters when she has the army and the people?"

No, it didn't. Jazz couldn't believe how uneasy that made him feel. But seeing the truth, he came to realize that he had really hoped for a different outcome. For there to be mumbled curses and trouble, for Kat to be struggling to gain footing as ruler. Jinx was right. Did it really matter that Kat had no idea how to run a kingdom if everyone in it supported her? She'd have advisors and generals who could tell her how to do her job, and she was smart enough to listen.

"We should see her," Jinx said.

He snapped out of his thoughts. "What?"

"Kat. We should go talk to her."

"Are you insane? She'll kill us!"

Jinx let out a laugh. "Did you see that in your visions?"

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck. He shouldn't have said that. "We need to go. Now."

Jinx tilted her head in curiosity. Then her eyes widened. "No. Please tell me you didn't just tell me what you saw in your visions. But that's impossible. You haven't been looking for the longest time." She was rambling, and with each word, realization seemed to come to her. "No. You didn't."

Jazz was already on his feet and pulled her hand to get her up. Then, as quickly as he could without outright running and knocking things over, he stepped outside of the tavern they'd taken refuge in for lunch.

"Jazz, you didn't," she kept saying, her voice a low murmur, as if she was trying to convince herself.

He hurried his pace, dodging around carts of fruit and vegetables, towards their inn. Maybe if they got there fast enough, packed and left... He let his vision go inwards again and he halted.

"No time to grab the luggage." He tightened his hold on Jinx's hand and switched direction towards the gate leading out of the city.

"You can't be serious." But she followed, knowing only too well that he was dead serious.

A few times, he allowed himself to peek at the future and changed directions accordingly. His curse didn't let him anticipate things, just see an outcome, but as much as he changed things, the outcome stayed the same. Because he'd said it out loud and made it true.

The realization had him halting in the middle of the street. A horse almost ran him over. The soldier mounting it pulled on the reins.

"Are you insane?" he asked, settling down his horse.

Jazz turned to him, a smile on his face. "No, I'm a spy for Iride," he said in his best Endirian. "Congratulations. You have captured me. Now take me to your queen."

The man blinked, then stared at him. Jinx stared too, her mouth hanging open.

"What the fuck are you doing?"

She'd cussed him out in Iridian and that drew the soldier's attention to her as well. It also seemed to bring weight to Jazz's words, because his light eyes were all of a sudden scanning them for weapons.

"I do have a sword," Jazz confirmed, pulling his cloak aside. He could feel Jinx was a second away from thumping him with the hilt of her own, but this was the only way he could assume they would get out of their predicament. He didn't dare check the fates again because if this insane move didn't change their trajectory, nothing would.

The soldier let out a sharp whistle and signaled to someone on a nearby side street. In a matter of moments, two more mounted soldiers appeared and surrounded him and Jinx.

"I hate you and your curse so much right now," she said between her teeth.

"I know you love me," he answered with a grin and turned back to the soldiers. "Well? Are you going to stand there all day on your magnificent horses or take us to your dungeon?"

⚜⚜⚜

I actually had this chapter to post before the previous one but I don't know how I managed to skip it... UGH! Anyway, this makes more sense now because you needed to see how Jazz and Jinx got captured.

You also get tot find out a little more about them. How they met, the power of names and the fact that the two of them are actually married.😅Did you expect that?

Anyway, thanks for putting up with my fumbling. This chapter is longer but it was too short to chop in two. Also, hopefully, the content is interesting enoug.