"This above all is precious and remarkable,

How we put ourselves in one another's care,

How in spite of everything we trust each other."

- John Wain, "This Above All"

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Song of the chapter: Baby I love you by Tiffany Alvord ( yesh, mainstream for the first time woo! DO PLAY IT! ;))

Media: A Casper banner I made one year ago

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A quick pre-AN

I initially wanted to put this chapter as private because this contains mature scenes, but then non-followers won't be able to access the chapter so I left it as public. If you're uncomfortable with mature scenes please skip this chapter. Don't say I didn't warn you, happy reading!

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Chapter Twenty-Nine: Heart

Jasper slid over, putting his arms around Cady from the back. His breaths were warm against her as he nuzzled her neck. "Hey, are you alright? You looked stressed."

Cady poked a loose crystal on his table. It rolled off and made its way into a hole in the wall. "It's...hard to tell. It's about Eli."

He sat down on the opposite side of the table, looking around for the missing crystal. "What about him?"

"He confessed to me today." Cady looked down at her feet, suddenly embarrassed. She had run from Eli that morning, avoiding him at every turn and corner. Only when the sun had set and she made her way to Jasper's chamber did the knot in her heart ease, allowing her to breathe.

One of Jasper's eyebrows did a jiggle. "Really?"

"I don't want to talk about it anymore." She slumped onto the table, crossing her arms so her chin could rest on them.

He stroked the little band on her finger. "He got you a Celestial ring."

She looked down, having completely forgotten about it. "Oh, he did."

"That's very thoughtful of him," he said, bobbing his head. His voice held no trace of sarcasm to it. "Every Starlet needs a Celestial ring."

"Where is yours? I've never seen you wear it."

A shadow flitted over his face. "I lost it," he said with regret. "Many years ago."

Cady prodded him with a finger. "Why not get another one?"

"Starlet Taboo," he answered with a jab in her nose. "You can only get a Celestial ring once in your lifetime. Lose it, and you can never get a new one."

"That's dumb," Cady said, raising her head.

"Not really," he said. "Imagine if you lost your wedding ring. Would you go and make a new one? The old one holds precious memories and a most significant moment of your life. This applies to the Celestial Ring as well. You only get it when you come of age. Not many Starlets live to sixteen in the past. Hence, the Celestial Ceremony and its ring are regarded highly in our culture."

Cady was silenced. Jasper never failed to awe her with his words (and his presence).

"Forget the serious conversation." Jasper's head vanished down the table. "Hey, did you see a piece of Amazonite? I swear I had one on the table."

"It rolled into that hole." She pointed a finger at the cracked wall. Jasper groaned. "Never mind, I'll get another one."

"Should we resume our lessons?" he asked. "It's been awhile since you've practiced."

"I practiced on my own at night," she said. "It's been getting easier and easier."

Jasper smiled. "As expected of consistency. How are your wounds?"

Her hands went to her stomach at once. "Better. They don't hurt anymore."

"Let me see." He strode over. Jasper looked at her with questioning eyes, asking for permission. She nodded and he lifted her shirt, exposing the flesh beneath. His fingers brushed against the little stitches. A shiver ran up her spine. Suddenly, he was on the floor, and Cady was on top of him, kissing him with a fierce intensity.

"You're so wild," he complained, after a long kiss.

"What, you don't like it?" She sat back, grinning.

Jasper smiled that lopsided smile that always made her heart flutter. "I never said I didn't. But we can never get any practice done if you kiss me at every single opportunity."

"Fine," she grumbled. "What do you want to teach me today?"

He whipped out the Gilded Tarot. "This."

Her eyes widened. "Wait...this is an Oracle weapon. I can't use it."

Jasper shook his head. "Most ancient weapons, like this one, are forged without specifics. You move the cards with sheer will and intent, no Affinities needed."

He slid the pouch across the floor. Cady picked them up. They felt alive. The cards vibrated in her hands, exuding heat and pulsation, just like a living creature. She lifted the clasp and emptied the deck into her hands. Like gold pouring from a sack, it cascaded over her hands and down to her lap and the floor.

"Oops," she said. "My bad."

He rolled his eyes. "Clumsy creature. It's a wonder the Hall of Spirits is still intact."

Cady chucked a card at him. Jasper threw a hand before his face. The card spun in front of his palm, suspended in thin air. "It's a bad idea to turn my own weapon against me." He smirked. "I've been using these since I was seven."

"Teach me then, I thought that was what you wanted to do." Cady drummed her fingers on a card—The Chariot.

Jasper lifted his feet from stool and placed them on the ground, firm. "Very well then. It's simple, really. Just visualize the card moving, shifting in whichever direction you want them to move."

"That's like shadow weaving," said Cady, lifting up The Chariot. Jasper nodded. "Precisely. It takes concentration and calmness. It took me a year before I could lift all seventy eight cards into the air. The Major Arcanas—" He went forward and drew out the more elaborate cards, all with golden roman numbers embossed within a rosette frame. "—are harder to control, for they hold a special power each. In a battle, you can draw energy from specific Major Arcanas."

"For example," said Jasper, drawing out a card called Strength, where a long silver chain sifted through a woman's fingers, the end of it tied to a growling lion. "If you need strength, you use this card. It aids you the power residing within."

"What about this?" Cady held up The Fool, the unnumbered Major Arcana. "I don't think I would ever need idiocy."

He chuckled. "The Fool is more than just literal idiocy, Cady. It is a card of renewal and rebirth. It represents innocence, something the world is in severe need of. When in doubt, look at The Fool and let go of our fatuity."

Cady gazed at the gleaming cards, realizing they were more than a weapon. They were a trove of great knowledge, passed down from generations of Silverbirds and still remained a legend. The thought of being taught to harness their powers was beyond her wildest imagination.

"Come." Jasper's voice plucked Cady from her thoughts. "Lift one for me."

She blew her fringe from her face and picked up Seven of Pentacles. The little mouse by the man hard at work seemed to blink at her with its beady eyes. Cady held the image of the tarot card in her mind, imagining herself controlling it as it ascended into the air. She ran her mind though the card, feeling every corner and edge, every bump and the energy radiating from it.

The card moved. Delighted, she gave it a nudge, asking it to move to the right. It hovered in the air hesitantly, as if calculating her. Cady threw it another silent order, firmer this time. It swung to the right, almost knocking a vase over.

"Wow, it's being difficult," she said, weaving the card in and out of the air. "How do you even control all seventy eight of them?"

Jasper snapped his fingers and leaned back on his chair. "Pure talent and a handsome—" His words were but short when a card slapped him right in the face on the flat side. He spluttered, jumping to his feet while Cady burst into laughter. She laughed so hard she doubled over, her stomach hurting.

"The look on your face!" she roared, pounding the table with a fist. "Priceless!"

Jasper's lips curled up, showing his teeth. "Is that a challenge?"

She lifted her head to say no, but was caught off guard when Jasper suddenly lunged forward, pinning her onto the wall. She tried to wriggle away, but she was barred in by his arms, trapped in between. Jasper closed in, touching her nose with his. Cady squirmed again.

"You want to play?" he asked, one side of his lips lifting, a simple act that made Cady's heart flutter against her chest. Every time he did that, she wanted to sweep him into a hug and kiss him like it was the end of the world.

And she did just that. "Yes."

Cady threw her arms around Jasper's neck and closed in the remaining distance. His lips crashed into hers in a heavy kiss. She explored him, his lips, his mouth, his back, as much as she could reach with the clothes in her way. Her legs wrapped themselves around Jasper's waist who in return, crushed her against him.

She was vaguely aware that he had lifted her from the ground and carried her into his room. Cady didn't mind. She laid her head against his sturdy chest, running her fingers over the soft fabric, feeling the lean muscles ripple beneath. Carefully, he smoothed the sheets and placed her among the pillows.

Cady heard something click in her mind. Zoroth, as if sensing their intimacy, shrank into the dark recesses of her mind where he wouldn't intrude. Secretly, she was glad of his tact.

The moment she felt Jasper's warmth leave her, she complained, pulling him back. A red, hot desire was burning within her. It would sear her if Jasper was away. She needed him. She needed to feel him, to taste him, and more importantly, to feel safe when he was around him.

Jasper must have shared her thoughts, for he came back for another kiss. They crashed into a tangle of arms, legs and blankets on the bed. His hands slid under her shirt. Jasper looked at Cady, asking for permission. Yes. She urged him on. He lifted Cady's shirt over her head and threw it aside. She wriggled out of her trousers, until the only thing left was her bra and underwear.

Cady tugged Jasper's shirt. "Now you're being unfair."

Without a moment's hesitation, Jasper pulled off his shirt where it joined the pile. The Celeslights in the room reflected off his lightly bronzed skin. Stars almighty, Cady thought. He looks like an Angel. And indeed he was, he was the angel the Stars had sent her, to complete her when there was no one else in Esvanira would. Her tongue wet her lips, unwittingly. She reached forward, her hands on his stomach, running over his chest and to his face. Cady held him, staring at him, baring herself to him. Now in this moment, she wanted Jasper to see how much he meant to her, and her trust in him.

"Adyghe," he whispered. "Adyghe cazarel."

Cady didn't need a translator to know what that meant in the Old Tongue. "I love you too," she replied, tears springing to her eyes.

Jasper pushed her down, gently, onto the pillows. His hands found the clasp of her bra. He gave her a look, requesting permission. Yes, you don't have to ask. She gave a startled gasp when her bra slid loose. Cady almost screamed when Jasper's mouth closed around her right nipple, giving it teasing tugs and nips before moving on to the next one. His mouth send tingles down her spine, which arched in pleasure. Her fingers threaded around the chain he always wore around his neck, pulling him closer.

His hands went down to her waist, removing the last piece of clothing on her. A hot blush pressed against her cheeks. This feeling...it was entirely new to her....wild and demanding. Cady looked down and noticed that Jasper still had his breeches on. She gave him a disapproving look. He chuckled. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Yes. A hundred million times, yes. Within seconds, Jasper had kicked off his breeches and threw on the floor. There was now nothing between them but skin. His fingers went to her sensitive spot, applying pressure. She moaned, trying to take in this new sensation. Each time his fingers moved inside her, it sent a jolt of white, hot energy shooting through her. He rested his head in between Cady's breasts, his tongue exploring.

Cady seized the opportunity and flopped Jasper over, taking the lead. She placed her hands on his powerful chest, gazing directly into his dark eyes. His black curls fanned out over the white pillow case, once again reminding her of a godly being.

"Have you...done this before?"

Jasper shook his head, his eyes still on Cady.

Her hands slid Jasper's breeches. She raised her lower body and brushed it against his. She felt Jasper shudder under her as she eased herself onto him. Emotions burst through her, filling her like water pouring from a fountain. Cady rocked him, back and forth. She wanted him to be inside her, deeper, so that she could claim him as hers. Yes, love was hers.

When that final moment came, she felt Jasper's hands on her waist. Cady looked out of the window as the pleasure within her erupted. The stars, they seem so much brighter tonight. She closed her eyes and lay down next to Jasper. The stars outside might seem bright, but when she looked at Jasper, she knew she would be blinded, for he was her one and only star.   

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A/N

There is no denying that Cady has accepted Jasper into her heart and both are now practically inseparable, and Jasper acknowledges that Eli gave her a Celestial Ring. That being said, I want to give y'all a fair warning that hell is about to go down in future updates. I won't say what, but you'll find out soon enough! ;)

Raspberry tarts,

Stef