TWO updates in one weekend? This is a rare event. Hope you like this update!

I could see the tiny cell they'd locked Kellan in via our link. Obsidian everywhere. By the look of the filthy covers tossed over the cot and lack of anything else in the room, I doubted even his mother had visited him. I stumbled forward with Jaxon's assistance, and the two of them ready to fight it out in my head.

It seems I have quite a bit of time on my hands. Kellan plunked down on the cot and flicked a massive cockroach-like bug from the stained mattress.

Funny, that's not what I hear. Jax helped me around a stump. I'm told you don't have much time left and that's why you need my help.

I guess it's all a matter of perspective, isn't it? He pulled his legs up onto the cot and lean against the wall. She hasn't told you she loves you—has she?

Kellan... I dropped my head into my hands.

We're only hours from the council deciding your fate, and you think aggravating me is going to help your case? Jaxon clenched his fist, and his eyes went a bright amber.

So she hasn't. Kellan smirked and wrapped his arms around his knees.

Ah, but she was kissing me last night, not you.

Kellan's ring marking my chest stung icy cold, and I rubbed the mark trying to eliminate the piercing feeling. I knew this point hurt him, no matter what he said next.

It's the call of your ring forcing a connection, Kellan answered. I'm surprised it's taken this long to wear her down. That alone must tell you where her love lies.

Jaxon stood and shook out his hands. A low flame clung to his palms.

"Jax?" I reached out to grab his arm.

He backed away and held both hands in the air. "I need a minute, maybe several." He trudged past Rygar and Jessica, then disconnected from my thoughts. When he got to the cliff's edge, he paced a small circle then stared out over the valley below.

Why did you have to go and do that? Do you have any idea what he's been through to help me? He doesn't deserve that.

What do I deserve? You kissing other guys? How do you think I feel? I'm the one locked up for being in love with you. What about the things I've given up?

You're jealous.

No. He picked at a thread on the tattered blanket. Well, yes if you must know. He's there with you, and I'm stuck in this stupid cage trying to ignore the knotted ring's call. He screamed and whipped the grimy pillow at the cell door. The worst part is, it's all my fault.

If I'd just told my father no from the start and refused the match with Jessica, we'd be together. I knew I was in love with you. He pounded a fist against his knee. Part of me was afraid that you might not feel the same. But when you bolted from the engagement party when my father announced I would marry Jessica, that betrayed look on your face tore me apart, and I knew you did.

Man, I'm stupid. I should've told you how I felt. I don't know. Maybe I was afraid of pushing you away, but I managed to do that anyway, didn't I.

You're just worried about the trial. My cheeks warmed, and I pressed my cold fingers to the swelling.

Honestly? I'm more concerned about you sharing the punishment.

Everything is messed up. I hugged my arms to my chest. Promise me something?

Anything, he answered, not even knowing what I'd ask.

If we both somehow magically survive past the end of today, you'll tell me you love me every day for the rest of our lives.

Done and promised.

Water circled his ring twice, and my necklace flickered.

Does that mean you still love me?

I've never stopped. I stared at the ground. I must be crazy, but I do.

A breeze picked up and whipped my hair against my face. I tucked a lock of hair behind my ear and noticed Jax's boots in front of mine.

"Am I interrupting?" He scuffed the ground with his foot.

Kellan groaned in my head. Yes.

"No," I answered. Would you stop? I need a minute to talk to Jax. Do you mind?

Jaxon eased into the spot next to me on the rock.

Yes, I mind... You're my future partner, he said, emphasizing the word, my.

Kellan... I scolded.

Fine. But don't even think about kissing him. He unlinked before I could even respond.

"Is he gone?" Jax tapped his head.

I nodded, and his stiff posture relaxed.

"Kellan didn't say anything I didn't already know. But somehow he gets under my skin."

He held out his hand, silently waiting for mine. When our palms touched, my cold hands warmed and tingled.

"Do you like me?" He closed his fingers over mine.

"Of course, I do." I licked my lips, feeling the sting of my saliva run along the cut on my bottom lip. "You're loyal, caring, and awkwardly sweet. What's not to like?"

"I mean as more than a friend."

Of course he did. "You know how to put a girl on the spot." I shifted on the rock, trying to get comfortable. "In case you were wondering, I don't go around kissing every guy I meet." I nudged him with my shoulder. "Actually, that count is only two. So, I guess I'd have to answer yes to that question, wouldn't I?"

He nodded, not taking his gaze from the ground. "But you're in love with him."

"Jax, you have to understand, I've known him since I was little. Even if I can't remember everything, it's like his essence is a foggy memory, haunting my subconscious."

Jax squeezed my hand. "At least you're honest with me."

"We're going to be partners in a couple of days, and none of this will matter." I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling the need to be close to him.

"We just have to get through today." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "And it's not going to be easy to convince the court."

Stubble darkened his chin, and the outline of his muscles were visible with the wind pressing his shirt against him. And now that my headache was gone, ignoring my attraction to Jax was getting more difficult by the second.

"Of Kellan's innocence?"

Jaxon burst out laughing. "His ring is plastered all over you, how would you do that? Lucky for him, our laws are based on damage done, not innocence." He stood and helped me to my feet. "It's all about making restitution. Stealing a partner is an unforgivable offense, but since you're not partnered yet..."

I scrunched my brows trying to recall the information on Acklemarian trials, but nothing came to mind. "Meaning what?"

"We have to convince them we're committed to each other."

"That's it?"

He dragged his sight from the ground and looked at me. "For a girl who's only kissed me three times outside of that bet, you sound confident."

"You're counting?"

"I'm a guy. I'm always counting and waiting for the next one. What do you think keeps me going?" He smiled, and the charcoal smudge on his cheek reminded me of what he'd gone through to rescue me.

"Maybe the ring's call is different for you," he said, "but for me, it's taking everything to restrain myself around you." He glanced at the group packing up lunch. "Vega, Sage, gotta moment?" He waved for them to come over.

"Sure." Sage walked over. "What's up?"

"I'm just wondering what your thoughts are for addressing the council?" he asked.

Sage's eyes widened. "You two didn't discuss that last night?"

"We thought with you two kissing..." Vega shook her head. "The one time I nod off before everyone. Honestly, you didn't tell her?"

A smile beamed across Jax's face. "You told them about our kiss?"

"Typical guy." I laughed. "Yes, I told them. Focus Jax, what part of the plan am I missing?"

"Probably the part that engaged partners usually can't take their hands off of each other in the days leading up to the ceremony," Sage blurted. "Kissing and..."

Vega's elbowed Sage, and her grey dress swayed in the breeze. "The council has to believe the partnership between you two will happen—"

"Or they deem damages are done, and my brother's fate is sealed." Elena walked up, holding the reins to one of the prongmera.

"Sage?" I grabbed hold of my hair and twisted it to the side. "I know you can't heal all of this. But do you think you could manage this cut?" I rubbed the tender spot on my lip, that kept splitting open.

"Wren..." Her voice faded into the wind.

I folded my hands under my chin. "Please?"

"Fine. But not a stitch more. Your body needs time to accept the healing energy, and I need to replenish my energy stores." She bent down, held out the light pink stone between her index and thumb. When she blew on it, the tiny gem flashed a bright hot pink. Sage started humming, then touched the stone to my lip and a piercing sensation zagged across the cut.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I tapped her shoulder. "Holy crap that hurts."

"Shhh. I'm almost done." She slid the stone over the cut another time, then lifted the gem from my lip. "There."

I sucked in a lung full of air.

"The more I heal, the more painful it gets. That, and if I do too much you'll be unconscious for days."

"You've done enough." I licked my lip feeling the smooth surface. "Thanks, this is great."

"Don't thank me yet." She jogged over to her bag, reached inside and pulled out a little white jar, then jogged back. "Here." She handed me the container. "You look like you can use this."

"Gran's arnica cream. I never thought I'd be so happy to see a jar of this goo." I hugged it close. "Thanks."

She gave me a big toothy smile. "You can pay me in coffee. Lots and lots of coffee."

"Come on. Everyone else is packed." Vega tugged on Sage's arm, dragging her off.

"With piles of whipped cream and chocolate shavings," Sage continued to holler.

You didn't need to do that.

"Yes, I did. How else am I going to prove to you this partnership is happening?"

"Prove?"

"You and I have a contract." I grabbed a handful of his shirt, drawing him closer. My lips hovered above his, tingling in anticipation. "You're not backing out on me are you?"

"Never."

I crushed my mouth to his and let the roar of ring's call tear through me. He spread my lips with his tongue, caressing the inside of my mouth. Jax's muscular arms pressed my chest against his. Then as if to make a point that he was the one in control, he dragged a hand up my leg, and his spiral flame ignited in response. A rising heat swept through me, filling me with want. I washed my hand over the Fire Circle sweep marking his bicep, and he groaned. He slid his hands underneath me and lifted me onto his lap.

"Get a room!" Someone hollered.

"Forget that, get some popcorn," Sage yelled back. "These two are hot."

"Ignore them." Jax kept kissing my lips.

Something rough slobbered my cheek, and I pulled from our kiss. "Amaress, gross! You have got to stop doing that."

"If she didn't just help rescue you, I'd use her for stew for that interruption." Jaxon wiped the side of his face.

Jessica held up her phone. "These pictures are even better than the last ones I took."

"Enough practicing trying to look like a couple." Elena tossed me a rag. "Let's go save my brother."

Thanks for reading. The plan is for another update next weekend. Till then, FOLLOW if you haven't already, vote if you love the characters and let me know what your FAVORITE scene in the series has been thus far.

Cheers, all! XoXo  Amber