A double update? YUP. I couldn't leave you hanging, so here it is...the last two portions of the book! And then the SEQUEL!  Thank-you for reading and encouraging me to finish the book. HUGS to you ALL.

The smell of burnt rubber and gasoline made me crinkle my nose and hold my breath. Sage coughed and waved her hands in front of her face trying to clear the smoke. I preferred the haze. It wasn't like I wanted to see him.

"Well, you keep some pretty interesting company in the morning," he said leaning on the hood of Kellan's truck. Flames were roaring inside of the cab, creating a thick black smoke that was billowing out the window. Robin was standing off to side looking on.

"Seriously Jaxon? Was that necessary?" I pointed at the truck.

He spread his fingers wide and placed them on the hood, and a moment later the flames receded, and the smoke cleared. "Thought that would get your attention, love. It didn't hurt that I also got some payback for the damage Kellan did to my car."

"Don't call me that. Especially, if you don't mean it."

"Well, I can't say that I loved seeing his truck here this morning," he spat. His eyes to rested on Kellan leaning against the porch railing. "But I see you're still wearing my ring. So, I assume we have still a contract."

Nod. Kellan urged.

I licked my lips and dipped my head in agreement. "I haven't said otherwise."

He looked up at the sky, then let out a long sigh. "Good. I'm glad to hear..."

"Ack-hem," Robin interrupted, giving Jax a stern look jerking his head in the direction of Sage. "You had something to say."

Jaxon furrowed his brows like he was trying to think of the right words to say, then looked over at her. "Uh, right. Sage, sorry about your arm. I honestly didn't mean to... Its just when it comes to Wren..."

"Save it for someone who cares," Sage replied cutting in. "As far as I'm concerned, it's too little, too late. You can keep your non-heartfelt apologies." She lifted her hand to cover the burnt mark on her other arm and hugged it close to her.

Kellan chuckled behind us and Jaxon's eyes darted to look directly at him. "We'll see who has the last laugh, Kellan. Come on Wren. It's time to go."

"What do you mean, go?" I clutched the railing on the stairs, using it to prop myself up. "Go where?"

"Back home to our house. I'll have someone come by here and collect your things."

Oh, God. Our house?

Breathe Wren. Kellan's voice washed through my thoughts.

Easy for him to say. It wasn't him like he was going to be alone with Jaxon when he saw my strange colored eyes. After I broke my promise, I was sure Jaxon wasn't going to be all that forgiving when he found out.

"I don't understand. What do you mean leave? I live here. At least until, everything's official." Gran placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

Over my dead body, anything official happens. Kellan's words floated in my head.

"Jax—"

Jaxon looked pissed. "I've been more than generous, giving you loads of room to figure everything out. It's not that I don't trust you—it's Kellan—I have reservations about," he said looking up at him. "Bring Sage, bring your Gran. I don't care. But not having him run interference in our relationship anymore."

My heart was in my throat. "Uh—"

"We can discuss everything back at the house, but I think it's time we leave," he said reaching out a hand.

It took everything in me not to look back at Kellan. Give him your hand Wren, he interrupted my thoughts. Trust me.

"All right." I turned and pulled Gran into crushing hug that I wanted to last a lifetime. "Love you," I whispered.

"Love you too." She patted my back. "I can come—"

I shook my head. There was no way I was letting her come with me to face the wrath Jaxon. I'd do anything to keep her safe. When I let her go, I breathed in her lavender scent, hanging on to it for a moment longer. I glanced over to Jaxon and asked, "You promise you'll send for my things?"

"I promise all ready. Can we go?" he answered in an impatient tone.

"As much as I hate you right now," Sage said in stepping in front of us, "where ever Wren goes, I go too."

"Cool the drama queenie. I already said you could."

"Wow, now I know your crazy," Kellan spoke up breaking his silence. "I don't know about the rest of you. But I know I'm dying to find out how you're planning on explaining that flourish on your ring partner's chest to your father. I'm sure he'll be very understanding." He smirked, then shoved his hands into his back pockets.

Jaxon dropped my hand, lighting his fingers in flames. "About that. It's about time—"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk and I was about to make an offer to remove it."

Jaxon withdrew the flames. "Why would you do that?"

"It would seem that Wren still owes me debt. I have a feeling if I don't collect it now, I might not be a position to claim it later."

Jax turned and gave me an evaluating look. "What do you owe him?" I stood there stunned. I didn't know what Kellan was talking about.

"It must be something big if he's willing to remove that flourish," he said, grabbing my arm and twisting it. "What is it."

"Ow, Jax, you're hurting me. I don't—"

"If you must know, she wanted information. The agreed payment was one of her passionate kisses. She got what she asked for, but it seems I never got my payment."

Oh, my God, Kellan was right. I didn't kiss him after he poured his heart out to me in my room, telling me it was his fault for bending to his father's request to marry Jessica. Jaxon had shown up, preventing that.

"You agreed to this?" Jaxon looked hurt and tossed my arm back at me.

"Jax, I didn't know about us, the ring, or what any of this meant when I agreed to his terms. You have to understand—" I felt panicked, his rage rolled off him like a thick cloud making it hard to breathe.

"If she makes payment, you'll remove the flourish?"

Kellan nodded. "Yup."

"Done." Jax turned to me, his eyes a golden yellow. "Go. Make your payment, but this is far from over," he spat. Then he leaned against the burnt out truck and shooed me in Kellan's direction.

I turned and walked toward Kellan with a heavy heart. Scared he would fill his promise and sever his connection with me. When I stood in front of him, he wiped my cheek with his thumb. Sage bumped into me from behind, like she was standing guard or something. With everyone's eyes on us, my hands started to shake, and my fingers went numb. Is he going to remove the flourish? My heart raced and screamed inside me.

He smiled and placed his hands on sides of my face, then tilted my chin up. I love you, I always have, and always will, I heard him say in silent thought. I closed my eyes and let my tears fall over my cheeks. He crushed his lips to mine and my heart soaked in his kiss absorbing everything it held. His gentle touch, the sweetness of his lips, the way he pulled me close, all made me want more.

You said you'd never remove it, I said silently to him. No matter how many times I asked. You can't take it. I won't let you.

Wren, we don't have long. I could feel him tremble when he pulled me in close. I wish we could be far away from here, back on Acklemar. He sighed and dragged his hand through my hair pulling me even closer. Then his words washed through me—

The circle I ask,

To unbind ours masks,

Look at our hearts,

Together not apart.

The flourish was already pulling from my skin little by little, leaving a cold emptiness behind. Then something in me broke and dragged all the power from the stones around my neck. Words just started to spill out of me completing his plea.

Using power of stones,

Make us your own,

Love be our bind,

Our hearts be entwined.

Everything went blinding bright and images swirled around me making me dizzy. The flashing pictures felt familiar, but distant at the same time. Then I recognized one. It was near where Amaress threw Kellan. I reached out and yanked hard pulling the cliff scene into my arms. I wished with all my heart to keep the image with me forever, something I could hold onto. A memory to keep me going—if Kellan wasn't going to be with me and I wasn't letting this memento go for anything. The ground started to shake, and Kellan pulled me close to him trying to protect me. "Don't let go," he whispered.

Sage's hand tugged my shoulder, alerting me. Jaxon was furious. He had peeled himself off the truck and was trying to push his way through the voracious winds. When I looked back at Kellan, I noticed all of his stones were glowing brightly, and his eyes were firmly fixed on Jaxon.

"Watch out!" Kellan yelled, pushing me behind him. A molten fireball landed just missing us. I closed my eyes and wished this was all a dream, and we were back on the cliffs on Acklemar.

I felt something hot fly by me and heard Sage scream. My eyes opened and saw Robin hurl himself at us. Then an explosion sounded, the world around us faded and dipped into a whirling pool of darkness. 

Hope you liked it! Posting the last piece right away. (Stay tuned.)

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