~Zodia's POV~

Ignis didn't kiss back immediately. He must be in complete shock at my action and became frozen like a statue. He made no move, not even a finger twitched. Feeling as if I had done something horrendous, I let my hands fall from his cheeks and pull away from him. Completely flustered, I took a few steps back and covered my mouth with my hands. My aquamarine eyes were wide as they could go.

"I-I am so sorry. I-I don't know what came over me." My back hit a chair and I almost fell over. I quickly grab onto the top of the chair to steady myself. Ignis still had said nothing as I built up the courage to look him in the eye after my little stunt. My heart ached painfully when the silence continued on. He was still paralyzed, but with what-I don't know. I felt as if I had completely ruined our relationship with that kiss. I had just forced affection onto a man who has watched over me for twelve years.

"I-I'm gonna go clear my head," I whimper. The stinging of tears made it hard to hold the waterworks back, but I kept strong and refused to let them flow. Ready to storm out, I head to the door with haste. I didn't make it far before I heard the squeaking of the bed and a hand gripping my wrist. Ignis has grabbed me and spun my body around with ease. Before I could speak, warm lips were pressed against mine passionately. My brain was completely shut down as my eyes met emerald ones.

Ignis released my wrist and moved his hands to my cheeks. With the rough texture of his gloves against my porcelain skin, he tilted my face upwards to deepen the kiss. I closed my eyes in pure ecstasy and my body felt as if it were on fire. Gravity was not my friend as I felt my whole body growing weak from the intense kiss. I clung to Ignis desperately to keep our lips connected and to avoid crashing to the floor.

I wasn't sure how much time had flown by before our kiss came to an end. With his hands still on my cheeks, Ignis leans forward and rests his forehead against mine. His gloved fingers drew circles under my eyes as he finally found his voice. "Do not apologize for your actions. I have been craving such affection for years now. The momentous day of our meeting sparked a foreign feeling within me-a feeling I have never thought I would come to know."

"I-I know I caused some trouble, but I'm glad it was you who my father chose. Though you were strict with me, you made me feel special. I knew Noctis was the gem and I was the pebble, but not with you."

Ignis smiles and pecks me lightly on the lips. "I contemplated my infatuation with you was unorthodox for years."

"After you left with my brother, Father blessed our relationship. He was glad it was you and not another man."

Ignis leaned down further and rested his head in the crook of my neck. His arms snakes around my waist, pulling our bodies together without even an inch to spare. "It is a relief to hear such a revelation." I giggle and encircle my arms around his neck. I had to stand on my tippy toes in order to reach. "Can you shrink a few inches?" I plead.

Ignis chuckles at my question. "I'm afraid that is one request I cannot fulfill."

"Mm, then you better be prepared to be tackled when I need to hug you. You're too tall."

"Do pass a warning before such an action arises. I would abhor myself if I didn't catch you."

"If you keep saying stuff like that, you'll have to carry me for the rest of my life so I don't faint."

We broke the hug and I suddenly remembered the royal arms. "Oh, Aries passed on a few locations. We have three locations to choose from-The Myrlwood, Balouve Mines, and Costlemark Tower."

"I cannot recollect a royal tomb to be located at Costlemark."

"Neither can I, but I trust Aries' word."

"As do I."

"We should tell the others about the locations. Then, we can decide where to go first."

Ignis nods and I pick up the grimoire. Ready to go, we leave the room to find the others. The first one we were able to locate was Gladio. He was in the lobby, chatting away with his younger sister. Iris spotted us and waved with a huge smile on her face. Gladio looked over his shoulder to give us a dirty smirk. "So, anything happen?"

"A kiss. Nothing more," I reply while holding the spell book close to my chest with both arms.

Gladio's eyes then darted to Ignis, who stood close to my side. "I thought you were waiting to do that in Altissia."

"I'm the one who kissed him," I admit with burning cheeks.

"Well, that's a surprise. Guess I lost the bet."

Ignis sighed in disbelief as he fixed his glasses. "What in blazes did you wager?"

"Noct and Prom betted Zodia would be the one to kiss you. I betted the other way around."

"Wait, What is this about Altissia?" I stop the whole conversation to ask. Gladio snickered and stood up, patting Ignis on the back. "Iggy here wanted to take you out on a date around Altissia once we got there. He was gonna wait 'til then to kiss you, but it seems you beat him to the punch."

"Gladio..." Ignis scolding tone made the brute silence himself.

"Was it supposed to be a surprise?" I puzzle.

"Indeed, it was." Ignis glares sharply at the shield. Gladio stuck his hands up in defense and backed away. "Sorry, forgot it was supposed to be."

I smile and look up at Ignis. "That's alright. I'd love to go on a date with you in Altissia." The tactician beams down at me after hearing my answer. Iris jumped with joy at our closeness and squealed. We departed from the Leville while Iris went to find Talcott. Near the fountain just outside the hotel were the two goofballs that were missing from our group. Spotting us, Noctis and Prompto immediately stared at Gladio. He rolled his eyes with a groan before handing over two thousand gil.

"No way... we won!" Prompto chants.

"That's a first," Noctis scoffs.

"Yeah, yeah. Don't get too excited. This'll be the only time you scrawny brats win," Gladio grunts. Prompto grinned like a kid and glanced at me and Ignis. "So... does this mean you two are officially goin' out?" I nod shyly and feel Ignis grip my hand gently as if to signal his own happiness.

"Noct, about what Aries said-our next destinations are The Myrlwood, Balouve Mines, and Costlemark Tower. I thought we could all agree on one location as of now and choose between the other two later."

"Let's head to the mines. They're just southeast of Hammerhead and we can get the Regalia looked at while we're there." Luckily, we all agreed with Noctis' thinking and left in the Regalia.

The ride back to Leide was peaceful and relaxing. It had been awhile since we made a visit to the region. The last time we were here was when I arrived at Hammerhead after the fall of Insomnia and the boys picked me up.

Ignis pulled into Hammerhead to bring the Regalia to a waiting Cindy. Noctis called the young mechanic before we had left to inform her of our arrival. She was more than happy to check over her favorite car. I left the grimoire in the car because I was afraid of it getting damaged or lost while in the mines.

As Noctis and Ignis went into the service station to buy curatives, I chatted with Prompto and Gladio. The two boys conveyed what happened at the imperial base when they were retrieving the car. Learning of Ardyn's intervention with Ravus at the base did not bode well with me. Gladio then notified me of Iris' need to head to Cape Caem after our business with the next royal arms is finished.

Noctis and Ignis returned with a whole heaping amount of curatives. Some of them were elixirs due to Noctis and me being able to use magic. Ignis had bought normal potions for the rest of them.

With our inventory full of healing remedies, Noctis whistled for our chocobos and we head down the road to the mines. After dismounting our birds, we head through an open gate and follow the tracks to the entrance of the mine. The only way down was in an old, rusted elevator. Piling in, Noctis hits the button and the elevator creaks as it began to descend.

"All aboard, huh," Prompto mutters nervously.

Gladio clicks his tongue with a smirk. "What? Afraid it can't take our weight?"

"More likely to become stuck," Ignis states.

"I can live with stuck," Prompto declares.

"I'd rather not have it get stuck or snap a cable," I mumble. The blonde nods in agreement with a mumbled "yeah." The elevator continued its descent as we all felt our own descent into madness at how dark it was. Prompto stood behind me and inches closer when the elevator shook. "Know what sorta place this is?"

"The sort that's infested with bloodthirsty daemons-am I warm?" Gladio asked the rest of us.

"Red hot, I'd say," Noctis replies. A feeling of worry blossomed in my chest when I felt a chill run down my spine. I placed a cold hand over my racing heart as I used a small detection spell. A gasp escaped me when the presence of a strong daemon was captured with my spell. "There's a powerful daemon down here with us. I'm not sure what kind of daemon, but it's definitely not a normal one."

"Understood, sis."

The noisy elevator finally ceases descending, dropping us off at the level Noctis chose. "We could always take it down deeper," Gladio comments.

"Then, you'll be going by yourself," I said.

He snickered lightly. "Feisty."

Ignoring his comment, I exit the elevator behind my brother. Ignis followed shortly while Prompto and Gladio stayed in the back. We remained closer together than usual as we followed the tracks and the mines began to narrow. When I heard scraping in the distance, I grabbed Noctis and pulled him off the tracks. A few seconds later, a mine cart flew right by us. Squinting slightly, I spotted a grinning goblin in the cart.

"Thanks," Noctis breathlessly heaves.

"Just take caution. Goblins are daemons who like to mess around. I'm positive that won't be the last mine cart they send our way." I knew he was listening because when the next cart came barreling towards us, he jumped to the side with a few seconds to spare. What I didn't expect was another one so soon. The next one was about to hit me, but I felt a hand wrap around my wrist and pull me to safety. I knew the familiar feeling of those gloves from anywhere.

I sigh in relief and look over my shoulder. "Thank you, Iggy."

"Do be cautious yourself, my dear," he said as he gently releases his hold on my wrist. A smiles creeps upon my face as I remember telling Noctis the exact same thing only minutes ago.

The area around us opened up to reveal multiple ventilation shafts and a bridge before us. Sadly, our path was blocked by an Aramusha.

"That must be the daemon you detected earlier," Gladio said in a low voice.

"Yes, it is much more powerful than the goblins dwelling here. I suggest we-" I was interrupted by the sound of a mine cart speeding towards us for what felt like the hundredth time since we got down here. We were able to dodge the metal cart easily, but what happened next caught us all off guard. The Aramusha jumped into the air and brought its katana down. The force from the attack sent us all over the edge of the bridge.