“Zen I…”

“I don’t want to hear it, Stephan. Congratulations on your engagement.”

“Zen…”

She stood in all her five foot five and a half glory, her face a mask of pain.

“Why did you try to kiss me earlier if you had a fiance? Didn’t you think about how she would feel if she ever found out?”

Stephan sighed. “Honestly Zen? I don’t care about her and haven’t for two years now!”

Zen stepped back almost slipping over the crater.

Stephan grabbed hold of her and pulled her close, burying her into his arms. “I never had to think of her because all I could think about was you Zen. Mira likes to think that I’ll change my mind and accept her, but she’s just a spoiled brat.” He rubbed her back softly. “I don’t want to be with her Zen and I’m not going to be trapped into a marriage I don’t want. You’re what I want! You understand me and I shared something of myself with you. If it’s not with you…”

Zen looked up from his arms sniffing. “Didn’t you think to at least warn me?”

“I tried! Various times but we kept being interrupted!”

She tilted her head to gaze into his eyes. They were unusually bright and held a soft look for her she realized. He didn’t look at anyone else the way he looked at her. He means it. He does and I...what do I feel for him? She came closer to his face and brought her arms around his neck. “You promise she means nothing?” she said breathing over his lips. He didn’t move.

“Yes, Zen, she means nothing to me,” he whispered leaning in. Zen grinned and put a finger over his lips stopping him.

“You don’t deserve a kiss, Stephan,” she said dancing out of his arms and straightening her hair.

“Let’s go back. I’m sure the others are wondering where we are.”

Stephan frowned but turned and grabbed her hand. “Let’s go. Do you know where my brother is?”

“Marco went back to the group. I asked him to leave me alone for a while. You know he’s not so bad. Maybe one day you can forgive him for the past and be brothers again.” She tightened her hand around his.

He turned to face her and grinned, squeezing back. “Yeah maybe someday,” he said as they walked back towards Rafael’s office.

“Rafael has agreed to let us stay for a few nights.”

Zen grinned and petted Ishevara. “I’ll have to thank him then. Maybe I can use Ishevara to help him somehow.”

Stephan stopped and glared. “You are not using your life force needlessly Zen.”

Zen waved her hand. “No, I’m not but I would like to help out if I can. I don’t like squatting.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“You are not squatting! You are a guest.”

“A very dangerous guest that could kill them.”

“So could Val!”

Zen tilted her head. “Never thought of that.”

Stephan sighed. “Well, he can be if he uses his abilities as a metal elemental.”

“Yeah, Kiera said he’s linked to the volcano or something.”

Stephan shook his head. “Not the volcano, the Earth’s core. He could cause a mantel shift if he uses his abilities above ground. I’m sure New Arctica must be feeling the changes in its magnetic fields already. It’s why metal manipulators are so rare. They can directly affect the planet they stand on because unless the planet is made of gas, it’ll have an inner core.”

Zen nodded as they entered the settlement. She went to let go of his hand but he refused tugging her closer to him.

“I don’t care what others will say,” he whispered tugging on her ponytail lightly. She smiled and laced their fingers together.

“I don’t either.”

He grinned and kissed their hands before pushing aside the doors that led to the study where the others were waiting around and asking questions. Well, Marco was asking questions while Isaias and Edline listened. Marek was chatting with Val and Kiera was unsettling Mira who was still there but had a large wire wreath masking her modesty now. I’m not letting this little princess get the better of me again.

Zen walked hand in hand with Stephan. Mira was the first to notice this. “Oh, darling! So you found the trollop. Now…”

“Back away from my sister snake! Nice of you to find her Pirate. Zen come here.”

Zen stood her ground. “I’m fine Isaias. We’ll talk later.” She turned to Rafael who was standing by his desk and holding Mira back. “I want to thank you sir for letting me stay here.”

Rafael grinned. It’s no trouble but you understand why you can’t stay longer?”

Zen nodded. “You have a tribe to protect. I’m a liability but I want to thank you for the time you have given us. We have enough time to come up with a plan now at least.”

Rafael nodded and winced and Mira bit him. He let her go and she rushed Zen who was still holding onto Stephan’s hand.

Mira glared at their taken hands and then turned to Rafael. “Father! We cannot let her stay. She is a great liability to us and!

“Oh, will you shut your whining mouth and listen for once,” Senka said emerging from the shadow he was resting in.

Rafael looked up and sighed looking over at Stephan. “You didn’t mention a shadow elemental was with you. I had no idea he was here at all.”

Stephan grinned. “He came in with the group but probably hid in case things went south. Rafael, this is Senka Amargarita, family to Isaias and Zen Amargarita, the two you are helping out.”

Rafael stuck out his hand. “Nice to meet a shadow manipulator. I thought all of you were extinct. Your clan has helped mine for generations.”

Senka shook his hand. “Nice to meet some allies. When I remember my real name I’ll let you know.”

Mira growled. “But father!”

Rafael sighed. “I have made my decision Mira! Now show our guests to their sleeping quarters and there better not be any more fighting over the crystal! It has a guardian and those things do not pick guardians lightly Mira. Take heed.”

Mira pouted and stomped out the door before returning. “Well? Follow me already!”

Marco scowled. “That is one rude little girl.”

“Little? She’s Zen’s age at least,” muttered Isaias as he followed the rest out of the door. He wasn’t happy that his twin was with a pirate. Their linked hands hadn’t escaped him but then wasn’t he sort of with Stephan’s obstinate brother? He shook his head and followed the group right behind a scowling Marco. He’d think about it later. Right now he curled his arm around Marco and pulled him closer snapping him out of his thoughts. Marco turned to stare at him, before leaning in and crossing his arms again.

“I don’t trust that girl Isaias. She’s capable of anything to get to Stephan and get rid of Zen.”

Isaias rubbed Marco’s arm nodding. “I know that. We’ll have to be double careful around her.”

Reading my mind now Isaias?

Isaias grinned. As if I could mind reader.