Chapter 20: Love Warms the South

Rei woke up slowly to a bright morning, a gentle breeze rolling in through the open windows. It had been a week since she came to the Southern Kingdom and each day showed her the freedom and independence that she desired for so long. She lay in bed for a while longer, taking in the feeling of the sun on her skin when Jadeite stirred next to her. "How long have you been awake Rei?" She rolled over and put her head on his shoulder. "Not very long, I was just enjoying the sunshine. Did you sleep well?"

Jadeite smiled and kissed her on top of her head. "Yes, I did. Of course it's hard to have a poor night's sleep with you next to me." Rei rolled her eyes and smacked his chest lightly. "You're a terrible flirt." She moved to rise from the bed when Jadeite grabbed her arm and pulled her back to the bed. Rei let out a yelp of surprise and fell into his arms. "Where do you think you're going, wife? I wasn't done with you." Rei scoffed and sarcastically replied, "Unlike you who just loaf around the castle all day, I have construction of an archery range to oversee." Jadeite kissed her shoulder lightly and sighed.

"I suppose you have a point." He hugged her tight to his body and felt her stiffen. "Jadeite…." He quickly released her and groaned. "I understand that you have limitations to overcome Rei. Sorry for forcing myself onto you. Go get dressed and I'll be with you in a minute." She stroked his cheek softly then got out of bed. As soon as she closed the door to the bathing chamber he threw himself back onto the pillows. I have to give her time, Jadeite thought, she already has made progress but I can't push her. Too bad for me, because all I want to do is touch her, and kiss her, and touch her skin. He shook his head, quickly clearing his thoughts. It's all for naught, she still needs more time and I have to give it to her.

Rei stood in front of the mirror, blankly staring at her features. She finally had confided in Jadeite about everything that she had gone through back in the Fire Kingdom with her father. They had gotten into a fight the day before they left port, because Jadeite had found out about what happened to Ami and was furious with Rei for not telling him. Rei had gotten angry right back and started throwing things at him from across the chamber, screaming obscenities until Jadeite had pinned her to the wall for the second time that week and held her until she calmed down. Since that moment, she had begun to trust him more. Most men would have fled or beaten her, not wanting to deal with her temper.

I think I'm starting to love him. The thought came out of nowhere and startled Rei. I never thought it would be possible to love anyone. My father made sure of that. She scowled at the mirror and moved to put on a pair of loose pants and a simple shirt. As much as I want to fight this, I still feel the urge to kiss him and let go with him. I'm scared of getting hurt, though. Rei pushed off her thoughts and went back into the chamber. As she swung the door open, she saw a very naked Jadeite standing in the middle of the room.

Time stood still as Rei and Jadeite just stared at each other. Finally, Jadeite reached for his pants and Rei looked down quickly, blushing red. "Jadeite, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were-" Rei couldn't get the word out of her throat. Jadeite helped her out with a laugh. "You mean naked, right? It was bound to happen at some point." Rei turned even more red, purposely avoiding eye contact. Jadeite slid on his pants and walked over to her, pulling her face upwards to look at him. "It's alright Rei. I'm not embarrassed and neither should you. It's not a big deal, I promise." Rei's eyes roamed over Jadeite's bare chest, appraising his muscles and firm stomach and not saying anything. "Rei? Are you going to be alright?"

She turned her amethyst eyes to his and Jadeite could feel his blood burn in his veins at her look. Without a word, she firmly planted her lips on his and wrapped her arms around his neck. Jadeite was taken aback, stiffening against her. Rei pulled back, pain flaring in her eyes. "Did I do something wrong?" Jadeite took a step back from her, trying to create some distance before he did something that he would regret. "You didn't do anything wrong, Rei. I just don't want you to feel forced to do something you're not ready for." The pain in her eyes burned into anger.

"How do you know what I'm not ready for?! Are you in my head? I thought maybe I was ready to fall for you, but obviously my instincts were correct to not trust you." Jadeite opened his mouth to reply but Rei stomped past him and out of the chamber. Jadeite quickly threw on a shirt and followed her. "Do not walk away from me, Rei! We're going to have this conversation one way or another!" Rei spun around in the middle of the corridor, causing Jadeite to come to a sudden halt. "There's nothing to discuss! You're too busy making decisions for me, so what is the point?! So much for being equals, for being partners! You're nothing more than a hypo-"

Rei was cut off by Jadeite grabbing her and kissing her hard, molding her body to his. "I love you, Rei. Even with your temper that would threaten to shake this castle down. I'm not trying to make decisions for you; I just don't want to hurt you." Rei stood in front of him, mouth open slightly in shock. Jadeite took that opportunity to sweep her into his arms and carry her back into the chamber, kissing her gently on her face and neck.