Edenia:

The forest's cool grass muffled Jai's footsteps as he hurried underneath the shaded boughs. His movements burned with inner anger even as his discipline and training caged that fire. The shadows provided comfort and shielded the sun's harsh glare. More importantly, from whoever might have been following him. It was borderline paranoia to think this way in his own homeland, the same realm that hunted Jai for two years for a crime he didn't commit. That alone had earned some perceived caution.

Jai did not wish to hate Edenia, and deep down, he didn't. His heart ached with tinted dreams within her scent, spending the last few years as a fugitive among other realms. The air twisted in his stomach, and his first instinct was to simply run. To leave this realm with haste if that meant fleeing to the hell hole known as Outworld. Not even having his name cleared of all wrongdoing a few minutes ago helped this feeling of despair.

After so long, the royal family had declared Jai an innocent man and sentenced the actual perpetrators. Daegon, Kotal Khan... Tanya - all were slated for public execution. Jai didn't have the stomach to watch nor cared if they died for their crimes certainly earned them the ghastly punishment. His only concern was not serving jail time. Despite this newly granted freedom, Jai's reputation was permanently stained. He couldn't look at his home the same anymore, and part of him knew he could never be happy here like he used to be.

Not after how Jade had treated him...

An audible sigh left Jai, the noise distracting him from his private thoughts. Jade was never someone to brush aside in real life or in his mind. His closest friend since childhood, she remained bold and willful but also playful and cunning. She was always willing to stand for what was right while giving a little along the way.

Yet, Jade's familiar smile never appeared, the glint in her eyes callous when she showed up with a fellow Edenian guard to arrest Jai. He was stunned beyond words. It was as if all those years they spent together and going through training to become Edenian Knights — did not exist. Her betrayal came to be the sharpest of them all. Jai had always believed that Jade was the most likely willing to hear him out. To see that wasn't the case left a permanent sour note on the tip of his tongue.

Fighting her turned out even worse.

Failing to realize he had wandered for over an hour, Jai snapped back into reality as a bird sung in its musical voice somewhere above. He listened to the leaves rustling in the wind before heaving another abated breath through his nostrils. Only a handful of places in Earthrealm compared to Edenia's beauty. But he looked upon it and felt melancholy, a dread lurking deep in his gut.

Jai sensed eyes upon him, a presence he became abruptly aware of before hearing footsteps out from behind one of the numerous trees. It was only audible because he'd been listening so intently.

"Jai..."

Jade's soft voice filled the atmosphere, not so much breaking the silence as embracing it. The birds never took flight at her sudden arrival. Here she was as if his thoughts were tethered enough to summon her. All she needed to do was follow the line of its source to find him. The notion made Jai freeze in his tracks. As much as Jade hurt him, as horrid as her turning on him felt... her voice still touched something inside him. He could never send or turn her away even if his heart was petty enough for such antics.

Rather casually, Jai laid a hand on the hilt of his katana and summoned his spirit power without turning around. He wouldn't just fling it at Jade, but having it at the ready just in case never hurt. Being so wary of a childhood friend wounded him beyond comprehension. Still, he made a mistake before and wouldn't repeat it again. Jade leaned against the tree, her eyes troubled and the only part of her face portraying any emotion. The hood atop her hair fell off as her long braid flowed freely, arms crossed defensively over her chest.

Jai nodded politely. "Jade..."

He would not be the first to initiate if a fight did occur. There were not enough or perhaps too many things to say on each side.

The commander of the Edenian Knights stood upright, head tilted proudly, although still distressed as she began speaking. "The execution just took place. The ones who did this to you... are no more." Obtaining her Bo Staff and Razorang, Jade tossed both away as a measure of good faith. "I wish for us to talk and make peace."

Jai gave another nod and did the same with his prized sword. Retribution and revenge were never good to hold on to - justice a higher, better feeling in the end. Yet, Jai could not deny a small surge of malicious pleasure at hearing such news. They would never trouble him again, and no longer did he have to fear their insidious reach terrorizing his life.

But it all made him sigh in the end. "That's good to hear... To know their crimes have been punished."

Each word enunciated lacked fire or conviction. Jai could see Jade frown and didn't blame her. He wasn't his usual self, but nothing could be done about the issue, nor should he be cheerful if he was anything but. Jade would notice instantly, astute when it came to analyzing subtle things.

"Jai," Jade repeated with hesitance. "I didn't come here just to give you such grisly news. I also have an offer. For you to be reinstated into the Edenian Knights to your previous rank, all charges purged from your record."

Another lengthy pause ensued, with Jai unsure of what to make of her generous proposal. He would've been only too elated to hear such news only a year ago. Now, it made his muscles tense, as if Jade presented a hissing snake rather than a figurative reset button.

Jai couldn't pretend to slide back into his old life like nothing ever happened. If he couldn't look around Edenia itself and feel joy, how could he attempt to be a knight again? So much of what he loved became corrupted, a feather-thin layer of grime covering everything he cherished and remembered. Touching it would inevitably coat his hands in its muck.

"I..." Jai trailed off, seeing Jade uncoil from the tree before taking a hesitant step toward him. "Thank you, Jade, but I'm afraid I must be the first person in Edenia's history to decline such an offer."

The smile across his face loomed forced and ironic despite trying to speak as neutrally as possible. "I cannot stay in Edenia. The joy of this land has been stripped from me. I wish to leave before sundown, and-"

Jade gasped, at last interrupting his flow of words. "W-What? What do you mean leave? You cannot sincerely mean that!"

Jai failed to realize how much he had spoken until Jade interrupted him and felt his cheeks heat up. He was thankful for his complexion, barely a shade or two darker than hers - it meant such things were undetectable. Such a reaction was rare recently, but he supposed Jade had that effect on him. Something about her made that tight knot around him expand, and everything withheld came flowing outward.

"I do mean it," Jai reiterated. "I feel like a stranger and will remain that way to everyone else."

"You aren't one to me." Jade attempted to reason.

His expression soured. "How? After our constant bickering? While I was on the run after everyone was convinced I was a murderer? All water under the bridge, right?"

"Of course not, but words could not describe how relieved I was to learn that you were innocent the entire time." Cautiously, Jade reduced the distance between them, uncomfortable as each step felt like she was walking the last mile. "I'm truly sorry for my stubbornness and refusal to listen. I would only be too happy to have you back."

It was a balm on his heart that came too little, too late.

Again, Jai shook his head. "You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that, Jade. But I've made up my mind. I do not wish to stay here any longer."

The alarm in Jade heightened, hearing nothing but stone-cold resolve in her friend's words as he turned on his heels. "Jai, wait! Please!" Her pleading words sounded. "Don't do this! I only just got you back, and you already want to leave again!"

Jade's delicate hands laced with metal daggers reached out to catch his emerald green sleeve, soft and hesitant in fear that Jai would jerk out of her grasp. Those words tore into him like the sharpest blade. It seemed to ground him better than any anchor, and he knew it would take a substantial amount of willpower to continue.

"Why?" Jai inquired, turning back to meet her tearful gaze. "You already made my life hell. What could be so important about Edenia that I must stay? I've been gone for two years, and everything is the same as when I left."

"Not Edenia... me," Jade corrected, though she did so meekly.

Her current voice was something Jai hadn't heard before, and it finally doused the flames of his pain. A valid reason coming to him again as everything crystallized inside.

Jade looked away in shame, tears spilling over. "A part of me disappeared... when you left the first time. No one was at fault other than myself after what Kotal, Daegon, and that harlot did to you. I'm just as responsible and cried every night because my inner pride and selfishness drove you away."

Gathering whatever courage remained in her soul, Jade looked him dead in the eyes. "I-I love you, Jai. I've loved you since our days as children... the last two years finally helped me understand this."

Jai blinked, her words hitting him as no blow had ever done before. He felt the ground vanish from underneath his feet, the world spinning. Jade's hands were upon his arm to steady and keep him floored as he stood like a statue, lost for breath.

"I..." he stuttered, lips parting to say something but nothing verbalized. Of all the things Jai thought she would say, he never expected that.

Tanya flashed into his mind like a harpy raising her head in fury, seductive and deceitful. Her voice was a purr with pitying words as they dropped into his ears like poison.

Swallowing hard, Jai's heart thudded against his ribcage. He remembered such words... and what they led to. Tanya represented the beauty of nightshade, venom lying hidden in the petals spread to her countless victims. Jade was different, golden all the way through - pure and sincere while striving to uphold her ideals. He couldn't even think of a time she ever lied.

"You... you mean that?" Jai questioned, unable to believe what he heard.

All his emotions - animosity, resentment, heartbreak, and misery; swept away by those three little words.

Deathly serious, Jade slowly nodded. "For once in my life, I want something for myself and not mindlessly cater to Edenia." She laid a hand against his cheekbone, stroking his beard affectionately with her thumb. "I want to love you, Jai. Please, don't go..."

He was spinning again, but a blooming sensation rose in his chest faster than anticipated. And as Jai bore into Jade's eyes again, he realized what was missing the whole time that made Edenia so unwelcoming and strange.

Her.

As long as he and Jade were realms apart, Jai refused to live here and could not envision himself living without her.

"Jade..." Jai whispered, his voice low.

Unable to think of the correct words to make Jade understand, what appeared in Jai's eyes was enough because her face suddenly lit up with a brilliant smile. That was more than enough for him.

Warmth flooded both warriors, and before Jai could ponder what to do, he began moving — or maybe she did first. Heads tilted, their lips met in a gentle kiss.

This was vastly different than kissing... No! Jai would not dare think about that witch. Jade wasn't her, and she was the only woman who mattered. His arms blindly found their way around her hips and waist as she suddenly wrapped hers over his shoulders, tears staining her face. Jade's lips felt silken, like the sweetest of summer fruits.

One kiss was not enough, neither were a hundred.

Jade then reluctantly pulled away, an unbridled passion fueling her half-lidded eyes. "Jai..." She breathed, stroking his jaw. "I need you. I want you. But not here."

Nodding, Jai realized he held Jade tightly against him before relinquishing it. "Lead the way."

Smiling, the Edenian Knights' leader anxiously took his hand and did as he requested.

Warning: Lemon Alert, read at your own risk.

A drizzle commenced seconds before the couple arrived at Jade's room, coming in from the Palace garden. She pulled the curtains closed to let the lantern lights illuminate the room as the rain pattered down.

Only moments later were they in each other's arms again after a lengthy separation. Jai relished the kisses Jade bestowed and vice versa. He devoured her mouth, caressing her luscious curves, wide hips, and buxom chest. All it took was her hands roaming his torso for their desire to heighten. Their skins felt alive, and feeling those touches through clothes wasn't sufficient.

Jai began to undo the clasps holding her uniform together. A breathless tremble from Jade occurred as she unfurled his waist sash. Clothes were gradually removed one by one and pooled around their feet on the floor, leaving both lovers bare. Every part of Jade's figure brought Jai delight, especially how the lantern shadows hid some features. That prompted him to explore through touch. Gasps and moans filled the room when he found and probed a sensitive spot, kneading her bare breasts. Those were something he could listen to forever.

Naturally, they eased themselves onto her bed before sinking into the satin sheets. Jade brought Jai down on top of her for a sensual open-mouthed kiss, his erection jammed against her thigh. His heart galloped like a runaway horse as they reached the point of no return, one he was all too eager to cross. However, it was a hand palmed against Jai's chest that stilled and made him eye Jade.

There was... worry etched across her face.

"Jai..." Jade's voice soothed his ears, her thumb stroking his skin in reassurance. "I'm sorry. It's just... This will be my first time."

His expression softened as he kissed her. "I promise I won't hurt you."

"I know you won't. But those words alone confirm what I can see in your eyes." Jade bit her lip. "You've... done this before."

Instantly, Jai felt stricken but would not lie to her now, not at the cusp of where they were. "Regretfully... Some time ago, I was in a low place during my exile. Then came... Tanya."

He winced as Jade's emerald irises eyes widen, which always seemed to happen when that name was mentioned.

"S-she came and pretended to be sympathetic, her words lowering my guard down. Tanya took advantage of that and..." His eyes shut tightly at the horrid memory that lingered in his subconscious. "...of me."

A startled gasp left Jade at the damning revelation. "I... I had no idea the horrors she put you through." Her hand caressed his face. "I will never hurt you as she had."

She kissed him, their warm bodies enveloping as Jade moved a hand to tenderly grasp and stroke his member. Jai voiced his indescribable pleasure with satisfied groans, eyes flickering in and out.

Jade whispered against his lips. "Give me a chance to love you the right way. The way you deserve."

Jai nodded, shuddering at how Jade carefully hooked her legs around his hips while stroking for his full length. Her sacred treasure was ready for the perpetual intrusion.

"I'll do my best to be gentle, but please stop me if I'm hurting you," Jai requested.

A short nod and another wonderful kiss was Jade's response. Though he wished to quench the fire pulsing his veins, Jai guided the head of his organ toward her entrance and eased himself in, listening to how Jade gasped following a pained shriek. Two sets of nails dug into his back, her leg grip threatening to snap him in half. Jai was worried his girth might be too large for her, but Jade was already so wet as he slid into her walls with minimal resistance.

Jade gripped his face. "I'm ok... Make love to me, Jai."

They kissed again, Jai's arms wrapped protectively around her waist as he began thrusting. She was incredibly tight, sheathing him with indescribable warmth. He groaned along with Jade as in and out he went, sliding in further until he buried himself to the hilt. A handful of seconds was all that was needed before Jade enticed him with a sincere smile.

Jai didn't rush despite Jade's back arching in pleasure and soon found a rhythm. She held him tighter as her hands moved in a circular motion over his back. Lovingly, she guided one of his hands to squeeze her breast and let out a lewd moan. Her body was hot to the touch, and a new rush of pleasure emerged every time Jai pulled out and slid back in. Slow but deep in a dance, lost in the overwhelming sensations.

Soon, they were panting with shared breaths as Jai gave all of himself to Jade. Both were consumed in the comfort that they loved each other, that this was truly happening. Jai gazed into the eyes of the woman he always loved. Jade did likewise to the man of her dreams, and that was all she craved.

Lips met in hunger, tangled in a lustful struggle as their bodies collided nonstop. Slowing down, Jai traded speed for power. The force rocked Jade's slender body as she squealed and moaned, her nails raking his back with noticeable scratches.

"Ohhhh! Jai! Yes!" Jade wailed.

An almost growl-like groan escaped Jai at his lover pronouncing her ecstasy. Sweat poured and joined at the loin area with movements increasing in frequency. Unable to restrain herself, Jade bucked her hips to meet Jai's in perfect synchronization as her moans turned into screams.

*Groan* "J-Jade... I-I can't withhold any longer," Jai hissed.

Immediately, Jade rose and captured Jai's lips in a desperate kiss, screaming into his mouth. No longer did they hold back their true feelings, love prevalent in this erotic display.

Without warning, the Edenian warriors climaxed, their joy spiraling to new heights of pure bliss. The entire world vanished as Jade and Jai tightened their respective grips around each other as they cried out an emotional release. Her sweet nectar flowed and enveloped him, and he flooded her with the exact warmness not long after. Everything became silent afterward, save for ragged breaths gasping for air.

Finally, Jai recovered some of his depleted energy and brought himself to her face. He leaned down to kiss Jade before gathering her in his arms to reverse their positions, letting her rest on his chest. No words were exchanged during the lull as Jai looked down and smiled. Jade had fallen asleep, resembling a guardian angel sent to watch and protect him. Jai drifted into a peaceful slumber after a small kiss on her forehead, the rain ongoing into the late night.

Love was given and shared tonight to sow the first seeds of healing and forgiveness... in both of their souls.

Next Morning:

Jade wished for time to stand still forever as dawn finally arrived. The sun forced her to reluctantly awaken, and she expected Jai not to be there, likened to a bitter end of a forbidden love story.

How pessimistic she had become.

Looking down, Jade found herself in a loving embrace with the man she unforgivingly made love to; hands cinched around her waist while both laid on their sides. She slowly turned to her left, examining Jai's unbothered, peaceful face while he slept. A grateful smile came upon her face as Jade was able to apologize and express her true feelings.

"Good morning, beautiful." Jai awoke shortly after feeling a finger trace his jaw, taking Jade's hand to kiss her palm.

She blushed profusely. "Did I disturb you?"

He smiled. "Not in the slightest."

Before the pair could exchange more kisses, the door to the room creaked open. Jade and Jai glanced at one another, both thinking the exact same thing: 'Shit!'

To their horror, Kitana walked in and found herself viewing a peculiar situation. Two of her dearest friends were in Jade's bed, clothes scattered on the floor with only the comforter granting them any semblance of modesty.

"Kitana! Uh..." Jade felt her throat go dry before covering her breasts with her arms. "Good Morning, your hi-"

"Spare me the pleasantries, Jade. You know better. So..." Kitana got over her initial shock though she was still processing the scene in her head. "I can't possibly say I anticipated this, but..." A mischievous grin appeared. "What took you two so long?"

"P-P-Princess, I-" Jai stammered.

Kitana held up her hands in mock surrender. "Relax, I'm merely teasing. But I'm glad you both managed to repair what was broken. I was getting worried, you know."

Both Jade and Jai exhaled audibly, their shoulders sagged in relief.

"Mother wanted me to inform you that you have today off from your duties, Jade. Find me when you're..." Kitana paused on purpose with a wry smirk. "...presentable."

A tossed pillow was Jade's response that forced Kitana out of the room. Before she could curse outwardly, Jai managed to pin her back against the bed, his hot breath tickling her mouth. "I figured she would catch on sooner or later."

Jade couldn't fight down her smile and kissed him with no regard for her moans. "She's insufferable sometimes, like you."

"But you tolerate her and love me. That's the difference."

"Keep talking, wise guy. Now then..." Jade caressed his face as her smile turned dangerous. "Where were we?"

Centuries later:

Of course, Jai chose to stay in Edenia after those two days. It wasn't easy to readjust at first, but nothing ever was. Everything felt different and not so burdensome, with Jade at his side as a lover rather than a mere friend.

Years passed as their love grew each day, those seeds sprouting from little saplings into mighty trees, the roots binding them in a bond that couldn't be broken. It was why when Jai proposed to Jade, she eagerly accepted through her tears. Putting down roots to start a family was something Jai saw as a distant concept, but when the first of their children were born, he found it was all too real. There were now more women in his life he loved very much.

Jamiyah was born only a few minutes before her twin brother, Jamaar. Yet, it was enough to always declare herself the eldest sibling whenever anyone brought it up. Jazmine arrived next. Jai loved to boast about this sweet girl as she took after her beautiful mother. Jade could only roll her eyes at such flattery. Lastly, there were Moses and Desiree, the former born before his twin sister.

Jai stood and leaned outside by the door to watch his five children play in the field with the family's husky dogs, marveling at the turn his life had taken. He harbored sheer joy he harbored thanks to the woman at his side. Even a few years ago, Jai might have considered this impossible or a silly fantasy at best. It was all too vivid, almost dreamlike, and he had Jade to thank. He owed her for his now healed heart through tender love and care.

Listening to their children squealing and the dogs happily barking, Jai reached out and grasped Jade's hand, giving it a loving squeeze. They shared a mutual affectionate stare. Her eyes were radiant and beautiful amidst her smile as she returned the squeeze, their hands showing their wedding rings. Jade joined their lips again as Jai held her hips from behind, feeling her snake an arm around his neck.

"Thank you for forgiving me, husband," Jade murmured during the kiss.

Jai smiled against her lips. "And thank you for loving me, wife."

The kids stopped running around to see their parents' love. "Wow..." Jazmine remarked quietly. "Mommy really loves daddy."

"And daddy loves mommy," Moses replied.

They could all agree on one thing - a lifetime of kisses would never be enough.