A/N:

Mrs. Anderson and I would like to thank you for your current support so far and hope we are writing an impressive story. If anybody has questions about Magic: The Gathering or any of what has been currently written please don't hesitate contact us.

Thank you,

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson

(Liliana Vess)

I looked at the giant red and blue dragon with awe. I have heard of the dragon in my travels, but not once I have I seen him, not until today. His eyes were a bluish-white and shone in the dimly lit room. He towered over Jace and I, wearing his mad dragon grin. His voice was clear and rang out with sophistication that only a true dragon could possess.

"Tell me, Mind Sculptor, have you finally decided to let me help you find a woman to nurse your male ego? Perhaps Teysa would be willing, or maybe Aurelia, if she doesn't decide to burn you."

Without him saying it, I felt flames radiating from Jace's cheeks, as if Chandra had personally set them aflame. He hasn't said it, but I know he has been lonely all this time in Ravnica. I guess when you rule this plane, you cannot afford companionship. Maybe I have a bit of a sadist inside of me, because Jace's burning cheeks give me an odd sense of satisfaction.

"Good afternoon Niv-Mizzet," said Jace, a razor's edge to his tone, making his annoyance with the dragon clear.

"Come now, friend, art thou taking a tone with me?" said Niv-Mizzet in a condescending tone.

"Niv-Mizzet, now is not the time for games," Jace said, through gritted teeth.

"Oh but Beleren m'boy, you do know I love a good game. How about a round of rummy?" the dragon said, as a deck of cards materialized next to him.

"Niv…."

"How about checkers?" as the cards were replaced by a checkerboard, "ooh, ooh, I've got it! Russian Roulette!" the dragon said gleefully, as the checkerboard turned into a revolver.

"Niv-Mizzet! Now is not the time!" He spoke for a second, his anger rising.

I laughed at the dragon's banter, and how Jace was becoming bothered by the dragon. It was clear the dragon was joking, but Jace was getting his feathers ruffled., and Niv-Mizzet saw through that and for the first time, I truly laughed.

"Liliana! Don't encourage him, it's bad enough he puts salt in my tea, and now here you are egging him on," he said, looking more and more flustered.

"See, Jace, she has a sense of humor," Niv-Mizzet laughed heartedly. "So, putting the jokes aside, tell me why did you bring The Veiled One here?"

"Well, you see..."

"I need your help," I said, stepping forward.

"Oh, really? This is new; never in my lifetime would I have thought that of all people, Liliana Vess, would stand before me and ask for assistance. Tell me, child, what ails you that requires my assistance?"

I began to explain my troubles, starting back from the time I made the deal with the demons, my first encounter with Garruk Wildspeaker, and my time with Jace, Tezzeret and Nicol Bolas. I told him of Jace's kindness and willingness to help me, regardless of our past; As well as the last three months I spent recuperating at Jace's estate.

"So that's why he's been busy, and here I thought he forgot about our evening tea. Tell me,
Jace, have you made any advances to the young lady, she is rather appealing after all," said the dragon, leaning towards Jace.

"Uh, adv-advances? W-w-what do you mean?" Jace said, again his face emitting heat.

"Oh come now Jace, you can't mean to tell me that after this woman has lived in your house for the past three months, there haven't been any…how should we say, chemistry?" the dragon said smiling, and giving a throaty laugh.

"Niv-Mizzet," I said, "While I enjoy harassing Jace as much as the next person."

I see Jace turn and gawk at me, "Liliana!"

"There are more pressing matters I would love to have your assistance with," I say, completing my thought.

"Ah, well it lasted while it did. Quickly, tell me why there wasn't anything Jace?"

"She was almost dead!" Jace replies.

"That's never stopped you before."

"Okay, moving on. Is there a way you can assist us?" I say, eager.

A devilish smile crept upon the dragon's face, "Why yes….yes there is."

The dragon informs us of a warrior in the Boros Legion that would prove very beneficial to our plan to stop the Wildspeaker. The warrior's name is Tajic, and he is an officer of the legion. He also urged us to speak to Teysa, of the Orzhov, and seek out Ral Zarek.

"We will work on something to mask your energy a little better than some spells, and make Garruk's planeswalking abilities more difficult into the city. Now go and try not to die, but if you do, can I have permission to dissect your bodies?" the mad dragon inquired.

Jace and I looked at Niv-Mizzet with a 'seriously?' look.

" It's just a joke, but Jace, do try take care of the woman. She's strong, don't forget that."

"I won't," he said, taking my hand and leading me from the guildhall.

After leaving the guildhall and getting back to the streets of the city, I took in the surroundings and had no idea where to begin. I just looked at Jace, and for the first time in a long time, I really saw him for who he was. Something sparked inside of me as I met his azure eyes, and a monster reared itself in the back of my mind that has not been there for quite some time. Unlike the majority of monsters in my life, this is not one I wanted to fight, but one I was scared of all the same. Those feelings I had for the mind mage resurface some, and my block on my thoughts wavered. Jace looks more intently at me, unintentionally catching those thoughts.

Before I could comprehend what happened, he was closer to me, pulling me into his chest. His arms were strong and his embrace was perfect. For a moment, I felt pure security, and felt as if nothing could harm me. I wanted to give into him, give into my feelings, but couldn't bring myself to it. I meet his gaze once more, and there is a fire in his eyes, that I haven't seen in a long time. The last time I saw this look, it was that night that I felt pure, unadulterated passion for the first time in my life.

"Jace…"

"Yes, Lili?" he said, leaning into me.

I leaned forward and prepared to kiss him.

Just as our lips were about to meet, something bumps Jace from behind and he falls on top of me.

"How very forward of you, Mind Sculptor. If only you'd been this way on that night."

His face burns a brilliant red and he jumps up, dusting off his cloak. He grabs my hand and pulls me to my feet.

The feeling of deep disappointment that floods over me is not normal. Surely he felt that thought as well.

His smug grin answers, as he pulls me through the streets of Ravnica.