(Liliana Vess)

Everyone in the council room turns and looks at Jace. He looks swiftly around at each of the guild representatives with a smug expression, his "I told you so," look. Then, as if someone lifted a curse, they all began to yell. At Jace, at each other. I sink down in my chair, Chandra giving me a sympathetic look.

"YOU BROUGHT THIS ON US, BELEREN!"

"THIS NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF YOU HAD NOT LET HER IN THIS CITY!"

Gideon's loud voice rings out. "Jace's personal life isn't your business! Stop blaming this on him. He would have come here looking for her anyways!"

I see Jace's eyes begin to turn blue, the markings on his face begin to glow white. I feel the storm brewing in his mind. The council is getting dangerously close to breaking his one rule, or so it seems. I don't know whether to stop him or let him show them his power, maybe they would get off his case if I did. I see the tiny sphere compact in his hand and decide that it is not a good idea for him to release destruction on the Selesnya Conclave. I go to him, and place my hand on his face. The brutes are too busy fighting amongst themselves to notice what I am doing, much like they were too busy to notice that he was going to explode within a few seconds.

"Not the time or place, my love," I whisper to him. He calms, shaking the magic that he was channeling. He plants a kiss on my lips, my heart flutters. He feels my pulse quicken and smiles. I sit, knowing what's coming.

Jace bangs his fist on the table, his voice rising to an angry shout.

"ENOUGH!"

"He's coming. That much is obvious. And whether your guild decides to help me or not, he WILL NOT touch my Lili. I REFUSE to let that happen, whether it costs me everything or not. He will wreck and maim this city, and I intend to stop it."

"Stop pretending this is for the good of the city, guildpact. We both know this is for the good of your sex life."

"I said enough. I will not tolerate this any longer. If you refuse to help, get out. But when you leave, do not expect me to do anything to help your guilds. I will retract every bit of aid that I have sent. Every contract that was mediated by me becomes null and void. If you decide to leave, on your own head be it!"

They are all too stunned to move. Jace takes this as an answer, and enchants the orb with an answer.

Tomorrow, at high noon, Jace tells him to meet me at the edge of the city. Seeing as how I'm expecting he will bring some sort of backup, possibly even the demons, I urge Jace to ask Gideon and Ral to come with him. Chandra also eagerly volunteers, saying it's been far too long since she's set someone on fire.

He adjourns the meeting, letting the guild representatives go. Tajic pulls him aside and asks if he needs forces, same with Teysa. They both agree to send an envoy of soldiers, creatures, and mages.

We walk back toward the house, unaccompanied. I'm silent, which isn't characteristic of me.

We enter the house and Jace immediately fix himself a drink and plops onto the couch. After taking a few sips of the drink, he places the cold beverage to his head and just sat there. I place myself next to him, my hand finding its way to his knee and trying to comfort him. I could tell just by his body language that he was stressed to no extent. I wish there was something I could do to ease his stress and make the duties of the Guildpact disappear. Ever since he has taken up the responsibility of maintaining the peace in Ravnica between the guilds, his strength has really shown, but the stress of the bickering between the guilds, protecting me and everything else has weighed heavily on Jace and I wish he would express this.

"Jace, I don't want you to fight Garruk," I told him, looking into his blue eyes.

"Lili, we've been through this. I'm fighting him. Plus, he challenged me," he said, sipping from the glass.

"That matters very little to me. I don't want you getting hurt or fighting my battles for me."

"Lili, I hate to break this to you, but this is no longer just YOUR battle, it's our battle. Besides, I was the one who was challenged, not you."

"Why must you be so infuriating? I can't let you fight him. Nor will I allow you too, I got myself into this mess and I should fix it," I said, my tone getting sharp and my hand on his.

He sighs, takes another sip from his drink and looks at the ground. I could tell he was thinking because he had that long far off look in his eyes. His gears were going, and deep in me I knew that for a fact I would not face Garruk tomorrow. I couldn't accept it, but I knew he wouldn't let me do it.

"Liliana…I need to do this. I need to protect you, and defeat him. His pursuit for you has went for too long now and needs to end. When I defeat him tomorrow you will never have to worry about looking over your shoulder and hoping the beast mage isn't watching you. I love you, so let me fight him. Let me do what I need to for you, this city…us."

His words struck deeper than I ever imagine they could ever. I knew he love me, and I think I could ever get used to hearing it, and the look in his eyes told me he wanted this. I'm not sure if it was male pride or his love for me, but that look was all it took to convince me.

"Ok, Jace," I said, "I love you."

With that I leaned over and planted a kiss on his lips and he pulled me onto his lap, holding me. It was perfect. I hope tomorrow won't end this for me. I can't fathom a life without him anymore.

The next day got here sooner than we expected and we all met a few miles off from they were to fight. Ral-Zarek, Chandra, Gideon, Jace and I met with solemn looks and knew that today wasn't going to be easy. We all walked in silence for the remainder of the trip until we arrived at a barren open area. Apparently word had went around that a fight was supposed to take place today, because there quite a bit of people here, including the support of Tajic's and Teysa's people were there. There were even Gruul, some Rakdos and other various members of the guilds there. I hope they are prepared to witness Garruk's defeat.

Jace stopped and we decided this is where we were to stand. He grabbed me and pulled me in for a kiss and kept our lips touching for a long minute before breaking the kiss away.

"Don't worry, we will have more kisses and nights together," he said smiling.

Bastard must have read my mind.

He turned to Gideon and Ral, "If you value your lives and everyone in your life, including our friendship, do not let her move. Under any circumstances, don't let her move," his eyes piercing theirs.

"We won't," they both said in unison.

Betrayers! Those bastards.

"How dare…" I tried.

"No, no matter what she says or does or how much she pleas, she is to stay right there," he said before turning and walking towards Garruk.

"If you value your balls, I suggest you let me go to him if need be," I threatened.

"You can do whatever you wish to us, but we made a promise to a friend, and I intend to keep that promise," Gideon spoke up.

"Do your worst," Ral-Zarek said.

If they survive this day I would kill them. I'm going to beat them black and blue, I swear to the gods!