Responses to Reviews:
Wow, that was the most reviews I've ever had for a chapter! I just wanted to say thank you to all of my amazing readers. Also, I had a few Guest reviews, so I've put them in the order they were written.
Guest 1: Thank you! :)
Dia Newman: I already replied to your review, but thank you once again!
thedarkwhiteangel: Hogwarts! I didn't even think of that, but it's a good comparison. I'm quite honoured you compared it to that, in fact. :) Glad you're happy I've got the Wessa and Jessa. Hope you enjoy this chapter too!
xroannax: Thank you, I'm so glad that the love triangle is working out. I would love to go to a ball too! Thank you also, for your compliment about Will's character. :)
Sapphire131: Thanks! I will have more Wessa in the chapter after this one. ;)
Jillessa Heronstairs: That is an amazing review for the ten minute time period. ;) I know what you mean, I absolutely adore food! I'm happy you liked the dancing and the mention of Cecily and Gabriel. Also, the comments that I'm doing well with the time period mean a lot, because sometimes it can be a lot of work researching. Thank you so much for your compliments once again! They always brighten my day. :)
(Your writing is amazing by the way, so it should be you teaching me, not the other way round. ;)
yoitsyourstruly: Yay, you're back! You will love this chapter if you want some Jessa ;) Will's 'gift' is persuasion. I know I haven't used it in a while… but it will come back into the story in the next chapter.
Guest 2: Glad you liked the dancing. There will be some more Wessa in the chapter after this one. ;)
IC3D T3A: Thanks for your review on Chapter 2. Your ideas are very helpful, and I will try to improve on them, although hopefully my writing has improved a bit already since the second chapter. I will also check out that book, The Young Elites, since I will definitely like it from what you said. :)
Guest 3: In regards to your review for Chapter 4, I was hoping that Jessamine would realise the enormity of her actions, but I get what you're saying, so thank you for the advice.
Guest 4: Wow, thank you so much! That is a really great idea. I am currently writing an original story as well, but it's sort of on hold for this FanFiction. ;)
A/N: I also wanted to add before you start the chapter that the rebec is like an early version of the violin, since the violin was believed to have evolved from the rebec and fiddle.
Days turned into weeks as Tessa settled into the new routine. Every day she practised using her 'gift', seeking to perfect it, in order to use it against Mortmain in the future. She had agreed to this partly to please Charlotte, but mostly to learn the extent of her abilities for herself. She couldn't keep herself in the dark anymore. As she improved, she found she could hold another's face for longer, and she explored other more interesting things she never knew she could do.
Tessa was also taught self-defence by Gabriel and Gideon, both of whom were 'gifted' with fine fighting skills. She was an eager student, as she knew the newfound skills would be useful in the future. Sophie also took lessons, preferring, Tessa noticed, to be taught by Gideon.
However, the days could be lonely without a friend. Tessa was grateful to Jem, who always seemed to be there for her. He visited her every day now that his leg was better, and loved to show her around.
Will, on the other hand, was always busy, either out on missions or training. One time when she had tried to ask him why he was avoiding her, he called her a 'distraction.' From what, however, she didn't know. It was as if the dance at the feast was just a distant dream.
Since Tessa was finished her lessons early today, she decided to go and visit Jem while he was working. Sophie had given her the directions to the infirmary, so Tessa followed them to find where Jem spent the majority of his days. She realised she hadn't yet visited him, since he had always visited her, and she was looking forward to surprising him for once.
Opening the infirmary door, she was greeted by rows upon rows of beds. All were empty, except for one at the end, which Jem was standing beside.
A young woman approached her and asked, "Can I help you?"
Tessa was surprised because she had assumed Jem was the only one who worked here. "I was just hoping to see Jem," she replied a little guiltily, for coming here without a valid reason.
However, the woman smiled knowingly. "Ah, you must be Tessa. I've heard all about you. Come in, he won't be long." Suddenly she remembered to introduce herself. "Where are my manners? I'm Mary. I work here as an assistant to Jem."
Tessa strangely felt relieved at her words. The girl was very pretty, and she must know Jem well if they worked together. She was surprised to find slight feelings of jealousy stir within herself. "It's nice to meet you, Mary."
Tessa walked in and watched in interest as Jem rubbed a healing poultice on his patient's arm, which was purple with bruising. He also gave the man a bottle with some more of the poultice, and advised him to take it easy until it healed. The man thanked him, and strode out with the bottle.
Turning around, Jem's eyes lit up when he saw her. "Tessa! What a lovely surprise to see you here."
Tessa blushed slightly. "I hope I'm not intruding or anything, I just thought I'd like to come and see where you work."
Jem shook his head and beckoned to her. "Of course you're not intruding. Come, I'll show you around."
He pointed out a rack with herbs and told her the uses of each one. "This is marjoram. I used it to make the healing poultice you just saw me use. It's helpful for reducing bruising and swelling."
Tessa asked with curiosity, "But can't you just use your 'gift'?
"I could, but Charlotte forbade me to use it unless I really need to. She wants me to conserve my strength. Besides, I learnt a lot about other healing techniques from my years serving King Elias. It's good to keep my knowledge fresh," Jem responded in explanation.
Tessa got the feeling however, that if it were possible, Jem would like to heal everyone using his 'gift.' She was glad Charlotte didn't want him to, because she thought it must take a large toll on his body to take upon himself injuries every day.
Tessa spotted Jem's dragon cane sitting in the corner. Will had made it for him while his leg was healing, and Jem used it to help himself get around. The head of the cane was shaped like a dragon and was crafted from jade, which was frequently used in trade by his home kingdom. When she had enquired about it, Jem had also shown her that it contained a hidden blade at the end which could flick out and retract when needed. This had of course been invented by Henry. Although his leg was healed now, he still found it a handy weapon.
Jem continued with his tour, also pointing out and naming the other plants, such as feverfew, which was used to treat headaches and to assist in childbirth. It had short, hairy toothed leaves with tiny white flower petals in clusters at the end of the plant, which looked like rays coming out from a yellow disc. He held it to her nose, and the strong bitter smell was enough to make her turn away and wrinkle her nose. Jem laughed in amusement. "You can always pick it by its smell."
Continuing his fascinating education, Jem said, "You know, some people even plant feverfew around their homes because they believe the smell purifies the atmosphere and keeps evil spirits away."
There was also lungwort for chest infections and lemon balm, used for fevers and colds because it causes sweating. It was all very interesting, and Tessa nodded along, filing each piece of information for future use.
When Jem had shown her everything, he looked around at the empty room. "There hasn't been any fighting or missions lately, so it's all very quiet at the moment."
Before Tessa could reply, Mary came over and made a suggestion. "I doubt anyone else will be coming in today. Why don't you take the afternoon off? I can finish off here."
Jem cast her a grateful smile, and he thanked her before removing his white apron and following Tessa to the door. "Would you like to have that music lesson I promised you?"
Tessa nodded eagerly. "Of course! I'd love to hear you play too."
Jem's smile was infectious as he led her to his room. She had seen it before, but she was still shy when entering, not used to going into rooms belonging to the opposite gender. Here no one seemed to care, however.
She twisted the ring around her finger, as she looked around the room. Realising she was still wearing Jem's ring, she reluctantly took it off, feeling like she was giving up something very dear to her. Turning to Jem, she held it out to him. "I believe this belongs to you."
Tessa thought he looked momentarily sorrowful, before his expression returned to normal. He reached out and took the ring, rolling it around in his hand. "Thank you, Tessa."
He placed the ring on his bedside table before gesturing towards the two wooden chairs positioned near his window. "Please, sit down."
She sat in one of the chairs, and he took the other, holding an instrument case. He carefully opened the lid, taking special care of his treasured possession.
"Please, play for me first." Tessa meant to ask this, but it came out as more of a demand.
"As you wish," Jem replied, the ghost of a smile lingering, as he pushed silver hair away from his face.
Jem rested the rebec against his shoulder, and Tessa studied it, while he pointed out the features, since she had never seen one up close before. It had a pear-shaped body, and a long neck, with the strings anchored on an end pin at one end and pegs on the other. The rebec, she observed, was made of wood and had three strings.
Jem began playing, and Tessa watched as he used his left hand to cradle the neck of the instrument, while his thin fingers played nimbly across the three strings, clamping them to the neck, to create different pitches.
At the same time, his right hand drew the horse-hair bow over the strings, making the whole action look smooth and natural. Tessa soon closed her eyes to let the music wash over her.
He seemed to be making up a melody, and Tessa felt her heart rise and fall to the rhythm. The music enchanted her, as if it could speak to her. Her mind drifted to their recent journey and she relived the happy memories with the soar of the melody, and the sadder events with the fall. Drawing out the last note, Jem let it echo into silence.
Tessa opened her eyes and clapped, wishing she could listen to him play for longer.
Jem inclined his head in thanks, his eyes dancing with happiness when he saw her delight.
He then pulled his chair over closer to hers, and handed her the rebec. He gently positioned her hands in the proper place, and she tried to concentrate on his instructions rather than the fact that his hand was brushing her own.
She tried to play a bit, only to wince at the wailing sound she made. Jem merely smiled, saying encouragingly, "You're only just starting. It takes practice to be able to play well."
Tessa nodded, and her expression turned determined, as she aimed to make the instrument produce a more pleasant sound. Eventually she managed this feat, as Jem taught her more and helped her out with it. His arms were around her own to help position them, and his head looked over her shoulder. She felt his breath on her shoulder and she shivered involuntarily.
Jem seemed to notice this, and he pulled back, his cheeks pink with a cute blush. "That's probably enough for you to learn today. You're improving really quickly," Jem said encouragingly.
"Well at least I can stand to listen to my playing now," she replied with a laugh.
"Trust me, you're doing great. I didn't sound very good when I started either," Jem admitted with a smile.
Tessa nodded, although she couldn't imagine Jem ever playing as badly as her. She suspected he was probably just being modest.
"Your music was amazing, I could listen to it all day!" she exclaimed with a dreamy expression.
"You're too kind," Jem said with a bow. His silver hair fell into his eyes as he straightened.
Before Tessa even knew what she was doing, she got up and went over to him to brush the strands of hair out of his eyes. Suddenly realising how close she was to him, she quickly looked down with embarrassment and said, "I'm sorry for being so forward."
"Don't apologise," Jem said as he slid his hand under her chin, gently urging her head to come back up and her eyes to focus on his. Their foreheads were so close, their lips almost touching. Before she knew it, they closed the gap, and their lips met. Jem tasted sweet, his kiss soft and gentle. She wrapped her hands in his hair, playing with the soft, silvery strands.
She'd always been worried about kissing someone, since she thought she wouldn't know what to do. However, she found it was instinctive, and as easy as breathing. Her heart rate quickened, and the rest of the world faded away. Jem wrapped his strong arms around her to draw her closer. She found she didn't really care what anyone would think because this was definitely worth it.
Without any warning, she heard a loud meow, and something scratched her leg. At the sound, they broke apart, Jem looking startled, as Tessa bent down to hold her stinging leg. However, when she bent over, she found herself face-to-face with a rather unhappy looking cat. It was a quite large cat with yellow eyes and Russian-blue coloured fur.
"Church!" Jem exclaimed, picking him up with a laugh. The cat – Church – curled up in his arms, purring as Jem patted him. "Must you interrupt?"
As Tessa inspected the scratch, Jem looked down and noticed. "What happened?" he asked, his voice laced with worry, before he had a quick look and realised what had occurred. Jem dropped the cat to the ground, berating him, before bending down to inspect Tessa's leg.
She protested, "It's fine, Jem. Just a scratch." Despite this, Jem still lay his hand on her leg, healing it with his 'gift,' before she could stop him.
Once it was healed, they both blushed, looking awkwardly around the room. The enormity of their actions suddenly registering.
Jem was the first to break the silence. "I'm so sorry, Tessa. I don't know what came over me."
Tessa shook her head, feeling guilty. "It was my fault, I'm terribly sorry for being so improper."
As she rushed out of the room, she heard Jem start, "Tessa wait-", before she continued on without stopping.
Running to hide behind a corner, she breathed heavily, stunned that she would be so reckless. And that she had liked it so much… Shaking her head she berated herself. Jem must be disgusted with her. What he must think of her!
When she had recovered her breath, she went back to her own room, trying to adopt a normal expression, as if nothing had happened. However, she couldn't hide her red cheeks or suppress her whirlwind of thoughts.
Okay, so this chapter was for all you Jessa lovers, and the next one will have some Wessa. I am answering the requests for more romance before I continue with the plot. :)
~ SilverJem5