Chapter 18: Stoking the Fire

Song Connection: "I'm Trying to Save You"

The twins had just barely arrived at Jaime's room when the prince grabbed his sister, pushing her against the wall, his hand pressed to her mouth. His breathing was heavy as he pressed his body closer to hers, his warmth almost searing against her cold demeanor. He seemed to be looking around suspiciously. However, upon hearing and seeing nothing unusual, he released her and made sure his door was closed and locked.

Ember, baffled by his actions, angrily asked, "What was that about, Jaime?"

"You're in danger," he answered seriously, his concerned eyes trained on her.

She frowned, folding her arms and scoffing. "What are you talking about, Jaime? I'm not in danger. I am danger."

He glared at her, causing her to blink in surprise. It wasn't like Jaime to get angry. "Stop trying to be 'edgy' and listen to me! I overheard some of the castle workers saying that they wanted you to pay for your terrible character and leadership. I think… I think they might try to hire someone to hurt you…"

She scoffed, seeming offended. "Don't be stupid, Jaime. They have nothing to complain about. If it weren't for my leadership, they wouldn't be where they are today. Of course, I could easily take those positions from them if they're so sensitive to my methods. Give me their names and they'll be released tomorrow."

"Ember, you're not listening to me…"

"I'll have yet another group of people to get revenge on—right after that lookalike of mine, of course. I just—"

Jaime once again put a hand over her mouth, silencing her. "Ember! Don't you understand? This isn't a damn game! It's not some stupid fantasy you've built up in your mind, like most of the other things you've handled recently…" He dropped his hand, watching as she stared hard at him. "They are going to kill you because of all the messed up things you've done over the years: driving away Dad and Roseanna, imprisoning Sariya and her husband, all the deaths and bad decisions…"

She poked her index finger into his chest, her sharp nail nearly puncturing his skin. "Need I remind you, dear brother, that you played a pivotal role in all of this as well? You promised me you'd be with me and help me no matter what. You've been compliant in all those events, so don't try to act all innocent now."

The prince's gaze hardened, and for once, he appeared to be completely serious and solemn. His voice even sounded lower when he told her, "I'm not innocent, Ember. I'm far from it, in…more ways than one…" His hand instantly sought hers, but he only allowed himself to just barely graze the side of her hand with his thumb. He felt the soft skin of her wrist under his thumb, a fleeting touch that sent a jolt of something deeper through him, though he wasn't entirely sure he should name it.

Ember felt a slight chill slither its way down her spine at the soft interaction, but her resolve returned as she scoffed. "Get a grip, Jaime. We'll be fine as long as you listen to me."

Frustrated, Jaime grabbed her by her wrist and led her to his bed, where he threw her down onto it, watching as she tried to scramble away from him. He crawled onto the bed, his legs on either side of her waist as he pinned her wrists above her head. Despite her struggling, she wasn't able to move, since Jaime was much stronger than he appeared. She could feel his breath on her neck, hot and uneven, as if he was struggling to regain control of his own breathing. His grip on her wrists tightened, but not painfully—just enough to remind her of his strength, of how easily he could overpower her if he chose to. He leaned down close enough to where she could see the intricate design of his irises. Amber, just like hers… Jaime could see very clearly just how nervous Ember was for a change, but he didn't care. He needed her to understand just how serious the situation was. "I am done listening to you, Ember. For once, you are going to listen to me."

"Jaime, let me go!"

"No. Not until you listen." Seeing that she'd stopped struggling and simply glared up at him, although she did seem to be listening, he kept his hands on her wrists as he talked to her. "I'm trying to save you. I always have been—whether it was from punishment from Dad, or bullies who visited the castle and made fun of your dresses, or even yourself… You have made some horrible decisions lately, and what's worse, I've just gone along with everything. People died because of us, Ember…"

"I—"

"Shh." He moved one hand down and placed a finger over her lips, while his other hand remained firmly on her wrists. "Let me finish." His fingers traced the line of her jaw, lingering at the corner of her mouth, before he instead moved his hand to the side of her face, cupping her cheek in a gentler way. "I want things to change for us… We could make a new start and be different. I want to be a better person, Ember. And I want you to be better too. You've always been this angry girl with a hatred for everyone and everything around you…" His hand moved to rest on her chest, which he could tell made her more nervous. "You have never had the chance to show what a good heart you could have. Try, Ember. Just try…"

She shook her head, though she still couldn't move due to Jaime holding her in place. "That's…not who I am, Jaime, and you know it. The only one here with a heart is you, and the only thing I tried to do was harden it so you wouldn't get hurt. The world is ugly, cold, and cruel, Jaime. You can't trust anyone."

His face betrayed him before his words did. "I trusted you…"

A wry smile crossed the queen's lips as she closed her eyes. "Mistake number one, sweet Jaime… Even family isn't to be trusted."

Jaime's hands both moved to her face, and he caressed her cheeks in a soft, affectionate way, startling the queen. "Ember… I love you…"

She frowned. "Jaime…"

"Ember." He stared at her imploringly, his heart thumping in his ribcage. "I don't think you know just what I would do for you—what I have done for you… I just wanted to prove to you that I do care and I'm always there for you. But you never seem to hear me clearly enough, so let me say it again." He helped her sit up, and he moved to sit beside her as he grabbed her hands. "I love you." He hesitated a bit before asking, "Do you…love me?"

Ember furrowed her brow, her expression indifferent. "No."

Jaime blinked, his heart stuttering as his mouth fell open. "W-What?"

"No." She stood up, beginning to walk away from him.

"Ember!"

"Jaime!" She whirled back at him, marching up to him, slapping him once across the face, which seemed to startle him into silence. "Wake up, Jaime! You are wasting your time on foolish emotions such as those. What did I tell you? Harden your heart, even against me. That way, you can't get hurt." She placed a hand over the cheek she'd hit, and she managed to smile a bit dejectedly. "And I don't need you to save me, Jaime. But if you're going to be useful to me, I just need you to help me make my plans a reality."

Once he gathered his wits about him, the prince told her quietly, "And I just need you, Ember… I don't need anyone or anything else. Please, don't push me away…"

Ember grew silent, seeing that she'd broken her twin down to almost nothing at that point. He was begging for her to want him and need him, and she was too proud to do that. She would rather leave him now than admit anything that made her weak. So, she didn't respond and instead just stared at him uncertainly for a few moments before turning and leaving, shutting the door behind her with a soft click.

Conflicted and overwhelmed with his emotions, Jaime broke down crying for the first time in years. All the memories of their times together as children faded into her manipulation of him when they were older. Images of Seamus and Sariya suffering in the dungeon attacked him. No mother, no father, no friends, no other family… He'd only had Ember his whole life, and now she was pushing him away. He was nothing without her, but he was also nothing with her.

"She doesn't love me," he whispered, his heart shattering as heavy, broken sobs fell over him, and he fell to his bed in despair. "Ember…"

What he didn't know was that Ember had heard him through the solid oak door. He didn't know that her heart twisted in a way she hadn't felt before, something almost akin to regret, but she pushed it down, refusing to acknowledge the unfamiliar feeling. He also didn't know that she'd shed a single tear before wiping it away in frustration and then marched down the hallway, leaving her brother to pick up the pieces of his broken heart by himself.

To be continued…

Next Chapter: Unboxed