Chapter 6: Jagged Pieces

Song Connection: Reignite

The sentries led James and Jaime into the cells where Ember was being held. Along the way, James looked around as he saw both men and women either sleeping, pleading for a way out, pacing their small cells, or pretty much any activity to keep them preoccupied. He imagined a day imprisoned could feel like a year to those who were locked up, and he hesitated to even begin wondering why these people were here. After all, the Conjuror's Board held some of the most magically powerful prisoners in the realms, so it was probably safe to assume that they'd at least killed or attempted to kill someone before… He knew not to judge by appearances, because his own sister's lookalike had been his downfall before.

When they finally arrived at Ember's cell, the former queen was lying on her side on her bed, facing away from the bars. James noted her simple gray long-sleeved top and matching pants, thinking to himself how odd it was to see 'Amber' in such attire—even though he knew very well that Ember and Amber were certainly not the same.

"Ember," Isolde began somewhat coldly and evenly, "my name is Isolde. I am a sentry for the Conjuror's Board. My partner Elias and I are here to escort you to Limboris."

Ember said nothing, nor did she make any move to turn and see the people standing at the bars. Instead, she remained still and silent.

"Ember?"

The blonde woman's expression changed from empty to stunned, and she quickly sat up, turning around to the cell bars. "J-Jaime?" Her expression fell when she saw her actual twin standing next to James, who was very much alive. She paid little attention to the sentries as her eyes welled up with tears, though she refused to let them fall. Her eyes roved over her brother, noticing that he had changed in the last six months. His hair was longer and tied into a low ponytail, and it was almost her own length. She noticed he was also wearing clothing that appeared to be from a tribe (Angel had actually made it for him). "Jaime…" She did recognize the absent expression on his face, and her heart felt like it was being clenched tightly. Right… He'd sacrificed himself for… She then slowly looked toward James, whose eyes were filled with…sympathy. For her? For Jaime? Whatever words she'd wanted to say were now stuck in her throat, and she found herself speechless for perhaps the first (or maybe second) time in her life.

"Ember," James began again, smiling disarmingly, "Amber and Sofia said you wanted me to be with you guys on this trip, so I came."

She inhaled slowly before sighing, releasing a shaky breath, as she finally found the energy and courage to speak to him. "I… James, I am… I'm truly sorry for everything I've done to you and your family… I was selfish, and I couldn't see anything beyond my own desires, and…"

"It's okay," he interjected, placing one hand on a bar in front of him. He glanced to his side to see that Elias thankfully had a hold on Jaime's arm to steady him, and so his attention returned to the former queen. "I forgave you long ago. Besides, I'm here for you and for Jaime. This trip isn't about me. It's about you two, and giving you both a second chance at life, even if it's not exactly 'ideal' or 'normal.'" Seeing the dejected expression on her face, he continued, "At least you can have a chance to start over."

"I don't know, James," Ember lamented, almost forgetting that the sentries were standing there too. "I've done so much—so many terrible things… How can we possibly move on from this?"

James smiled softly at her. "I know I'm asking a lot of you when I tell you to trust me. I know you've obviously been hurt, but there are so many new things out there, beyond these bars, that could be waiting for you. You just have to light that fire inside of you again."

Her lips twitched into a sad smile. "Jaime used to say something like that… I'm just scared I'll go back to who I was, James. I failed every single person in my life… How do I know I won't do it again?"

He beckoned her toward him, and when she stood up and walked to the bars, he lowered his hands through them and grasped her hands in his.

"Prince James," Isolde began warningly, but Elias stopped her as he placed a hand on her shoulder, shaking his head. She frowned, clearly not pleased, but allowed the moment to happen.

"You don't know," James answered Ember, gently squeezing her hands. "But unless you try, you'll always wonder, 'What if?' Trust me, Ember. You don't want to live a life of regrets… You already have a lot of battles you've been fighting within yourself and with others. Let go of all that and trust me: I'm here for you. And Jaime…" He looked back at Jaime, who still stared blankly ahead. "I know he can't say it, but I know he's here for you too…"

Ember finally allowed herself to look at her twin, and her heart crumbled all over again. The listless expression, the lack of emotion.. She'd done that to him. And now she had a chance to fix it. She felt James's hands tighten around her own again, and she returned the gesture. "O-Okay…" Her gaze returned to James, and she smiled sincerely. "Thank you, James… For caring enough about our future to be here… Especially considering…"

"Shh." He nodded, releasing her hands and stepping back. "I can't help it. I look at you, and I see Amber. And I'd do anything for her, so…"

Elias shifted a bit as James moved back to Jaime, grasping his arm and holding onto him. "Well, Ember, are you ready to travel to Limboris? It's a long way, but if we get started now, we'll be there in a few days."

Ember sighed, glancing once more at her twin, and then nodded. "Yeah…"

The male sentry unlocked the cell, making sure that any shackles that had been around Ember's ankles were removed, and he guided her carefully out of the cell and into the open area of the prison. "I need you to pause right here. Nothing personal, but I need to place a security spell on you." He waved one hand over her, some electric blue magic emitting from his gloved palm, and muttered some words that no one except he and Isolde understood. Possibly some new magic? "With this spell, Ember, you can walk and sit on your own. However, you are required to always be within 500 feet of me and Isolde, as she's connected to my magic. If you fail to do that, you will feel a very powerful negative shock, and it will hurt. A lot. And I really don't want you getting hurt, all right?" Seeing her nod, he smiled. "Hey, this could be a good thing, right?"

"Yes, but let's not get ahead of ourselves," Isolde chided him. She narrowed her eyes at the younger girl, and since she had a few inches on her as far as height, it was satisfying to peer down at her with a cold stare. "You still have a lot to prove, Ember. So don't screw it up."

Ember returned the icy glare, her lips set in a straight line. "I have no intention of it."

"Good to know. Also, as an extra layer of protection…" She withdrew some extra shackles from her belt, cuffing them over the former queen's wrists as she used the chain to pull the blonde toward her. She smirked. "Just in case."

"Isolde, she already has that spell on—"

"Elias," she quipped, glancing at her partner, "I'm not taking any chances. Not after all the things she's done." She pulled on the chains, nearly causing Ember to stumble, as she led the others away from the cell. "Let's get out of here."

To be continued…

Next Chapter: Out of Bounds