Chapter 18: Modified

Song Connections: "Alight," "Secret Song" *Other song listed at the bottom of this chapter to avoid premature spoilers*

Ember sighed in utter relief as she fell into her brother's arms, sobbing heavily while he held her close. "Jaime…" She sniffled as she stepped back, reaching up to touch his face. "Oh, I'm so sorry…" She grimaced at the sight of her own blood on her hands and now his face. "I didn't mean to…"

"It's okay, Ember," he said gently, grasping her hands and using the tail of his shirt to remove the blood from her hands as best as he could. He chuckled when she used her sleeve to remove the smear from his cheeks.

The blonde girl paused, dropping her hands to his, just staring at him for a few moments. There was something so familiar in his touch, yet it felt different now. It flooded her with a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time. "I can't… I just can't believe you are…" She shook her head, sighing as she looked down. "Jaime, I am…so sorry about everything I've ever done to you: all the harsh words, and my actions against you… You never deserved any of that. And I hurt you so badly…"

Jaime's hands tightened around hers, pulling her closer again, his voice soft and steady. "Hey…" Seemingly aware of her injury, he carefully held her and brushed her hair away from her face as he pressed his lips to her forehead, causing her to grow quiet. "Ember, I don't blame you for any of this… If things had been different for us, maybe we could have had a better life. But now… I'm more than satisfied with just having you back with me."

"And I'm glad you're alive and…with me again…" She closed her eyes as Jaime leaned down, pressing his forehead to hers in an affectionate manner.

James watched the scene before him, realizing how different the twins now seemed. They were more open with each other, more caring… Sure, he and Amber shared a similar bond, but this was different in a way. He and Amber had grown up in a loving environment without the influence of dark magic. They'd experienced enemies and drama thanks to their enchanted land, but they'd never intentionally hurt or been hurt by one another to the point that they'd endangered their lives and relationship. Witnessing this was special, because he knew this was a new start for Jaime and Ember. Watching them now, he couldn't help but feel like a spectator in something far more personal, far deeper. This was a kind of reunion only they could truly understand.

"I might not have shown it," Jaime whispered as he kept his hold on Ember, looking down at her, "but I heard every word you said to me. And I was…aware of most things…"

"Oh…" Ember blushed darkly when she realized what that meant. "O-Oh… Um, Jaime, about that bath—"

"It's fine," he laughed softly, smiling at her. "I think it was sweet that you cared enough about me to help me like that. I know you took care of me on this trip when I couldn't take care of myself." He gestured toward the injury she'd sustained, frowning. "I owe you the same in return… You got hurt, in a way, because of me, so…"

"No, I got hurt because that jerk Elias can't take 'no' for an answer. And he…" She frowned thoughtfully, stopping herself from getting too upset. "Never mind. It's over… Finally."

Jaime pulled her over to another tree, under which there was a bench. He sat down, helping her lower next to him. "Ember…" He seemed hesitant, but he knew he had to ask what was weighing on his mind. Even if it hurt him…again… "I know I asked you before, and… E-Even though I'm scared to, I'll ask you again…" He took in a deep breath before asking quietly, "Do you…love me?"

To Jaime's utter surprise, with little hesitation, Ember grasped his hands and responded, "I do… I love you so much, Jaime…" She moved forward, hugging him, holding him securely as he was the one to begin crying this time—from pure happiness. She'd never said those words before—to him or to anyone. But now, she felt it. She knew what love was… Love was Jaime protecting her and caring for her. Love was Jaime trying to make her smile, singing to her on dark and cold nights, checking on her when she was sick… Love was Jaime standing up against bullies for her when they were little… Love was Jaime interrupting something traumatizing when her father's friend had tried to strip her of what little innocence she had left… Love was Jaime, pure and simple. "Jaime, you're my light in the dark. You've always been there for me, and I was blinded by so much hatred and anger that I couldn't see it…" A subtle shift occurred as she leaned toward him a bit, adding, "But I see it now…"

"Ember…" Jaime lifted his head, smiling softly at his twin. "I don't think you realize just…how much that means to me…"

She smiled, reaching up to brush some of his hair from his eyes. "I think I do…"

"Uh, hey, guys," James began, feeling a little sheepish for interrupting such a sweet moment, "I hate to…to intrude, or whatever, but…" He gestured toward the carriage down the trail. "I think I'm about to have to go. Ember, are you going to be okay?"

She nodded. "I will." She looked down, seeing the strip of cloth James had ripped from his own shirt to tie around her. "I'm still in a lot of pain, but… I'll be okay."

"I'll look out for her, James," Jaime promised, standing up and walking to his counterpart, shaking his hand. "Thank you for looking out for her for me… I owe you big time."

"You already saved me, Jaime. You don't owe me anything else. Just look out for Ember now that you're back to yourself." He chuckled as Ember stood up next, moving slowly toward him, and then hugging him as best as she could in her current state. "You, Ember of Limboris…" He grinned as she giggled against his chest before smiling up at him. "Take care of yourself, Ember. And keep in touch, if that's possible."

"I'll find a way, James." She hugged him again, sighing happily. "Thank you for everything you've done for me… And tell Amber she's such a lucky girl to have you in her life. And apologize to your family for my stupidity. I'm working on changing, and I'm going to be a better person…because of you guys."

James playfully tugged at her hair, winking at her as she laughed. "You already are a better person, Ember. And you did that, not us." He nodded toward Jaime, who smiled. "Take care of her, okay?"

"I will. Don't worry. Please thank Angel and Calista for all their help, and tell Takoda I'll miss him."

"Will do, buddy." James made his way back down the long stretch of road toward the carriage. He stopped about halfway, turning and waving at the twins, before hurrying back to the carriage. Since the middle of the carriage was occupied by an irate tied-up Elias, he hopped into the driver's seat next to Isolde.

"Oh, our luggage!" Ember gasped as she turned to face the end of the road. She didn't even get a word out as a stream of magic flooded her way, and the twins' bags arrived at their feet, safe and sound. She looked up, seeing Isolde smiling and waving at her from the driver's seat. "Thank you," she muttered, waving back, just as the woman turned the carriage around and drove off, disappearing down the path. For a moment, Ember watched the carriage leave, feeling lighter than before. With a soft laugh, she relaxed. "Looks like Isolde wasn't so bad after all…" She blinked when she felt a warm pair of arms encircle her from behind, and a soft chin resting against her shoulder. "Jaime…"

"I missed you," he whispered, smiling as she reached up and grasped his hands. His touch lingered, holding her like she was his anchor, grounding him in this moment.

"I missed you too, Jaime…" She turned, facing him. "And I…" She bit her lip, not sure what to say next.

Seeing how shy she'd become, Jaime placed one hand under her chin, getting her attention. His thumb grazed her skin softly, a gesture that felt more tender than it should have. "Tell me again how you feel about me, Ember… Please…"

The former queen's smile returned. "I love you, Jaime… I probably always have and just didn't know how to express it. But I love you so much…"

Jaime relished hearing those words from her for the first time, and yet he still somehow managed to hold himself back so he wouldn't startle her. He carefully lowered his hand to her side, avoiding touching her wound. "Let me take care of you…"

While Ember was a bit startled by his words at first, she wasn't going to push him away. Not again. She finally nodded, agreeing. "Okay…"

To be continued…

Next Chapter: Who We Are

Ending A/N: FYI, you probably already figured it out by now, but the 'secret song' is called "I Love You," sung by Ember.