Ignis Amare

Purification

I haven't really had any time to be with Kendra at all since the fight. The longing is almost unbearable. On top of that, I'm beginning to see flames more instead of people.

It's because of this that I see Kendra approaching my room before she gets here. Her flame really is beautiful, although now there's some white, gold, and silver visible in it.

I open the door right before she knocks and pull her in, resulting in a pleasant yelp of surprise.

"How did you do that?" Kendra asks with wide eyes.

"I've been seeing people's flames more. Yours was already distinct with it being black, but now it has some gold in it along with my colors."

"Interesting, well I guess we have more to talk about than I thought." Kendra ponders.

We fill in each other in on everything that's happened since we last saw each other. I let her talk more since her experiences are way more interesting than mine.

"So you really slammed my dad into a wall after turning his own power against him? I wish I had been there!" I laugh heartily.

She smiles. "Yeah, that's definitely a moment I'll never forget."

Her smile drops. "What do you think about the message?"

We've gotten comfortable laying on my bed.

"Do you know the answer?" I ask.

"I have no idea. I think that's a really hard question. What do you think?"

I pause. "I think it's important that you come to that answer on your own. If someone told you the answer, you wouldn't really understand it. Not in your heart or your soul."

"You know the answer, don't you?" She accuses.

"I do, but I know it because I found it myself. I found it in you, and then I found it in me."

Kendra's eyes narrow. "I'm getting tired of people not telling me things."

I laugh. "Part of why I can't tell you is because you already know. You'll know that you know when you're ready to accept it. Regardless of what that means for you. No one should answer that for you.

Especially someone who is, in a way, invested in your answer."

"So basically, my answer will dictate if I choose you or Liam?"

"Haven't you already chosen?" I say, holding her gaze.

She looks away.

"Queen Of The Damned huh? I like that, I think it's perfect for you." I smile and kiss her on the cheek.

She turns back to me. "You'll tell me if I ever scare you, right?"

"I made a promise. But I don't intend to say those words to you."

"You might have to. When I said that, I didn't know I was going to say those things. I may not be in control as much as I thought."

"It's not about control, love. It's about surrender. To allow and accept every part of yourself and knowing that what you truly want is good." I tell her with reassurance.

"So it goes back to my will? I'm not sure my will is something good. You want to help people, and right now, I think I'm more interested in helping myself.

Of course, I want to help others and do something good with this power. I'm just not sure if I'm good."

I burst out laughing.

"What? What's so funny about that?" Kendra asks, frustrated.

"You don't know if you're good? You fought in a city filled with people you didn't even know for someone you only knew for a few hours.

You saved a person's life who was making an attempt to murder you. You weren't running because you thought your flames were dangerous to you. You were running because you felt they were a danger to others.

You thought you were a danger to others, and you just didn't want to hurt anyone.

I know it can be scary to speak things that you aren't familiar with and haven't faced within yourself. But Kendra, you spoke of love. That doesn't seem evil at all.

It sounds powerful and authoritative, and all you did was throw my dad into a wall. He was actually trying to hurt and scare you.

You defended yourself, and that's never a bad thing. How can you defend others if you don't defend yourself?"

Tears well up in her eyes, and she embraces me tight. My own eyes tear up as well. It's like I can feel what's going on inside of her. It's going on inside of me, too.

"No matter what happens, I love you, and I'll be there for you."

She suddenly stiffens. "What if that's the death of you?"

"Then I'll die happy."

"What's wrong with you?"

"I love you."

"What if-" She stops mid sentence, beaming as a couple tears fall.

"This is the same conversation from before."

I beam back. "Yes, it is. Will you accept it this time?"

She kisses my lips with a smile.

"I think I will. You're not crazy."

I let out a breath. "Finally! I'm glad you can accept-"

"That we're both crazy." She finishes before erupting into laughter.

I love this woman. There's something healing about her laugh. I'm nervous for the future, but those worries and fears all disappear with the sound of her laughter.

It's beautiful, lovely, and genuine. It's...pure.