Jasper didn't interrupt me—not once.
Not when my voice trembled, not when my hands clenched unconsciously as memories clawed their way back to the surface, not even when silence swallowed whole parts of my story that I could not bring myself to say out loud.
He just listened.
And somehow... that made it harder.
Because I was used to people reacting—judging, questioning, commanding. But Jasper? He only stayed. Quiet. Steady. Warm.
I swallowed, my fingers tightening slightly around the fabric of his robe.
"Jersey..." I whispered, almost to myself. "He doesn't know."
Jasper's chest subtly rose under my cheek. "Know what?"
I closed my eyes.
"That I've always been competing with him."
The words felt... ugly.
"He thinks we're partners. Friends." I let out a breath that almost sounded like a laugh. "But in my head... it was always a race."
A pause.
"He saved me more times than I can count," I continued softly. "And I... I treated every one of those moments like something I had to surpass."
My fingers curled tighter.
"I was never fair to him."
Silence settled again—but this time, it felt heavier.
Jasper's hand moved.
Slowly.
Carefully.
He lifted my chin just enough for me to look at him.
"You survived because you're strong," he said quietly. "Not because you were competing."
His eyes searched mine—not accusing, not doubting.
Understanding.
"And maybe," he added, voice softer now, "he stayed because he chose to."
My breath hitched.
Chosen.
That word... it lingered somewhere deep inside me.
Because all my life, everything felt like survival. Like obligation. Like war.
But being chosen?
That was something else entirely.
I looked away first.
"...You don't understand," I murmured.
"Then help me understand."
His voice wasn't demanding.
It was... patient.
Dangerously patient.
I exhaled slowly and stepped away from him, just enough to breathe properly again. My hand instinctively brushed over Jessy's tiny form, still peacefully asleep, unaware of the storms surrounding her existence.
"I was trained to win," I said. "To survive. To protect."
My gaze hardened slightly.
"And in our world, those things don't come without stepping over someone else."
Jasper didn't move.
"But you didn't step over him," he said.
I froze.
"...What?"
"You said it yourself," he continued. "He saved you. You fought beside him. You trusted him with your life."
YOU ARE READING
The Assailants
AdventureIt was one of the cold freezing nights of January when the Arcane's assasins attacked. I failed to protect the family I was in charge to keep safe but I was able to save the most precious thing the family possessed, Jessy. I took her away racing wit...
