The Jem

~50~

Everyone shot to their feet, eyes darting towards the moving, furry creature. "Who could be listening in on us?" Crimson gasped.
Hunter was about to dig his fork in deeper until Clay shouted "NO!"

"Why not, they're still listening!" Ember growled.

"Cover its ears!"The queen ordered.

"It can help us track down the people." Clay Explained in a whisper.

"Smart idea.I'll shift into one as well and follow it. Feline you coming?" Jermine winked then shifted into an Ear ferret.

"Wouldn't miss it ." She purred. Hunter released the ferret and Jermine spoke to it quickly, no one understanding a single word. Suddenly they began running, Deeja following closely behind.

"So that covers that, but now we have to stay for longer." Darya rolled her eyes but eased back into her seat. "I'm not complaining about staying here, I'm just saying this war is happening and we aren't even there to help." She cleared up her last statement, making sure she wasn't being rude.

"Well I've certainly lost my appetite." Hunter huffed.

"We can teleport you now and when your friends return they can join you." The king offered. Crimson thought for a little while then looked to her friends-they all shook their heads.

"How about four of us go to Rhijaline and the other two wait for Deeja and Jermine to return." Crimson suggested.

"Ok which four of us go?" Brice asked.

"How about the four element wielders, since from what I hear that was the entire point of this mission?" Autumn smiled kindly at Crimson, understanding spreading in her eyes. Crimson returned the smile.

"No I'm not leaving without Autumn!" Ember declined.

"It's ok Ember, I have Hunter to protect me and Deeja and Jermine when they return." She reassured him.

"Yh don't worry Ember, she's safe." Hunter dipped his head to Ember.

"I'll go with them." Clay stood again but more relaxed this time.

"Whose even sure Cordelia wants to see us again. For as far as she's aware, we've betrayed her." Crimson frowned, picking at the food on her plate.

"Yes but sway her into thinking it was for the greater good.I'm quite persuasive you know." Darya smiled. Crimson could've sworn she heard Brice roll his eyes.

"Alright. We will leave tomorrow as planned." Crimson sighed but stood confidently. They all nodded.

"I'll send a message to my teleporters tonight." Clarrisa confirmed, now also standing. She smoothed out her silk gown and left the room.

                                        ~

"Mother, Father." Crimson walked into their room, head held high. "Yes dear?" The queen walked over to her and gripped her hand.

Hunter shut the door and walked to Crimson's side silently. "Before I leave tomorrow, I'd like to properly introduce you to my...boyfriend Hunter Hailum." Crimson turned towards him and took his hand with her free one, he smiled down at her.

The queen and king were silent for a while but then the king said, "It is a pleasure mr Hailum. From what I've heard and seen so far, you are a fine young man." Rave made his way to his wife's side, his wavey, shoulder length brunette hair swaying with his movements.

"Thank you your majesty. I love your daughter very dearly." Hunter bowed deeply, looking down at the velvet crushed floor. The queen still had not spoke but out of everyone's surprise, she hugged Hunter. He hesitantly hugged her back then she pulled back and looked him in the eyes.

"When my daughter told me the stories about her friends they all sounded like wonderful people, but she spoke about a specific young man differently, more intimately." The queen grinned but Crimson blushed.

"And she kept mentioning this man named Hunter and how he'd made her smile so so much and I couldn't wait till she introduced me to you. You deserve to be with my daughter Mr Hailum." She hugged him tightly once more and smiled at her daughter.

"Thank you as well queen Clarissa." Hunter bowed again then took Cimson's hand and strode out. When the door closed behind them he wouldn't stop smiling.

                                          ~

"You know Autumn you can come with us." Ember said behind Autumn as she examined the flowered garden in the darkness. "Isn't it just beautiful Ember? I can see! I really can see. And do you know what the most beautiful thing I've seen yet is?" Autumn took up residence next to Ember on the wooden bench.

"The sky?" He guessed, she shook her head.

"The nature?" He guessed again but she shook her head.

"The-

She put her finger to his lips. "It's you Ember! Your the most beautiful thing, I've seen! I can see your inner and outer beauty and it's absolutely magnificent." She exclaimed with a remarkable smile on her face that Ember delighted in seeing.

"So I'm not the handsomest thing you've seen?" He teased and she lightly jabbed him in the rib. "Have I told you that Fae have mates?" Autumn looked up to the twinkling specks of light that shimmered perfectly with her lilac eyes.

"Yes,you said that most Fae have mating bonds and it doesn't have to be with only their kind. And you said that Mates were such a powerful thing. That love bound them so closely together and it was unbreakable." Ember countered.

"Exactly and do you know what happened when the wraiths gave me back my sight?"

"You saw your mate! Let me guess it's Hunter! I knew all the girls liked him." Ember swore softly. She growled at him, her fangs showing but then she whispered...

"No Ember-Your my Mate."