Love & Deceit

Chapter 25: Mind James

I could feel tears prick at the corners of my eyes, as my breathing hitched.

"Raven...talk to me."

"You're not here. You're a figment of my guilt."

He took my hand in his own, interlacing our fingers.

"I'm here...truly."

I quickly pulled my hand away and wiped the tears from my face.

"No...you're another one of Azeroth's schemes. You're not really here."

"Raven..."

"No...no...just go away!" I was yelling at this point, tears falling uncontrollably.

"The first time you told me you loved me was here. Right here, in Lykos. While we riding Pegasi. Which is why would take a trip for a week here on every anniversary."

I started calming down a little, looking at him. Understanding the implication behind his words.

"The first time I ever saw you, you were carrying in a wounded Plight member, even though you were fatally injured, you set them down, and healed them instead of yourself, and when you fainted-"

"-You caught me..."

He stepped cautiously closer to me.

"I'm really here, Raven...It's me. It's Jay...your Jay."

I looked at him. Really looked at him, but was still on edge.

"..."

"You're understandably cautious, and I don't blame you, what with what your deranged father put you through. So...use your mind control on me."

"What?"

"It's okay...it's the only thing that will put your mind at ease."

"...Alright."

I walked closer to him, touching my fingers to his temples.

"Imperium."

His face went from alert, to undeniably blank.

"Tell me, who are you?"

"James Cornelius Kylon. The love of your life."

"Why are you here?"

"For you. Raven...I'm back for you."

Oh my god, it's really him. I pulled my hands back from his temples, and then pulled him into a series of desperate kisses, not really caring that we were out in the open; but I couldn't shake off a nagging feeling in the back of my head that something wasn't quite right here. I didn't have time to dwell on it, as I heard footsteps approaching and the sound of Matt calling my name.

"Raven! Rave-"

I abruptly broke off the kiss just in time to watch Matt's eyes go somber and then wide when he realized who I was kissing.

"James?"

"Matt...it's good to see you buddy."

I watched the entire spectrum of emotion pass by Matt's face. From shock, to anger all the way down to utter confusion.

"No...no. This is not..."

James put a hand of Matt's shoulder, attempting to calm him down.

"Matt? You good buddy?"

Matt ran a hand on his face – causing James to drop his hand – in an attempt to collect himself.

"...How is this possible?"