Destiny Island

Chapter 67

After a few hours of blissful slumber, Amber woke up to the warm and comfortable feeling of safety.

As her head slowly cleared from the cobwebs of sleep, she came to realize that she could also feel a physical warmth radiating from Ignacio's body lying next to her.

It was that sudden realization that made her feel butterflies in her stomach flapping their wings vigorously, trying to escape.

In other circumstances, she might have questioned their closeness and how he made her feel. However, they had been through so much that she couldn't apply any standards to what they had. They had a unique connection, and she wanted to treat it that way.

She refused to let her fears and worries taint the tender moments with Ignacio. Social conventions and rules of the society they were born in was behind them now, and she refused to be the type of person who would bring all those doubts into a world where they had a lot of different types of problems to deal with.

Slowly turning around to face Ignacio, Amber couldn't stop a huge grin from lighting up her face. Tough guy Ignacio looked like a gentle angel in his sleep, and the contrast made her realize how much she truly cared for him, his good sides and bad.

"Ignacio, are you awake?" She whispered.

There was no reply. Not even when she gently brushed away a loose strand of his hair did he stir.

Her heart beating a mile a minute, she started slowly moving towards him until her face was inches from his. Then she kissed him gently, barely connecting their lips for a second before pulling back.

With lighting speed that startled Amber, Ignacio pulled her in closer, kissing her breathless. His lips were gentle, but Amber could feel the urgency behind the kiss. In that one kiss, she could feel the fires burning between the two of them, and she had to pull back before they were both consumed by the flame of passion.

"You sure are a light sleeper," Amber said, teasingly.

"Only when I am woken up by true love's kiss." He said, grinning at her.

She smiled at him, her eyes lighting up like a Christmas tree.

However, before they could both get lost in the joy of their emotions, they were interrupted by the knock on the door.

"Come on, guys. We've been summoned." Jade's cheerful voice said.

Amber loved her friend, but at that moment she was furious at her for interrupting her much needed alone time with Ignacio.

Still, having in mind everything that had happened, she guessed they had a good reason for gathering everyone.

Ignacio reluctantly got up from bed and extended his hand to help Amber up. As she grabbed his hand, he pulled her up so that she ended up in his arms, which she didn't mind at all.

She could feel his breath against her skin, and she wanted nothing more than to stay there with him and enjoy his closeness.

"Maybe just one more kiss to go." He said mischievously.

He lifted her chin up and kissed her lips. Gently at first, and then he started deepening the kiss, both of them forgetting what they were about to do or who they were.

"Guys, there will be enough time for that later. We have to go now." Jade said, bursting into the room.

They reluctantly separated and followed Jade to the meeting room.

Once they arrived into a much smaller chamber than the one where they had had dinner when they first reached the castle, they could see most of the magical beings they had met on their travels through the island. They were all gathered in what reminded Amber of a council meeting.

Not sure what was happening, all four of them proceeded into the room until they reached Telet, the queen of fairies, around whom everyone seemed to be gathered. If Amber had to guess, she would have said that Telet was leading the meeting, whatever its purpose.

"Welcome, come on in, please," Telet said, noting their hesitation.

"What's going on?" Ignacio asked.

"We have gathered for many different reasons, but one of them is to decide on the fate of the one who once shared the light that burns in our hearts, but had been turned to dark ways," Telet said.

"Ci Nada's trial?" Amber asked in shock.

"Yes, that is correct. It is time to tally her crimes and make a suitable punishment." Telet said.

"Why are we here? It feels like a private matter that people of the island should discuss among themselves." Royce said, confused.

"You are here to share grievances," Telet said.

"What does that mean?" Jade asked.

"In your world, it would be called file charges. We know that Ci Nada has done some bad things, so we apprehended her for that. However, as the wronged side you can, as your people say, press charges, and have a say in the punishment." Avo Jana, who was standing nearby, explained.

"How can we have a say in the punishment, and why?" Amber asked, trying to hide how horrified she was by the idea.

"We of the island, believe that when someone has wronged other people the injuries should be tallied and based on the results, the punishment should be made. It's similar to your world, the more crimes you commit, the more severe your punishment is.

The difference is that we are focused on rehabilitation, not on those horrible punishments your people have, but it can still be very difficult for the person being judged to accept it." Avo Jana said.

"Let us begin," Telet said.

She used her official voice, which quieted the room promptly, and the proceedings started.

"Let us start with the newcomers who have been wronged. Do you wish to bring forth some grievances against dark fairy Ci Nada?" Telet asked Amber.

"I have no grievances against the dark fairy Ci Nada," Amber said.

She said it without hesitation, but once the words left her mouth she looked at Ignacio worriedly thinking he would think less of her. However, he just smiled at her making her heart melt.

"Ignacio?" Telet asked.

"I have no grievances," Ignacio said, looking at Amber.

It was clear to her that he was making a stand. He was telling her that he would stand by her no matter what she did, and it made her love him even more.

Ignacio had so many problems with Ci Nada and the fact that he decided to let go of them for Amber, that he understood that she needed to find forgiveness for Ci Nada, to be able to find it for herself was a blessing she never thought she would have.

To Amber's surprise, Jade and Royce didn't bring forth any complaints either, and it was up to the people of the island to decide the fate of one of their own, which in Amber's mind was as it should be.

It was finally decided that Ci Nada would be stripped of her powers during her rehabilitation period, which she was to spend with her friend Avo Jana in the meadow.

They believed that spending time in such a loving company and beautiful surroundings would bring forth the former light that warmed the dark fairy's heart.

Amber was happy that even after everything that happened, she had found it in her heart to be happy for Ci Nada. The island was making her a much better person than she had ever been in her own world, and she felt better for it.

"Can you four stay? I need to talk with you." Telet said.

"Of course." They answered as one.

Amber hoped with all her heart that it was good news, she wasn't sure she could stand any more bad news.