Chapter 39: 38

The loudest clap of thunder I have ever heard vibrates in my bones. The biggest flash of light fills the sky as if the sun exploded. My ears are still ringing when I finally work up the courage to open my eyes and it takes a few moments to adjust back to the normal light. I am still laying on the floor, my hands are still bound behind my back, but the king is no longer on top of me. 

I roll over to see Jace and the king fighting. It looks like Jace is yelling but it’s hard to hear over the ringing in my ears. The king has that ridiculous smile on his face, but it’s twisted with anger. They are each landing solid blows on each other, and each time they do, sparks fly from their contact. It’s a curious thing, lava and lightning fighting. One is like a knife that cuts through butter, smooth and without much effort; the other one is like a blacksmith’s hammer on steel, powerful. The air is alive and humming with electricity. I can feel it pulsing all around me, making the hair on my head and arms stand up.  

Jace has the king pinned against the ground. I can see the veins on Jace’s arms and neck, he’s shaking. He picks up the king's head and slams it into the marble floor over and over again until the king is knocked out. Jace sits there a moment, looking like he wants to kill the king as he lays there unconscious. He looks up and we lock eyes and I can see him forget about the king. He runs over to me and sits me up, untying my hands. He gently holds my shoulders and looks me over, his storm colored eyes pinched together in concern. 

“You came.” I choke on my tears, not realizing that I have been crying. Jace looks as if he too will cry. 

“Of course I came.” He hugs me. “Are you hurt anywhere?” His face is in my hair, making his voice muffled. I shake my head and he picks me up and quickly walks out of the room. Deckette and Oliver are standing over the men guarding the room on the other side of the door. I bury my face in Jace’s chest as we walk away. 

Jace seems to walk for a long time and when he finally stops, I’m placed on a bed in a new room. I look around, confused. This room is darker than my room and smaller. There is a desk in between two skinny windows, a chest at the end of the bed and two small tables on each side of the bed with two lamps. There are furs on the bed as blankets and two pillows. 

“This is not my room.” I state. 

“It is now.” Jace’s voice is hoarse. “You should have been moved here when you were taken out of the selection but D’ka thought it would be better if you stayed in the east wing with the other ladies because you were still adjusting to the palace.” 

“What about my ladies?”

“They will be moved here as well.”

“Is this your room?” My voice is strangely small. Jace regards me for a moment. 

“No. My room is right next to you, but it can be accessed through that door there.” He points. I didn’t notice before but now I can make out a slight shape in the dark. The handle glints in the moonlight. 

“That’s some consolation.” I murmur. 

“Remi.” Jace steps over to me, kneels down on the ground in front of me and gently takes my hand. “This should have never happened and I am sorry I was not there to protect you. I promise you I will never let anything like this happen to you again.” He squeezes my hands and his eyes darken. “If the king ever touches you again, I will kill him.” I clench my jaw and nod, fighting back the tears that threaten to spill. Jace studies me a moment then stands and turns to leave. 

“Wait.” I grab his hand. “Will you stay with me?” I ask timidly. I stare at our hands, not having the courage to look at Jace.

“Always.”