Chapter 8 Part 4: The Heart

Jun followed Mei to their home. Footsteps barely reached their ears as they tread through the gardens. Trees hid their observers. As they crossed the threshold, he fiddled with his cloak, working to unfasten it. Mei sighed and her silent feet fluttered to him. She reached up—eyes unamused. He waited patiently as she untied the knot.

“If only Lira was here. I swear.”

“It’s bad to swear, Mei,” he teased. She growled under her breath as she played her part. When the cloak was undone, the sound of slipping feet made him pivot. He shouldered Mei away with his right side and drew his sword, facing the threat. A Jinshari crossed blades with him and he huffed as he shoved them back several feet. A swift kick sent the attacker sprawling. Jun’s cold eyes stared at the other two.

“Your intent?” he calmly barked. The most discreet looking individual stood up straight and threw something at him. He shifted the sword to a backhand stroke as he attempted to catch the item. ‘This is nothing more than a warning.’ The object in his hand was a pendant attached to a string. It held the Jinshari Clan emblem.

“We haven’t forgotten.” Jun stared at them. Mei remained next to him, quiet, but he could sense the heat from her circulating prayer. If he could turn and look at her, he was sure he would find the fighting intent in her eyes. He waited while the trio disappeared into the growing dark. Mei tracked them for a while longer, her eyes making sure they left the grounds. Only when she shifted to head inside, did he relax.

He soundlessly closed the door behind him and Mei turned, his shoulder cloak in her arms.

“Ridiculous. Eight more still watch.” She voiced as she set the cloak on a shelf. Jun watched as she began to light the wood in the fireplace, her newfound abilities of fire coming in handy. Jun moved to their water supply and circulated his prayer as he dipped his hand in it. No poison this time, but he couldn't be too careful. He flicked the water off and grabbed a few mugs—ensuring they were clean as well. After dipping the first in, he handed it to Mei who appeared at his side. She drank, and then moved to their table for two.

“What’s their warning this time?” she asked. Jun filled his mug and sat across from her, setting the pendant on the table. He was intimately familiar with this piece.

“We’ve gotten too close to some of our classmates. They wanted us to know our place and stick to the engagement plan.” Mei scoffed, her arms folding across her chest. Her eyes shimmered as she looked to the window.

“This farce is ridiculous. There is no way I would ever marry you old man.”

Jun remained silent, sipping at the water. “Well, we still have over five years to prevent that.” He commented, relaxed. “Though you certainly aren’t helping their fears.” His mind wandered to her actions around her sparring partner. The past week had been absent of her company. It wasn’t a surprise that the Jinshari had thought to threaten them.

Her face turned red and shoulders rose. If she were a dog, her hackles would likely be raised.

“Me?! What about you?” He paused his drink. What had he done? Kept to his training and study.

“I’ve been studying like a good student,” he remarked.

“And you think I haven’t?”

“What about that boy, Arvad was it?” he hummed, swishing the mug absently, wishing it was full of something else. Mei’s ears turned red. She leaned back in her chair, arms crossing. He heard a slight ‘tch’ as her teeth showed..

“Ya? What about him…”

Jun’s brow raised. “Oh to be young,” he mused. Mei shot up from her chair, toppling it over.

“We’re not a thing!” Her words echoed and Jun just stared. It was fun being young like this, especially with the experience of a parent and husband. He controlled his reaction. Maisie certainly had a thing for Arvad. And he was relieved in some sense. He had wondered how she would do around others her physical age. He was only interested in reuniting with Ellen, but he hoped she would find someone in this world whom she liked.

At the same time, he wondered if the boy would even be a good match, and be able to take care of his little girl.

Mei tried to say why she and Arvad weren’t a ‘thing’, as she liked to put it. Jun however let a smile creep up. She was very much like her mother. Seeing the smile, she blustered.

“Dad, I’m not a little kid anymore!” She whined. Jun placed his mug down at that. She rolled her eyes at his reaction.

He let out a huff of exasperation. He could trust her to know if anyone was nearby. “You do realize that’s the worst line you could say right now.” He rose from his chair, staring slightly down at her.

“But it’s true.” Her retort only cemented his impression. Her ears burned bright. He closed his eyes for longer than necessary and opened them to catch the sight of her arms lowering.

“Mei,” he emphasized her name. “Since we reunited, you know I’ve avoided treating you like a kid, my…” he shook his head. “This is because it would be dangerous. The matriarch has eyes and ears everywhere.”

“I…” her gaze cast away, cheeks reddening. He let out a long deep sigh.

“I’ll only say this once…” her eyes met his as he moved to the window—turning to face her. “I can tell you have feelings for Arvad. Honestly, you remind me of your mother. She was just like you in that regard.” His words faded near the end.

“It’s not like that. He and I are just good friends.”

Jun shook his head. If only she had gotten a bit older and more experience back on earth. She would recognize this a bit better.

“So much like your mother...” A smile graced his lips and eyes. “Well, even if you call it ‘friendship’, the way you treat Arvad is making the Clan worry. So… please. Be more careful.” He didn’t need to explain what that entailed. She was of the Kasai, a vassal family known for their sneaking. He could trust her abilities to some extent, but a warning was still needed.

Her shoulders slumped a bit. “That said. Don’t go destroying your ‘friendship’ with him because of the danger. Just be more aware of those around you when you interact with him.”

Mei’s eyes started to sparkle and her posture shifted. Then her brows furrowed.

“Dad… you aren’t going to pull out a shotgun are you?”

He coughed—stumbling, recalling the words he had boldly proclaimed back on earth.

“Just get going already,” he dismissed her, knowing where she wanted to be. Mei jumped up in glee. His words were the closest to approval he would give for now.

‘A father’s protection never changes.’ The Silver Flame chimed in. Jun growled. Just like her to listen in when he wasn’t praying. His eyes tracked Mei for the brief moment that she allowed, before turning skyward. The stars slowly began to come out as he thought back on those memories around the fire in the woods.

“Well. What about the other one?” Ellen had lead the conversation

“Are you seriously saying she has multiple boys?”

“Dad! It’s not like that!”

“Oh no? Then you won’t mind me looking through your phone?”

“No way!”

“Well, you better let them know they will have to pick you up at our home, and you can bet that I’ll be on the porch with my shotgun.”

“DAD!”

He had fully intended on that. Back then, she was so young and yet was already trying to date. He couldn’t believe there was any boy her age that was mature enough to take care of her, and he was right. But that was then, and this was different. She was far older than she appeared, and her maturity had grown under the stress of the Clan. She wouldn’t fall and have her heart shatter from some boy. At least… he hoped so.

He pulled out his hair tie in frustration—long locks cascading down. If Ellen was here, she likely would have been jealous. That thought brought a different smile to his face. He looked up at the stars.

‘Oh Ellen. She’s grown so much. I wish you were here to guide her through this. I may have been the sappy romantic fool, and I can see what is happening, but she really takes after you too much.’

He pulled a chair to wait by the window, wondering what to do with this growing development. Stargazing lasted till he heard Mei return and he tucked her into bed.