Extra Chapter: Elain Elazer

The air was vibrating with vigor and vim. Elain stared out from her private room. The windows offered a glimpse at the plaza heart. Students arrived, disembarking from their long voyage. She fingered a second ring.

Her lips twitched at the memory. She had waited near the return point. Her intention was simple, she was going to demand Jasper’s ring—force and pry it from his hand if it came down to it. Those Jinshari scum had tormented her family enough. Yet, he was the one who had offered it, even apologizing to her. Had the ring been ordinary, she might have thrown it away. A gift from them was worthless, and only feeded their conciet and manipulations. But this was Jasper’s artifact. She had searched the continent for it, even employing the church to find him.

She brought the ring to her lips before clutching it and placing her hand against her forehead.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, tears falling. She hadn’t found him in time. But they could be together at last. Her fingers unfurled as she stared at the rune laden metal. It matched her own, though the runes were different. Only ‘memories sealed’ stayed the same.

Light filtered in, casting a harsh glow in her room. She squinted before deciding to close her eyes. This next task didn’t require her to look. She activated her prayer, praying to god as she did so. With no resistance, she sent her prayer into the ring. The expanse inside was large. She hummed as she gave herself a form, allowing her the freedom to walk through the memories. Somewhere in here was Jasper’s soul.

Walking down memory lane forced her newfound form to scowl. These moments were bittersweet. The fondness she held for their married time was overcast by his untimely fate.

She saw the time they met, the time they had Zeke, and their worries over their finances. Life hadn’t been easy, but it had been full of love and patience. She saw her old parents refelcted in the memories and let a bitter smile freeze on her face. Her brows furrowed as she looked to her mother. It had taken Jasper’s persuasion to see what her mother really was, and eventually become free from her control. Now seeing through Jasper’s eyes, she wished she had seen it earlier.

As much as the memories intrigued her, fueling a curiosity to see what her husband had seen, to hear as he heard, and feel as he had, she wanted to find him.

Her eyes darted around, peering past the flashes. Where was his soul?

She gave herself wings and soared. In this space, nothing should be so open. Why was he not revealing himself? Why wasn’t he blocking his blunders or demanding her to answer to him? She’d take a rebuke, something to say he was there.

His absence sparked a feeling, something she hadn’t expected. If his soul wasn’t here… then…. The thought perculated as she wandered, searching. As she returned to the center and exanded herself to grasp at everything without disturbing it, her hand flew to her mouth. Tears flowed.

“You’re still alive?”

Her cry was simple, wisping through the memories. Time stilled, the memories froze at her influence. She collapsed, her mind processing while her sobs echoed within the artifact.

As she wiped at her tears, her brows creased. If he was alive, and the Jinshari had his ring… her expression darkened. One thought sprang up.

Captured. Jasper was in their hands. She wished these artifacts contained their recent memories. She wanted to know if he was safe. Had they tortured him? Where was he held captive?

That man, Jun Jinshari. Why had she given the ring? He said to keep a promise. Was he an ally? Or had he done this to cause her to despair? Believe she would wither like a flower after finding this out? With a clenched hand she left the memories of the ring, bringing the artifact to her heart.

“Is Dad in there?” Zain asked. Elain felt her tears fall as she looked towards him. He stood off to the side, not by the door, nor near her. His presence soothed her heart.

“No. He’s still alive.”

Zain stilled. The silence grew. Slowly, he pushed off the wall he leaned against and with upturned brows approached. Elain pushed on a wheel to her chair, entering the darker space. Zain helped her get further inside. He closed the windows of the balcony and checked their surroundings.

Only after they confirmed they were alone, did he come to her side and put his arms around her.

“You sure?”

Elain’s tears moistened his skin as she nodded.

“I’m not sure where he is, but he’s alive.”

And for now, that was enough.