Chapter Four

Kalum

The moonlight shines above her and highlights her long platinum blonde hair that flows down her back in elegant waves. Her shoulders shake as she chuckles and watches Natsuko and Hanna herd the rest of The Fifteen back. Both of them are a force to be reckoned with and watching them herd the group away from Emira and I, is just hilarious, especially considering that Natsu's red hair is literally on fire. Looking back at Emira, a wave of emotions flow through me. I want to move towards her, to wrap my arms around her, and just breathe her in. But I can't move. I just stare at her. I thought that I would be so happy and relieved when she was finally returned to me. And I am, but there is something else as well. Anger and worry. When she told us about her plan, I took her aside and told her that we could protect her here. I fought with her, I asked her, I begged her to stay here with us, her family, with me. But she was as stubborn as always and went through with the plan. And it broke my heart to hold her unconscious body only to give her away and send her to a place in which I couldn't protect her. I take a deep breath. This isn't her fault. It isn't her fault that the demons came after her. I was so upset and angry that she left that I forgot why she did it. She did it to protect us.

"Emira?" I ask quietly. Her shoulders move slowly as she takes a deep breath. In turn, I hold mine and watch as she turns around. Her pale skin shines in the moon's rays. I look her up and down and relief shoots through my body. Even without her memories, she remains true to her style. She wears a white blouse, a red and white plaid skirt, and a pair of black high heeled boots, accompanied by a cropped leather jacket, the same jacket that I spelled to always keep a good temperature. I smile at the memory of her smile when I gave her the jacket as an early birthday gift last year and look back up at her face. Her eyes find mine and I gasp. I am caught in her gaze. The bright fuchsia color of her eyes radiates power. Her aura is so strong and I can feel her magic washing over me. Without telling my legs to move, I walk towards her, stopping when we're only a breath separates us. A tear falls down her cheek as she smiles at me. My heart stops. Slowly, as if she were to disappear if I move too quickly, I reach up and wipe the tear away with my thumb. I rest my hand on her cheek. Her eyes, which haven't left mine, close as she leans into my hand.

"Kalum." She whispers my name. My next breath comes out with a shudder as all of my feelings for her and how much I have missed her flow out of me in one breath. I move my hand to her neck and crush her against my chest. She wraps her gentle arms around my waist and presses her face against my torso.

"You're back, you're back, you're back," I repeat those two words over and over because I cannot form any other words. I dip my head and press a kiss to her hair, inhaling her sweet lavender scent.

I'm here, I missed you, I love you! Emira's sweet voice enters my mind. I chuckle and she draws back, looking at my face with questioning eyes.

"I have missed hearing your voice in my head, Em." She smiles and I can't stop myself. I lean forwards and brush my lips against hers. It was meant as a quick peck, but a need I didn't know I had, bursts inside of me. I crash against her lips and feel all of my fear and worry for her be replaced by the joy of her return. I tilt her chin up and deepen our kiss. She strengthens her grip on me and pulls me against her, letting her hands roam over my back. Their warmth searing my skin through the thin material of my shirt. I smile against her lips and push harder. After a while, my lungs start to burn due to lack of air. I break the kiss, gasping. We just stand there, looking into each other's eyes, completely silent. The love that I feel for this one girl bubbling inside of me. My feelings must have been displayed on my face, because Em chuckles and looks down, trying to hide the blush in her cheeks.

"I love you," I whisper, having waited too long since I last said those three words. She places a cool hand on my chest.

"I love you, too." She whispers in reply. I cup her cheek and reach into my pocket. With careful fingers, I take out her necklace. She gasps.

"My necklace." She exhales the words and reaches for it. I smile and open its clasp. Reluctantly, Emira turns around and lifts her long hair to reveal her pale neck. I take the opportunity and quickly press a kiss to the back of her neck. She gasps and her neck blushes red. I chuckle and clasp the necklace around her neck. As soon as the clasp is closed, an explosion of power flows out of her. She turns towards me with newfound power burning in her vibrant pink eyes and I smile at her. A strand of white-blonde hair falls into her face and I lift my hand. I twirl the strand around my finger before placing it behind her ear and grazing the shell of her ear while doing so. She shivers and I smile. I take her hand and watch as our soulmate marks glow brighter. Warmth spreads from it, all the way to my heart and I know that she feels the same warmth. Hand in hand we walk towards the group.