Page 89 of The Ember and the Emerald

Grinning wide, I leaned closer to Jasher. “Does he know who you are?”

A stiff nod. “He does.”

“Hey!” the boy snarled, eyes flashing red. “Talk to me.”

“Listen, you little—” Jasher started forward.

“Excuse me, good sir.” I caught his arm. “Please be nicer to yourself. I’ve wanted to meet this kid for ages.”

Both versions blinked at me.

I grinned at the adult. “Patch up your wounds and catch up with Kevin. I’ll entertain our honored guest.”

Mr. Adult closed his eyes before waving me on. “Fine. Chat each other up. But do not blame me for anything he says.” He moved to the spot beside the toy and fiddled with a rock in the wall, revealing a small cubby. Out came a first aid kit.

I closed the distance and got comfortable on a rock next to the boy. “Hi. I’m Moriah Shaker. Your friend from the future.”

He rocked back on his heels, bracing for impact. “Not my friend.”

“Hurt her and suffer,” Jasher called, cleaning the worst of his wounds.

“Why? Don’t you want to kiss her better?” Jashy snapped back.

I clapped a hand over my mouth.

With a disgusted huff, Jashy sheathed his daggers. “Guardian says water maidens must be killed on sight. Especially green ones.”

“Oh, he does, does he?” I leaned back on my palms, unafraid. “That’s because I’m dangerous to Ian. But not to you.”

That little chest puffed up. “Wrong. If you’re dangerous to him, you’re dangerous to me. I am he, and he is me.”

Ugh. The propaganda started early for the monstra. “Well, in twenty years, you abandon Ian’s training to save me from a beheading, and we go on a quest together. You make me laugh. Ian makes me furious. You value truth, he prefers lies. Your smile is rare but genuine. His is practiced and comes often.” I swallowed, chest clenching. “You care. He pretends to. You are not Ian.”

Thick silence stretched. I felt Jasher’s stare like a hot brand across every inch of my skin.

Jashy crossed his arms, curious, defensive, and wishful all at once. “Do you fall in love with me?”

Yikes! Diving into the deep end. My gaze flew to the adult, who didn’t pretend to be uninterested.

He arched an eyebrow. “Yes, princess,” he drawled out, tying off a bandage. “Tell the boy all about your feelings for me.”

You know what? I would. In mere days, we’d be entering the Ring. Might as well get a jump on the truth bombs. “I fell in love with him during our first adventure,” I told the kid. “When he protected me while hating me, I fell harder. When he chose me over everything else, I shattered.” I squared my shoulders and faced Jasher fully. “In lost oaths, vows endure. You’re only undoing.”

He understood, molten tenderness dominating his features. A flash, there and gone. “You love me,” he said.

“She talks in monstra code,” Jashy said, impressed.

Longing pulled me a step closer to Jasher. “I do. I love you. With all that I was. All that I am. All that I will be.”

His gaze narrowed and remained on me for a heartbeat before sliding to the boy. “Go home, boy. Now.”

Hold up. “You can’t just send him away⁠—”

“I’ve already lived this life. Ian won’t find him,” Jasher explained. “Besides, he intended to sneak out, anyway.”

“It’s true,” Jashy said with a shrug. “Anders and Reese are waiting for me.”

I threw my hands up. “You’re both impossible. How did you even get together?”