AELLA

"Well, now what?" Blaze asks as we all sit down at Eira's dining table.

"I believe that Lyre is safe and that you have also gained an alliance. You did what you came here for and it was nice meeting you all," Eira says, "Did you have a next destination in mind?"

"Well," I pause and glance at the others before looking at Eira's expectant gaze, "We were planning to visit the Chaosgrove..."

"The Chaosgrove is a dangerous place," Eira frowns, "But I will not keep you from going there. I also cannot go with you, for my duties are here."

"We understand," I say, "And we respect that too. Is there any way that we might be able to stay one more night here before heading out tomorrow morning?"

"Of course," Eira nods, "I wouldn't make you travel at this time. You may stay until the morning."

"Thank you," I smile at her and she smiles back.

"I'm going to go make some tea," Eira says, "I'll be right back."

Eira stands up from her chair and heads into the kitchen to brew a pot of tea while the rest of us begin to discuss about tomorrow. During our discussion I find Corliss staring at me intently and I return her gaze in a confused manner. She simply gives me a small smile before getting out of her seat and walking into the kitchen.

"I'll be right back," I say to Salem, who looks at me in confusion as I get up from my seat.

"Okay?" He says in a questioning manner as if to ask where I'm going without really saying it.

I follow Corliss into the kitchen and find Eira getting out a cup for her tea, which is beginning to boil since the pot is whistling.

"What is it?" I ask.

"Before we go to the Chaosgrove I think it would be wise for you to make a decision," Corliss says and folds her arms against her chest as she leans against a counter.

"Decision?" I raise my eyebrows up in surprise, "What decision?"

"The Demon Prince or the Chaos Angel," Corliss says, "You need to choose."

"Excuse me?" I frown, "I couldn't possibly--"

"I'm not talking about choosing one to keep in your life, I'm talking about choosing one to love," Corliss explains.

Eira pauses at the tea kettle and glances over her shoulder before hurriedly turning back to it and pouring it.

"Perhaps I should let you two talk," Eira says and rushes out of the kitchen with her tea in hand.

"But I love them both," I frown.

"Ah," Corliss raises a brow, "So you admit that much."

"Well..." I trail off, "Yes, but, where are you going with this?"

"I'm not expecting you to rush into a decision or to stop loving one of them, but I'm suggesting that you choose soon before someone gets hurt. After all, I believe that you not even knowing your own feelings fully is hurting yourself. If we're going to the Chaosgrove we're going to run into Alder, it's a simple fact. He's going to go back there to finish whatever he started. How do you feel about him?" Corliss asks.

"Well...I'm not sure," I pause, "He was my childhood best friend growing up and then I thought he died. Little did I know he was alive and turned chaotic, which wasn't really his fault, but it still happened. Even so, I want to be the one to break the chaos that holds him. I know he's still good deep down. Of course I love him, I just don't know how."

"And Salem?" Corliss asks.

"Um--" I start, but get cut off whenever Salem walks into the kitchen.

He looks back and forth between the two of us and rubs the back of his neck while giving us a smile.

"Uh," Salem starts, "Sorry. Did I intrude?"

"No," Corliss's eyes meet mine, "Not at all."

"Right," I nod and feel the flustered blush heating up my face.

"Right," Salem clears his throat, "Well, I just came in here to get Eira's sugar. She forgot it so I went to get it for her. Do either of you know where it is?"

"Check the top cabinet," Corliss suggests.

"Uh, which one?" Salem asks as he walks over to the cabinets.

"Try the left one," I shrug.

He opens the left one and finds the jar of sugar cubes sitting on the top shelf and he grabs it before turning around and smiling.

"Thanks," He says before walking out of the kitchen.

"That was close, hmm?" Corliss says.

"Yeah," I sigh in relief.

Now, the question is, how do I feel about Salem?

***

ASHER

Not only are the random moments of pain becoming worse, but Svetlana was right, I am remembering parts of my past. It's not that I don't want to remember, but I feel like I'm two different people with all these different memories. I sigh as I sit outside on the porch and even though it's snowing the cold doesn't seem to feel as it once did. Don't get me wrong, I'm still cold, but it's duller now that I've discovered who I truly am -- what I truly am.

"I still can't believe it," I mutter as I stare at my hands and then look at the rune on my right bicep.

"Believe what?" Blaze asks as she slides the door open and closes it before sitting down next to me on the porch.

"This," I mutter, "I still can't believe that I'm this person that Alder and Aella knew but yet I can only remember certain things when they come to me. They stay once they come in flashes, but everything else is missing pieces to it. It feels weird. It feels like I'm a different person than who I've thought I am my entire life."

"Asher," Blaze sighs and takes my by surprise by resting her hand on my cheek and turning my face towards her, "I know who you are, despite whatever your past may be, despite whoever you think you are or think you aren't. I know who you are."

"How can you possibly know who I am when I don't even know?" I stare into her eyes sadly and cling to hope.

She smiles at me and almost seems amused by my question.

"Blaze?" I question.

"Because to me you're Asher. I don't care if you're Asher Maddox or just my Asher. You're still you, you're still Asher. If you have a bad past or a good past, so be it. Your past is your past. Don't live in it but never forget it because it made you who you are. I think it's good that you're remembering because you're getting little pieces of yourself back, but you aren't getting rid of who you are, you're just adding on to it," Blaze says.

"I really want to kiss you right now," I whisper.

Her eyes widen slightly in surprise and she blushes, but nevertheless she leans forwards and presses her lips to mine, taking me by surprise. I smile against her lips and kiss her back for a few minutes until we pull apart for air, which is when she leans her forehead against mine and smiles while blushing slightly.

"You're beautiful, you know that?" I smile at her and her blush deepens.

"W--Whatever," She stammers and glances down at her lap before looking back up at me.

"C'mon Princess, no need to be shy," I chuckle.

"S--Shut up!" She smacks me upside the head but then gasps in surprise.

"What's wrong?" I frown.

"Your rune is glowing," She says and traces her fingers along my arm, which makes me shiver.

"Huh," I look at my bicep, "I guess it is."

I wince as another flash of pain runs through my head and I clench my jaw.

"Hey!" I shouted and tried to pry my arm away from the man dragging me through the dark room lined with chains and cages, "Let go of me!"

"Shut it, kid," The man grumbled and yanked on my arm harder, pulling me forwards.

"I said let go!" I shout and flames begin to swirl around my feet and rise all around my body until I'm surrounded by flames.

The man yells and quickly releases my arm before scowling at me.

"You will pay!" The man spat with venom and began to chase after me through the streets.

"Asher?" Blaze shakes me lightly and concern fills her eyes, "Are you alright?"

"Y--Yeah," I nod and open my eyes, "I'm fine."

"Did you just get another memory?" She asks.

"Yeah," I sigh, "And I was using my powers in it."

"Do you wish you knew how to use them right now?" Blaze asks.

"Kind of," I shrug, "Yeah."

"Well, I was going to train you later, but I guess now is a good of a time as any to start," She smiles at me, "Come on."

"Really?" I stare at her in surprise and excitement fills my features.

"Of course," Blaze laughs and stands up, "Have you ever known me to miss an opportunity to beat you up?"

"No," I laugh and stand up, "So I guess that answers that."

"You bet it does," Blaze smirks, "Oh and, try not to burn Eira's house down, will you?"

"I don't know Princess," I smirk back at her, "I'm pretty hot. A single glance could burn it down."

Blaze rolls her eyes and summons her sword.

"Let's go, idiot," She says and races off into the yard.

"Well, here we go," I whisper to myself and run off after her.