Hello, Charmer fans! I'm away on vacation at a medieval festival. Yes, with jousters on horseback in full armor lancing each other with sticks. Crazy to watch. It's about 38 degrees celsius here and I can hardly believe people can even wear armor in his heat. 

Anyway, I've managed to pull together an update for you, but I want to see if I can get another one done by Monday. Hope you like the latest. 

Jaxon grabbed my hand as he passed, not stopping to talk. The uproar of the audience filled the arena. With Jaxon's hardened expression and fiery grip, I knew better than to ask what his father had said.

What the hell did Otis say to you? Well, I might have known better, but after everything that had just happened, sound words of wisdom burnt into an ashy waste pile.

Not now, Wren. He jerked my arm, tugging me up the stairs behind him. "We're leaving."

Not now? I just splayed my heart out there, and that's all you can say? I could feel the anger bubble up inside me. I can't even be in the same room as Kellan without burning down or dousing something in water. Even now I could feel the ring's pull calling me to him. How do you think the next two days will go? "Jaxon, slow down." I stumbled up the next stair. "I can't keep up in these shoes."

"Sorry." He halted, and his shoulders slumped. I don't want you on the same planet as him, forget being in the same room. But I didn't have a choice.

I climbed two more stairs and stood on the dusty step beneath him. Of course, you had a choice.

No, I didn't, he answered.

Our friends whooped and hollered from the section in front of us. Someone let out an ear-piercing whistle at the top of the stairs, and we both looked up.

"Burnell!" Brackstone junior's lips spread into a broad, toothy smile, showing off the gap between his two front teeth.

He splayed his thick fingers in front of him. Two stones on his bracelet glowed a charcoal gray, and he pulled in his fingers together into a flat, extended palm. The stairs beneath him transformed into a stone slide, and his shoes slid against the surface. I half expected him to collide with us until he splayed his fingers when he was only a few feet away, making the stairs reappear under his feet.

"Jaxon, you bandit." He slapped his hand down on Jax's shoulder, and let out a boisterous laugh. "Stones, equestars, prongmera"—he dragged his gaze up my frame until he stared directly at my face—"and a partnership with this lovely talent? I do believe we have a reason to celebrate tonight."

Not being used to someone so openly complimenting me, I looked at the ground with my cheeks getting hotter by the second.

If he keeps staring at you like that, I swear I'm going to punch him. Jax squeezed my hand tighter. "Miss a party? Zane, you know me better than that."

If you don't tell me why you agreed to the whole Water Circle tour, he won't be the only one getting punched. I slipped my hand from his grip.

Jaxon tensed and studied him as he treaded down another stair.

"Relax, Jaxon." Zane swiped a black lock of hair from his face that had come free from the tie at the back of his neck. "Anyone in this room can see she's gorgeous, even beyond those bruises. I just appreciate beauty when I see it, so don't to get all fired up. I'm not trying to steal her away."

We'll talk about it later. Jax scooped my fingers up in his, lifted my hand to his lips, and kissed my knuckles. "As you could steal her away, you big lug."

"Lug?" Zane chuckled. "And to think I was going to buy the first round at the pub."

"You're not getting off that easy. You're definitely buying the first round and maybe the second and third too if you keep staring at Wren like that."

"That'd be a small price to pay for that privilege, but I think my partner, Tiana, might object though."

"You took a partner since I left? You dog. You should've told me when we saw you earlier." Jax's grip loosened. "Congratulations, I didn't know as we just got back."

"Wren! You're all right." Elena pushed past Zane, tossed her arms around me and squeezed me tight. "I knew you'd save him," she whispered in my ear.

Up until now, I hadn't realized how much I needed the hug. Gran usually comforted me when I had a bad day or was worried about something. But with everything I'd been through since I arrived, I felt like I'd been holding my breath for weeks. For one small moment, I felt like everything might be okay.

Jax cleared his throat. "While your concern for Wren is appreciated, Elena, I assure you, the Fire Circle takes her safety very seriously."

Subtle, Jax. Why don't you bang on your chest and yell, she's mine? I'm not sure she got the point.

She's breaking protocol by wrapping her arms around you. You might not care, but I can assure you the elders in the room do. Relations between the Water and Fire Circle are strained enough for one day, don't you think?

She released me and turned to Jax. "I've been wringing my hands here with worry, so don't you dare give me an earful about Acklemarian protocol. If my parents haven't been able to get me to listen to their instruction, anything you have to say won't make a difference."

"Ditto." Vega enveloped me tight in her arms. "Besides, I reserve best friend privileges."

"Nice speech, Birdie." Rygar came up behind her, picked the two of us up and spun us around, then messed up my hair. "Nothing ever stopped you from beating the guys into submission at the Guild, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised you'd be the first to put the council in their place and demand equality too."

"Well, if they didn't listen, she could have clubbed them with that staff of hers," Sage said sounding serious for a change.

"Just one problem, weapons aren't allowed in here. Not to mention, my solution was more diplomatic," I answered.

"What? You're a traveler with kickass skills." She shrugged like her idea wasn't a terrible a suggestion. "They wouldn't even have known it was you. You could disappear, snatch your staff from outside and—whack." She grinned and held a hand to her ear. "What's that you don't agree with me? Whack, whack."

I shook my head and laughed. "You're whacked, that's what."

"You already knew that. At least my solution didn't come with groupies." She pointed to the line up of women standing behind Rygar.

"I didn't ask for fame or fortune." It was hard to believe that only a few weeks ago, I hoped Gran and I would stay long enough in Swallow Falls for me to make one friend.

"Too late to change your mind now, love, because you have both." Jaxon stepped closer and held out his hand.

I'm still mad at you. I stared at his palm seriously doubting anything Otis had said would have been worth him giving in.

I know, but I did just help save your life. Jax took another step forward. Can an explanation wait till we're alone? Please?

Fine. I placed my hand in his. But I reserve the right to yell at you then.

As long as we get to kiss and make up after, you can yell at me all you want. Jax tugged me into him and slid an arm around my waist.

Is that all guys think about? My stomach growled.

No, keeping you alive is first on my priority list, which includes feeding you by the way. He kissed my forehead. And you're putting some of your Gran's cream on those bruises, even if I have you hold you down to do it.

You'd like that, wouldn't you?

He smiled. I don't think I even have to answer that.

"All right, lovebirds." Zane shoved between us tossing an arm over each of our shoulders. "Since no one is bothering with stuffy formalities in this group, let's get out of here and celebrate."

After the day I'd had, I was more than ready to relax. "Count me in."

"Same place as usual?" Jax asked.

"Why not," Zane answered.

"Works for us." Jax jogged up a few steps and waited for me. "I can book a room there for Wren and me when we get there. No point sleeping on the ground if we can sleep in comfort."

Celebrate the victory with Wren and vote! Comment away too. Thanks for reading. :)