“Because…” Seth’s voice trailed off and he looked away. With a sigh he rubbed his jaw and looked back to Finn grudgingly. “Because you are my friend even though I have tried to keep from admitting that. If it had truly come down to it I don’t know if I really could have followed through with my betrayal.”
“And there is your answer Seth. I trust you with my son because you are my friend. You aren’t a very damn good friend to be sure, but you are learning, and you are getting better at it. I cut you slack because I know I’m one of the few friends you’ve ever had. You are still learning how to treat them, and more importantly how to trust them.” Finn winked at him before turning for the doorway. “I will be back later. I don’t know how much later, but this requires my attention. Do your best to find your balls, Seth. Zoey will have need of you in the future regardless of what you think and saving her again will be great practice for becoming a hero for the rest of the world.”
Finn summoned his power as the doors closed behind him and held his breath as the Darklands faded around him. He was terrified of facing her directly, but couldn’t ignore her voice. It would be the first time he had seen her face to face since the day she had appeared before him as a spirit. She was the only weakness he had ever had in life, but she was his strength too. Every good thing he had ever done was for her, and if she needed him now he would do whatever she asked without question. For Jala there was no such thing as too much.
Chapter 7
Merro
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Marrow’s voice echoed through her mind and Jala nodded without bothering to open her eyes.
Her hand was wrapped tightly around her holy symbol and her every thought was directed to Finn. She wasn’t sure if he would answer her summons, but her every prayer was begging him to. From the moment she had left Shade’s room she had been praying, and she would continue to pray until the morning could no longer be denied. In truth she would have ignored the morning itself to speak with Finn, but there were things she had to deal with and couldn’t ignore, such as Zoey leaving Merro. There was no way she could hide inside the small temple and without saying goodbye to her friends.
“You already suffer from his memory. Why would you tear the wound open further by seeing him in person again?” Marrow paced closer to her and she reached out a hand to pull him over to her side.
Leaning forward Jala rested her forehead against his massive shoulder and let out a soft breath. “I have to face my past before I can move forward Marrow. I need closure before I can let go of him. This is the only way I can accomplish that.” Jala explained softly. Her stomach was in knots at the thought of seeing Finn, but after speaking with Shade and reflecting on her own thoughts she knew this was the only way she could ever come close to happiness again. She had to face him. No matter how much she dreaded hearing what he might say, she needed to hear him say it.
“If you squeeze that symbol much tighter you are going to draw blood, Jala.” Finn’s voice came from the shadows behind her and Jala’s throat tightened at the sound of it.
She could already feel the tears threatening to fall and she swallowed heavily as she released the amulet and her grip on Marrow. It took everything she had not to clutch to Bendazzi tighter, but she forced herself to stand instead.
Turning slowly she faced him and studied him silently. The dim candlelight played off of his black armor and she tried to ignore how much he had changed. It wasn’t in his appearance. He was still just as beautiful as she remembered, with tawny hair that seemed to always be tousled and skin so bronze it was as if he still practiced swords in full sunlight every day. The change was all in his bearing. He didn’t seem like the man she had known in Sanctuary anymore. He was no longer a free spirit. She could see the weight of command on him just from how he stood, but it suited him. Finn Sovaesh was in control of the entire Darklands and the weight of that burden rested easily on his broad shoulders. The only part of him that looked uncertain was his eyes, and she knew it was only because they were locked on her. He was just as terrified of this conversation as she was. Somehow knowing that didn’t make it any easier to begin.
“You called?” Finn prompted with a smile that tightened her throat further. There was nothing in the world that could match Finn’s smile.
“I wanted to see if you would lie to my face twice, Finn.” Jala said softly her eyes intent on his every move. She pushed her emotions back further and forced herself to focus on everything she needed to say to him. Now wasn’t the time to be sentimental. It was time for truth. She hadn’t seen the lie the first time. There had been too much confusion in her mind and her thoughts had been too occupied with Jexon at that point, but after examining her memories over and over she could see it clearly. It had been too late by the time she had realized it though. Too much had already happened that she wouldn’t take back.
Finn seemed to deflate with her words and slouched back against the wall. His smile faded and he looked away from her for a long moment before shaking his head slowly. “There wouldn’t be much point to that now would there, Jala?” he met her gaze once more and she could see the pain written in his green eyes.