Chapter 25: The Rejection

“Come on,” Jasper refuses to relinquish Eliana’s arm as they sprint through Windwill, pushing their way through the busy streets.
Eliana swallows through the burning in her chest from a mixture of exhaustion and fear. The other rebels that came to the aide of their comrade, are still behind them, shouting profanity in their direction.
“I can’t—” she gasps out, exhaustion taking hold.
Jasper glances back at her, perspiration building on his temples. He grits his teeth before yanking Eliana down a narrow path between the buildings.
The area is so small, the rough brick scrapes her arms as they run, turning right. She bites back her whimpers of pain.
“Here,” he growls, pushing her against an indent in one of the structure’s walls. He presses against her, his hands on either side of her head. He peeks his head out slightly, watching for the rebels. He swallows in order to control his labored breathing. “Why are they even here in Windwill with slaves? I thought Drein outlawed slavery years ago.”
“They did,” Eliana whispers. The weight pressing down on her as they approached the city now has a vice grip on her heart. “They are the rebels working with Climont to overthrow the King.”
Jasper looks down at her, his gaze quizzical and his hot breath on her cheeks.
Eliana is unable to hold back the soft gasp releasing from her throat that is caused by the shiver wracking her chest.
“Why do the citizens of Drein want to overthrow the royal house?”
“Because,” she is forced to pause as her mind goes hazy from his scent. “Uh, because they despise my—my King for outlawing both the Pivurlions and slavery. They made a majority of their money off forcing young Pivurlions who have not quite mastered shifting into doing their bidding.”
As the citizens mill about, the roar of the rebels subsiding, Jasper stares down at Eliana. Unable to hold the gaze for long, she looks down at his chest, heat exploding all over her body. A lump forms in her throat, causing her lungs to tighten and reject oxygen.
“Are you sure,” he pauses a moment, watching her, “That you want to go home? It is dangerous, especially if these rebels attack.”
Eliana forces her words out, “It is my only option.”
At the idea of going home, tears spring up, blurring her vision. She is unable to pinpoint the reason, though. Is it because Jasper will finally come to realize who she is?
Jasper moves a stray lock of Eliana’s golden hair behind her ear. The slight movement has her heart spasming and her hand moving up to touch his. He freezes, his face void of any emotion.
Memories of the last time they had been in a situation such as this, spiral out of control in Eliana’s mind. She opens her mouth to speak, but no words are uttered. In this moment, with vulnerability weighing heavy, she wants to ask about before; why it happened.
She wishes she could ask him why she feels this way.
Evyn’s words haunt her, though. Is she really willing to confirm, either way, Jasper’s feelings, only for him to leave her in the end?
Using every ounce of willpower, Eliana forces her hand back down to her side. She will not drag Jasper down any further than she already has. Releasing a trembling breath, Eliana presses herself further into the wall, putting space between their bodies.
Jasper watches her do so, his gaze darkening. As a pained snarl twitches in his lip, he looks around for any sign the rebels are still near.
Once the coast is clear, he quickly steps away and avoids eye contact.
Eliana’s heart rips from her chest. “Jasper,” her voice cracks as the words leave her mouth. What is she to ask? There is no point in questioning him about the kiss from before, and even if she wanted to, she must keep her distance from him.
Jasper shakes his head once, a furrow building in his brow, “I am sorry if I have caused any trouble with my actions. The adrenaline affects my mind and actions. You just happen to be the one closest each time.”
Tears move up through her body, tingling her nose, before she even realizes what he has said.
“Wait, is that his explanation for everything,” she wonders to herself.
How does the adrenaline affect so much of his actions? She clenches her hands into fists.
“So,” she swallows her burning pain, “It was all due to the excitement of the situation.”
He nods, “Yes, otherwise I would never think to lay a hand on you.”
A tear escapes her hold, but Eliana wipes it away before Jasper is able to see.
“I. . . understand.”
Pressing his lips harshly together, they pale to white. “Let’s find Evyn before the rebels do.”
Eliana is not able to respond, and almost forgets how to get her body to move. She is only able to stare at his broad shoulders as he walks away, her heart breaking with every step.
As they near the end of the small path and enter back into the main hub of the city, Eliana catches sight of a strange woman through the crowd. She reaches out instinctively for Jasper, touching his arm.
He jumps, his body pivoting toward her. Eliana holds the pain of his reaction at bay as her eyes continue to watch the strange figure. She wears a thin pair of pants and a shirt that is too short, exposing parts of her stomach.
Jasper follows her gaze, only to hiss and grab for Eliana’s arm. She moves too soon, though, following the woman as she wanders through the city.
There is a pull on Eliana’s chest, forcing her forward. Her mind is a blur, and she does not come to, until she is standing before the woman outside of a deserted building. There are no more citizens moving about around them.
Who is this woman?