Merriweather's shop chimed brightly as Jax and Zee entered.
The fairy came twirling through the air like a glittering comet, humming to herself.
"Welcome back, my radiant little healer—oh! And Dragon Mystery Man returns!"
She clasped her cheeks dramatically.
"Is today the day you propose? Or are we finally founding a theater troupe?"
Zee flushed.
Jax laughed softly.
"Nothing quite that dramatic," he said. "Actually… I was hoping to ask a favor."
Merriweather hovered closer, curious.
Jax lowered his voice.
"I've acquired Transmutation."
Her wings froze mid-flutter.
"…You what?"
"I can blend material essence with enchantment," Jax continued gently. "But to do what I'm planning, I need two master artisans. You… and Brannic."
Merriweather gasped.
Then scowled.
"Absolutely not."
Zee blinked. "That was fast."
Merriweather crossed her arms.
"That man is a storm cloud with legs. I refuse to collaborate with Mister Hammer-Face McPermanent-Frown."
Jax nodded calmly.
"I understand."
"I do not like the way you said that," she replied suspiciously.
"Then," Jax smiled, "I'll try again tomorrow."
He bowed politely and turned toward the door.
Zee followed — though she glanced back at Merriweather, who was visibly torn between pride and curiosity.
Once outside, Jax checked the sky.
They still had hours of daylight.
He smiled at Zee.
"Well. I suppose we still have some time left in our… appointment."
Zee tilted her head.
"You mean… our date?"
Jax blinked.
"…This is a date?"
Her cheeks turned warm pink.
"It is now."
They picked up fresh bread, roasted meat, and fruit from street vendors, then left town through the northern gate, following a quiet trail into the shade of the forest.
They found a clearing overlooking a small rise of hills.
They spread their meal across a blanket.
They ate.
They talked.
They breathed in the peace.
For a time, it was quiet in the kind of way only a healer appreciated — like a still heartbeat.
Jax turned toward her.
"Zee… your magic focuses on others, right?"
She nodded. "My calling is to heal those in need."
"And yourself?"
She blinked.
"My… what?"
"Can you heal your own body?" he asked gently.
Zee hesitated.
"My duty is to others. Their pain comes first."
Jax shook his head.
"You are no good to anyone," he said softly, "if you collapse before them."
She went quiet.
Her hands curled in her lap.
The words lingered.
The system shimmered in front of Jax's eyes.
SYSTEM NOTIFICATIONLEARN HEALER ART — CHI CONTROL?
"Yes."
CONFIRM
He exhaled.
"Zee… may I show you something?"
She nodded.
He held a small blade.
He tried to cut his palm—
—and the blade barely scratched him.
He stared.
"Right. Uh. That… didn't work."
He squinted at his system.
ALLOW PERSONAL DAMAGE — MINOR EDGE WOUNDS?
"Yes."
CONFIRM
He nicked his skin.
Light glowed beneath his flesh — radiant threads sealing the injury at a visible pace.
Zee's eyes widened.
His magic shimmered like a living pulse.
"Your body," Jax said quietly, "can do the same. You just haven't been taught to turn your healing inward."
She swallowed.
"I don't… know how."
"Then I'll guide you."
He offered her the blade.
She breathed in, braced herself, and made a small controlled cut along her forearm.
The pain startled her — not severe, but sharp enough to break concentration.
Her first attempt fizzled.
She tried again.
Her magic fluttered uselessly.
Her brows tightened in frustration.
"I'm… sorry."
"You're doing fine," Jax said gently.
He moved behind her and sat close, steady and grounded.
His hand rested against her upper chest — above her heart, below her throat — a stabilizing point of warmth.
"Breathe," he whispered. "Focus here."
Her pulse hammered.
Her mind raced.
Every sensation suddenly felt loud.
She tried to think about magic.
About flow.
About alignment.
Nothing worked.
So Instead…
…she thought about him.
Close behind her.
Strong.
Steady.
Arms—
She swallowed.
Her face flushed deep crimson.
And somehow…
Her magic answered.
The wound closed.
Perfectly.
Her breath caught.
"…Oh."
She tried again.
She had to be sure.
Another small cut — another attempt at focus — another wave of heat and wildly inappropriate thoughts she absolutely should not be having—
The magic surged.
The healing strengthened.
Again.
Again.
Each time… faster.
Clearer.
More responsive.
Her heart pounded.
Her hands trembled.
And slowly… she began to realize something absolutely ridiculous and deeply unfair about herself.
The more scandalous her imagination became…
…the stronger her Chi aligned.
Zee stared at her now-healed arm in disbelief.
"I… think I've discovered a very specific spiritual catalyst," she whispered.
Jax blinked.
"Is it… working?"
She turned.
At some point during the exercise she'd shifted — now straddling his lap, facing him directly, eyes bright, breath unsteady, cheeks burning with life.
Her voice was soft.
Too honest.
"My inappropriate thoughts about you," she said breathlessly, "heal me."
Jax froze.
This was…
…not in any handbook.
Before he could respond, she leaned forward and kissed him.
There was nothing shy about it.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
No restraint.
It was intense and overwhelming and entirely unlike Llandra's gentle, fluttering moment of wonder.
This was hunger.
A spark that had been buried in silence…
…finally given permission to exist.
When she pulled back, she was smiling.
Calm.
Composed.
Dangerously serene.
"We should head back," she said lightly. "I need to prepare for dinner tonight."
Jax blinked.
"Y-yeah. Sure. Dinner."
She stood, straightened her dress, brushed back her hair…
…and walked with a quiet sway of confidence that had not been there that morning.
The shy librarian healer was gone.
Something new — something bold, mischievous, and terrifyingly alive — had taken her place.
And Jax realized, for the first time that day…
He might be in over his head.