Icefire

by Alessandra Jay

  They stayed in a tight embrace for a while, until they heard Nik and Myreen re-enter the room. Myreen rushed forward herself and pulled Juliet in for their own hug that should have happened long ago. There was a thickness in the air that was filled with an appreciation that could only be felt after something crucial happened.

  “Nik told me what happened. I’m so glad you’re okay. Can we promise each other that we’ll make more time for one another?” Myreen disregarded the heaviness from the other people in the room, which was the balance that Juliet needed.

  “I’m grounded for the rest of my life, but yes, I would love to.” They both smiled through the tears that rolled down their faces.

  Juliet missed her friends and knew that she should have reached out before, but her mental health failed her. That was before Dr. Ember came to the Dome. Maybe now, with her help, Juliet could manage keeping herself stable and keeping her friendships healthy.

  For only a moment she felt discomfort, but then it was over just as fast. She gave her a sweet smile and tightened her hold on her healed hand before she stood to stand by Oberon.

  “Juliet, I want you to know that none of us are angry," Malachai said. "We're just disappointed that you thought you had to do that alone. Our plan was to send a team out to search for them, but you beat us to it. Instead, we had to send out a team to search for you. Please, don’t ever leave that way again. I don’t know what I would do if I lost you.” He helped Juliet to her feet as they all walked to stand in a closer circle.

  It was Oberon who spoke next. “Your detention begins the day after tomorrow. You have the day to gather your wits about you. Along with the daily check-ins, I’d like you to continue seeing Dr. Ember twice a week. Come by my office when you get a chance so we can get a report of the events. You will probably be hearing the students start up the rumor mill, but don’t pay attention to it. Come to me if anyone gives you a problem. I’m deeply gratified that you are safe and sound, both you and your father. The Dome just wouldn’t be the same without the Quinns.”

  Turning to leave, everyone but Malachi followed. Myreen and Nik made sure that she heard their lunch plans for the next day as they followed their director out to return to their rooms. Malachai leaned his heavy arm on Juliet’s shoulder as he led them toward her room.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” He showed more concern about her well-being than her mom ever did and it almost brought fresh tears to her already swollen eyes.

  “I’m fine. Knowing we’re all safe now helps.” Even then it came out as a whisper because she felt ashamed. They walked in silence until they reached her door, where they both lingered a moment too long.

  “From what Nik said, you really killed it out there. I’m so proud of you, hun. Don’t ever think that I’m not. Having you in my army is a privilege and I look forward to having you on our team. I love you…” The more she heard him say those words, the more it warmed her heart. Any shame she felt was gone and replaced with her father's pride. There was nothing that could beat that.

  Epilogue

  Find Yourself

  Two Weeks Later

  Since the day of Juliet’s first diagnosis from a therapist, she never thought she would be the same. Before then, she knew that she could have a better life. But after, she thought her broken brain fit in with the life her mother gave her. When her dad came back, she felt a relief and a weight lifted off of her mind. And yet, she was still a mess.

  That was, until she met Dr. Ember, the sweetest therapist a teenage girl could ask for. Juliet was lucky to have her as her doctor. She spoke to her on a common level, and that was the key to Juliet’s sanity. It was obvious that she would never find a permanent solution, but Dr. Ember had already gotten her close enough to a balance that worked.

  The sessions she shared with the doctor twice a week, plus the weekly lunch they had together, was a routine she didn’t know she needed. It brought her comfort knowing she had the doctor to lean on, knowing she was more than just her doctor. She was her friend, as well. What made Juliet even more grateful for her was that she also helped Malachai and Nik.

  Dr. Ember became a part of the Dome like a missing piece of a puzzle. Because of her, the air felt lighter. If it wasn’t for the doctor, Juliet would still be in an unhealthy mindset and have an out of control temper. Since then, her clumsiness had toned down and that was a blessing she would appreciate every day.

  Juliet’s schedule was completely full to the brim, but she needed the stability for the perfect balance she was in. Returning to her classes was the first thing she did. Closing herself off from the world was one of the unhealthy habits she was trying to fix. Keeping busy with classes was the easy part of her day because the daily military check-in that she was required to make was tough as nails.

  But she loved it.

  Training always put Juliet in a state of peace that was accompanied by a comfortable spike in her adrenaline. She always had her own routine and it was one she religiously followed. But the military had their own set and Juliet found a new love in them. They worked her to the bone and made her sweat like she was in the desert. And yet, she couldn’t wait for it every day.

  The spark in Malachai’s eyes whenever he saw her in that element was an added bonus. Their relationship was at its best, and she blamed it on all of the time they'd been spending together. He valued her and he wasn’t afraid to show it, thanks to Dr. Ember.

  Another person who loved to see her around the military quarters was Nik. They were on the same level of love that made the air thick whenever they were close to each other. Since they couldn’t show any affection during their time with the army, it brought them closer when they checked out.

  Nik and Juliet both benefited from the magical works of Dr. Ember because it opened their minds and hearts again to their friends. Their mental health affected their ability to be present around their friends, but with the doctor’s help they no longer had to hide. Juliet should have known that her friends would have been there for her. But it wasn’t about that. She couldn’t allow herself to be a blank void in their normal world.

  With her new mindset, she knew it wasn’t something she could blame herself for, but something she could try to fix. They were all there for support and she knew it, and that helped immensely. Bottling in her feelings wasn’t an option anymore if she wanted to stay healthy, so she took advantage of the people she was lucky to call her friends and she vented whenever she had to.

  It wasn’t until she was around her group of friends again that she realized just how much she missed them. Nik was reunited with Kol and Brett, and that alone brought a light back in his eyes. Juliet assumed the same thing happened to her when Myreen and Kenzie entered her life again. Both she and Nik made their mental health a top priority so they wouldn’t lose their friends again.

  There were so many things that Juliet newly admired and she was in a place where she could navigate through them on a clean and clear road. Learning the importance of love and support from her friends and the people in her life was an enormous breakthrough for her. The discovery of her own self and the ability to reach new heights with her ice and her fire was the true gain and Juliet couldn’t be more proud of her lineage and the powerful rewards it came with.

  Being a Quinn was her number one, bona fide victory.

  The End.