Ch.14 Family

Chapter 14

"What are you doing?" Maya asked, eyeing the papers in Mirza's hands. "What is that?"

Mirza's eyes lowered to the paper in his hand and then back up to Maya.

"Where is he?" He asked, his voice low and threatening.

Before Maya could answer she felt Heyder's presence behind her. The heat off of his body warmed her back as Mirza shifted his attention.

"Welcome back," he smirked.

"Thank you for making my life so much easier and coming to my doorstep," Heyder inhaled. "I would have hated to lose any precious time with Maya to go searching for you."

The muscles in Mirza's jaw jumped. He looked at Maya and frowned.

"Did he kiss you?" He asked.

"Yes," Maya lied.

"Did he tell you what the result will be?" Mirza grew angry.

"Yes," Maya said once more. She felt Heyder lean against the door frame behind her as he played with her hair.

"Why did you let him kiss you?" Mirza raised his tone and Heyder raised his brow.

"He didn't kiss me," Maya said. "I kissed him."

What game are we playing, by the way? Heyder mind-linked Maya.

"Why would you do that?" Mirza threw the papers down onto the table and stood in front of Maya in irritation. "You and I could have had a full life. You are not meant to be with him! That's why it never works out. Maya, why?"

"There is no point in talking about any of that now," Maya shook her head. "I kissed him. My faith is already decided. Leave us alone. Heyder and I want nothing to do with you."

"You'll regret this," Mirza's eyes narrowed. "You always do."

"I never learn," Maya said.

Mirza's burning gaze loomed over Maya's face for a few more seconds before he looked to Heyder.

"What's all this?" he asked, gesturing to the papers on the table behind him.

"A mess," Heyder said.

"Don't play dumb with me," Mirza growled. "Why are you hunting the ophiotaurus?"

"It's none of your concern," Heyder let out a breath as he pushed off the door frame and walked around Maya. "Thank you for coming by. You heard the lady. Leave us alone. Now get out."

A wicked smile pulled across Mirza's face before, in a flash, his fist began to shimmer like flam as he swung at Heyder's face. Maya jumped in fright as Heyder's hand flew up and he caught his brother's forearm. He looked over his shoulder at Maya and shrugged.

"I asked him nicely, didn't I?" He said.

Before Maya could respond, Heyder hit Mirza with an uppercut to the chin. A heat wave blasted off of the contact and shook the structure of the house. Maya grabbed the door to keep herself stable as the floors beneath her shook. She only had a second to examine the ground before she heard Mirza snare. Snapping her eyes up, Maya caught Mirza ready to head bud his little brother.

She quickly swiped her hand through the air and summoned a shield in front of Heyder's face. Mirza's head collided with the forcefield and bounced back. Heyder took the momentary distraction to strike his opponent in the nose. The sicking sound of the bones crunching like cracked knuckles echoed through the room.

Mirza grabbed his nose and took a step back. Maya assumed he was going to wave his white flag when he surprised her by jumping up and kicking Heyder in the chest. The impact once again made the whole house shake. Out the window behind the Jinn, Maya could see the trees shaking as the blanket of snow on top of them fell to the ground.

"Stop it!" Maya yelled just as Heyder, regaining his footing, blasted his brother.

Mirza didn't take the hit too kindly. He roared in anger as he sent out a ray of electric shock. Heyder dodged the first one, but the second one sent him flying out into the hall. Maya screamed as her mate flew past her and slammed against the wall. She lunged forward but Mirza grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"Why are you looking for the ophiotaurus, Heyder?" Mirza demanded.

Maya tried to wiggle out of his grip but the more she tried, the tighter his hold became. She didn't know if she was imagining things but along with the strength of his hold, his skin was also heating up.

"You're coming after me, aren't you?" Mirza yelled.

"Not everything is about you," Heyder groaned as he got off the floor and brushed off his hands. Maya hadn't even realized when his piercing brown eyes had switched to glowing silver amidst all the chaos.

"Let her go, Mirza," Heyder's jaw tensed as his glowing eyes landed on his brother gripping onto Maya's arm. "I heard she's vicious and scary."

"First you tell me why you ar-"

Before Mirza could finish, Heyder had the heavy brass clock fly off the wall and crash against the jinn's head. Maya heard the loud bang and the crunch of metal as she flinched away. She looked over her shoulder and spotted a coat of magic shielding her as Heyder hit his brother over and over with electric shock, energy blasts, and fire.

Overwhelmed by the Heyder's furry, Mirza dropped Maya's arm. But instead of running back to Heyder, Maya turned around in her spot and kicked Mirza's knee as hard as she could. The jinn's leg buckled before he dropped to the floor on his knees. Maya grabbed a fist full of his dark curls and pulled his head forward as she brought her knee up to meet his already broken nose.

Mirza screamed in pain and fell over onto his side. Maya bent down and grabbed his hair once more. She pulled his head up and slammed it onto the floor twice before she stood back up and kicked his ribs.

Heyder appeared beside her with his palms glowing a radiant blue. He aimed them at his brother on the floor and blasted out his magic. But in a blink of an eye, Mirza vanished from the floor leaving behind nothing but a small pile of blood.

"Where did he go?" Maya asked in shock.

"Wherever he hides after I kick his ass every time," Heyder said as he lowered his hands and they returned to their normal self. He turned around and looked at Maya. His silver eyes slowly began to fade back to their dark chocolate. "You did good, birdie."

"You weren't too bad yourself either," Maya pushed her messy hair out of her face. She placed her hands on her hips as her heart beat in her throat. She looked around at the scattered paperwork all over the room and then back at the spot Mirza had been laying on.

Heyder followed her eyes before they came back to rest on her frame. His eyes landed on her arm and an annoyed look crossed his face. Maya shifted her eyes to see what he was staring at when she noticed that the sleeve of her sweater where Mirza had been holding her burned off. Her skin underneath showed angry red burn marks that were an exact mark of Mirza's hand.

"That bastard," Heyder mumbled under his breath as he took a small step forward and lifted Maya's arm for a better look. "Does it hurt?"

"I didn't even feel it until I saw," Maya said as she examined her arm.

Heyder sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. The air beside them shimmered as a large portal appeared. Maya looked over to her mate in confusion.

"You're grandma or your mom will know how to heal that quickly," Heyder said as he took a step closer to the portal with Maya.

"I don't want to go back," Maya protested. Her heart wilted at the thought of having to cut her night with Heyder short. "You said I can stay for one night, remember?"

"You need medical attention," Heyder reminded her.

"It's a minor burn! I can heal it myself," Maya said, stepping away from the portal. "You can heal it!"

"Maya," Heyder groaned. "Stop being so difficult."

"You stop trying to get rid of me!" Maya pushed his hand off her arm as she walked around the portal and headed down to the kitchen. As she got closer to the stairs, she heard Heyder's heavy steps behind her.

"What kind of useless witch would I be if I couldn't heal a small burn?" She glared as she walked to the bridge and grabbed the ice tray. As Heyder watched, Maya threw the ice tray into the sink and all the ice cubes popped out. She grabbed a kitchen towel and put a hand pull of cubes into it before pulling her sweater off over her head.

Heyder took a step forward as Maya tossed her burnt sweater aside and placed the sack of ice on her arm. He reached out and took the towel from her hand and placed it around her injuries correctly. Maya kept her eyes lowered as her cheeks heat up in anger.

Heyder couldn't help the smile on his lips as he hooked his arm around her waist and pulled her onto the counter top like before. Maya scooted back and made herself comfortable as he tossed the ice back into the sink.

"Why did you lie to him?" Heyder asked as he wrapped his arm around Maya's burnt skin.

"I..." Maya opened her mouth as a feeling of bliss fell over her. She felt her muscles relax and her skin tingle as her heart sighed with joy. The feeling was oddly familiar.

"Did you heal me that day in the throne room?" She asked, looking up at Heyder.

"Yes," Heyder searched her blue eyes. "I could have had you up and running in a few minutes if your family didn't interrupt."

"I didn't know Jinns could heal."

"We try not to tell the world,"

"Why not?"

"We're selfish beings, Birdie," Heyder lifted his arm to see if the marks had healed. When he wasn't satisfied, he placed his hand back. "When we heal, we give away some of our strength...... permanently."

Maya's eyes snapped up to her mate. His face was focused on her arm as a small v shape formed in between his brows.

"But you healed me," Maya said. "Two times now."

"Yes," Heyder said.

"Why?"

Heyder's eyes flickered up, "What a dumb question."

"You're using up your strength,"

"For you," Heyder said as if it was no big deal. "What else would I need this for?"

Maya's heart stumbled as it forgot how to beat properly for a few seconds. She reached out and placed and placed her god hand against his cheek and leaned forward. Heyder tensed under her touch, holding his breath. Maya carefully moved closer and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Heyder let go of the breath he was holding and removed his hand from her arm. Maya looked down and examined her skin.

"Good as new," Heyder said. He tried to take a step back, but Maya held onto his hand and didn't let him move. Heyder's eyes fell down to his forearm where Maya was tracing his tattoos.

"Cherry blossom?" She asked as she traced the branch that wrapped around his forearm. "For Fiza?"

Heyder nodded, keeping his eyes locked on Maya's fingers. The wave of energy that passed between them could have set a whole village on fire.

"Was she your first love?" Maya asked.

"Technically, you are her too."

"So that's a yes," Maya's lips pulled back into a small smile.

"I didn't say that,"

"When you can't lie, you don't give a straight forward."

"Observant, aren't we?" Heyder chuckled.

"Why this one?" Maya tapped on the scattered diamonds above the cherry blossoms.

"Diana's birth stone."

"And this?" Maya traced the wings of the hummingbird on his bicep.

"The little birdie,"

"For Willow," Maya smiled.

"Yes."

"Are all of these for me?" Maya asked, running her hands up and down his arms.

"Yes," Heyder sighed, savoring her touch.

"Where do you get one for Maya?"

"Wherever you want me. Or wherever I have an empty spot."

"I have a tattoo too," Maya shared.

Heyder's eyes opened as he looked up, "Do you?"

"Yes," Maya laughed. She began to push up Heyder's shirt to reveal the feather tattoo over his heart. The one she had watched Willow put on him. Once her heart was somewhat content, Maya pulled her left leg up and rolled up her jeans around her ankle. Heyder lifted his hand off the counter and traced the words that wrapped around Maya's ankle.

"Light as a feather," he read the words as Maya's favorite half smile appeared on his lips. "When did you get this?"

"On my 18th birthday," Maya tried to lower her leg but Heyder held onto her ankle. His thumb rubbed circles over her skin as goosebumps rose all over her.

"You didn't answer my question yet," Heyder said looking into his mate's eyes.

"Which question?"

"Why did you tell Mirza we kissed?"

Maya sighed before raising her shoulders, "I figured he would leave us alone if he thought the curse already started."

"Not a bad move," Heyder tucked a few baby hairs away from Maya's face. "You really are vicious and scary. I thought you were going to crush his skull."

"I would have if he kept attacking you," Maya frowned. "My daddy didn't raise no damsel in distress."

"You daddy hates me."

"He wants to meet you."

"To lock me away again?"

"No, no," Maya shook her head. "They know about us. Paws said they wouldn't interfere in my decisions. But they want to meet you formally as my mate."

"Just like that?"

"What do you mean?"

"They will forgive me for everything I did just like that?"

"Well.....yeah," Maya said slowly.

"And you believe them?"

"Of course. They wouldn't lie to me," Maya frowned. "I know my family."

Heyder huffed as he shook his head, "Trust me, there's a lot you don't know about your family."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Heyder pushed away from the counter and picked up the knife from the sink. Maya waited for him to answer but he turned his attention away to the vegetables he had left behind and went back to chopping.

"Heyder," Maya watched him closely. "My parents are serious about meeting you."

"I have no intention of meeting them," Heyder said calmly as he diced up some garlic.

"Why not?" Maya hopped off the counter.

"Grab the pan from the shelf," Heyder pointed to the cupboard with the knife in his hand.

"I have no intention of getting it," Maya folded her arms over her chest.

Heyder laughed as he sat the knife down and got the pot out himself. Maya glared at him as he ignored her and carried on with his cooking.

"Tomorrow we are going to go see my parents," she said as he pushed the stuffed peppers into the oven.

"I have other plans,"

"What other plans?" Maya grew frustrated. "This is important, Heyder."

"Not really."

"It's very important," Maya stomped her feet. "I want them to meet you and I want all this negative energy gone. My family and you are very important to me. I can't have the two sides fighting."

"I'm not fighting," Heyder leaned against the sink. "Trust me, they wouldn't last a fight with me. I'm just taking the higher road and walking away."

"Are you threatening my family?" Maya narrowed her eyes.

"If that's the direction you want to go in."

"What is wrong with you?" Maya yelled. "I'm not asking for the world. All I'm asking is that you come meet them. For one day."

"No," Heyder shook his head.

"Why not?" Maya demanded. "This is important to me. You can't do this for me?"

"No," Heyder said once more.

"Stop being so stubborn!"

"Stop being so loud," Heyder put his finger in his ear and shook it.

"Heyder," Maya took a deep breath and stepped closer. "Please, help me understand. Why are you saying no?"

"There is nothing to understand. I don't like them so I don't want to see them."

Maya didn't know what else to say. She wanted to scream and yell like a child and demanded he go with her. But the hard look in the jinn's eyes were as solid as the ice outside the window. Overwhelmed with emotion and frustration, Maya turned on her heels and walked out of the kitchen.

"Maya," Heyder sighed, calling out to her.

Maya didn't stop. She huffed and puffed all the way upstairs and entered the messy room they had just fought Mirza a few minutes ago. She left the door wide open as she walked over to the brown leather sofa and plopped down. The lack of fire in the fireplace made Maya shiver in the cold in her tank top and jeans. She waved her hand and moved a log into the stone pit and lit it on fire with a quick spell. Once done, she grabbed the small blanket from the back of the sofa and wrapped it around herself.

Maya's eyes watched the flames dance as she took long deep breaths. She didn't understand why Heyder was being so difficult. Yes, he had every right to be upset at her family for keeping him locked up for so long but hadn't he let Sofia capture in willingly? He could have easily fought them off, but he didn't. So how was it her parent's fault. And what did he mean she didn't know her family?

Like the burning log, Maya's anger consumed her thoughts. When she felt her mind-link open, she pulled the blanket closer and frowned.

Dinner is ready, Heyder informed her.

Bon appetit, Maya replied.

Come downstairs, Maya.

I'm not hungry.

Aren't you a bit too old for a hunger strike?

Maya pushed him out of her head and closed off her link. She kicked the blanket out and covered her legs as she lowered herself and placed her head on the small throw pillow. The warm air and the howling wind outside played an eerie symphony as Maya dwelled in her bitterness. She felt her eyelids grow heavy from sleep as her tired body began to relax on the soft couch. It wasn't long before she drifted off to sleep with the warm glow of the fire reflecting on her face.

Maya's mind moved in and out of consciousness as she tried to fight off the sleep in her eyes. She thought she felt something touch her hair but she couldn't wake herself. Her stomach rumbled with hunger as her nose picked up the delicious scent of the peppers Heyder had been cooking. Briefly for a split second, Maya's eyes fluttered open and she thought she saw Heyder sitting beside her. But it was too quick to tell as she got pulled back under the blanket of sleep.

After some time, as the room grew too warm, Maya became uncomfortable. She fought against the strange sleep and fluttered her eyes open. Instantly, as Maya lifted her head up, her heart jumped in fright. She spotted the tall figure leaned over the table and feared Mirza was back.

But at the sound of her little gasp, Heyder looked over his shoulder to where Maya laid on the sofa. Her hair had come undone from the bun and the careless waves fell over her shoulder and around her face. Her cheeks were stained red from the heat and her eyes were frightened and confused. Heyder didn't say anything as he turned away to look at the papers on the floor. His head almost turned back to look at the glorious girl behind him but he stopped himself before he could get distracted again.

Maya pushed herself and sat up. She looked around in confusion at the dark sky outside and the neat floors. Heyder had picked up all the papers and broken clock pieces. Even Mirza's blood was gone. Maya threw the blanket off of herself and stood up. Her legs felt like jello as she tried to pull up her pants and adjust her shirt. She looked around and for the first time noticed all the paintings in the room.

There was a large portrait of Fiza hanging over the fireplace. She was in her red wedding dress, sitting on the steps of a pond with lilies floating around. On the other side of the wall was a portrait of Diana holding a flower crown as someone tied her pointy ballet slippers. Maya stood in her spot and turned to examine all the paintings in the room one by one.

Willow saw in a field of daisies with a small dog on her lap. Her long luscious black hair was tucked under a sunhat and the straps of her dress were falling off her shoulder. Next to her was the framed portrait of Theodora. She was perched on a small rock looking out to the sea. As Maya scanned each painting over and over again, she felt Heyder watching her.

"Who made these?" She asked, not looking at him.

"I did," Heyder said.

"I didn't know you pain,"

"There's a lot you don't know about me."

"According to you, I don't know anything about my life," Maya snorted.

"Do you want to eat now?"

"No," Maya walked over to the table where all the papers were neatly spread out. "What is all this?"

Heyder didn't speak. He observed her from where he leaned against the table with his arms folded over his chest.

"The ophiotaurus," Maya read from one of the pages. "Half bull and half serpent...... Why are you looking for this?"

"I need to find it for someone," Heyder said.

"Who?"

"Don't worry about it."

"Is it related to the curse?"

"Maybe."

Maya suddenly gave a short laugh as she shook her head, "And you tell me I don't know anything about you. I wonder why."

"I only tell you things you need to worry about," Heyder stated.

"Then maybe I should do the same too," Maya muttered as she read the other papers. "Have you changed your mind about my parents?"

"No."

Maya sighed, "Heyder, please. I'm begging you.....just one hour. That's all I'm asking."

"I can't afford to lose an hour over dumb shit," Heyder got up from the table. "I have my work cut out for me."

"It's not dumb shit," Maya felt her heart hurt. "It's my family. It's important to me."

"Then you go," Heyder shrugged. "No one is stopping you."

"You're unbelievable," Maya shook her head. She put the paper back where she had found it and stepped away. She had expected Heyder to follow her or at least stop her. But a wave of disappointment hit her as he turned his focus into the research in front of him.

Maya lowered herself to take a seat on the sofa as she studied the jinn. He was a mean stubborn son of a bitch. Maya knew it would be next to impossible to change his mind in a sane way. She had to start thinking like him.

"Heyder...." Maya quietly called to him after some time of watching him ignore her. "I'm hungry."

"I bought you dinner," Heyder said as he pointed to the covered plate on the little side table.

"It's cold," Maya frowned. "Can you please heat it up?"

Heyder dropped the pen he was holding and ran a hand through his hair. He walked over to the table and took the plate.

"Thank you," Maya said quietly as she watched him walk out of the room.

As soon as she heard his footsteps on the stairs, Maya leaped up and combined all the different piles of paper on the table. She grabbed them with one hand as she summoned a portal with the other. Without wasting a single second, Maya jumped through and closed the portal.

When she materialized in her room, Maya safely tucked the paperwork into her nightstand drawer and sighed. She collapsed onto her bed as her little heart whined and complained. She wondered how mad Heyder would be.

Maya's curious mind didn't have to wait for long as she felt her mind-link open a minute later.

Where are you? Heyder demanded.

You said to leave, so I did.

You took my stuff.

Oh did I? Silly me.

This is some serious bullshit, Maya. Return my work.

You want it? Then come and get it. You know where I live.

<3