Ch.24 Never be Enough

Chapter 24

"Another one?" Margo asked as she held up a small green shot.

"Should you even be drinking?" Maya scrunched up her nose as she sat by the beach side bar. "You're like....12."

"Ew, Maya, please," Ali shivered. "Don't put disturbing images in my head."

Margo gave a carefree laugh as she leaned against the jinn and took the shot. Ali watched her with admiration as if she just won a gold medal.

"She's 19!" Maya said. "She's underage."

"Mortal alcohol does nothing," Margo shrugged. "I'm not doing any harm."

"Last one, okay?" Ali said as the mermaid picked up another green shot off the stable in front of her.

"Only if you ask nicely," Margo batted her lashes.

"Darling, you'll be the death of me," Ali sighed. "Please no more drinks."

"Okay," Margo passed the little glass to Maya.

"I need like....twenty of these," Maya groaned. "Or some pixie brew."

"No, Pixie brew for you," Ali shook his head as Margo sat down on his leg. "I know you are upset, but I have no energy to deal with you drunk."

"You used to be more fun," Maya teased.

"My bachelor days are gone," Ali said, pulling Margo closer. "I am now an honest man looking to settle down and start a family."

"With two kids and a husky?" Margo asked.

"A house by the ocean. Stairs on the back patio that leads directly to the beach," Ali grinned.

"I would like that very much," Margo nodded.

"Hello!" Maya hit the wooden bar. "I am heartbroken here."

"Sorry, sorry," Ali turned to the witch.

"I'm surprised he isn't here for you yet," Margo frowned. "If Ali didn't come after me, I would have him chained with electric eels."

"He's probably too busy taking care of his Fiza," Maya snorted before she placed her head down on the table.

"I hate seeing you like this," Margo rubbed her back. "This is not Maya Dorin."

"I love that idiot," Maya sighed.

"Yes, but where is the girl I looked up to as a little kid that used to date all those hot boys? OH! Remember Harry Hammermill? He was so hot!"

Maya picked her head up, "He was hot. Nice ass too."

"He was crazy about you!" Margo said. "Why can't Heyder be like that?"

"Because he's a fuckin' idiot," Maya shook her head.

"I've known him since the dawn of my birth," Ali frowned. "This is the first time I really want to break his bones."

"I just don't know what to do anymore," Maya sighed as she placed her head back on the bar. "I don't even understand what is happening."

"It's not fair to you,"Margo shook her head with disapproval. "Did you notice the way his voice changed when he was talking to Fiza? What the hell was that? He barks at you but with her it's as if he's talking to the queen of England."

"He always does that," Maya looked out at the dark ocean. The sun had sat a long time ago and the ocean breeze was cool and refreshing. Little tiki lights lit up the beach as people carried on the nonstop party.

A deep frown formed on Margo's face as she watched Maya stare at the waves. She felt Ali placed a quick kiss below her ear before he whispered.

"I'll go for a walk. Maybe some girl talk will help."

Margo nodded her head as she got off his lap. Maya watched Ali walk away casually as Margo took the seat he was occupying.

"I think you should go home," she said.

"I can't," Maya sighed. "I have to find the stupid ophiotaurus."

"He can find it on his own!" Margo snapped. "If he cares about you, he will get his shit together. Walk away and show him what he's missing out on."

"It's complicated,"

"How?"

"Margo," Maya sighed once more. "Do you think I haven't thought about leaving? Do you think I like watching him with her?"

"Then why are you not leaving?" Margo asked in confusion.

"Because I can't," Maya frowned. "I love him and love is worth fighting for. Every time I think about leaving, it's like I forget how to breathe."

"But baby," Margo took Maya's hand. "You don't deserve this."

"I know," Maya nodded. "But every dark night had a morning right?"

The girls fell into a silence. Maya moved her eyes back to the ocean as she saw flashes of Mirza in her mind. She felt her skin charge with electricity as the image of the jinn's smoking arm made her shiver.

How had that happened? Maya wondered. She knew her magic, even her mother's magic, could never be enough to harm a jinn. Yet, just a few hours ago, Maya had burned Mirza.

"You need to do what Fiza is doing," Margo suddenly said.

"What?" Maya asked, looking at the girl.

"She always has him around her, if she's the only thing in front of his eyes then of course it's all he will think about. I'm sure your dates are pushed to the back of his mind."

Maya suddenly frowned, "Dates?"

"Yeah...." Margo said. She paused for a few seconds before realization hit her. "You and Heyder have been on dates.....correct?"

"We haven't had time," Maya felt her heart wilt like a flower. "Since day one, it's been none stop fight."

"Oh...." Margo frowned.

"What?" Maya raised a brow.

"Nothing," the young girl shook her head.

"Spill it, fishtails," Maya pinned the girl under her eyes.

Margo let out a dramatic breath as she looked around the beach and then at the witch beside her.

"What moments do you and Heyder have between you two?" She asked. "He probably has tons of memories of Fiza. What has he got with you? Fights and arguments?"

"Well, is that my fault?" Maya snapped.

"No! Of course, not," Margo shook her head. "I'm just saying that maybe you two need more alone time. Not to fight or kill each other, but to work on your relationship."

"There's too much going on for that right now," Maya looked away. "There's no time."

"Make time!" Margo grabbed Maya's shoulders. "Show him how incredible you are. Get him wrapped around your finger."

"Thanks, Margo," Maya slowly rose from her seat. "But I don't think that will help."

"What won't help?" Ali asked as he walked back towards the girls.

"Some alone time with Heyder," Margo said. "Is there any place he likes to go or anything he likes to do?"

"I don't know," Ali shrugged. "Just the New York Apartment."

"What's that?" Maya asked, curiously.

"He bought an apartment a few years ago. It's completely empty. He says he likes the sunrise from there."

"Maybe go watch the sunrise with him," Margo turned to Maya.

"I'm going to bed," Maya said. "Good night you two."

"Maya, listen you hav-"

"Ali, take care of your woman," Maya laughed as she moved away. "Take her swimming or something."

"Come, baby," Ali tugged at Margo's hand.

"One second," Margo said. "Maya, you need to mark your territory in his mind."

"Go mark Ali's territory. By the way did he tell you about Geet?"

"Goes Geet?" Margo whirled around to face the jinn.

"Nice going," Ali said to Maya looking over his mate's shoulder.

Maya laughed as she hurried up the skinny boardwalk and into the hotel. She grabbed her key card from the front desk before heading upstairs. Once in the grand suit, she asked the maid to draw her a bath as she stripped off her sand covered dress and black bikini.

"Thank you," Maya said as she wrapped a towel around herself. "That will be all."

The maid polity bowed her head before she slipped out of the room. Maya dropped her towel and climbed into the tub. The water was warm and filled with bubbles as she sank in and exhaled.

Leaning her head back, Maya started to think about what Margo had suggested. She closed her eyes and tried to think of when her and Heyder really had any chance to be alone. It irritated her when she realized it was the day she went looking for him. He had made dinner for her and fed her peppers on the kitchen counter.

Maya slipped into the tub a little more as her heart started to hurt. Was that really all the memories he had of her in his mind?

For the rest of the night, Maya tossed and turned in her bed. She stared out at the star filled skies outside and counted as many as she could in hopes that sleep will come to her soon. But all she kept thinking about was Heyder.

The next morning, Ali and Margo were cuddling by the poolside when Maya walked up to the couple. Ali looked up with a smile as he took his shades off.

"Where is this apartment?" Maya asked.

__________________________

Heyder stood leaned over the table in the study as his eyes scanned the blueprints of Arion's palace. He used little red circles to mark off all the areas the Dorins had their guards posted and blue circles for the pixies. It was an intricate maze, with one possible route to the vault.

"Heyder," Maya's voice came from the door. She took in a deep breath as Heyder turned to look at her over his shoulder. A small smile appeared on her lips as she watched him do a double take. Heyder slowly turned away from the map as his eyes moved over Maya's body.

She wore a red dress that fitted against her skin like a glove. It wasn't tight at all, but the fit was like a second skin. The curves of her hips were like an hourglass and her long legs in high heels made her look ready for a red carpet. Her hair was pulled back into a slick bun and her red lips were plump and juicy.

"Hi," Maya smiled. She slowly walked into the room and stopped right in front of the jinn.

"What are you up to?" Heyder raised a brow.

"Come with me," Maya said, taking his hand.

Heyder let her lead him through the portal without hesitation. He didn't know what he was expecting but when they appeared in his New York apartment, he was momentarily stunned. The night sky outside was pitch black, all the stars drowned out by the light below. The empty apartment was lit up with the lights of a thousand candles.

Heyder looked around at all the candles and flowers. Maya let go of his hand and walked to the center of the place.

"What's all this?" Heyder asked.

"I'm taking you out on a date," Maya said. "We haven't been getting along too well and I want to work on it. I thought we could use some alone time."

"Who told you about this place?" Heyder chuckled as he looked around again.

"It doesn't matter," Maya held out her hand. "It's just us."

Heyder slowly pulled Maya into his arms. Somewhere in the room, a slow love song started to play. Maya smiled as Heyder raised a brow.

"I hate dancing," Heyder said as he began to sway with Maya.

"But you are so good at it," Maya said as the jinn dipped her over his arm.

"I didn't say I was bad," Heyder pulled her up. Their eyes locked and her pupils dilated right in front of his eyes.

"What is it?" Maya asked, dropping her voice.

"I'm sorry," Heyder scanned her eyes. "For everything I said yesterday."

"I'm sorry too," Maya placed her head on his shoulder.

"This is nice."

"It is," Maya sighed. Heyder wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. She let him lead her through the dance as she said on his shoulder.

"I'm surprised you actually came along," Maya confessed after sometime. "I thought I had to drag you in here."

"I missed you," Heyder kissed the top of Maya's head. "Of course, I would come."

"You missed me?" Maya lifted her head to look at his eyes.

"Yes," Heyder said. "Very much."

"Then why didn't you come get me?"

Heyder let out a breath before shrugging, "I'm too stubborn for my own good. And I thought you would blast my ass again if I showed up."

"I probably would have," Maya smirked.

"That hurt by the way,"

"Did it?" Maya raised a brow.

"Yes. Very much," Heyder chuckled. "What have you been juicing on?"

For a split second the image of Mirza's burnt arm flashed behind Maya's eyes. She bit down on her lips as her feet stopped moving.

"Where were you?" Heyder asked as he moved his hand up her back before undoing her bun.

"At the beach," Maya said, shaking out her hair.

"Did you have fun?"

"No,"

"Why not?"

"Because we just had a fight," Maya frowned. Even though they were the only ones in the apartment, their voices were barely above a whisper. Maya's words caused an identical frown to appear on Heyder's lips.

"I'm an ass to you, aren't I?"

Maya looked away. She didn't want to lie to him but she didn't want to sour their moods. She took a step back and cleared her throat.

"I have another surprise for you," she said.

"Is it my birthday today or something?" Heyder laughed.

Maya led him through the living room before they arrived at the paint station she had set up. She picked up two brushes and turned to face Heyder.

"Ta-da!" she laughed. "When was the last time you painted something?"

"I don't remember," Heyder watched her with a look of joy in his eyes. He couldn't stop smiling as she handed him the brush and pushed him towards the large white canvas.

"What are you going to paint?" He asked her as he prepared himself.

"Maybe a giraffe," Maya shrugged. "But like just the head and the neck. What about you?"

"I don't know yet," Heyder. Maya watched him hip his brush into the black pain and smear it all over the canvas. He felt her watching and turned his art work away.

"What are you drawing?" She asked.

"You'll see," Heyder smirked.

Maya eyed him suspiciously as she dipped her paintbrush into some brown. As she worked on her giraffe, she tried to sneak peaks at Heyder's work, but he wouldn't let her see. Maya didn't mind at all because she was too busy watching him.

As time passed, the speed at which the jinn worked slowly increased. It was as if he was racing against his own mind. His fingers and hands moving faster then he could keep up. His black shirt slowly started to fill with pain as he wiped his fingers on his clothes. His brown eyes were focused so hard, Maya feared the painting might jump out of the canvas.

"Can I see now?" she asked as she added the last few spots on her giraffe.

"Not yet, sweet baby," Heyder said as he concentrated with a skinny fine tip brush.

"What do you want for dinner?"

"You're cooking?" Heyder looked around his canvas.

"No," Maya laughed. "We live in the wonderful time of take outs and Uber Eats."

Heyder chuckled as he went back to work.

"What would you like?" Maya asked again as she pulled out her phone.

"Whatever you want,"

"Sushi?"

"Yeah, I don't care."

"Perfect," Maya quickly typed in her order and tossed the phone onto the paint table. She slipped off her heels and while Heyder was distracted she hurried over to his side and turned to look at the painting.

"No!" Heyder grabbed her waist, but it was too late. Maya had seen what he was working on and she was left breathless.

It felt as if it was a scene out of a sweet dream. Maya sat on the railing of a balcony. Her light hair was flying in the wind and her feet pulled up as if she was afraid of the water leaping up at her from the bottom.

The painting was incomplete. Chucks of the scene missing. But it wasn't hard to tell where Heyder had gotten his inspiration from.

"Do you like it?" He whispered into Maya's ear from behind her.

"Yes...." Maya nodded her head, unable to take her eyes off the canvas.

She felt Heyder slip a paint brush into her hand before he took her hand and brought it up to the paining.

"I'm going to mess it up," Maya tried to pull her hand back.

"Stay with me," Heyder stopped her. His free hand gripped her hips as he urged their hand holding the brush forward. Maya held her breath as the tip of the brush moved over the canvas and added a strand of golden locks on the girl in the picture.

Heyder held Maya's hand as he moved her over to dip the brush into some more paint. She felt how breathless she was as he slowly worked with her in his arms. His hand moved up her sides and down her arms, making her shiver. Her trembling hand caused the brush to shake as they painted the vines around the balcony railing. Heyder moved her hair aside and brushed his lips over her shoulders. Maya immediately dropped her hand and the paint brush bounced off the hardwood floors.

She was about to turn around in his arm and pull him closer when there was suddenly a knock at the door.

"Food is here," Maya cleared her throat. She shook her head out of the thick haze and moved away from Heyder's arms just as there was another knock.

"Just a minute!" she called to the man outside as Heyder kept his gaze locked with her.

Maya backed away until she found the strength to turn and walk to the door. She felt Heyder's gaze burn the back of her neck as she turned the doorknob and took the bag of food. She barely had time to thank the man and hand him his tip when Heyder flashed behind her and shut the door. He took the food out of her hand and had it fly over to the table as he backed Maya up against the door.

Maya stood staring at him as he lowered his head to her cheek. She gripped the fabric of her dress as Heyder pressed a kiss on her. He began to slowly leave a trail along her jawline and then down her neck. Maya moved her hands up his paint and tattoo covered arms before they found their way into his hair. She tugged at it as she pulled herself closer to him.

Heyder's hands landed on her perfectly round behind. He spread his palm over before giving it a squeeze.

"I love this dress," he whispered into her ear.

"But you can rip it off, I don't care," Maya bit down on his ear lobe. She felt Heyder's arms wrap around her as he lifted her off the floor and transported them to the kitchen island.

"Tell me to stop," Heyder suddenly begged her.

"No...." Maya said breathlessly as she pulled him closer.

"Birdie," Heyder groaned.

Maya knew stopping was the right thing to do. But god damn, did she want him. The pressure that had built up in her was making her think all sorts of crazy things.

With great difficulty, Maya removed her hand from Heyder's hair. She leaned back on the counter and tried to slow her ragged breaths. Heyder placed his head on her shoulder and he too tried to catch his breath.

"I can't be alone around you," he said after a long pause.

"Why not?" Maya asked.

Heyder slowly lifted his head and looked into her eyes. He raised his hand and brought it to her face. Maya shivered as he pulled her closer.

"Because when I'm alone with you, all I think about is how I want to bend you over or have your legs up in the air."

"So then bend me over," Maya turned her face and placed a kiss on the inside of his palm.

"You want that?" Heyder asked, completely hypnotised by how Maya's lips moved until she had his thumb in her mouth. Very important parts of his body became all worked up as her sweet tongue licked his finger. Her eyes were locked on his as she held his hand with his thumb in her mouth.

"You are like nothing I've ever known before," Heyder said.

Maya released his thumb but not before playfully biting it. She laughed as she raised her leg and placed her feet at the center of his chest. Heyder's hands immediately gripped her angle as he traced her tattoo. Maya was about to pull away when he lowered his lips and placed a kiss on her ankle.

"Light as a feather," he smirked.

Maya took in a deep breath, "Are you hungry?"

"Starving," Heyder smiled mischievously. "I can eat a whole Princess."

Maya felt her tights press tightly together from his words. Even fully dressed, she felt completely exposed under his gaze.

"We're so sorry, but the princess is not on the menu tonight," Maya teased.

"I can put her on the menu," Heyder leaned forward. "I can have her ready for dinner on the table in seconds. I bet she would taste extra delicious with a red glaze over her."

Maya wasn't one to blush easily, but as Heyder spoke she felt her cheeks heat up. She knew she was the same shade as her dress and probably the same shade as the red glaze he was imagining her in.

"How do you like your prince, sir?" Maya said breathlessly.

"Wet," Heyder smirked.

His blunt answer made Maya jump out of her skin. She couldn't hide the laugh that bubbled out of her and Heyder couldn't take his eyes off of her as she threw her head back and laughed.

"I'm so hungry, Maya," Heyder groaned as he ran his nose along the side of her face. Maya shivered before she pushed him back and jumped off the counter. Heyder moved back to her like a magnet and pulled her to his chest. He stood behind her with his arms wrapped around her waist as she took the food out of the delivery bag.

"Edamame?" Maya asked as she held up a green pod. Heyder opened his mouth as she let him pull the little seeds out.

"What else did you get?" he asked, kissing her ear.

Maya sneakily dipped her finger in the wassabi and then held it up. She was surprised when Heyder pulled her finger into his found and licked it clean.

"Did you forget I actually like spicy things?" He smiled into her ear. "It would explain why I'm so addicted to you."

Maya tried to bump him with her behind but her actions had another course of their own. Heyder's hands shot to her hips as his fingers dug in. He held her tightly against his hard body as he tried to move himself away. Maya was about to turn round and suggest ways for her to help when the phone in his pocket rang to life.

"Don't pick up," Maya said quickly, scared the spell they created might break.

"I won't," Heyder said but as he looked down he saw the name flash across the screen.

Fiza.

"No," Maya frowned. "Don't pick it up."

Heyder hesitated. His finger hovered over the screen as he looked up at Maya. she shook her head again with a deep frown.

"I'll be really quick," Heyder suddenly said as he hit accept.

"Heyder!" Maya tried to grab his arm to keep him from walking off but he was already out of reach.

"Just a second, birdie," Heyder said over his shoulder as he moved to the floor to ceiling glass windows.

Maya felt completely and utterly dumbstruck as she stood in the kitchen staring at the Jinn. She felt her hands ball into fist. Heyder paced the floor as he listened to whatever the dumb girl was saying. His eyes flickered to Maya with worry every now and then before he sighed and shut his phone.

"Maya....." He started slowly as he approached her.

"Let me guess, you have to go?" Maya raised an eyebrow.

"She's stressed out about returning home and is overwhelmed by everything here," Heyder surprised Maya by making her fear come true.

"Oh I bet she is," Maya snorted.

"Two minutes," Heyder said, taking her hand. "Give me two minutes and we can pick up our date from where he left off."

"No," Maya shook her head stubbornly.

"Please, birdie," Heyder sighed. "Just two minutes."

Maya wanted to scream. She flung the piece of edamame at the wall and turned away.

"I'll be right back," Heyder said, kissing the back of her head.

Maya didn't move as she heard the portal open and close behind her. Her eyes remained on the back wall of the kitchen as she slowly counted the seconds in her head for each minute that passed.

1 minute

2 minutes

3 minutes

4 minutes

5 minutes

6 minutes

7 minutes

8 minutes

The candles in the apartment slowly started to go off one by one.

70 minutes

71 minutes.

Maya's feet began to hurt as she slowly slid down the side of the counter and sat down on the floor.

190 minutes

191 minutes

The dark skies outside slowly began to grow lighter. Maya remained sitting by the counter as the first ray of sunlight made its way into the apartment. Maya watched the spectacular sunrise with it's brilliant colors. Heyder was ight, the sunrise from the apartment was breathtaking. All three sides of the place were glass windows. Everywhere you turned you saw clouds and sunlight. It was a slice of heaven.

But the hell burning in Maya's chest couldn't be drowned by the sunlight. She collected herself off the floor and summoned a portal. Feeling completely defeated, Maya stepped through.

Heyder looked up as soon as Maya appeared in the living room. Her eyes fell on him and Fiza as he held a wet cloth against her forehead. His eyes softened but Maya looked away. She turned to head upstairs when his voice stopped her.

"Maya...." he said quietly. "I tried to link you, but your mind-link was off."

"Was it?" Maya asked without a single trace of any kind of emotion in her voice. "I didn't notice."

"Fiza got sick last night. She had a fe-"

"I need to sleep," Maya didn't let him finish. She walked up the stairs and closed the door to her room. Without bothering to take her dress off, she laid down on the bed and pulled her knees up to her chest.

In the mirror, she caught her reflection. Her arms were covered with little paint marks. She was an incomplete masterpiece like the canvas Heyder had also abandoned last night. Maya's chest heaved as she feared it might give out on her. Her eyes began to sting and her lips began to tremble.

Just then Maya thought things couldn't get worse, there was a loud crash downstairs followed by Fiza's scream. Maya bolted up, as her heart began to race.

"Mirza, No!" Heyder yelled.

Maya had no time to think as she rushed downstairs. From the top of the stairs her eyes landed on Mirza and then on three enormous tigers beside him. She felt her jaw drop as Fiza laid on the floor with one of the tigers pinning her down with its paw on her chest.

"Let her go!" Maya yelled as she rushed downstairs. She flicked her hands and they started to glow immediately.

The tiger growled as it lowered his teeth to Fiza's throat. The girl screamed as Heyder panicked.

"Mirza!" He yelled to his brother.

"Give me what I want, Heyder!" Mirza held his hand up. "Give me the aphros."

"No!" Maya snapped. "Heyder, don't!"

Fiza screamed once more as the tiger pressed his paw into her chest.

"For fuck's sake!" Heyder growled as his eyes switched to silver.

Maya called out her magic and summoned a blast. She shot the tiger and had it fly off of Fiza. Heyder acted quick as lightning as he shot forward and attacked his brother. He grabbed Mirza's face and pulled it down into his knee. Mirza twisted out of his grip and swung at his brother.

Maya tried to shield the punch but her magic wasn't quick enough. Mirza's fist collided with Heyder's skull and the sickening down made Fiza scream again.

Her voice caught the attention of one of the tigers beside her. It whipped around and jumped on top of her.

"Emir!" she screamed.

"Mirza!" Heyder growled. "Call them off."

"Give me the aphros," Mirza snared.

When both Maya and Heyder refused, the jin moved quick as lightning and pulled Fiza to her feet. He grabbed her head and shielded himself with her body. His tigers formed another wall of protection.

"Do you remember the little game we used to play when we were kids, Heyder?" Mirza asked.

"Don't do it," Heyder's jaw tensed.

"I'm doing it,"

Maya didn't know what was happening as Fiza started to scream bloody murder. She looked to Heyder to see the pained expression on his face and his hands trembling.

"What's happening?" she asked over Fiza's screaming.

"He's showing her worst fears to her," Heyder said through his teeth. "Mirza! Cut it out."

"The human heart can stop from too much fear," Mirza smirked. Maya couldn't believe she had once thought he was cute. "Give me the aphros."

"No." Heyder said.

Suddenly, Fiza's screams intensified.

"Give me the aphros, Heyder!"

"No."

Fiza almost toppled over but Mirza caught her in his arms. She looked up with wide eyes and shut her mouth.

"Her heart almost stopped," Mirza said. "Give me the aphros now or the second round won't be so gentle."

Maya saw the flicker of hesitation in Heyder's eyes.

No.....she thought to herself.

"Heyder," she called to him. "Don't do it. We can fight him off together."

"3 seconds is all it takes," Mirza said. "Her heart will pop like a balloon."

"Heyder don't do it!" Maya begged.

Mirza raised his hand and placed it over Fiza's head. A skin crawling smile came over the jinn as he raised a brow. Fiza's eyes widened as she gasped.

"Alright, alright!" Heyder held up his hand.

"No!" Maya screamed.

The bottle of aphros appeared in the air beside Mirza. The jinn grabbed it as he pushed Fiza to the ground. Before Maya could stop him, he snapped his fingers and vanished into thin air along with his tigers.

"Fiza," Heyder rushed over to the girl. "Look at me. You're fine. He can't hurt you."

Maya stood in shock as he pulled Fiza into his arms and carried her upstairs. She didn't even move an inch as the minute hand on the clock moved. There was no concept of time in Maya's head when Heyder came back downstairs.

How much time had passed? She wondered. A minute, an hour, a day, a whole life time.....

"Maya," Heyder called to her from the entrance of the living room.

"You gave it away," Maya found herself saying before she could think.

"He was killing her."

"I could have stopped him," Maya looked at the jinn. "You didn't even put up a fight."

"Her life was on the line,"

"And what about my life?" Maya asked. "What about the curse on us?"

"We'll get another bottle," Heyder ran a hand through his hair.

"No," Maya shook her head. "No, we won't."

"You don't know that," Heyder said in irritation. "It's not that big of a deal. We'll take to Caspian and w-"

"You don't get it, do you?" Maya suddenly yelled. "You chose her over me! You've been choosing her every single time over me and I'm the idiot that's still here fighting for you."

"That's not true," Heyder took a step forward. "Fiza is -"

"Fiza! Fiza! Fiza!" Maya suddenly felt a rush of tears in her eyes. It shocked her as her voice cracked and her chest grew heavy. When was the last time she had cried? Heyder was just as shocked to see the tears run down her face.

"When will it ever be Maya?" Maya asked through her tears. "I love you. I love you so much. But you will never pick me. The aphros was worthless to you because you think I'll wait around for you forever. I'm so sick and tired, Heyder."

Maya tugged at her hair. She was weeping like a baby as her mind spiraled out of control, "I'm so sick of being second best. I shouldn't have to work so hard to make you love me."

"Maya..." Heyder tried to take her hand.

"No!" Maya pushed him away. "You don't get to do that. You can't throw little scraps of affection to me and expect me to be content with it for the rest of my life. I want you to love me and fight for me. Not lead me on and disappear whenever Fiza calls you."

"That's not true," Heyder frowned.

"Isn't it?" Maya laughed through her tears. "I'm done, Heyder. I'm done being the only one fighting for this love. If this is what I have been missing then I don't want it. I can't watch you with her a second longer knowing it will always be her and never me."

"Maya," Heyder moved closer. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying I'm done fighting for you, for us, for your attention, for your affection," Maya sobbed. "I can't do this anymore."

"No, Maya," Heyder took her face in between his hands. Maya stepped away hastily as she knocked into the fallen chair.

"I tried," She said. "I tried so hard. But it was never enough. It will never be enough."

"Maya, don't," Heyder said as she raised her hand.

Maya took one last look at his pleading eyes as she summoned a portal and jumped through.

What will happen now?