Ch.26 When you're in love

Chapter 26

"Drink this," Gemma said as she handed Maya a hot cup of tea.

"Thank you," Maya said quietly as she took the cup and brought it to her lips. She sat on a stool in the lab with a small quilt wrapped around her shoulder. Clare stood beside her and the towel dried her wet hair.

"Now is that all you remember?" Xavier asked from where he sat on a stool across from Maya.

"Yes," Maya nodded.

"Clare, you said she just appeared in the tub?" Mavi looked at her daughter.

"Yes," Clare said. "I was in the garden and it just popped into my head that Maya was coming home."

"Coming home?" Maya looked up in confusion. "How long was I gone for?"

"Three days," Clare frowned. "We searched everywhere for you."

"Three days!" Maya exclaimed in alarm. "I swear it felt like just a few minutes."

"Were you traveling?" Mavi asked. "Did you go back in time?"

"No," Maya shook off the quilt. "I....I don't know where I was.....it was a forest."

Gemma let out a sigh as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. The tension in the room made the air heavy and humid. All Maya wanted to do was lay in bed and not have to deal with anyone. Since the second Clare found her in the tub, Maya had become the center of attention. Her disappearance was the only thing anyone was talking about in the palace and now that she was back, they all wanted to know where she had gone.

"You should have come to me as soon as your necklace broke," Gemma said. "I'm not comfortable with you being like this with the fey magic in you."

"Do you think it was that....." Xavier asked. "She doesn't have her necklace. You couldn't trace her. Fey magic is untraceable."

"It's a possibility," Gemma looked over at her daughter. "Caspian is looking into this forest and waterhole."

"May I be excused?" Maya suddenly asked. "I want to lay down."

"Of course," Mavi nodded. "Call us if you need anything."

"Thanks," Maya mumbled as she got off the stool and made her way to the door. She felt everyone watch her. Their worried gazes suffocated her. And the aching heart of hers didn't help much either. Every few minutes, she felt her eyes water and it took everything in her to not stop and just weep.

The long walk back to her room was a drag. Maya ignored all the watchful eyes and low whispers. She had no energy to deal with anyone. Once she entered her room her eyes went directly to the new bathroom door. A sharp pain ignited in her heart as she heard the sounds of Heyder banging on the door.

Maya closed her door and quickly climbed into the fluffy bed. She buried herself under the covers and shut her eyes tightly. She wanted the pain to go away. She wanted to sleep forever if it meant she wouldn't have to feel the ache in her hollow chest. The place where once her heart was now a burning pit of coal. As Maya laid in bed and stared at the curtains, she felt a lonely tear slide down her cheek without her permission.

It took everything in Maya to not let herself cry. The pressure in her head and behind her eyes made her sink to her stomach. But as soon as Adeline had slipped into bed beside her and wrapped her arm around her sister, Maya couldn't hold it back anymore. It was as if the slightest gentle touch was all the mountain needed to crumble.

Adeline pulled Maya closer as Maya began to weep. She didn't say anything and for that Maya was grateful. The twins stayed in bed holding each other. Exton poked his head into the room and opened his link to Adeline.

Do you guys need anything?

Yes, Adeline responded. Heyder's head on a platter.

Trust me, love. I'm working on it.

Can you have someone bring her food, Adeline moved a strand of Maya's hair.

Alright, Exton sighed as he shut the door and walked away.

After a few minutes, Adeline was beginning to think Maya had drifted off to sleep. But when the girl pulled away and slowly sat up, Adeline followed her.

"Do you need something?" She asked.

"No," Maya shook her head. "My head feels like it's' going to explode."

"You need to eat," Adeline frowned. "Dad is sending food up. You haven't eaten anything in a while. I don't understand why no one thought to gi-"

"Ada....."

Adeline paused, "Yes?"

"Was....." the ache in Maya's chest increased. "Was he here?"

A deep frown formed on Adeline's delicate face. Her green eyes darkened as she tried to remain calm.

"I wasn't here when you......disappeared. But from what I heard dad and Heyder got into it pretty bad. Paws and Owen had to separate them."

Maya took in a long deep breath. She licked her dried lips and nodded.

"He stayed for a while," Adeline continued. "When I got here, he was here. His friend had to come and get him. He was tall with dark hair."

"Ali," Maya said quietly.

"Maya..." Adeline reached for her sister's hand. "What happened? I've never seen you like this."

"I don't want to talk about it," Maya turned away and hid under the covers once more. Adeline remained seated on the bed, staring down at her sister with worry. She spun her wedding band around her finger and thought of her husband. Adeline couldn't even begin to imagine what Maya was going through.

Maya shut her eyes and pretended to be asleep. As much as she appreciated her sister and her family, she really just wanted to be left alone for a few. A part of her felt guilt as Adeline slowly climbed out of bed and left the room, but Maya didn't have any words to offer.

____________________

Heyder stared at the collection of history books in front of him that he had pulled out from his mother's private library. He hadn't slept in days. His eyes read every word on the books about Fey magic and their long history. Every time he closed his eyes, all he was were flashes of Maya sitting in the tub with her hands over her ears. Her shrill scream froze him over every time.

"Heyder...." Ali stood by the door of the study. "You need to get some sleep."

"Did you know that the Fey used to keep jinns as guards?"

"When was the last time you had some sleep?"

"Their magic was unmatched. Witches with old magic were like toddlers with paint brushes in front of them."

"Have you been eating?" Ali frowned as he stared at the tray of untouched food.

"Their magic never died. It lives on in everything they touched. They-"

"Heyder!" Ali raised his voice. "Snap out of it."

The jinn slowly turned his head towards his friend, "I have to find her."

"That's marvelous considering you drove her away," Ali snickered. "Drop this heart broken act and get your shit together."

"Act?" Heyder raised a brow. "You think I'm acting?"

"I don't know what to think!" Ali said. "The girl was crazy about you. She wasn't one to give up easily. But of course you, being the dick that you are, achieved the impossible. You broke her hurt and got her to give up."

As Ali spoke, there was a part of him that braced himself for Heyder's attack. He knew his friend would take any insult laying down. But as he waited, Heyder's brown eyes started to swim with regret.

"I broke her heart, didn't I?"

Ali frowned, "You crushed it."

"What the fuck is wrong with me?" Heyder shook his head.

"You took her for granted," Ali shook his head. "You through her love for you meant she would never leave your side."

"I thought I had all the time in the world," Heyder ran a hand through his hair. "I thought I could do it right this time, you know. I could keep her safe until I broke the curse."

"You were a dick!" Ali said with anger. "I don't even feel bad for you. Think about everything you did. Think about Maya choosing her ex over you. Think about watching her hold another man. I'm happy she left. That girl has a whole ocean of love to give in her and of all things she wanted to give it to you."

Heyder felt his insides crack like wax from Ali's words. He knew every word was true. His nights were spent thinking of all the things he could have done differently. Maya was strong. She was so strong. But he had broken her. He had pushed her too far and with every cell in his body he regretted his decisions.

"Ali," Fiza's voice spoke up from the hall. The two jinns turned to look at her as she walked into the room. Heyder looked away. It was too painful. Fiza's features matched Maya's but it was so wrong.

"Do you want me to make you something else?" Fiza asked as she eyed the untouched food.

"No," Heyder rubbed his forehead. He hated how much she tried to coddle him. Any time they spoke it was just her none stop fussing about his food or his clothes.

"I didn't know you were coming over," Fiza turned her attention to Ali.

"Yeah, I just dropped in," Ali stared at his friend.

"Ali, I don't really like you dropping in unannounced."

Both Ali and Heyder's eyes snapped up to the girl.

"Pardon me?" Ali asked in confusion.

"We have a front door, please use it," Fiza frowned. "And please check in before you drop by. We're not always ready to entertain guests."

Heyder watched the flicker of irritation in Ali's brown eyes. His own jaw tensed at the absurdity of Fiza's words.

"You fucked up," Ali pointed to Heyder. "I hope you have a happy married life with the Mrs. here."

"Ali," Fiza tried to stop him as the jinn disappeared. She turned to Heyder and sighed. "Do you think he was upset?"

"No, shit, Sherlock," Heyder snapped. "You just kicked my best friend out of my house."

"Our house," Fiza corrected him. "It's about time everyone took their leave."

Heyder raised his brow. Fiza walked up to him by the table and took his hand. He watched her plant a kiss over his knuckle.

"Emir, I've been thinking," she began. "This could be our second chance."

Heyder's heart dropped. He would be lying if he said the thought hadn't crossed his mind the first few minutes he had seen Fiza. But every time Maya had walked into the room the image would be disturbed. A part of Heyder's heart would shrivel up with guilt. At the time he didn't understand why. But as time went on, he knew it was because he was starting to care about her more.

Maya intrigued him. She challenged him. None of his bullshit ever stood up to her and he loved that about her. Every time he was about Maya, a thrill ran down his spin. It was like falling in love for the first time. The forever kind of love.

"I'm here," Fiza reached up and touched his face. "We can start over our life here."

Heyder frowned. He slowly pulled Fiza's hand down from his face and took a step back.

"You know you don't belong here," he said. "You will have to go back."

"I don't see how," Fiza tilted her head. "Maybe everything happened for a reason. Maybe it was supposed to be this way."

Heyder suddenly felt breathless, and not in a good way. He took another step back and shook his head.

"It's not supposed to be this way," he said.

"Emir, pl-"

"My name is Heyder."

_____________________________

Exton felt completely helpless and useless. He sat on the chair by Maya's bed, gazing at her with sorrow filled green eyes.

Maya sat with her knees pulled up to her chest and her arms wrapped around them. Her face was wet and her eyes red. She sniffled, trying to catch her breath. But every time Exton thought she was done, a new sob came out of her. He had been sitting with her for over an hour and all he had managed to do was get her to eat half of a sandwich.

"Maya," Exton frowned. "Please don't cry over that jerk."

"It's not fair, dad." Maya whispered.

"I know baby," Exton sighed. "I know it's not fair. You deserve so much better."

"I can't stop thinking about everything," Maya said as more tears gushed down her face. "For so long, all I did was love him."

"You didn't love him," Exton shook his head. "You loved that he represented."

Maya lifted her gaze, "He said that once. That I wasn't in love with him.....I was in love with the idea of him."

"Well are you?" Exton raised a brow. "In love with him?"

"Yes," Maya said, a little too quickly. "I've loved him since I was 13."

"What about him do you love?"

"I....." Maya opened her mouth but stopped when she realized she was about to repeat herself. "I love him."

"But what about him do you love, Maya?" Exton asked again.

"I......I love that he.....he paints," An irritation was starting to form in the pit of Maya's heart. Why was her mind running blank?

"What else?" Exton pushed.

"I love that he.....he......"

"Do you know how I realized I was in love with your mother?" Exton asked as a small smile appeared on his lips.

"How?" Maya asked.

"She was reading a book in the library," Exton said slowly. "I had volunteered to keep an eye on her because witches were bad. But really the idea of being away from her made me restless. I sat across from her as she read the book on her lap. Her brows furrowed or her lips twitched and I would instantly know what part of the story she was reading. She was like an open book. All her emotions were always in her eyes. She never got angry when I was mean to her. I knew it bothered her, but she always did this thing. She would hold her shoulders back and take in a deep breath. And for me, it was like watching her shake off every mean thing I ever said to her."

"I am in love with my Gemma because she picks to see the good in people. She never lets you see how hard life was for her and she will always choose to do the right thing. Even when it's the hardest option. I am in love with my Gemma because when she's lost in thought she likes to hum. When she's anxious her eyes always search me out in a crowd. And every morning I look at her and it's like the first time."

As Exton finished, he slowly looked away from the window and at his daughter, "And of course because she has given me you and Adeline."

"That's all I ever wanted in life," Maya whispered as she dropped her gaze. She felt her father rise from the chair and lean over to place a kiss on her forehead.

"You will have it all, my love," he said gently. "When you're in love."

____________________________

"I am going to skin her alive!" Margo yelled in anger.

"Baby, no. No," Ali said as he pulled her onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her when she tried to struggle and kissed her bare arm. "Calm down."

"How dare she say that to you!" Margo frowned. "And you let her speak to you like that? Don't you dare ever go back to that house."

"I promise I won't," Ali agreed at once to pacify his girl. Her tiny face was filled with rage and her skin hot to the touch. "Oh, my little fighter."

"I don't fight," Margo said, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "I am terrified of breaking my nails. But I will have Grandpa Toby send his guards to fuck her up!"

"Oh okay, Bruce Lee," Ali reeled her in once more. "No need. I will never go back."

"Promise?"

"On my life, Jaan."

"I can't stand her!" Margo pouted. "I wish Maya had taught her a lesson."

"Fiza is Heyder's problem now," Ali said as he tucked Margo's hair behind her ear.

"Your friend is an ass."

"I agree. 100%."

"He's not invited to our wedding."

"I haven't even asked you to marry me yet," Ali smiled.

"You think you won't?" Margo raised a brow. "I already started to practice for when I meet your mom."

"Really?" Ali beamed up at her. "Let me hear it."

Margo opened her mouth when her eyes suddenly spotted Heyder walking up the beach towards them. She frowned and poked Ali. The jinn followed her gaze to the man approaching them.

"Hey," Heyder gave a nod.

"Hey," Ali said grimly. He leaned over and placed another kiss on Margo's arm. She jumped up from his lap and grilled Heyder.

"I hope you rot in hell some day," she said before turning away and stomping off. "And take Fiza with you!"

"She's charming," Heyder said as they watched Margo march off.

"Isn't she?" Ali stared after her like a puppy.

"Listen, man," Heyder sighed and turned to his friend. "I'm sorry about what Fiza said. She's starting to annoy the hell out of me."

"Just now?" Ali laughed.

"I don't know what it is," Heyder ran a hand through his already messy hair. "I don't remember her ever being this needy and annoying."

"Ah the honeymoon phase is washing away," Ali nodded. "You're entering the first year of marriage. They say it's the hardest."

"Cut it out," Heyder's face twisted with irritation.

"How long did you really know Fiza?" Ali asked. "You ever head over heels for her from the first sight. But how well do you even know her?"

"We never had any time," Heyder shrugged. "There was never any time with anyone."

"What about Maya?"

Heyder paused. He looked over at the blue ocean and let his shoulders fall. He felt Ali's gaze on him, waiting for his answer.

"I need to find her," Heyder finally said after a long pause.

"Why?"

"I love her," Heyder turned to look at his friend. "I am in love with her, Ali. Ever since she left it's like I can't breath. I miss her temper. I miss the way she laughs. I miss how she chews on her bottom lip when she reads or the way her eyes water when she eats spicy food."

"Heyder," Ali placed his hand on the jinn's shoulder. "You're just stressed. Go home and get some rest. Get your head cleared. Don't do this to Maya again."

"Listen to me!" Heyder snapped. "I have to find her and bring her back home. I'm in love with her."

"Don't fuck with her anymore, man," Ali frowned. "Her family is already pissed at you."

"I'm not fucking with her," Heyder said. "I love her and I want her safe."

Ali stared at his friend for a long time. He gazed into Heyder's eyes and saw the reflection of desperation and panic.

"You really mean it, don't you?" he asked.

"Yes," Heyder said. "I love her. I love Maya. And I have to find her."

Hesitation flickered across Ali's face. It was too quick, but Heyder caught it.

"What is it?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

Ali looked away and stared out at the ocean.

"Ali," Heyder took a step forward. "What is it?"

"She's back," Ali said with a sigh.

"What?"

"Maya came back last night."

What do you think of Maya and Heyder's mind set right now?