Ch.28 Little things

Chapter 28

Maya sat on her bed surrounded by books and papers. Her mother had given her all three Fey spell books and Adam had found some in the library about their society. She emerged herself in learning all she could about the ancient power that had made itself home in her soul.

With a pencil, Maya traced the lines in the books that stood out to her. She stuck multicolor sticky notes and scribbled down questions or information she found twice. After her meeting Caspian, Maya had spent the whole day in the lab with her mother. They tried a few of the spells from the fey book and so far Maya was proving to be a natural. But when she flipped to the page of the samsara spell, Maya's hand shook and her throat dried.

"We can skip that one," Gemma said slowly. She watched Maya over her shoulder and patted her daughter's arm.

"Mom," Maya sighed and closed the book after sticking a pencil inside. "When you first met dad, he was a jerk. Wasn't he?"

"Understatement of the century," Gemma rolled her eyes. "You dad was a complete ass."

"How did you......how did you get past that?" Maya turned in her seat. "How did you forgive him?"

Gemma took in a deep breath. She reached out and tucked a few of Maya's strands behind her ear. The small smile on her lips let Maya know her mother knew exactly why she was asking.

"It took time," Gemma said slowly. "I wasn't ready to forgive him. He had hurt me by lying to me."

"What did you do?" Maya looked into her mother's identical blue eyes.

"I looked at the little things."

"What do you mean?"

"I didn't just need a grand apology from Exton," Gemma sat down on the stool beside Maya. "I needed to know he really cared. And the best way to see if someone truly cares about you is to notice if they remember the little things about you without you having to remind them."

"Did dad remember?"

Gemma nodded, "Yes, of course."

"What did he do?"

"You know how dad hates cucumbers?" Gemma scrunched up her nose. "Well, I don't like tomatoes. And I never had to tell him that. Whenever we go out to eat and I get anything with tomatoes, he will automatically eat it off my plate."

Maya smiled. She had never paid attention but now that her mother mentioned it, Exton really did always eat her tomatoes.

"One time I told him how Bella and I used to read the Harry Potter series and that Christmas he got me a limited edition set signed by the author."

"What else does he remember?" Maya leaned her head on her hand on the table.

"He remembers every outfit I ever wore," Gemma laughed.

"What?" Maya asked, baffled. "No way."

"What this," Gemma winked as she opened her mind-link to Exton and Maya.

Hey, honey. I was thinking of wearing that green dress at the dinner next week. With the matching emerald jewelry set.

Maya and Gemma waited patiently for a second.

Which green dress? Exton asked after a pause. The cap sleeve, long sleeve, or no sleeve.

No sleeve, Gemma answered.

You wore that to the Argo dinner in February, Exton said. And then to the church visit in April. But that was with a matching coat.

Thanks love, Gemma said as she quickly closed her link. Maya started to laugh immediately.

"Yeah, he comes in handy," Gemma joined in.

Maya shook her head. She turned back to the book and flipped it open to the page she had marked off.

"Maya," Gemma touched her arm to gain her attention. "When someone really is sorry about what they did, they won't hide behind words or explanations. Their regret will be in their eyes. And if they truly love you, they will find little ways to gain your forgiveness."

Maya took in a long deep breath. She bit down on her bottom lip and looked away. Her mind raced back to Heyder and her in the greenhouse. Heyder's words weren't enough. She thought the burning in her heart would disappear as soon as she saw him begging on his knees for her. But if anything, it made her feel worse.

The pain she had suffered rose up to the surface. With every word Heyder spoke, Maya had felt her chest tighten. His apology wasn't the only thing she wanted. She wanted him to know how much it hurt. How badly her heart bled watching him with Fiza.

Maya didn't just want that.....she needed that.

As Maya laid in bed with her books and notes, she found herself thinking a lot about Heyder. She turned to a clean page on her notepad and drew a black dot.

He likes his coffee black.

He spins his rings on his fingers when he is anxious.

He writes with his left hand but when he's stressed he uses his right hand.

He hates honey.

He's a stubborn motherfucker.

Maya stared at the short list in front of her. She tapped her pencil against the edge of her notepad as she read the bullets over. A small smile appeared on her lips as her mind was accompanied by images of Heyder spinning his rings, switching hands, or pouring out honey tea.

With a quick movement of her hand, Maya drew a line and divided the page in half. On the new side, she added a fresh dot. Her pencil hovered over the page, but no words formed. Maya frowned as she stared at the blank sheet of paper.

Why do I love him, she asked herself.

For the next several hours, Maya stared at the empty list on the notepad. She tore off the page and crumbled it up before throwing it into her drawer. Overwhelmed with her emotions and research, Maya set the notepad aside and crawled in under her covers. The lights switched off and pretty soon the tired princess drifted off to a deep dreamless slumber.

Outside her doors, the palace staff cleared out for the night. The lights dimmed in the hall and the guards took up their daily posts. Everything and everyone was safely asleep under the watchful eyes of the guards and many family portraits.

But there was someone not even a billion pairs of eyes could see slip into the princess's room. The dark shadow moved along the walls of the hall before it slipped through the crack at the bottom of the doors.

Maya was in deep sleep as Heyder entered her room. He paused at the foot of the bed and looked down at his girl. The moonlight coming in through the large windows made her skin look as spotless as silver. Her gold hair shimmered and a slither of moonlight reflected off of her luscious lips.

Heyder stood still as all the other shadows in the room. His eyes watched Maya as the moon made its way across the night sky. When she turned away to face the opposite direction a book resting on the edge of the bed fell off. Heyder stopped it before it landed on the floor and disturbed Maya. He levitated the thing and placed it back on her bed.

Out of great curiosity, Heyder pulled the book back to himself. He read the title before flipping through the pages. His eyes flickered up to Maya's sleeping form as he took a step forward and peeked at her notes and research. He read the title of each and every book on her bed along with all the pages she had marked off. When he was done, he picked up the pencil and circled a few pages in one of the books he was familiar with. From the lack of sticky notes it was clear she hadn't gotten to that particular book.

Before the first crack of morning light could dare spill out onto the sky, Heyder transported back to his study. He gathered all the Fey books he had pulled out of his mother's collections and tied them into a neat bundle. As he was scribbling down a little note, Fiza walked into the room.

"You've been gone all day," she said with a frown. "Where have you been?"

"I was out whoring and drinking myself into an early grave," Heyder folded the little slip of paper and tucked it under the string tied around the books.

"You're leaving again?" Fiza asked as she watched him stand up.

"Yes," Heyder said.

"Have you given any thought to what I said?"

Heyder let out a long deep breath, "Fiza, I told you. You are not staying here. I will find a way to send you back."

"Why are you so determined to send me back?"

"Because you don't belong here."

"I belong with you."

"No," Heyder shook his head. "You don't. You belong with Emir. I am not Emir anymore. I am not who I used to be. You need to go back to your time."

"I want to stay with you."

"But I don't want that," Heyder tried to keep himself calm. "The man who loved you and wanted to spend the rest of his life with you died the night you......"

"The night I died," Fiza finished. She took a step forward as her eyes watered. "You still want to send me back knowing what will happen to me?"

Heyder looked into her eyes and felt his chest tighten. Fiza's bottom lip trembled and the tip of her nose turned red.

"You will be sending me back to die," Fiza whispered.

"I have to...." Heyder said. "It's either you or Maya. And I chose Maya. I will always choose Maya."

"Emir," the first tear rolled down Fiza's cheek. "You can't choose her. She doesn't know you. She doesn't know how to make you happy. She will never love you the way I do. She is incapable of love."

"But I love her," Heyder said with a sorrow filled smile. "And I'm losing her. I can't stop fighting for her."

"She doesn't love you!" Fiza sobbed with frustration. "She will never make you happy."

"She loves me," Heyder said. "And even if she doesn't, I'll have her in my life any way that I can."

"You're making a mistake," Fiza glared at him.

"I hope it's the best mistake of my life then."

And with that Heyder disappeared out of the study and into Maya's room. He watched her sleep right up to the moment when the doorknobs to her room turned. With one last look at Maya's fluttering eyelids, Heyder disappeared.

"Good morning, your grace," Layla said as she walked in with a breakfast cart.

"FivemoreminutesLayla," Maya mumbled as she buried her head under her soft pillow.

"Your grace, your grandfather has requested you meet him at the stable in half an hour," Layla moved around the room and opened all the curtains. The bright sunlight came in and pierced Maya's eyes as she slowly sat up.

"Would you like coffee?" Layla asked.

"No, thank you," Maya rolled out of bed. "I just want some lemon tea today, please."

"Certainly."

Maya carefully threw her covers aside so as to not disturb her scattered notes and books. She gathered her hair up into a bun and pulled her shirt down just as her eyes caught the stack of books on her nightstand. Maya took a step forward and ran her fingers over the string that tied them together. She pulled out the little slip of paper and read the messy handwriting.

You never said I couldn't send you anything. ~ H.

From the way the ink slightly smudged, Maya knew he had written it with his left hand. He was probably in a light mood. Maya picked up the stack of books and undid the string. She gasped in surprise as her eyes scanned the titles.

"Your grace," Layla called to Maya. "Your grandfather is waiting."

"Shit," Maya groaned. She placed the books beside her bed and hurried to the bathroom. "Layla, don't make my bed today. I want everything to stay just the way they are."

______________________________

"Are you stupid or are you just stupid?" Ali asked as he looked at his friend over the blueprints of the pixie palace.

"Ali," Heyder mumbled. "Focus."

"No, it's a serious question," Ali straightened up. "I will not follow you into battle if you're stupid stupid. Margo will kill me."

"She has to be whipped already," Heyder laughed.

"And Maya doesn't?" Ali raised a brow. "You're willing to go on a suicide mission for her."

"It's not a suicide mission!" Heyder snapped. "It's a bit sketchy but it's solid. And it's not just for Maya. Getting this olive branch will secure us all in the future."

"Why won't you tell me the full story?" Ali pushed at the table. "Who is this person you are trying to find the ophiotaurus for? Why do they need it? How do you know they can be trusted?"

"I can't give you all these answers," Heyder rubbed the back of his neck. "Just trust me. This person.........they know what they are doing. And I trust them with my whole heart."

"Who is it, Heyder?" Ali urged to know. "You can tell me."

"I wish I could," Heyder frowned. "But she will probably kill you."

"Who the fuck are you dealing with man?" Ali let out a breath. "What did you get yourself into?"

"It will all make sense," Heyder promised. "But please, help me. I need to get to the ophiotaurus. Everyone you know will be in danger if I fail."

Ali narrowed his eyes. The determination in Heyder's brown gaze left him restless and uneasy.

"Think about Margo....." Heyder said slowly. "Maya is not the only one in danger here. Margo will be on the same boat."

"My girl is a mermaid, she don't need a boat."

"Ali....."

The jinns held each other's gaze. Ali knew whatever Heyder was up to had him pretty shook. It was really unlike the man to work under anyone. But if Heyder trusted this person enough to pledge his services to them, then Ali knew matters were serious.

"Your plan is going to get us killed," Ali sighed as he looked at the blueprint.

"Maybe injured, but not killed," Heyder shrugged.

"Does Maya know you're doing this?"

"No," Heyder shook his head as he scanned the maps. "She's not speaking to me."

"Serves you right," Ali snorted.

"She asked for space."

"Yikes," Ali whistled.

"I'm giving her space," Heyder looked up at his friend through his lashes. "I will do whatever she wants me to."

A small smile came upon Ali's lips, "You love her?"

"More than anyone I've ever loved before," Heyder said without hesitation. "She wasn't my first love. But she's my everlasting one."

"And how do you know?" Ali raised a brow. "Up until a few days ago you were all Fiza Fiza Fiza My Fiza. And now suddenly Maya is your happily ever after?"

Heyder ignored his friend as he went back to looking at the map. Some times Ali ran his mouth too much.

"Are you sure you're not just being a kid in the sandbox crying over someone else taking your toys?" Ali laughed.

"Are you calling Maya a toy?" Heyder raised a brow.

"It's an analogy, genius."

"No, Einstein." Heyder snickered. "I'm not being a kid in a sandbox."

"Why do you love her?"

"We have a suicide mission to go over, Ali."

"Answer my question."

"Are you my shrink?"

"Free therapy baby! Dr. Ali.....the love guru."

"Arion guards his palace with rotating guards."

"Why do you love Maya?"

"The palace is surrounded by the queen's guards. They're heavily placed here, here and here."

"Why do you love Maya?"

"The pixies fly in their supplies since all ground routes are closed off."

"Why do you love Maya?"

"Because!" Heyder finally snapped. Ali's eyes lit up as he waited in anticipation. "She makes me want.....more. I want more when I'm with her. I want to be a normal man with her. Have a normal life. She challenges me and makes me question my ways of thinking and doing shit. She's brilliant with the way she looks at things. Do you remember when we were reading up on the aphros? Maya had all these background knowledge about myths and historical events. If Caspian didn't have the damn thing, then Maya could have connected all the dots herself. I know she could. She's stubborn like that. And that's why I love her."

Ali had a teasing smile on his lip as he sat leaned back in his chair, "You thesis needs a bit more work. But I think you're off to a good start."

"Fuck you," Heyder gave a short laugh, shaking his head.

"You need to tell her everything you just told me," Ali grew serious once more. "It's all she ever wanted to hear. She wants to hear you say you are in love with her."

"I will," Heyder nodded. "Once I get this olive branch, I'll give it to her and tell her how much I love her."

"With an olive branch?"

"Yes."

"The girl wants flowers and chocolates, damn it."

"I'll bring that too," Heyder smirked. "Whatever she wants. Now just help me get into the pixie palace."

___________________________

Maya had read through all the books Heyder had left for her. She didn't know if he was going to come back for them. But just in case he did, she left him a thank you note beside her bed every night.

"Why do you think they kept jinn's as guards?" Ella asked as she read the books along with Maya. "I mean it seems they were pretty dang powerful."

"Even the gods have guards," Maya said as she chewed on the cap of her pen.

"Jinns are not fans of serving people or anyone for that matter," Maksim said from where he sat across from the girls on the sofa. "How did the Fey get them to be their guards?"

"I don't know," Maya said. "I've been wondering the same thing."

"Fear," Ella suddenly said in a quiet voice. Maksim and Maya turned to look at the girl.

"What do you mean?" Maya asked.

"Well, jinns are creatures of extraordinary powers. They do not bend to anyone.....how do you get something that strong to bow down to you?"

"You would have to be stronger," Maksim said.

"Why?" Ella pushed.

"So they would fear you."

"Fear is one hell of a way to control anyone," Ella said.

The trio sat in absolute silence for a few seconds. Ella looked down at the book as Maya and Maksim exchanged glances. They heard each other's hearts beating as a hint of fear and concern crossed Ella's eyes.

"Maya...." she said softly. "What were the Fey capable of doing to have the jinns fear them?"

"I.....I don't know....." Maya's throat dried up.

"What......what does it mean for you and Heyder?"

"Nothing," Maya closed the book. "It means nothing. This changes nothing."

"One step at a time," Maksim let out a sigh. Maya raised a brow as her cousin ruffled his hair. "Well I mean you two are going through other issues right now. After this hurdle you can tackle the other ones."

"Ellie Boo," Maya turned to the young girl beside her. "Why do you love my idiot cousin?"

Ella laughed. He looked at Maksim as he held his arm out for her. Maya watched as the girl practically jumped over the coffee table and into Maksim's lap.

"He makes me feel safe," Ella said as Maksim wrapped his arm around her from behind and kissed her shoulder. Ella leaned her head back as she tugged on the sleeves of her long sweater.

"He can crush you in your sleep," Maya snorted. "Look at his size. He's a giraffe."

"I feel the safest beside him," Ella smiled. "He's my home."

"You two are disgusting," Clare gaged from the doorway.

"Clare!" Maya held out her arms as she lounged on the sofa. "Come be my cuddle buddy. Ella left me for your brother."

"Biggest mistake of her life," Clare snorted as she walked over to the sofa and laid down beside Maya. "Ella, he doesn't deserve you."

"And this is why I don't bring her home," Maksim shook her head. "You people are always trying to convince her to break up with me."

"Babe, you know they will never succeed," Ella smacked his arm.

"When are you two having babies?" Clare asked as she nestled closer to Maya.

"Damn, grandma," Maya laughed. "Let the kids enjoy themselves. They need plenty of baby making practice."

Ella laughed as her cheeks warmed. Maksim squeezed her sides before turning her face to kiss her. Maya let her eyes linger on them for a few seconds before she looked away. Her heart burned and felt completely hollow at the same time. Sensing her emotions, Clare moved a little closer to her cousin and wrapped an arm around her.

Suddenly, the door to the family room swung open. Owen poked his head in and searched the small gathering before spotting Maya.

"Sweetheart," he called to her. "We need you downstairs. Now."

"Is everything okay?" Maya asked as she lifted her head.

"Let's talk down stairs," Owen said. He opened the door and waited for her to get off the sofa.

Maya got up slowly and made her way to the door. Ella and Maksim stared after her in concern as Clare sat still as a rock staring at the clock overhead.

"What's going on?" Maya asked as Owen began to lead her down to the conference room. The first floor of the palace buzzed with movements as everybody scurried around. Maya looked at the mess, her heart beating a little too quickly. She followed Owen into the conference room and spotted her father hunched over a monitor.

"Dad?" Maya took a step towards him.

Exton stood up and turned to face his daughter. The dreary look in his eyes made Maya's stomach turn.

"What is going on?" Maya asked in frustration.

"Heyder's been captured by the pixies."

What did you like? What do you think will happen next?