Ch.33 Good News

Chapter 33

Heyder waited in front of Maya as her eyes moved between Fiza and him. He watched the uneasiness in her eyes and prayed to whatever god was up there that maybe, by some small chance, it was jealousy. Every inch of him felt alive with the thought of Maya putting her claim on him. He wanted to be hers and hers alone.

When he looked up and caught her eyes, Heyder gave her a small nod to let her know he had a handle on the situation. With one last look at Fiza, Maya took a step back and closed the door. Heyder let go of the breath he was holding and straightened up. He sauntered over to Fiza as she stood with her arms folded over her chest and her lips twitching.

"I want to go home," she said as Heyder came to a stop in front of her.

"Yeah, I'm working on it."

"No," Fiza clarified. "I want to go home to our house. I don't want to stay here."

"I'll have Ali take you back to my house," Heyder ran a hand through his hair.

"And what about you?" Fiza raised a brow.

"I'm staying here," Heyder looked into her eyes. "With Maya."

"She doesn't want you!"

"Yet," Heyder smiled. But as he remembered his conversation with Maya from the day before, his mood darkened.

"What did you say to Maya?" He asked.

"What do you mean?" Fiza narrowed her eyes.

"You blamed her for my condition," Heyder wasn't amused with her innocent act. "And you accused her of messing with my mind."

"Well clearly she has poisoned your mind against me."

"Stay away from her, Fiza," Heyder's jaw clenched. "I don't want you stressing her out."

"Stressing her out?" Fiza was shocked. "She's immature and reckless. You are making a great mistake, Heyder."

"I'm not going to ask you a second time," Heyder dark eyes stayed locked on the girl in front of him. Even though she was a hazy image of Maya, something about Fiza made his insides turn.

"Stay away from Maya," Heyder said. "I'll send you back as soon as I can, but until then leave her alone. Don't talk to her, don't go near her, don't even think about her."

Fiza stilled. Her stunned eyes widened as she soaked in the jinn's words. Heyder braised himself for the tears but he was caught off guard when a snicker appeared on her full lips.

"What?" He asked curiously as Fiza shook her head.

"So many promises you had made me,"

Heyder flinched from her words. His hands balled into fists as the painful reminder of the past punched his guts.

"Never did I think our love would be divided by your mistress," Fiza snared. The dig at Maya had her feeling high and mighty. She held her head up high and thought herself better for being a proper lady until the brown of Heyder's eyes flashes a violent silver.

The jinn had closed the distance between them in a flash. Fiza felt her back slam against the wall as an invisible force gripped her throat and pinned her shoulders back. Heyder stood where she had been standing and watched her struggle. He spun his rings ideally as his silver eyes flickers.

"Be very careful with your words," he said, his voice dangerously low. "I won't tolerate you speaking about the mother of my child like that."

Fiza's eyes widened as she gasped, "Heyder...."

Heyder took a step forward as the pressure on Fiza's throat tightened.

"Don't take advantage of the love I had for you," he said. "It's just enough to keep me from snapping your neck, but don't push your luck."

Fiza gasped for air as Heyder pinned her down for a few seconds longer to show her he wasn't playing around. When her pale skin changed a shade darker, he let go of her and raised a brow. Fiza glared at him as she rubbed her neck and took a step aside. She backed away before turning and marching off to her room. Heyder stood his ground and watched her until her door slammed shut.

______________________

Maya brushed her hair in the mirror as her eyes lingered on the single rose on her bed. She didn't know how long she stood staring at the thing in the mirror until she heard Layla come into the room and ask if she wanted breakfast.

"No, thank you," Maya sighed, sitting the brush down. She turned in the stool she had been sitting on and reached for her shoes.

"I'll get it," Layla jumped forward.

"No, it's alright," Maya tried to stop the lady but she had already moved the boots under Maya's feet. "Thank you."

"I'll make you a cup of tea," Layla said with a smile as she stood back up.

"You know I don't like tea,Layla," Maya said.

"It will help you feel better," the lady insisted. Maya wanted to protest but her belly rumbled and she placed her hand over it to calm her hunger.

"Okay," she said nodding. "I'll take some fruits too, please."

"Very well," Layla said as she busied herself with preparing Maya's breakfast. "Dr. Alden asked to see you."

"Right now?"

"No, but before she leaves the hospital today," Layla handed Maya a cup of tea.

"Thank you," Maya said.

"Would you like anything else?"

"No, thank you," Maya looped her finger through the tea cup's handle.

"Would you like for me to change around anything in the room to make you more comfortable?"

"Um, no," Maya looked around. "Everything is fine."

"Alright," Layla gave a nod as she turned to leave. Maya took a sip of her tea as the lady paused and turned back around. "Your grace,"

"Yes?" Maya smiled.

"I am so very happy for you," Layla beamed with pleasure.

"Thank you," Maya said, a bit unsure of what Layla was referring to.

"This is an important time," Layla continued. "I am happy you are with your family."

"Yeah..." Maya looked down at her hands. She felt odd knowing the whole place probably knew about her fey magic. Were they all thinking she might explode any second? Was that why Rye wanted her to stop by the hospital?

"Please let me know whenever you need anything at all,"

"Thank you, Layla," Maya smiled. "I really appreciate it."

Layla gave the princess one last long look before she wheeled the breakfast cart out and closed the door behind her. Maya sat her tea aside and cleared her throat. She rose to her feet and grabbed her watch before opening the door again and setting out to find the jinns.

Heyder? She opened her mind-link. Where are you?

In the study, my love, Heyder responded right away.

Maya rushed past the staff and began to bounce down the stairs. She was almost at the bottom of the stairs when Vivian, the chief of staff at the palace, stopped her.

"Be careful, Princess," she said. "You shouldn't be running down the steps."

"Oh sorry," Maya laughed as she stopped herself and took the remaining steps carefully. She felt Vivian stand at the stairs and watch her until she reached the doors to the study. An uneasiness blossomed in Maya's chest from the way everyone in the halls watched her. It was as if they all expected her to crumble and they were on guard and ready to catch her.

"Greeting, Madam," Ali bowed his head from behind the book he was flipping through.

"Hey," Maya gave him a quick nod. "Where's Margo?"

"She is getting her nails done," Ali said. "Until she is back, I have to tolerate your company."

"And to think just a few days ago you were asking me to marry you," Maya laughed. "Wait until I tell Margo."

"Ugh, I still have to explain to her that Geet is an old married woman with three children now," Ali shook his head. "Don't put more stress onto my plate."

Maya laughed as she walked over to where Heyder sat. His alluring eyes watched her as he pulled back the chair beside him for her. Maya thanked him as she took a seat.

"You smell good," Heyder whispered to her just low enough for the two of them to hear.

"Boundaries," Maya said as she moved forward in her set and scanned the papers on the table. She heard Heyder give a low laugh behind her as he placed his book down and leaned forward to join her.

"So the milk from Apollo's cattle," Maya cleared her throat. "How do we get it?"

"We will first need to know where Apollo keeps them," Ali sighed. "Then we either steal it or we offer to buy it from him."

"He's a god," Maya said. "I don't think he will sell it."

"Then we steal it," Heyder said.

"No," Maya frowned.

"Any other ideas, baby?" The jinn raised a brow. "I'm all ears."

"No ideas as of now," Maya looked away from his mischievous eyes.

"No big deal," Heyder shrugged. "We have another important task to complete before that anyways."

"What is it?" Ali asked.

"Creating a hole in the time veil," Heyder leaned back. "We have to send Fiza back."

"But Mirza..." Maya said. "She's bound to him."

"Don't worry about him," Heyder chewed on the inside of his cheek. "I know he will show up when he senses us trying to send her back."

"What will we do?"

Heyder looked over at Maya. His hand itched to reach out and twirl his finger around the strand of hair around her face.

"You will do nothing," he said to her. "I will take care of it."

"You forget I have Fey magic," Maya reminded him.

"I didn't forget," Ali said quietly from the other side of the table.

"You can't control your fey magic," Heyder corrected her. "It's too dangerous."

"Then how do you plan on taking Mirza on?" Maya raised a brow.

"Y'all need to stop," Ali shook his head. "Heyder, this girl's mother is the witch supreme. If anyone can teach her how to control her magic, it's her mommy dearest."

"Exactly," Maya smiled. "Thank you, Ali."

"How long do you think that will take?" Heyder sighed. "We're not talking about regular magic. This stuff is intense and we don't know a great deal about them."

"I just have to learn how to call it," Maya said.

"And seeing how it comes out to protect her, putting her in front of Mirza isn't a bad idea," Ali said.

"It's too dangerous," Heyder disagreed. "I've been trying to beat Mirza for years. He's a trickster."

"Then help me," Maya said. "I'm not saying I want to take him on alone. Help me fight him."

"Are we going back to that shit again?" Ali asked in irritation. "I will go crazy."

"Maya," Heyder ignored his friend and turned to the witch beside him. "Please......don't -"

"Don't ask me to stay away," Maya stopped him. "I am the best shot you got. If you really want to send Fiza back. Then you know you need my help."

"Your parents will never agree to this," Heyder shook his head.

"Since when do you care about what my family will think?"

"Your mom will lock you up,"

"Oh so my family is only your ally when they benefit your misogynistic views,"

"Misogynistic?" Heyder almost choked.

"Oh Maya, don't go fighting the bad guy," Maya mocked the jinn. "The princess must stay safe while her knight in shining armor saves the day."

"I'm your knight in shining armor?" Heyder smiled.

"She's probably talking about me," Ali said.

"It's an expression," Maya rolled her eyes. "You're missing the point."

"What can I do to convince you?"

"Why does it always have to be this way?" Maya asked. "We all know eventually I will do what I want with or without you knowing. Must we always play this game? Wouldn't everything be so much easier if we worked together and I didn't have to go behind anyone's back? You asked for my help!"

"Okay, oaky....." Heyder held up his hand. "Fair point. I rather have you standing beside me then sneaking around."

"Thank you!"

"Okay, this is progress," Ali clapped his hands together. "Now, let's make a To Do list. Number one, create a hole in the time veil."

"No," Heyder shook his head. "Number one, kill Mirza. We don't need others to drop in through the hole before we can break the binding spell. We kill Mirza first and then we create a whole."

Maya looked at Heyder. She felt uncomfortable with the way he so casually talked about killing his brother. She had a sister too. Granted, it wasn't the same as Heyder and Mirza's relationship but she couldn't imagine ever being so casually while talking about killing a sibling. She knew Heyder sensed her looking at him, but he didn't turn towards her.

"How do you plan on killing Mirza?" Ali asked.

Heyder began to spin the ring on his finger. Maya sat quietly as he thought long and hard about what he was about to say next.

"We might need Seti's whip," he said, his voice low and slow.

Ali stilled. His eyes shifted from Maya to Heyder as he leaned back in his chair and let out a breath.

"What is that?" Maya asked curiously.

Heyder turned towards her, "You're a history major, correct?"

"Yes," Maya nodded.

"Who is Seti the first?"

"The pharaoh of Egypt," Maya looked at Ali's uneasiness and then back at Heyder. "He ruled during the nineteenth dynasty."

"What did he build?"

"Temples," Maya said, right away. "Large cities, shrines, mines, wells."

"How did he build all that?"

".....Slaves."

"Do you know who those slaves were?"

Maya opened her mouth but Ali beat her to it.

"Jinns," he said, his mood dark and his eyes angered.

"How is that possible?" Maya frowned. "Seti was human. He had claims of being related to the god Set.....but there was never any confirmation."

"It was his whip," Heyder said. "Powerful enough to strip the skin off the back of jinns."

"How....how did he get such a thing?" Maya asked in horror. "Where did he get it?"

"No one knows," Ali shrugged. "But we're taught about Seti from a very young age. Sometimes his stories seem like fairy tales but when you see the jinns who have survived his reign you feel their fear and pain in your bones."

"They're still alive?" Maya asked.

"Yes," Heyder nodded. "We call them the Tyveer."

"They're old and ancient," Ali said. "Older than your grandfather. Very strange and odd. But they are our supreme. To them Heyder and I are....children."

"Where are they?"

"In the veil," Ali said.

"And where is Seti's whip?"

"Also in the veil."

"Why do we need it?"

Ali turned to Heyder, "That's a Heyder question."

Maya turned to look at jinn beside her.

"The whip has lost some of its powers over time. But it'll still do more damage to a jinn then any other weapon on Earth."

"If it's so strong then why haven't you used it already?"

Heyder's lips turned up as he looked at Maya, "It's made of iron."

"You can't touch it," Maya concluded.

"No," Heyder said. His eyes scanned the curiosity in Maya's blue ones. "But something tells me that maybe you can."

"How?" Maya frowned. "Iron burns witches too."

"You wore iron around your neck for weeks," Heyder pointed out.

"That was.....my mother made that necklace. It had silver."

"The iron didn't burn through the silver," Heyder pointed out. "Whatever your mom did, it caused the iron to stay away from harming you."

"What did your mom do, Maya?" Ali asked.

"I don't know," she said, turning to look at the jinn. "She never said and I never asked."

"Maybe we should ask now," Heyder said. "If we can get her to get us some more of that silver, we can go get Seti's whip."

"Let's go right now," Maya pushed her chair back. "No time to waste. We have a jinn to kill, a traveler to send back and find a god killing bull."

"I'll stay here," Ali looked at his watch. "Margo should be coming back."

"Alright," Maya nodded. She looked down at Heyder and raised a brow, "You ready?"

"Always, Birdie," he said as he got up.

Maya stepped around him and headed for the door. Heyder was on her heels as they rounded the corner and heeded up the hall to the Gemma's lab.

"Something on your mind?" Heyder asked as he fell into steps beside Maya.

"A lot of things, actually," Maya gave a short laugh.

"Care to share?"

Maya paused. She turned her head and slowed down her steps to look at the jinn. Heyder halted and looked up at her with a question in his eyes.

"Are you....are you sure you want to kill Mirza?" Maya asked.

"Yes," Heyder answered right away.

"He's your brother."

"Who has cursed me."

"Still your brother," Maya frowned. "Don't you feel......anything for him?"

"No." Heyder's tone was clipped as he began to walk past Maya. But she reached out and pulled his arm.

"Heyder..." Maya stopped him. "I know that's not true."

The jinn didn't respond. He remained silent as he looked at the wall behind Maya. his jaw clenched and his eyes hard. Maya took a step closer and placed a hand on his face.

"I think deep down you do care," she said, her voice soft and low. "I think there is a part of you that doesn't want to kill him. You're always hoping he will change."

Heyder's brown eyes moved from the wall to Maya's face. They grew soft instantly as he leaned into her touch. Maya felt a shiver run up her spin as he turned his face and placed a kiss on her palm.

"You think too highly of me, Birdie," he said. "The honest truth is I have no feelings for my brother. I wish I did. I wish I had a family like yours. But I don't and I gave up trying to build one with my brother a long time ago."

Maya felt her heart burst open. Hearing Heyder say he wanted a family made every inch of her want to pull him into her arms. She wanted to assure him he would have a place in her heart. The need to make him feel the heat of her affection for him overwhelmed her. She didn't even understand the feelings she was wishing he would sense in her. But they were there, bubbling inside of her like a hot volcano.

"What....what was your family like growing up?" Maya's voice shook as she looked into the warm brown in Heyder's eyes.

"It was all so long ago....."

"You don't remember?"

"I do," Heyder sighed. "But I don't want to."

"Why not?"

A slow smile spread across Heyder's lips, "I thought you wanted boundaries?"

"I do," Maya said, still in trance. Her eyes flickered down to Heyder's lips and then back up to his eyes.

"You are touching me, my love," Heyder whispered.

Maya suddenly jumped back. She blinked in surprise as she pushed her hair out of her face and looked around the hall.

"I didn't mind," Heyder laughed. "I'm all about open borders."

"To the lab?" Maya cleared her throat.

"Lead the way, Princess," Heyder smiled.

For the rest of the short walk, Maya didn't stop to look at the jinn. She could feel him smiling as he followed her and quietly slipped into the lab.

"Isn't she still a little too young?" Exton asked as he paced the floor in front of Gemma's desk.

"She's 23, almost 24," Gemma frowned.

Just then, Exton sensed Maya and looked up. His face paled as he spotted Heyder. Behind him, Gemma got off her chair and walked around the desk to her husband.

"Hey guys," Maya said as she approached them.

"I can't do this," Exton turned away.

Maya stopped and raised a brow, "Dad?"

"Exton, stop it," Gemma hisses as she tugged at his arm.

"He's here too," Exton said. "You know what that means."

"What's going on?" Maya asked as she looked at her mother. Behind her, Heyder raised a brow suspiciously as he eyed the couple.

"How are you feeling, baby?" Gemma asked Maya as she tried to get Exton to turn back around.

"Fine...." Maya grew uncomfortable.

"Did you eat?"

"Yes,"

"Did you go see Rye at the hospital?"

"No, not yet," Maya shook her head.

"The hospital?" Heyder took a step forward and moved beside Maya. "Are you feeling okay?"

"I just said I'm fine!" Maya snapped. "You guys are stressing me out."

"Exton!" Gemma gave her husband one last push.

With a great sigh, Exton turned to face his daughter and the jinn. He observed the way Heyder stood beside Maya protectively and a groan rose to his lips.

"What is going on?" Maya demanded to know again.

"You can start," Exton said, looking at Heyder.

"I'm honored," Heyder said in confusion. "But start what exactly?"

"How did this happen?" Gemma asked.

"Gem, I don't want to know how this happened," Exton shivered. "That's my daughter."

"I promise they're not always this crazy," Maya looked over at Heyder.

"No, they were much worse when your mom was pregnant with you and your sister."

"Yeah, that's right," Exton nodded. "You were there. You remember how I took care of my wife?"

"Yes," Heyder said.

"I expect nothing less from you."

"Mom," Maya looked at Gemma. "What is dad talking about? What's going on?"

"Honey......we know why you and Heyder are here."

"You do? How?"

"Everyone knows," Exton rolled his eyes.

"Oh....um.....okay," Maya looked at Heyder. "That is very strange. We were just talking about it. How did everyone find out?"

"It doesn't matter," Gemma smiled. "We just want you to be happy and safe."

"I will be," Maya said. "Heyder will be there."

"He better be," Exton almost growled.

"Where do you think I would be?" Heyder asked, slightly offended. "I'm not going to let her do something crazy like this on her own. I'll be there every step of the way with her."

"See," Gemma turned to Exton. "He's taking responsibility."

"As he should."

"It's my problem and I will deal with it," Heyder said.

"Problem?" Gemma frowned. She looked at Maya and raised a brow. "Are you okay with calling the situation his problem?"

"My brain is so confused right now," Maya confessed. "How do you know we came to ask about the silver?"

"What silver?" Exton asked.

"The silver, on my necklace," Maya said. "The one mom made me."

"Oh," Gemma gave a small laugh. "You came to talk about the silver?"

"Yeah," Maya frowned. "What were you two talking about?"

"You dad has been freaking out since the morning he saw you and Heyder and thought you were going to tell us about the baby," Gemma laughed. "We already know, sweetheart. And if you are happy then so are we."

"What baby?" Maya asked in confusion.

"Your... baby," Gemma said.

Maya blinked in surprise. She turned to look at Heyder, who wore the same look of confusion and surprise on his face.

"Something you wanna tell me, Birdie?" He asked.

"Oh like you don't know," Exton snorted. "You did this to her!"

"Woah, hold on a second," Heyder held up his hand. "I did what?"

"You got her pregnant!" Exton almost yelled.

"What?" Both Maya and Heyder asked at the same time.

"Babe, calm down," Gemma rubbed Exton's arm. "Stress isn't good for Maya or the baby right now."

"There is no baby," Heyder said. "I haven't even touched your daughter! Unless she's Virgin Mary."

"I can't be Virgin Mary," Maya shook her head.

Heyder's head turned to the witch in surprise, "I wanna say I'm surprised but honestly nothing about you turns out to be what I had thought."

"Wait, hold it!" Exton snapped his finger to gain their attention. "Maya, are you pregnant?"

"No!" Maya said. "That's ridiculous! Why would you ever think that?"

"Because of Fiza!"

"What?" Maya asked before she turned to look at Heyder.

"She came into the lab this morning all huffing and puffing saying how we should be ashamed of ourselves for raising a daughter who's having a child out of wedlock," Gemma frowned.

"She did what?" Heyder's eyes were starting to shimmer in the eerie silver.

"She said you told her Maya was the mother of your child," Exton rubbed his forehead.

"Yeah, our future child," Heyder said. "Not now. Maya is not pregnant. I haven't even kissed her."

"Good," Exton said. "Keep it that way."

"She came here?" Maya asked. "Fiza came here and raised her voice with you?"

"She's from a different time and different culture," Gemma said softly. "We didn't take anything to heart."

"She said you should be ashamed of me?"

"Maya, sweetheart," Exton sighed. "It was nothing. She-"

"I'm going to kill her," Maya turned to Heyder.

Heyder held up his hands, "I told her to stay away, but she didn't listen."

Maya turned toward the door as Heyder stepped out of the way. She flung the door open and stormed down the halls.

"Maya!" Exton called after her as they all followed her out. "She's a guest in our house."

"Exactly!" Maya said over her shoulder. "How dare she speak to you like that?"

"Heyder," Gemma looked at the jinn. "Stop her."

"I can't touch her," Heyder said. "She has boundaries."

"Maya!" Gemma snapped as they all rushed up the stairs.

"Fiza!" Maya began to yell as they reached the second floor. "Fiza!"

"Good god," Exton groaned as he tried to take Maya's hand. She shook him off and moved quicker.

"Fiza!" Maya yelled again.

One of the guest bedroom doors opened and Fiz stepped out. Her long black hair was braided and pulled over her right shoulder. Her long silk dress moved with her slender body as she stepped out into the hall and froze.

Maya stormed towards her with her eyes ablaze. Behind her Exton and Gemma rushed forward while Heyder took his sweet time. Fiza's eyes grew wide as she saw the way the air around Maya shimmered like the heat off a stove.

"Enough, Maya," Gemma grabbed her daughter's hand.

"How dare you?" Maya asked Fiza, ignoring her mother. "How dare you speak to my parents like that?"

Fiza opened and closed her mouth. She looked at Heyder who shrugged her off as he leaned against the wall.

"You are in our home. Your problem is with me. Do not ever involve my parents in your shit!" Maya said as Gemma pushed her back.

"They needed to know what you have been up to," Fiza said sternly.

"This bitch!" Maya turned away from Gemma and threw a tiny blast toward Fiza. Fiza screamed and shielded her face just as Gemma threw her hand out and created a shield in front of her.

"Heyder!" Fiza cried. "She's attacking me!"

"I told you to stay away from her," Heyder said.

"Don't you ever dare talk about my parents," Maya said through her teeth. "I will tear you apart limb by limb."

As Heyder watched, Maya's anger escalated. He saw the way her hands moved and knew she was getting ready to throw another blast. As much as he wanted to see if she would actually do it, knowing Maya, she would feel bad about her actions later on. With a sigh, he pushed off the wall and walked over to Maya.

"Calm down," Heyder said as he pulled Maya into his arms. She tried to push away but he held her firmly and buried her face in his chest. "Shhhhhhhh."

"Take her back to her room," Exton said. He turned to Fiza, "We're sorry about this."

"No!" Maya tried to reach around Heyder. "Don't say sorry to her!"

"Heyder," Gemma looked over his shoulder. "Take her to the lab."

As Maya struggled and yelled, Heyder lifted her up and put her over his shoulder. Maya's hair was a mess as she screamed at Heyder to let her down. With one last look at Gemma and Exton, the jinn began to head toward the lab. But before he did so, he opened a channel to Fiza's mind.

Next time, I won't stop her.

I had fun with this chapter :)