Ch.35 Three Wishes

Chapter 35

Heyder held Maya's hand firmly as he navigated her through the dense crowds of the bazar. He cleared the way ahead of them as she followed behind, sticking as close to him as she possibly could. The many sounds and aromas invigorated Maya's senses as she looked around with wide eyes and a big smile.

"Where are we going?" She asked Heyder as they neared the end of the street. She watched him look around before deciding to head towards the right.

"I want to show you something," Heyder said as he pulled her along.

They arrived at a set of large wooden gates that stood in the middle of thirty feet high walls that seem to run along the city. Maya tilted her head back to peer into the night to see if she could spot the tops of the wall.

"The city is surrounded by the walls," Heyder said as they approached the gates.

"Why?" Maya asked.

"They were constructed centuries ago to save the city from desert bandits," Heyder explained before he gave a nod to one of the guards at the gates.

"It's after sun down," the man said, looking at Heyder and then at Maya. "You can leave the city but you won't be allowed back in until morning."

"We won't be coming back," Heyder said. He pulled Maya forward and wrapped an arm around her waist. The guard shifted his attention from the jinn to the girl.

"Are you going with this man willingly, Madam?" he asked Maya.

"Yes," Maya said, a bit confused.

The guard gave a nod. He took a step back and the other two men behind him unlocked a tiny door in the large door. Heyder lowered his head and stepped through first before helping Maya to the other side.

"What was that all about?" She asked as soon as she walked into the darkness on the other side.

"Long story," Heyder said as he took Maya's hand again. "Watch your step."

Maya looked down at her feet in the darkness. The sand shifted under her as a light chilly breeze swept through the vase open desert. Behind her, Maya could hear the faint sounds of the city life. But as she looked on ahead, her eyes adjusted to the bright moonlight.

"Come here," Heyder spoke softly as he tugged Maya into his arms.

"What are you do-" Maya barely had time to ask what he was up to as he whisked them away through the wind. She felt her body become airborne for a split second before feeling the sand beneath her feet again.

Heyder loosened his arms around her and took a step back. Maya looked around in amazement as the sounds of waves crashed somewhere in the distance. The city of Wijdan shimmered in the distance like a tiny star. And speaking of stars, Maya turned to Heyder to find him gazing up at the night sky full of sparkling lights. She tilted her head back and gasped at the infinite stars.

"The ocean is on the other side of the dunes," Heyder said as he brought his eyes down. "The house you saw when traveling is there."

"Can we go?" Maya asked as she looked down at him.

"I prefer not to," Heyder shrugged. "But if you want to then we can."

"Why don't you want to go?"

"Not very fond of the place," Heyder looked away to the many dunes surrounding them. He took a couple of steps forward before snapping his fingers.

Maya jumped back slightly as a heavy rug appeared on the sand. On top of it, a thin mattress laid under some heavy blankets and many pillows. Heyder fell back against the sheets and pushed one of the pillows under his head. Maya watched as he shifted over and put his hands behind his head before turning to look at her.

"Come here," he said, motioning to the spot beside him.

Maya slowly moved forward and sank down onto the bed. She took two of the pillows and put it behind her head before resting her hands just below her ribs. She looked up and sighed at how beautiful the stars looked. They seemed to almost twinkle and out in the desert they seemed a lot closer.

"You're quiet," Heyder said after a while.

"What do you want me to say?"

"Anything," As Heyder spoke, Maya felt him shift a little closer. There was a good amount of distance between them but she knew if she set her hand down beside her, she would be able to touch him.

"What was his name?" Heyder asked.

"Who's name?" Maya picked at the hem of the sweater she wore.

"The guy you lost your virginity to."

"Why do you want to know?" Maya laughed.

"Curious," Heyder shrugged.

"Andrew," Maya said. "His name was Andrew."

"How did you meet him?"

"At some party," Maya said. "I was a high school senior and he was a college freshman."

"Did you love him?"

Heyder's question made Maya still. She turned her head to look at him as he continued to gaze at the stars. His sharp nose and cheekbones stood out against the darkness as the single strand of hair falling over his forehead blew in the breeze. When Maya didn't answer, Heyder turned his head to look at her beside him.

"No," Maya said quietly as he stared into her eyes. "I didn't love him."

"Do you wish you had?"

"Why would I wish that?" Maya searched Heyder's eyes.

"Wouldn't life be easier if you did love this Andrew guy?"

"Maybe," Maya looked away. She felt Heyder stare at her for a while longer before looking away too.

"You could be like your sister right now," he said. "Happily married with an adoring husband."

His words made Maya's chest tighten. She didn't understand why the thought of having a happy married life with just anyone made her feel like a bird in a cage. Images of her on some man's arm laughing at some dinner party made her feel sick to her stomach. Maya pushed up from the blankets and sat up. Heyder frowned as he followed her up and rested on his elbows.

"Birdie?" He asked with concern. Maya felt his finger brush against her arm as he tried to get her back. She looked over his shoulder and peered at him in the darkness.

"Heyder," Maya said, not knowing why. It was almost as if his name slips out of her lips like a sigh.

"Yes?" Heyder sat up and scooted down to sit beside her. Maya watched him move closer before turning her eyes to their feet in the sand.

"Nothing," she shook her head.

"Do you want to go back home?"

"No," Maya looked up at the sky. "Not yet."

Heyder didn't speak. He gazed at Maya as she watched the stars. After some time he secretly flickered his hands in the darkness and sent a shooting star flying across the horizon. A wide smile lit up Maya's face.

"Did you make a wish?" She turned to Heyder and asked.

"No," Heyder said. "Did you?"

"Yes," Maya said.

"What did you wish for?"

"I can't tell you," Maya laughed.

"Birdie, I'm a jinn. You'll have more luck asking me to grant your wish then some burning rock millions of miles away."

"You don't seem like the type to grant wishes," Maya observed.

"You haven't asked," Heyder laughed. "I'll give you three wishes."

"Just three?"

"Don't get greedy," Heyder brushed off the hand on his hand. "Ask away, my love."

"Are you being serious right now?" Maya raised a brow.

"Completely," Heyder smiled. "Wish number one?"

Maya raised a brow, "I don't know about this."

"Come on," Heyder bumped her leg. "Go on and ask."

"You sure?" Maya asked.

"Yes," Heyder rolled his eyes.

"I don't really have any wishes to make," Maya said. "My magic is pretty good. I can grant my own wishes."

"Ouch," Heyder rubbed the spot over his chest. "You think your magic is better then mine?"

"Yes," Maya said. "Maybe not as strong or versatile but witches can definitely grant wishes better than jinns."

"How many witches do you know who go around granting wishes?"

"How many jinns do you know who go around granting wishes?"

"Quite a few, actually," Heyder chuckled. "We're professional wish granters."

"I'm having a hard time picturing you as a wish granter," Maya teased.

"You haven't even asked," Heyder said. "How would you know?"

"Okay fine," Maya turned to face him. She crossed her legs and sat in front of the jinn and pondered about what to wish for. Heyder waited for her patiently with a grin on his face.

"My first wish....." Maya said slowly, looking around. "Is......fireworks."

"Fireworks?" Heyder raised a brow.

"Yeah," Maya nodded. "I like f-"

The sky above them erupted and lit up in billions of colors as hundreds of fireworks went off all at once. Maya shrieked as she covered her ears with her hands and looked up at the explosions. She was about to climb to her feet when Heyder pulled her into his arms and shot up into the sky like a rocket.

"Heyder!" Maya yelled as she held onto him tightly. It felt as if she was strapped onto a roller coaster, shooting up to the very top before the free fall. She buried her head in the crook of Heyder's neck as they climbed up and up and up. Within seconds, Maya felt their bodies still. The world went silent. She moved closer to Heyder as her feet dangled in the sky.

"Maya," Heyder whispered in her ear.

"Yeah?" Maya's voice was muffled.

"Look," Heyder pulled back. He smiled as Maya slowly lifted her head and blinked.

The pair floated amongst the clouds, high off the ground. The city lights twinkled underneath them like earth stars. The desert was a dark blanket. Maya looked down as clouds passed under her feet. She held onto Heyder's shirt tightly as he wrapped both of his arms around her.

"You ready?" Heyder asked, looking down at her.

"Ready for what?" Maya moved her eyes from the cities below to the jinn.

Heyder smiled as he slowly looked up. Maya followed his eyes just in time to see a firework explode above their head. She flinched thinking the sparks would hit them, but they seemed to bounce off an invisible bubble around them.

Slowly, more and more fireworks started to go off. The whole night sky erupted once more in a brilliant display of lights and colors as Heyder and Maya floated around in the clouds. Maya's eyes bounced around, trying to take in the whole show. Heyder's eyes stayed locked on her face. The smile on her face was his show.

After many more minutes, Heyder transported Maya back to the palace before she lost her hearing from the explosion. They materialized in front of her bedroom door wrapped in each other's arms and straight from the clouds. Maya took in a long deep breath before she stepped back and smiled.

"You still have two more wishes," Heyder reminded her.

"I'll keep that in mind," Maya said. "Thank you for that."

"You're welcome," Heyder gave a nod.

"I'll see you tomorrow?"

"I don't plan on going anywhere."

"Okay," Maya smiled. "Good night."

"Good night," Heyder waited until Maya slipped past her doors and shut it behind her. He stood around for a few minutes hoping she would open up and invite him in but when the doors remained shut, Heyder shook his head laughing and moved down the hall.

___________________________

The next morning, Maya woke to find another rose beside her pillow. She lifted her head and blinked to wash the sleep away from her eyes. Picking up the rose, she inhaled the scent and smiled. Memories of the night before came back to her as she laid back against her pillow. As she laid twirling the flower in her hand, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," Maya called out. The door cracked open slightly as Heyder poked his head in.

"Good morning," He smiled as he stepped inside. Maya pushed herself up to her elbows and raised a brow.

"Since when do you knock to come into my room?" She asked.

"It's not polite to enter a girl's room without her permission," Heyder smiled. He leaned back against the door and shoved his hands into his pocket.

"What about when you come here every night to watch me sleep?"

"Did I say I was polite?" Heyder chuckled.

"Wouldn't that be the day," Maya rolled her eyes as she moved out of her bed and put on her slippers. "Why are you here so early?"

"My father in law called," Heyder said. "To inform me the gauntlet is ready."

"That was quick," Maya said. "And my dad isn't your father in law."

"Yet," Heyder smirked. "He wants to see both of us in the lab."

"I just got up," Maya gathered her hair up into a bun and moved toward the bathroom. She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand as her feet dragged across the floor. As she walked, she suddenly felt Heyder's hand cover her forehead.

"What are you -" She was about to ask in irritation before she opened her eyes and realized she was inches away from walking into the doorframe of the bathroom. Her eyes flickered to Heyder as he grinned and redirected her into the bathroom.

"I....I'll see you in the lab," Maya said as she slipped into the bathroom without waiting for Heyder to answer. She locked the door behind her and stripped her clothes before turning on the shower.

As the room filled with the cloudy steam, Maya stepped into the shower and let the warm water wash over her as her body began to wake up. She took her time lathering up her hair and brushing her teeth as the water beat down on her sore muscles. After some time, Maya turned the water off and pulled on her white rob and tossed her hair up into a towel. Pulling the door open, she stepped out tying her robe as her eyes fell on Heyder sitting on the edge of her bed.

Maya stilled as her eyes landed on the handsome man. His hair was neatly combed back and out of his eyes. The stubble around his strong jaw made him look rugged yet so sleek. He wore his usual dark jeans and black t-shirt. His tattoos running up and down his arms were on full display as a silver necklace hung from his neck.

Heyder, who had been lounging back casually playing with the little flames at his fingertips, looked up as Maya cleared her throat. A slow lopsided smile pulled across his lips as his eyes moved up her body slowly.

"I am not getting naked in front of you," Maya said, earning a pout from the jinn.

"I was really hoping you would," Heyder tilted his head to one side and smiled.

"Get out," Maya shook her head. She surprised herself by laughing. "Let me get dressed."

"I'm not stopping you," Heyder smirked.

Maya rolled her eyes as she walked into her closet and pulled out a pair of jeans and a thin sweater. She felt Heyder's eyes follow her around the room gathering her things before she headed back into the bathroom and locked the door. A small smile appeared on her lips as she heard the jinn laughing outside.

Dressing in a rush, Maya rough dried her hair and walked through a cloud of perfume before walking back into her closet and pulling on a pair of tennis shoes.

"Honey!" Heyder called from the bed. "We're going to be late."

"Shut up," Maya groaned as she put her perfume back and grabbed a hair tie. "I'm done, just one more minute."

Heyder stood up from where he had been lounging on the bed and ran a hand through his hair. His dark eyes followed Maya around as she grabbed a few of the fey books off the floor and headed for the door.

"Let's go! You're burning daylight," she said over her shoulder, leaving Heyder to follow behind her.

The jinn shook his head as he hurried after her. He was a few steps behind her, watching Maya's ponytail swing from side to side when he decided he didn't like her hair tied up. Reaching out he tugged on her hair, causing her to halt.

"Ouch," Maya said in irritation as she looked over her shoulder. Heyder pulled the silk hair tie out of her hair and secured it around his wrist. Maya's hair fell around her shoulder in a damp mess.

"So childish," she said as she smoothed down the flyaways. With frustration she handed the books over to Heyder and used both of her hands to comb through her hair and tuck it in behind her ears.

"The only time your hair should be up in a ponytail is when you ar-"

"Don't!" Maya held up her hand. "Don't even finish that sentence. Please."

"Like you haven't thought about it," Heyder smirked.

"No, I haven't," Maya said stubbornly, holding her head up high.

"Oh yeah?" Heyder raised a brow. "Then why do you smile so much in your sleep. What's with all the blushing?"

"What makes you think I'm dreaming about you?" Maya folded her hands over her chest. "I could be dreaming about Andrew or Tob-"

"Hey Maya!"

Maya paused to look over her shoulder to see who was calling to her. She turned to find Piper walking up to where she stood with her arms full of wrapping papers and tapes.

"Hey, Pip," Maya smiled at the little blonde. "Max and Ella here too?"

"Yep," the little girl said. "I'm helping Owen and Cleo wrap Christmas presents. Ella is volunteering with Mimzy at the orphanage."

"Where's Max?" Maya asked.

"He's in training with Paws," Piper tried to balance all the rolls of paper in her hand. As she struggled, her eyes moved to Heyder standing behind Maya.

"Oh," Maya said following the little girl's eyes. "Pip this is Heyder. Heyder this is Piper, Ella's little sister."

"Hello," Piper smiled.

"Hey," Heyder gave her a small nod.

Piper turned her eyes back to Maya just as one of the rolls of paper slipped out of her hand. Maya bent down quickly to grab it for the little girl.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Piper asked in a low voice as she too bent down for the roll of paper.

"Who Heyder?" Maya asked looking up. "No, he's not my boyfriend. We're just friends."

"Oh," Piper said. "Cleo said he was."

"No," Maya shook her head and laughed. "Here. Give me all this, you can barely walk."

"Thanks," Piper smiled as she let Maya take half the paper rolls. "Everyone's in the family room."

"I'll walk you there," Maya said standing back up.

"We don't have time for that, Maya," Heyder suddenly snapped. "We have to go."

"It's on our way," Maya looked at him over her shoulder. "Go on without me if you're so late."

"Fine."

Piper and Maya stood in confusion as Heyder stormed off. The little girl looked up at Maya as she stared after the jinn with a deep frown on her face.

"Is he always like that?" She asked.

"Sometimes," Maya sighed. "Let's go, Pip. Before he has a heart attack."

"Can jinns have heart attacks?"

Maya didn't answer as she silently walked Piper to the family room. She quickly handed Cleo the papers she was holding before she rushed off to the lab. A part of her had hoped she would have caught Heyder in the halls but he was already waiting for her inside when she arrived.

"About time," he snorted as she walked in through the door. Maya didn't respond as she looked from the cranky jinn to her parents.

"Hey guys," she said. "Heyder told me the gauntlet is ready."

"Yes," Gemma nodded. "We had the mold from before."

"Thank you," Maya walked over to where they all stood by the table. She paused beside Heyder as Exton placed a brown box in front of them.

"Are you sure this will work?" He asked. "What if it doesn't hold against the iron?"

"We'll never know until we try," Heyder said as he opened the box and pulled out the gauntlet. Maya looked around his shoulder to spy the metal glove as he put it on.

"All good?" Exton asked as they all watched Heyder open and close his hand. The metals clunked against each other as the fluid movements of his hands became jagged and stiff.

"It will do," Heyder said, taking the gauntlet off.

"When are you planning on going to get the whip?" Gemma inquired.

"Now," Heyder said.

"Now?" Both Maya and Exton asked, slightly surprised. Maya reached out and tugged on Heyder's sleeve.

"We haven't even talked about a plan," she said.

"I have a plan," Heyder closed up the box and turned to Maya.

"Do you care to fill me in on this plan?" Maya asked.

"Obviously," Heyder rolled his eyes. Maya didn't understand why his mood had suddenly grown so bitter. She held back from asking him in front of her parents to keep from creating a scene. Giving Heyder a small nod, she turned to her parents.

"Thank you for the help," she said.

"Of course," Gemma gave her a small smile. Her eyes flickered to Heyder, who was already moving towards the door.

"I'll see you guys in a bit," Maya said as she hurried after the jinn.

"I need to know what you two are planning on doing before you leave," Exton said. "Don't do anything stupid."

"We'll try not to," Maya smiled as she slipped out the doors behind Heyder. She had barely any time to shut the door behind her before she jogged up to where Heyder was.

"Slow down!" Maya said as she caught up to him. "Why are you so cranky this morning?"

Heyder didn't answer. He looked straight ahead as he rounded the corner and headed for the study.

"Heyder," Maya called to him as she fell behind once more. "Heyder!"

"I'm listening," Heyder said, without stopping. "Go on."

"What's wrong?" Maya asked as she walked into the study.

Heyder sat the box down on the table and let go of the breath he was holding. He placed his hands on the edge of the table and took a step back. His head hung low as the neck around his neck dangled.

"Whatever is bothering you, tell me so I can h-" Maya took a small step forward. Heyder straightened up, almost as if he was restless and couldn't focus.

"I'm your friend, Maya?" He asked.

Maya blinked in surprise. She didn't know what to say as she noticed the little bit of hurt and a whole lot of frustration in the brown of Heyder's eyes.

"You are..." she said quietly.

"Even after everything in the past few days?"

"Two good days do not take away the weeks of bad days," Maya snapped. Her template flared at Heyder's impatience. "Were you expecting me to be head over heels for you in two days?"

"I thought we were making progress," Heyder frowned.

"I don't know what is happening," Maya shook her head. "You confuse me so much. I don't want you but I can't stop myself from walking away from you."

"You do want me," Heyder said, taking a step forward. "I know you do. Stop fighting it."

"I can't," Maya said.

"Why not?" Heyder took another step closer. "Is it because of Fiza? I don't want her, we agreed that we're sending her back."

"No, I can't-"

"Is it the Fey magic?" Heyder lowered his head slightly to get a better look at Maya's face. "In all the time we have spent together, has it ever attacked me?"

Maya stared at him as he moved closer to her. Maya took a step back to create some distance, but Heyder didn't stop. He moved closer and closer until she was backed up against the door .

"You know in your heart that I love you," Heyder said. "Even the fey in you knows."

Maya turned her head to the side to get away from the intensity in Heyder's eyes. She felt his whole body buzz like a live wire. Even when they didn't touch, their magic danced with one another.

"Maya," Heyder raised his hands and cupped her face. She let him turn her toward him as he lowered his forehead against hers. "I don't want to be your friend."

"Why not?" Maya asked, her throat drying up.

"I want to kiss your neck and hear you moan my name," Heyder said, his eyes closed as he breathed in her scent. "Friends don't get to do that."

"Heyder," Maya reached up and took hold of his wrists. "I can't think around you."

"Then don't," Heyder sighed. "Do what your heart tells you."

"I can't," Maya shook her head.

"Why not?" Heyder asked in frustration.

"Because I'm scared you're going to break my heart."

As the words left Maya's lips, something changed in the air around them. Heyder stilled as Maya held her breath. The words hung in the air like a thick fog. Very slowly, Heyder opened his eyes and pulled back. Taking a step back, the pair locked their eyes with one another.

Somewhere in the room, the clock ticked by. Time became an illusion as Heyder stared at Maya for the longest. Maya felt her heart beat unevenly and stumble as the light and mischievous glint in his eyes slowly started to drown in the brown pools.

"Heyder...." Maya inhaled his name.

"I fucked all this up," Heyder said quietly.

"What?" Maya frowned.

"I messed everything up with you," Heyder said.

Maya didn't know how to respond. She wanted to run into his arms and tell him everything was fine. She wanted to hold him against her chest and let him hear her heart beated wildly. She had never seen him look so vulnerable. All his guards were down as his eyes scanned her face. It was a terrifying sight to see Heyder standing before her without any tricks up his sleeves.

"I...." Maya took a step forward. She felt her heart shrink and hide as she fought with her mind. It held her back and reminded her of the pain he had caused her. But the look in his eyes would haunt her heart forever. "Heyder....."

Another long minute passed. Maya and Heyder stared at one another until finally Heyder looked away. He lowered his head before running a hand through his hair and then giving a short humorless laugh. Maya stayed silent as she observed him.

"Should we go over the plan?" Heyder looked up as he took in a deep breath and let his shoulders drop.

"I....." Maya wanted to say no. She felt their conversation was left unfinished and unresolved. But the hardness in Heyder's eyes told her he would not respond.

"We'll have to be fast," Heyder said. "I'll take us into the veil and then to where the whip is kept. We grab it and then leave. Easy enough, right?"

"Where....." Maya struggled to speak through the fog in her mind. "Where is the whip kept?"

"The Tyveer's court," Heyder said.

"How would we get in there?"

"It won't be too hard," Heyder shrugged. "I grew up there. It's technically my main home."

"The Tyveer's raised you?" Maya asked.

"Yes and no," Heyder said. He turned his attention away and lifted the gauntlet out of the box. "My mother was their general. We spent a lot of time at the court growing up."

"Okay," Maya nodded. She hated the way Heyder turned off. His voice lacked his charm and the way he spoke made her think he had never really met him at all. They stood only a few feet apart, yet there was more than just physical distance between them.

"When do we go?" Maya asked.

"In a few hours."

What do you think of what is happening?