Ch.38 Ira

Chapter 38

As Heyder stood in shock staring at Maya, she caught Mirza's eyes over his shoulder. The Jinn smirked and bowed his head. Beside him, Zubair's eyes had retired to their forest green. He walked up to Heyder and put a heavy hand over his shoulder.

"I wish your mother was here to see this day," he said.

But as Maya stared, she was sure Heyder didn't hear a single word. He reached down and took a firm hold of Maya's hand. Before she could look down, he began to pull her toward the door. Behind the couple, Zubair and Mirza called Heyder.

"Everyone wants to meet the bride," Zubair said.

Heyder ignored him as he dragged Maya across the great hall and out the double doors. She followed behind silently, waiting for the right time to speak. But as they walked, more like marched, down the golden halls, Maya's dress tangled under her feet. She reached down with her free hand to pick up her skirt, but it was hard to do as Heyder pulled her along.

"You're hurting me," Maya finally said as she tried to pull her hand free.

Heyder paused and looked over his shoulder. He observed Maya holding her skirt and trying to free her other hand from him. With a deep frown Heyder took a step forward and snapped his fingers. In an instant, Maya felt her head sway back as they transported to Ira's room. She let do of her skirt just as Heyder dropped her hand.

"Why did you do that?" Heyder asked, his voice so low and so soft Maya's eyes snapped up at him.

The brown of Heyder's eyes were swirling like the center of a hurricane. He took a step forward and cupped Maya's face in between his hands. Pulling her forward, Heyder searched her blue eyes.

"Zubair's eyes were starting to turn silver," Maya said. "The fey was getting restless. I didn't think. I just acted. The last thing I wanted was for Zubair to hurt you."

"Hurt me?" Heyder frowned. His voice rose slightly as he inhaled and shook his head. "Maya, I said I wouldn't let anything happen to you. And I meant that. I stopped your education, you don't think I could have gotten us out of not kissing?"

"There was no time!" Maya pushed his hands away and took a step back. "I did what I thought was right at the time. If Zubair didn't calm down, my fey magic would have surely attacked him. That would not have been the greatest thing in the world!"

"Do you realize what you have done?" Heyder asked in frustration. Maya could tell he was furious from the way his eyes darkened, but he was holding himself back. It was almost as if he knew this battle would always be lost.

"I know," Maya frowned. She looked down at her hands and let go of the breath that had been pounding in her chest. "I know you're mad."

"I don't think there is a word in any language to describe what I am feeling right now," Heyder shook his head.

"What was I supposed to do?" Maya looked up at the jinn.

"Trust in me!" Heyder said. "I did not live through centuries of trying to perfect my abilities to stay away from you to only have Zubair's short temper demolish it."

Maya remained silent. She stood with her hands by her side as Heyder zoomed up to her and cupped her face again.

"I thought I had a shot this time," Heyder said looking into her eyes. "I thought I could keep you safe until I got the cure."

"Heyder," Maya felt her heart shrivel up from the look of defeat in the jinn's eyes. She felt his warm hands tremble slightly around her face as he tried to hold on to the calm he was trying to put up for her.

"It's not supposed to be like this," Heyder shook his head. "Not this time."

"Maybe it is," Maya took a step closer. Her fingers wrapped around his wrists as Heyder looked down at her. "What's done is done........ We can't change that. But we can work together now to find the cure."

"You are taking this very well," Heyder frowned. "For someone who has a countdown over their head."

"And you are surprisingly calm," Maya looked at him through her lashes.

"Were you expecting me to scream at you and blow shit up?" Heyder raised a brow.

"Yes, maybe," despite the situation, Maya cracked a small smile.

"I might be in shock right now," Heyder said. "Give me a few seconds for the schok to wear off and then I'll start yelling."

"I think I like you in shock," Maya said. "You're nicer."

"Maya, this i-"

Heyder had barely any time to finish his through before Maya threw her arms around his neck and brought his mouth down to hers. For a split second, his footing stumbled before he caught her in his arms and steadied them both.

Maya pulled back as her breathing labored and her eyes dilated. Heyder looked down at her in confusion before groaning.

"Maya," he closed his eyes and held her back. Maya's eyes remained on the jinn as she watched him take in several long deep breaths to calm down. But after a small pause, Heyder opened his eyes and looked at her standing in front of him.

His hands moved up from her shoulder to behind her neck. Every inch of skin he touched on his way sparked to life. Maya's lips parted as he dug his fingers into her hair and pulled her closer. She could see him hesitate behind his brown eyes, but as they looked at each other and the air cracked like thunder, Heyder slowly brought his lips down to Maya's.

As soon as their lips touched, Maya felt Heyder let go of a long breath. His shoulders dropped, his body relaxed,and his feet moved forward. His warm lips savored her as they moved over her mouth like feathers. So soft, as if he was scared she might disappear.

But with each passing second, and with each light kiss, Heyder made himself believe Maya wasn't going anywhere. Their kiss deepened as Heyder pulled Maya to his chest. His movements became urgent and needy as he picked her up and walked over to the bed. He laid her down and held himself over her, not once taking his mouth away from her.

Maya's hands began to explore all over Heyder's body freely. She felt the soft pillows under her and his hard body over her. As he sucked on her bottom lip and called to her breathlessly, her hands began to undo the buttons of his shirt. Maya pushed the fabric back over his shoulder as his mouth moved along her jaw and down to her neck.

Like a drug, every time Heyder kissed Maya's skin, a part of her became addicted. She wanted more and more. Lifting her head, she gripped the hair on the base of his neck before grazing her teeth over the ink on his shoulder. Heyder groaned as he pulled Maya's skin into his mouth.

"Heyder," Maya placed her hands on his bare chest. "Wait."

The jinn stilled, he rolled back as Maya sat up, both breathless and addicted. Heyder kept his eyes glued on Maya and waited for her to speak. He couldn't get enough of how beautiful she looked in that red wedding dress. Maya felt her skin heat up as the jinn's eyes moved over her.

She moved all of her hair over her shoulder and turned her back toward him. Heyder's eyes roamed around the backless top and the way the red popped against her skin. He caught Maya's eyes over her shoulder as she reached back and undid one of the strings.

Reaching out, Heyder ran a finger along Maya's skin. Her eyes fluttered shut as she dropped her head, creating a veil of blonde hair between her and him. Heyder leaned forward and kissed the spot between her shoulder blades. Maya's body stirred under his touch as she undid another string.

In the dimly lit room, with the celebration of the marriage outside, Heyder took his time undressing Maya. She watched him with patient eyes as he covered her kiss with kisses and tossed the dress aside. Her heavy earrings were next to go. Heyder hovered over her as she laid beneath him and he undid her earrings. Pretty soon, a pile of their clothes and Maya's jewelries laid on the floor beside the bed. The only thing the bride wore was the ring around her finger and her groom's kisses.

"I love you," Heyder whispered into Maya's ear. He moved over her as she made space for him between her legs.

The loud banging of the drums and fireworks outside matched their beating hearts. Maya looked up into Heyder's eyes and lifted her head until their lips met. She felt his hard body move over her, making her toes curl.

Maya poured her heart out to him through their kiss. She didn't know what she wanted to say or to name what she was feeling. But as Heyder kissed her back and moved his long fingers down to her core, she knew he understood what her heart felt. She bit down on her bottom lip as he played with her. His dark eyes never left her face. Maya gripped his shoulder as her legs tightened and her need for him skyrocketed.

A slow seductive smile appeared over Heyder's lips. He leaned down and darted his tongue out. Maya gasped as he began to move his wet tongue over the curved of her breasts and down her belly. Her back arched off the bed as her nails dug into his shoulder.

"Stop," Maya said breathlessly. She squirmed out from underneath him and moved on top. Heyder laid back against the bed as Maya placed her legs on either side of his hips. His pupils dilated as he gripped her hips and watched her lean forward.

Maya sealed their lips into a kiss as Heyder moved inside of her. She moaned into his mouth as his hand moved to her head and stopped her from breaking their kiss. His other hand stayed right below her hip, moving her body to his rhythm.

"Maya," Heyder said her name like a prayer. He flipped them over and laid her back against the pillows. Looking into her eyes, he moved to whatever speed she wanted him. Her electrifying eyes gazed into his empty soul and filled it up with color and happiness.

Heyder wanted her like he had never wanted anything in his life. Their union strengthened their love of one another. A love he knew Maya wasn't ready to confess aloud. But the way she pulled at him and said his name, Heyder knew she loved him just as much as he had spent centuries loving her.

As the two became undone and all the stress of their life disappeared momentarily, Heyder rested his forehead against Maya's and shared the magic brewing between them. He kissed her tenderly, roughly, desperately, and in every other way he knew how to. Maya welcomed him every time with just as much passion. She melted over and over again from his touch as they laid wrapped in the sheets.

By the time dawn started to break, Maya found herself resting her head on Heyder's chest, watching the slow sunrise. His fingers brushed over her arm as he kept his face buried in her hair.

"Merry Christmas," he whispered to her as the first light of sun broke through the baloney curtains.

Maya smiled as she lifted her head, "Merry Christmas."

"I don't want to and I hate to be the messenger of bad news. But we need to go."

Maya sighed. She moved herself closer to Heyder and pressed a kiss over the feather on his chest. Heyder's arms tightened around her before he flipped her over and pressed her into the bed under him. Maya giggled as he started to attack her with wild kisses.

"I want more," she murmured against his lips.

"We have to go," Heyder said as he moved against her.

"Then stop doing that," Maya moaned. She tightened her legs around him and tried to pull him closer.

"I was about you," Heyder laughed as he picked up his head. "You just changed my mind."

Maya felt her body spark to life from his words. She couldn't get enough of him. All night they had made love and yet she wasn't even tired. She knew it had to be Heyder. He had been healing her all night long. Making sure he didn't exhaust her as they had their fair share of fun.

"After this round, we have to go, okay?" Heyder said as he began to move his mouth down Maya's stomach.

"Wh- what?" Maya couldn't think straight as she gripped his dark hair and closed her eyes. "Why?"

"We have work to do," Heyder smiled.

"I don't really care about that r-"

Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door. Both Heyder and Maya frowned. They remained still thinking whoever it was might leave in a few, but after a short pause they knocked again.

"Heyder," Ali spoke from the other side. "Maya. Honeymoon is over! Let's go."

"I hate this man so much," Heyder groaned.

Maya laughed as he began to climb off of her. She sat up in bed and swung her legs over the side, feeling the floors for the first time since Heyder had carried her over last night. As she stood slowly, the light from the balcony radiated off of her skin like gold.

Heyder looked over his shoulder and paused. Turning around, he let his eyes move over Maya's body as slowly as possible. It was a difficult task because he wanted to see everything as soon as possible but at the same time, he wanted each second to last for an eternity. Maya's chest moved up and down as she stood still for the jinn. She waited until his eyes reached her face to flash him a bright smile.

"Heyder!" Ali bange door again.

"Oh for fuck's sake," Heyder groaned. He snapped his fingers and Maya's body wrapped in fresh clothes. He pulled on his pants and yanked the door open. "What? What do you want?"

"The whip," Ali said. His eyes darted to Heyder and then to Maya standing behind him. He spotted the messy bed over their shoulders and smirked. "Sorry for such an early wake up call."

"What about the whip, Ali?" Heyder frowned.

"Oh, right!" Ali snapped his attention back. "So, while you two were getting busy last night, everyone was drinking. They literally all just passed out a few minutes ago and I think it's a great time to grab the thing and get the hell out of here."

"Everyone?" Heyder raised a brow. "Including Zubair?"

"Yeah," Ali nodded. "I may have switched his drink."

"What about the guards?" Maya asked moving forward.

"There are a few," Ali said. "Mostly around the gates."

"Where's Mirza?" Heyder grabbed his shirt off the floor.

"I don't know," Ali shrugged. "I haven't seen him since you two left the hall."

"Where is the Whip?" Maya looked at the jinns.

"It's in my mother's old office. Ali, go guard the Zubair and the others, let us know as soon as anyone blinks," Heyder grabbed Maya's hand and began to lead her down the hall. Ali vanished into the air as he gave his best friend a nod.

"We have to stop by Maaz's office," Heyder said as he pulled Maya closer. "He has the silver gauntlet."

"Okay," Maya nodded. She buried her face into the crook of his shoulder as Heyder transported them out of the hall and into a large office. The massive wooden desk and the elaborate decorations made Maya feel as if she had arrived at a movie set. She let go of Heyder as he moved around the room, looking through the trunks by the wall.

"I'll check the ones here," she said as she moved to the other side of the room.

Maya hurried over and started to throw open the trunks. She rummaged through the contents one by one, not having any luck finding the gauntlet. The trunks were filled with all sorts of neat things. Gold jewelries, precious stones, crowns, golden arrows, silver cups and teapots.

As Maya dug, her heart started to race. At first she did not pay much attention to it and tossed it up to adrenaline. But as she neared the last trunk, her throat had dried up. She felt her hands shake slightly as she opened the cover and kneeled beside it. The pit of her stomach started to heat up, but not in the way it usually did. Maya felt a calm rush over her body as she brushed her hands over the contents of the trunk. They were the exact same as every other one, but this time, Maya felt as if something was calling out to her.

With caution, Maya let her hand roam over the gold and silver. Her curiosity grew like a wild flower as the feeling of returning home started to blossom in her chest. Just as she was about to let out the breath she was holding, Maya jumped from Heyder's voice.

"Got it," he said, holding up the silver gauntlet.

Maya looked over her shoulder at him. She jumped to her feet and rushed over to where he stood. Heyder took her hand as he gripped the gauntlet. Maya took in a deep breath and prepared to transport with him. He held his hand firmly and stepped closer.

"You ready, birdie?" Heyder asked. Maya nodded. She threw one last over her shoulder to the last trunk.

"Don't worry," Heyder said. "Maaz is naturally messy."

Maya smiled. She wanted to dedicate her full attention to what they were about to do, but the little golden key she held firmly in her hand was distracting her. She didn't even know how she found it. It was as if the key had run to her hand as soon as she had opened the trunk. Not wanting to take away any attention from the whip, Maya placed the key in her back pocket as Heyder snapped his finger.

In a heartbeat, the two disappeared out of Maaz's office and into a much older one. Maya squinted in the darkness and spotted the shadowy figures of furniture covered in white sheets. Heyder flipped on the lights and looked around the forgotten place.

"They keep the whip here?" Maya raised a brow. "I would think it would be somewhere much more secure."

Give it a second," Heyder smiled. He moved to the large desk and pulled off the sheet. A cloud of dust began to fly around. Maya covered her nose and waved the air in front of her face.

Heyder used his free hand and brushed off some of the dust on the surface of the table. She ran his finger over the smooth wood, until he found what he was looking for. His brown eyes jumped up to Maya.

"Come here," he said. Maya walked over quickly. She looked down at what he was pointing to on the table.

"Is that...." Maya touched the engraving on the table and then looked down at Heyder's mark on her right wrist.

"I took my mother's mark after she passed away," Heyder said, running his finger along the triangular pattern.

"What does this mean?" Maya asked, touching her own mark.

"Three is a very important number in our galaxy," Heyder said. "The three part to a life. Birth, adulthood, and then death. The three parts to a day. Morning, afternoon, and night."

"Is that why....." Maya's voice shook slightly.

"Three full moons?" Heyder asked. "Yeah."

"So three months," Maya whispered.

Heyder took in a deep breath. He pulled Maya closer and pressed his lips to her forehead. Maya felt his body tense under her touch as he pressed another kiss.

"I won't let history repeat itself," Heyder said. "I won't let anything happen to you."

Maya slowly nodded her head, "I know.....and it's not just you. You have me too."

A small smile pulled across Heyder's lips, "I have you."

"Always," Maya sighed. She was about to lean forward and brush her lips over his when their mind-links opened.

Better hurry, Ali said. The sun is getting high and Zubair won't be asleep for too long.

Heyder quickly let go of Maya. He held out his hand and rolled his sleeve back. Maya watched as he pulled a small letter cutter from the desk and sliced open his finger. She shrieked as blood poured out.

"Relax," Heyder said, tossing the letter cutter back. He held his hand over the mark on the table and watched the blood drip down. Maya stared in confusion before realizing the mark was beginning to glow.

"Only the blood of Ira can open her seal," Heyder said. The glow from the mark began to illuminate the whole room. Maya felt her own mark beginning to heat up. Heyder looked down at her wrist and gave her his special half smile.

Within seconds, a hiss came from the table. Maya and Heyder took a step back as a crack appeared down the center of the smooth wood. A green light flickered from inside as the two halves of the table parted and a portal appeared. Beside Maya, Heyder fastened his gauntlet.

"It's inside," he said. "My mother used her magic to hide it in here. Other than Maaz and Zubair, she only trusted me with the information."

"Where you her favorite?" Maya smiled.

"You could say," Heyder smiled, looking over his shoulder at her. "I was her protege."

Maya felt a warmth flutter in her heart. Heyder rarely talked about his family. It was a strange comfort to hear his talk about his mother. She gazed at the jinn in front of her as his brows furrowed in concentration. Maya shook her head and regained her attention as Heyder reached into the portal with the gauntlet.

Several long seconds ticked up. Maya watched Heyder move his hand around in the portal as if he was swirling water. She held her breath as he moved closer and closer to the green light that pulsed.

"I got it," Heyder finally said. Maya sighed in relief and nodded as he began to pull the whip out.

Heyder placed his free hand on the edge of the table and reached down farther. Maya frowned as she saw the look of worry start to form on his face.

"What is it?" She asked, inching forward.

"It's stuck," Heyder groaned. He pulled harder but the whip wouldn't budge.

"What is it stuck on?" Maya moved beside him.

"I don't know," Heyder tried once more.

Suddenly, with a loud clunk, Heyder jumped back from the portal.

"Fuck!" He hollered and hissed as he grabbed his hand.

Maya gasped as she spotted the angry red burn across his palm. She pulled his hand to her and looked up at him in alarm.

"What happened? Where is the gauntlet?" She asked.

"It didn't work," Heyder said. He looked at the portal, wishing he could look into it. But the iron inside would melt his face off.

"You're burnt pretty bad," Maya frowned. "We need to get you back to mom or Mimzy."

"We're not leaving without the whip," Heyder shook his head.

"How?" Maya said in anger. "The gauntlet didn't work and either of us reaching in their would be suicide."

"We have to try something," Heyder began to look around the room.

"Heyder," Maya called to him as he moved away from her. "Let's go back and think of a different way.

"We didn't come all this way and get married to leave empty handed," Heyder said. He began to pull all the sheets off the shelves and search through the room.

Guys, Ali linked them again. Zubair is waking up.

"Fuck," Heyder groaned.

Maaz is up! Ali said. I'll stall him.

"Heyder," Maya's heart began to race. "Let's go. We can come back."

"I don't want you anywhere near these people ever again," Heyder said without stopping his search.

"They're all co-" Maya began to say but suddenly she felt a rush of sparks shoot up her spine.

The feeling was unlike anything else she had ever experienced before. Every cell in her body felt as if they were becoming anew. Her skin buzzed with a strong force of magic. Pure, raw magic.

Slowly, Maya turned to the portal on the table. She couldn't stop herself as she took a small step forward.

"See if you can find any silver in the r-" Heyder was saying. From the corner of his eyes he saw Maya leaning over the edge of the table, headed right for the portal.

"Maya!" Heyder called to her. But it was too late, she had dived in, head first.

Maya head Heyder call her name. But as she stuck her head into the portal, she felt time stop. She didn't know how, but the feeling was as real as the way Heyder had touched her the night before. With every piece of her, Maya knew, time had frozen.

She blinked against the harsh light as her body floated down the portal like a bubble in the air. Her feet touched down onto the solid ground after what felt like an eternity. Maya looked around the empty deserted room. The sound of the ocean waves crashing against rocks came from the large balcony. The room was completely bare. Maya slowly turned and took a step forward.

There, in front of her, floating in midair was a dark iron handle. The whip floated in the air as the iron chain moved like a slithering snake. Maya slowly began to reach for it. But as she did, a figure appeared on the other side of the whip.

Maya stilled as the winds from the sea outside carried in sand and formed the woman with long dark hair and fierce brow eyes. Her nose was sharp and her lips full. Her cheeks were warm and her wavy black hair looked soft to the touch.

"Ira..." Maya recognized the woman in front of her, even thought she had never seen her ever in her life. But she didn't need to, unlike his brother, Heyder was the spitting image of his mother.

Ira tilted her head slightly to one side. Her eyes were curious like a cat. She gazed at Maya, asking her what she was doing in the portal with her eyes. Maya didn't know what to say. She could hardly explain the events to herself.

As the two women stood staring at each other, the whip began to move. Ira frowned as the iron landed on Maya's hand. Maya held her breath and looked down, waiting for the burn to tear through her skin. But as the seconds passed, nothing happened.

The pit of her stomach warmed as the iron cooled in her hand. Maya looked down in surprise as Ira's eyes widened. She took a step forward just as Maya felt her body be pulled upwards through the air.

In a blink of an eye, Maya was sitting on top of the desk. Heyder jumped back as the portal closed and the two halves of the table reunited. His eyes widened just like his mothers as he spotted the whip in Maya's hand. Neither said a word as their hearts pounded in their chest.

Maaz is looking for you, Ali's voice broke the two out of their trance. Heyder jumped forward and carefully took Maya's hand. He avoided the whip as he snapped his fingers and they transported out of the veil.

Maya was still speechless as they materialized in the halls of the palace. She stared down at the whip in her hands as Heyder stood a few feet away from her. Her eyes moved up to find him watching her with a bit of uneasiness.

"How are you doing that?" he asked.

"I.....I don't know," Maya frowned. She hated the way Heyder looked at her.....like he was afraid she would lose control any second and use the whip on him. She could feel his anxiety and fear run through her own veins.

Needing to assure him and even herself that she was not going crazy, Maya tossed the whip to the ground. Stepping over it, she ran into Heyder's chest and threw her arms around his neck.

Shocked and concerned, Heyder pulled Maya closer and held her head against his chest. His eyes remained on the whip on the ground as she began to shake. Her whole body was like a frozen ice cube as she gave a very small whimper.

"Heyder," Maya whispered. She lifted her head to look up.

Heyder tore his eyes from the whip and looked down at Maya. His eyes softened as he saw the way her bottom lip was beginning to tremble.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"I.....I think so," Maya nodded.

"What....what happened?"

"I....." Maya looked over her shoulder to the whip on the floor. "I saw your mother."

"What?" Heyder frowned.

"She was inside the portal......with the whip."

"How is that possible? My mother's dea-"

"Heyder," Maya placed her hands on either side of his face. "I won't hurt you."

"What?" Heyder asked in confusion.

"I saw your eyes," Maya said. "I saw the way you looked at me. I won't hurt you. I promise. I couldn't.....I could never -"

"Shhhhh," Heyder removed Maya's hands from around his face. He copied her action and placed his hands around her face.

"You could never hurt me," Heyder whispered.

Maya's heart fluttered. She leaned forward as Heyder lowered his lips. She held her breath just as he brushed her lips and kissed her gently. Maya felt all the air leave her lungs. Her feet pushed off the ground and her arms hooked around his neck.

"You have got to be fucking with me!"

Maya and Heyder suddenly broke apart. Maya felt her heart sink to the bottom of the ocean as Exton stood at the end of the hall, red as a tomato.

Ah shit lol what do you think of Heyder and Maya's situation right now?

Also, I really wish I could write more, but work is super crazy right now. I feel like I'm in a scifi book where I am teaching to a post apocalyptic population. Be well everyone and be kind.