Ch. 39 White Tiger

Chapter 39

Everything happened in a blink of an eye. Maya struggled to inhale as her father shifted into his black wolf and pounced on Heyder. She fell to the ground as the jinn pushed her out of the way.

"Dad!" Maya screamed for her father to stop. Her eyes were wide with alarm and worry as her father's claws sunk into Heyder's shoulder and his shirt soaked with blood. Through the mess of black fur and limbs, Maya caught the jinn's eyes. She saw him flicker a quick glance at her as he pushed Exton off.

Exton's large wolf growled up a storm. The glass light fixtures shook on the walls as Gemma and Rye ran out of the family room. Heyder held up his hands and summoned a shield.

"Exton, listen to me," he said as calmly as he could. His dark brown eyes watched the wolf for any sudden movement. "I will never let anything happen to her."

You fuckin' fuck! Exton yelled through their mind-links.

Maya rushed to her feet and moved closer to Heyder. Her father's eyes darkened as the jinn took her hand and pulled her behind him.

What the fuck do you think you are doing? Exton demanded. You think I would hurt my own daughter?

"What is going on?" Rye's eyes bounded from her son to the pair behind the shield.

He kissed her! Exton growled. He fuckin' kissed her knowing very well he's the reason for her life sentence.

Maya felt Heyder flinch slightly from Exton's words. She looked through the translucent shield at her mother, who's blue eyes were beginning to darken.

"Mom," Maya called out to Gemma. "It's complicated. We had n-"

Before Maya could finish, Exton leaped up into the air and clashed against Heyder's shield. The electric charge from it pushed him off and his wolf landed on the ground a few feet away. Maya's head and heart began to pound and her belly turned with worry. Her eyes darted back and forth between her mother and father until Exton shook his head and got off the floor.

"Please, stop," she begged. "Listen to me. It was a complicated situation. Heyder didn't kiss me on p-"

You don't know him, Maya, Exton bared his sharp teeth at the jinn. You won't know how he could have manipulated you with his words until it's too late.

"Like you manipulated Gemma and hid her in your timeline?" Heyder snared. "You are not so high and mighty, your grace."

Maya's blood chilled as she watched her father's hind legs get ready for another pounce. But before the two men could add any more fuel to the fire, she jumped in between them. Exton paused immediately as Heyder tried to pull Maya back.

"Stop it!" Maya held out her hands. "Both of you! Heyder didn't kiss me. I kissed him! And we also got married, so there."

Someone, somewhere, gasped. Maya wasn't sure if it was her mother or Rye. But the air in the hall was suddenly too thick to breath. The rest of the family had gathered by the entrance of the family room. Their eyes wide and filled with shock. Cleo and Piper stood with their wrapped Christmas gift in their hands as Owen and Mavi exchanged concerned glances behind the girls.

What did you say? Exton took a small step toward Maya. His voice was cold and low in her mind as his large green eyes pinned her.

"I.....I kissed Heyder," Maya said. She felt the shield behind her lower as Heyder stepped up behind her.

"You two..." Gemma took a step beside her husband. "You two got married?"

"It's a long story," Maya bit down on her bottom lip. Her eyes moved around the many stunned faces around the hall.

"You were gone for a day," Rye said. "You come back with a curse on you and as a married woman?"

"If you all could just listen and let me explain!" Maya let go of the breath she had been holding. "Mirja told the Tyveer court I had Fey magic in me. They were going to kill me but Heyder saved me. He married me so I would be protected under their laws."

Bullshit, Exton shook his head.

"Dad, it's the tru-"

You mean to tell me Heyder, the man who always thinks 50 steps ahead, didn't think of the possibility that you might get caught in the Tyveer court? You don't think he planned all this?

"You son of a -" Heyder spoke up but stopped when his eyes moved to Rye. "Gun. You think I planned to get your daughter captured just so I can marry her and kiss her to get the clock started?"

I wouldn't put it past you, Exton growled.

"I didn't!" Heyder said loudly. "I love her and I would never want her to be in that situation."

"Then why did you take her with you?" Gemma asked. "You knew the risk. You knew Fey wasn't allowed in court. Why did you take her there?"

She was your insurance, wasn't she? Exton's green eyes grew dark once more.

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

It makes sense, Exton took a step forward. What was the plan Heyder? In case you got caught you would give them Maya. Handing them a fey would insure anyone's release.

"You really are sick," Heyder shook his head. "What part of I love your daughter is not going through your dense skull?"

You don't even know the first thing about begging in love! You don't love her! It's your obsession with her.

"Dad," Maya frowned. "Stop it. You can't assume things and bla-"

Get out of my way, Maya.

"No! Stop!"

Maya, move!

Maya's heart began to twist in an uncomfortable way. She knew there was no way she could stop either men from tearing each other apart. And to make matters worse, Gemma didn't look as if she would stop Exton either.

"Exton," Xavier's voice suddenly spoke up from behind the wolf. Maya darted her eyes up to find her grandfather standing behind her father with his hands behind him and his ever present poker face on. She looked back at her father and watched him struggling to disobey the command in the former king's voice.

"That's enough," Xavier said. "Shift back. Maya and Heyder, come inside."

Maya was unsure of what to do. She watched her grandfather turn and walk back into the family room as her father growled at Heyder. A former king himself, it wasn't in Exton's nature to let others tell him what to do. But when Xavier spoke, even Mavi had to bend her will at times.

"I hope I don't have to repeat what your father said," Rye looked at her son. She watched him until he stopped growling and took a step back. Her wild gray eyes moved to Heyder and Maya. "Go inside."

Heyder slowly lowered the shield. Maya reached back and took a hold of his warm fingers as Gemma stepped out of the war. Rye led the pair into the family room as Exton walked off to shift back.

No one said a word. The large open fireplace crackled with the logs burning as everyone avoided Maya's eyes. Ella was the only one to meet her eyes as she passed by the girl. The corner's of her lips curved up into a small smile and her hand reached out as Maya brushed her fingers against her in greeting.

"Where is Adeline?" Maya asked once she had a good look at everyone in the room.

"She's on vacation with Ben," Rye said.

"She's missing Christmas?"

"It happens," Rye sighed. "Children grow up, get married and start their own lives."

"You all can stop staring at us," Heyder said. "We're not going to start performing."

"Maya," Mavi spoke up. She walked around the coffee table and approached her niece. "What happened? I thought the plan was just to get the whip and that's it. And how are you even holding this thing? It's made of iron."

Maya looked down at the whip she had picked up on her way into the room. The metal was still cool against her skin, causing no harm.

"It's the fey," she said. "I don't know how to explain it."

"It protects her," Heyder said. "From any harm."

Mavi's eyes flickered up, "What about the curse?"

Maya was unsure. She looked at Heyder who shook his head.

"I don't know," he said. "I don't know if the fey will protect her from the curse. But I am not going to leave it up to chance."

The jinn turned to look at the people in the room. His brown eyes moved over everyone before they settled on Xavier.

"I promise I won't let anything happen to Maya," he said.

"You promise means nothing," Exton said as he walked into the room. He buttoned the cuffs of his shirt as Gemma slowly followed in behind. Her slender figure looked even slimmer in her high heels. Her blonde hair was left loose and it fell like a veil behind her. Heyder noticed how much Maya resembled her mother once the obvious resemblances to Mavi wore off.

Once again the whole room held its breath. Clare, Cleo, and Piper watched everyone silently as the adults all watched Maya and Heyder. Maksim and Ella lingered to the side while Rye was the only one who moved to stand beside her husband. Maya watched her as she took Xavier's hand and placed a gentle kiss upon it. For the first time in her life, Maya witnessed the poker face on her grandfather crack as a small smile appeared on his lips. He still held himself upright with the authority of a king, but his green eyes had grown soft as Rye leaned in and he placed a kiss on her forehead. With a great sigh, he gave her a small nod.

"We can talk about this later," Xavier announced to everyone.

"Later?" Exton's eyes snapped to his father. "My daughter has a ticking time bomb over her head."

"Please," Rye frowned. "I want to spend Christmas not fighting. Just one day, Exton."

Exton looked from Rye to Maya. something shifted in his eyes as all the color from his face drained. He took a step back as the green in his eyes seemed to crack.

"Dad."

"Exton."

Both Maya and Rye took a step forward at the same time. Exton's eyes moved between the two once more as he took another step back.

"I can't do this," he said, earning a frown from Rye.

"Dad," Maya's soft voice pulled her father's eyes to her. "I'm so sorry. Please try to understand."

"Maya," Exton's shoulder dropped. Gemma stared at the ground as he moved closer to their daughter.

Maya watched her father as he slowly approved her. Heyder held himself back as Exton cupped Maya's face and placed a kiss on her forehead. Before she could throw her arms around him, he let go and walked out of the room.

"Exton," Rye called after him, but he didn't stop. A few seconds later, Gemma too walked out.

Maya felt her heart shrink in her chest. Suddenly, left standing in front of everyone, she started to feel like a little girl and the familiar fear of the horrible nightmares of being lost started to sneak into her heart. She didn't know whether to go after her parents or to stay with Heyder. She felt his eyes on her and sensed his hesitation to reach out for her hand. After a few more seconds of wishing her parents would come back, Maya turned away from the door and looked at Heyder.

"Do you want to leave?" He asked. Maya nodded her head. She looked at Mavi beside her and tried to smile.

"Go," Mavi said, placing her hand against Maya's cheek. "I'll come by in a bit. Let me talk to Eggs first."

"Okay," Maya nodded. She let her eyes drop to the whip in her hand. Wrapping her fingers tightly around it, she looked back at Heyder and took a step toward the door. He followed silently.

Heyder's palms itched to touch her. Maya's cheeks were stained red and her eyes were filled with worry. Every time he looked at her, a sharp pain pierced through his heart. She walked silently, never stopping until they reached her room. Heyder followed her inside and closed the door behind her.

"What should I do with this?" Maya asked, holding up the whip.

"Place it on the bed," Heyder pointed to the perfectly made bed.

Maya followed his instructions. She set the whip down and took a step back. She watched as Heyder held his hand over the iron handle and called to his magic. The air around the whip shimmered before it disappeared into thin air.

"Will it be safe?" Maya asked.

"Yeah," Heyder nodded. "It's with the olive branch."

Maya nodded her head. She felt exhaustion take over her body as her muscles began to ache and her joints began to complain like an old lady. Rubbing her eyes, she sank down on the edge of the bed and kicked off her shoes.

"I'm sorry," Heyder said, watching her pull her legs up and folding them in front of her.

"For what?" Maya looked up.

"For everything," Heyder said. "The curse, the wedding, your parents.....the list is endless."

Maya remained silent. She picked at the sleeve of her sweater and focused on her breathing. Her eyes were beginning to grow heavy and hot.

"Exton was right," Heyder continued. "I shouldn't have taken you with me. I should have never taken the risk. No matter how small I thought it was."

His words caused Maya to frown. She looked up at him and pushed her hair out of her face.

"Do you know what I like about you?" She asked. "You don't try to protect me."

Heyder raised a brow in confusion. His little action caused Maya to crack a smile.

"All the men in my family always think they have to protect the women," Maya said. "They do things behind our back and sometimes make the stupidest mistakes because they are so worried about protecting us. But you're not like them...... you took the risk of taking me to the Tyveer court because you knew I could handle myself. You don't see me as someone who needs to be protected but as someone who can help you by remaining by your side."

Heyder looked away from Maya's eyes. He fixed his gaze on the window and darted his tongue out to lick his bottom lip. Maya watched him as a million storms moved across his eyes. After a pause, he let go of a heavy breath and ran a hand through his dark hair.

"That's what marriage is, right?" He gave a small laugh. The bed dipped as he took a seat beside Maya.

"Is there.....is there a way to get a divorce?" Maya asked. "Or like can we get an annulment?"

Heyder looked over at her. Their eyes met and for a second Maya regretted her words. It was too quick, but she swore she saw a flicker of hurt flash across his eyes.

"I mean after we get rid of the curse," she explained. "What do we do about this ....... Marriage?"

"What are you asking?" Heyder tilted his head to one side.

"You don't really think that we're going to stay married, do you?" Maya asked slowly. "I mean.....we aren't even together."

"And you don't really think after everything that happened we would stay broken up, do you?" Heyder asked.

"Heyder," Maya jumped off the bed. "Everything is complicated. But that doesn't change our relationship. I meant what I said. And I made it very clear that I was only helping you to find the ophiotaurus."

"After everything that just happened?" Heyder got off the bed.

"What happened?" Maya demanded. "We got forced to get married. My feelings for you haven't changed. I'm not in love with you."

"Stop saying that!"

"It's the truth," Maya said. "Just because everything with this mark and marriage happened doesn't mean my feelings for you suddenly changed over night."

"Your feelings definitely changed this last night," Heyder said. "You mean to tell me you feel nothing for me?"

"I'm not in love with you," Maya repeated herself. "And this marriage doesn't mean anything. It changed nothing that happened between us."

In a blink of an eye, Heyder was in front of Maya. She gasped as his sudden movement blew the hair out of her face.

"Then why did you let me touch you last night?" Heyder asked as his dark eyes bored into Maya.

"What?" Maya looked up, a bit breathless.

"Why do I have your nail marks all over my back?" Heyder took a step closer. "If you don't love me, then why did we stay up all night? Why were your legs wrapped around me, pulling me closer like you couldn't get enough?"

"Heyder..." Maya placed her hand on the jinn's chest. Her triangular mark on her wrist caught the light as she held him back even enough she felt her body sway toward him.

"Maya....." heyder cupped her face. "Don't tell me you don't love me. I know you do.......the things we did last night, you showed me how much you loved me and I know you felt my love for you too."

"Stop," Maya stepped away from him. She shook her head and tugged at her hair. "That wasn't love."

"Then what was it?" Heyder asked.

"I was overwhelmed. There was too much adrenaline in my body," Maya said as she shook her head. "We just had sex, Heyder. That's all. It was just a physical thing."

Heyder laughed, "Keep telling yourself that."

"Oh my god," Maya said in frustration. "You're just butthurt right now that I'm not throwing myself at your feet."

"Yeah, okay," Heyder rolled his eyes. "And you're too much of a coward to admit you love me. That against all your better judgement you still can't stop thinking about me."

"I don't want to do this right now," Maya frowned.

"What would you rather do?" Heyder asked. "The bed is right here. We can finish what we started last night."

"That will never happen again," Maya said sternly.

"What will never happen again?" Heyder asked as if he had no idea what she was talking about. "You on top of me? Or me holding your hands over your head?"

"Stop it," Maya snapped.

"Please let's make all this clear, okay?" Heyder laughed. "No more gray areas. How exactly am I allowed to touch you. You really seem to like when I sat you down on my lap and hand my -"

"Heyder!" Maya yelled. "Leave. Get out!"

"Stop fighting yourself, Maya!" Heyder yelled over her. "I love you. So fuckin' much, okay? It drives me insane how much I love you. You occupy every single one of my thoughts. For twenty three years the only thing that I had in that glass jar was the image of your eyes. The only thing that kept me sane was knowing you were sometimes around me."

Maya took a step back. She felt her heart shake and her knees ache. Her skin felt too warm and her eyes were starting to sting.

"I love you, Maya," Heyder continued. "And I will always love you. It's you and I. If anything happens to you then that's it........I can't love anyone else. No one else after you."

As Heyder spoke, Maya's head began to spin. She felt her stomach drop just as black spots began to appear in her vision. She wobbled slightly and tried to steady herself.

"Maya...." Heyder looked at her with concern.

Just then, the door opened and Mavi walked in. She caught Maya in her arm as the girl began to sink to the floor. Heyder tried to jump forward and caught her but Mavi's voice stopped him.

"Behind you!" She yelled.

Heyder whirled around to find Mirza and one of his tigers. The white beast growled as he took a step forward. Mirza raised his hand and an intense heat began to glow from his palm. Heyder didn't waste a second on hesitation as he pulled all his magic to the surface and directed it toward his brother.

Mirza's eyes widened. The glow from Heyder's blast reflected in his eyes as his tiger leaped forward. With a sickening sound, the blast caught the tiger instead of the jinn. The beast fell to the floor as Heyder summoned another blast for his brother. But seeing the darkness in Heyder's eyes, Mirza snapped his finger and vanished.

"Fuckin' hell!" Heyder growled. "Come back here and fight, you dick!"

"Heyder," Mavi called out. "She's burning up."

Heyder turned to where Mavi held Maya on the floor. He rushed forward and sank to the floor as Maya's eyes fluttered.

"What's happening?" Mavi asked.

"It's the curse," Heyder said, grimply as he took her hand and began to push his magic into her. "It's starting."

"What are you doing?" Mavi asked as she watched their entangled hands beginning to glow.

"I'm healing her," Heyder snapped. "The curse starts with a fever that will last three days. I need to heal her so it doesn't cause any damage."

"My mom is on her way," Mavi said. "Help me move her to the bed."

Heyder didn't argue. He picked Maya's unconscious body up and moved her to the bed. He laid her down and took a seat beside her. Taking her hand once more, he continued to heal. Mavi removed Maya's shoes and adjusted the pillow under her head. Heyder eyed her as he began to frown.

"How did you know?" He asked. "About Mirza."

"I had a dream," Mavi said. "Not too long ago.....a white tiger standing over Maya with its paw on her chest."

Heyder's eyes flickered to the dying beats on the floor. Mavi followed his eyes and felt her heart break.

Owen, she opened her mind-link. Tell Cleo we can have her tiger. But she'll need to save it first.

Thank you guys for being so patient with me.

What do you think of Maya and Heyder's argument?