Ch.44 Thetis

Chapter 44

Heyder leaned back against the railing of the stairs as Maya and Exton slowly descended to the foyer. His dark eyes watched the sunlight play peek a boo with Maya's hair as she absent mindlessly pushed a few loose pieces away from her face. His hand itched to feel the smoothness of her skin. He wanted to grip her hair and feel the strands wrap around his fingers as he tasted her full lips.

As if sensing his thoughts and eyes on her, Maya looked up. She tried to pay attention to what her father was saying, but the warmth running down to her toes distracted her.

"Tell Thetis Tobias sent you," Exton said. "Who knows, maybe his name will get her to stop and listen."

Maya nodded, "Okay.......anything else."

"No," Exton sighed.

The pair came to a stop at the foot of the stairs and looked up at Heyder. Exton cleared his throat and looked the jinn straight in the eyes.

"Do not let her leave your sight," he said.

"Got it," Heyder gave a snarp nod.

"If anything happens to her, I swear to the gods I will ki-"

"Dad," Maya placed her hand on her father's arm. "I think we're getting late."

Exton narrowed his eyes and held Heyder's gaze for a few seconds longer before taking a small step back. He wrapped his arms around Maya as she came in for a hug. His eyes stayed glued on the jinn.

"Shall we?" Maya asked, letting go of her father and turning to Heyder.

Heyder didn't speak. He flickered his hand and a large portal appeared beside the portraits on the hall. He held his hand out for Maya and waited patiently as Exton placed one last kiss on her forehead.

"Keep your link open," Exton said as Maya took Heyder's hand and slipped into the portal.

The warm air of Greece was a welcome change from the chilly mountain breeze of the palace. Maya immediately tilted her head up to the sunlight. She felt Heyder squeeze her hand before he took a step in front of her and pulled her face down to meet his lips.

"I'm sorry about my dad," Maya mumbled as the jinn began leaving wild kisses.

"It's fine," Heyder dismissed right away.

"He can be a little too mu-"

"I get it."

"You do?" Maya asked in confusion. She pulled back to get a better look at Heyder's face.

"He's your father," Heyder said, searching her eyes. "You will forever be the little girl he brought home from the hospital wrapped in a little blanket."

Maya couldn't stop the smile that spread across her lips, "What?"

"He's worried about you, birdie," Heyder sighed. His hands rested hooked around her hips as he gazed down at her. "As he should be. I've doomed you."

"You've done nothing to me," Maya shook her head. "I kissed you, remember?"

"It's my curse, remember?" Heyder laughed. "If I was in your dad's shoes, I would have killed me by now."

Heyder's words caused Maya's smile to drop. She looked down at the ink peeking out from under his shirt and darted her tongue out to wet her lip.

"I don't think he hates you," she said, slowly.

"He should," Heyder replied. "I would understand if he did."

"You're very understanding today," Maya teased. She reached up and touched the side of the jinn's face.

"I'm seeing things I didn't before," Heyder said, getting lost in her icy blue eyes.

"What do you mean?"

A serene smile pulled across Heyder's face. He lifted his hands and pushed back the hair flying around Maya's face. Maya wanted to melt against his warm skin as she inhaled his scent and leaned into him.

"I loved you for thousands of years," Heyder said, his voice low and gentle. "But for the first time.....I've fallen in love with you."

His words rang around Maya's ears like the wind through a wind chime on a hot summer afternoon. Her body felt as if any second she would sprout wings and fly away. Maya prayed to the gods Heyder held onto her for dear life because there was no stopping the feeling of glee inside of her.

"I think I've waited my whole life to hear you say that," Maya said breathlessly.

"Would you like to hear it again, my baby?"

Maya eagerly nodded her head, "Yes."

With a light chuckle, Heyder released his hold on Maya and took a step back. He didn't dare take his eyes away from her as he bent down on one knee on the sand in front of Maya. holding her hand firmly, Heyder pressed his lips over the ruby ring.

"Maya Ellanora Dorin," he began. "You have bewitched me to the depths of my soul. I have fallen hopelessly and unconditionally in love with you. And I pray I never recover from this great fall."

"Say it again," Maya couldn't stop smiling.

"I'm in love with you, sweetheart," Heyder smiled.

"Once more."

"Maya......baby......I'm so madly in love with you."

"One more time," Maya laughed.

Heyder jumped up to his feet and pulled Maya's mouth up to meet his. He held her face in between his ring clad hands and kissed her hungary.

"I'm in love with you," he said as he teased her lips. "With everything you do."

"You're mine," Maya looped her arms around the jinn's neck and hung from his body. She never wanted the kiss to end. Her body buzzed like live wires and her magic danced like wildfire.

The hot Greek sun burned bright above their heads as the couple drowned the sounds of the ocean with their kisses. Heyder was tempted to find a secluded area and shower his wife with love. But as salty air blew through her hair with the scent of the sea, the jinn knew they had to step out of their bubble and face reality.

With great difficulty, Heyder released Maya's lips and took a step back. He laughed as she swayed and grinned from ear to ear. The tops of her cheeks were starting to tan and her nose was rosy.

"You're beautiful," he said, rubbing his thumb over her cheek.

"Thank you," Maya blushed. "Should we find Thetis or do you want to take me home?"

"I want to take you home," Heyder grinned.

"But that won't be the right thing to do," Maya pushed his shoulder.

"I hate doing the right thing."

"I've noticed," Maya shook her head. "Now focus."

With a sigh that left him feeling light as air, Heyder looked over his shoulder. The dock behind them was empty and silent as one or two fishermen rode back to harbor from the morning's trip. He held out his hand and waited until Maya laced her fingers through his. Together, they began to move towards the boats bobbing in the ocean.

Once by the docks, Maya waited by the large boats as Heyder spoke to one of the old men sitting under an umbrella drinking coffee. She watched as the man's eyes moved from her to the jinn several times before he gave a nod and handed Heyder a set of keys.

"Who was that?" Maya asked as Heyder walked back toward her.

"An old friend. He's giving us his boat for the afternoon."

"He didn't look happy about it," Maya looked back at the man watching them over the rim of his mug.

"I don't care," Heyder shrugged. "He owed me and now I'm cashing in on that favor."

"How many people owe you?"

"Too many," Heyder laughed.

"Is that good or bad?"

"Good," Heyder looked over his shoulder at Maya. "It's always good having all the right people in all the right places. As a future queen, that's a lesson you should learn very quickly."

"But I'll have you next to me," Maya said.

"It's your kingdom. Not mine."

"I wouldn't have a kingdom to inherit if my mom didn't use your magic to restore it," Maya reminded the jinn. "Who knows how many witches have your magic running through their veins."

"Doesn't matter," Heyder paused in front of a small white yacht. He hopped over the side and held his hand out for Maya.

"Jinn and Tonic," Maya read the name printed on the side of the boat. She raised a brow and looked back at the old man.

"His family worships the court of Tyveer," Heyder explained. "Come on, give me your hand."

Maya placed her hand in the jinn's and hopped onto the boat. She stood by the wheel as Heyder raised the anker and put the key in the ignition. Slowly, the boat began to move out of the harbor and into the open sea.

"You okay?" Maya heard Heyder ask over the wind.

"Yeah," she nodded. "Where are we going?"

"As close as we can get to Halki," Heyder nodded towards the open sea. "The island is hidden. We'll know we're near once the storm hits."

"What storm?" Maya frowned. She walked up to the jinn and took a seat on the white cousin bench.

"Thetis guards the island. She will try to steer us away to protect the ophiotaurus," Heyder looked down at Maya. "Here. Come over here and take the wheel."

Maya did as she was told. She gripped the shiny steering wheel and kept the boat steady on its course. Heyder stepped back and held his hand up over the bench she had just been sitting on. From the corner of her eyes Maya watched as the man summoned a bundle of sage using his magic.

"What's that for?" Maya asked.

"Offering to the goddess," Heyder said. "We have to pull her out of her temple."

As Maya watched, Heyder held his hand over the side of the boat and a large sword fish jumped out of the water. He quickly grabbed the flopping fish and bashed it's head against the side of the bench. When he looked up, Maya watched him with a deep frown.

"Don't ever let Cleo see you do that," she said.

"I'm sorry," Heyder laughed. "It's for Thetis."

"Cleo won't care," Maya shook her head. "She will attack you and because I like you, I'm letting you know that Owen trained her well."

"So I'm guessing she's the vegan in the family?" Heyder laid the fish down beside the sage. "There's always one."

"No," Maya laughed. "Clare is vegan."

"Clare?" Heyder paused. He pondered for a few seconds before shrugging, "I guess it makes sense.....she's......weird."

"She's my cousin," Maya bumped the jinn with her leg. "Be nice."

"Trust me. I'm being very nice," Heyder shook his head.

Maya was about to ask him what he meant when the blue sky overhead suddenly began to dim. She looked up with concern as a strong cold wind picked up.

"That's our welcome committee," Heyder said. "Keep the boat steady. Don't stop."

Maya's knuckles turned white as she gripped the wheel as hard as she could. The boat zoomed into the storm as droplets of rain, sharp as hail began to graze against her skin. Heyder grabbed the bundle of sage and lit it on fire. He took a step closer to Maya and used the smoke coming from the sage to create a large circle.

"The water," Maya said as she looked down nervously.

"Keep going." Heyder said, ignoring the violent waves. He grabbed the fish and held it over the smoke from the sage.

"Heyder," Maya squinted from the harsh rain as it began to pour.

"Don't stop, birdie."

"We're headed right for a hurricane!" Maya yelled over the roars of the sea. The boat flew into the air as a large wave rolled underneath it.

Heyder's arm hooked around Maya's waist as he pulled her closer. Their clothes were soaked. The rain threatened to drown them.

"She won't come," Maya said as the boat rocked once more and they fell to the floor.

"She will," Heyder pushed as he lit the sage once more.

"What else can we offer her?" Maya looked at the fish sliding around the floor of the boat.

"I don't know," Heyder said. "More fish?"

"No," Maya shook her head. She climbed to her knees and looked up at the dark skies. The thick gray clouds were angry and the sea below was relentless. The boat once again fell under attack of an enormous wave.

"The gold olive branch!" Maya yelled over the waves. "Get the branch!"

Heyder stuck his leg out and caught Maya to stop her from sliding down the boat and crashing her head against the side. The little sunroof over the steering wheel flew off, leaving the pair completely exposed to the goddess's storm.

"Hang on!" Heyder pulled Maya to safety and dropped the sage.

The flames hisses against the water but didn't give out. Maya grabbed the thing as Heyder snapped his finger and the olive branch appeared in his hand. She quickly swung the sage to the branch and covered the gold with the smoke.

"Thetis!" Maya yelled.

"Maya!" Heyder leaped forward and shielded her as an enormous wave crashed into the boat. He held onto her and instantly threw a shield around them as their boat began to be pulled down to the bottom of the ocean.

"Oh my god!" Maya screamed. She tried to look up, but Heyder buried her face in the crook of his shoulder.

As if by reflex, Maya felt the fey inside of her stir awake. She felt her skin warm as it produced one of its own shields over Heyder's. They began to glow an electric violet as the waves pulled them down.

"Heyder!" Maya screamed again.

"Hang on, birdie," Heyder pulled her closer.

Maya screwed her eyes shut and dug her nails into the jinn's neck. Their bubble began to fill with the smoke from the sage and the stench of the fish. The boat groaned and cracked somewhere in the dark sea as it fell down down to the bottom of the ocean floor.

"I want to leave," Maya said as she tried to keep her eyes shut. The fey inside of her began to panic and the shield's glow began to amplify.

"Heyder, I want to leave!"

"Okay, okay," Heyder said. He shifted her to one side and moved the olive branch over.

Just as he was about to snap his fingers and take her home, the sea began to part.

Heyder looked around as the water receded and the clouds overhead thinned. Sunlight began to shine through as the waves turned gentle and rocked the bubble the couple was in. Maya picked up her head and looked around. Her eyes were still filled with caution and fear as they drifted to a black sand beach.

"Heyder....." Maya whispered as she spotted the figure waiting for them at the shore.

The woman was dressed in all white. Her dress blew in the wind as she stood out against the black sand like a diamond in a pile of cole. Her red hair coiled up like springs and her chocolate skin glistened in the sunlight.

As Maya and Heyder drifted to the beach, the woman held up her hand. At once, the protective bubble burst and the pair stumbled onto the wet sand. The fey inside of Maya began to panic. She could feel it trying to pull at it's magic. It was as if the fey was ready to strike as soon as the woman blinked.

Beside Maya, Heyder rose to his feet. He pulled her to her feet and shielded her behind himself.

"Thetis," he said, his voice calm and even. "We seek passage to Halki."

"There is no passage," the woman, Thetis, said.

"We have gifts for you," Heyder held up the olive branch.

Maya lifted her eyes as the sunlight gleamed off the branch. It was a beautiful sight. The light around it seemed to bend and mold it, creating a spotlight.

"There is no passage to Halki," Thetis said once more.

"We have milk from Apollo's cattle," Maya called out to the goddess.

"There is no passage to Halki."

"These are all for you," Heyder took a step forward. Maya held his shirt as the jinn held the branch in one hand and summoned the milk bottle in the other.

"That's not enough," Thetis's eyes moved to the milk.

"You want more milk?" Heyder asked.

"When you come to the doors of a goddess, you bring more gifts," Thetis snapped.

"We don't have the aphros," Maya took a step forward. "What do you want? Tell us what you want and we will get it for you."

"Go home," Thetis waved her hand. "Do not come back with."

"No! Wait!" Maya shouted. "What else do you want?"

"You know what I want!" As Thetis raised her voice, the sea once again began to grow violent. "Leave!"

Maya felt the change in the air even before the fey threw up another shield. The cold water roared to life and raced toward her and Heyder in an attempt to swallow them whole. Maya screamed as the waves climbed unimaginable heights, towering over her.

Heyder jumped forward and pulled her into his arms. He snapped his fingers without missing a beat and portaled them back to the palace.

"Ahhh!" Maya screamed, her eyes screwed shut.

Heyder dropped the olive branch and pulled her closer. He held her close to his chest and muffled her scream against his wet shirt.

"Shhhhhhh," he said softly. "It's over, baby."

"Oh my god," Maya could barely get the words out as her heart pounded. "Fuck, I don't think I ever want to go to the beach."

"You're fine!" Heyder laughed. "You did great."

"I think I'm seasick," Maya leaned to the side and covered her mouth. Her stomach turned and her head spun.

"Do you need to sit down?" Heyder picked her up and carried her over to the bed.

"No," Maya shook her head. "I need to throw up."

Sitting her down on the edge of the bed, Heyder grabbed the trash bin and held it up to Maya's face. He pushed her hair back as she began to throw up.

"Eww!" Maya gagged as she regurgitated the gallons of saltwater in her belly. Her throat began to burn and her eyes began to water.

"It's fine," Heyder said as he moved closer.

Just then, the door to Maya's room opened and Clare walked in.

"What the hell happened?" She demanded.

"Not now, Wednesday," Heyder groaned.

"Maya?" Clare shifted her eyes to her cousin. "Why are you wet?"

"Thetis tried to drown us," Maya said, gripping the edge of the trash bin.

Clare looked over at Heyder. She opened her mind link to the jinn as she rushed around the room grabbing clean towels.

Why did you go without the aphros? Clare shouted.

We had to try! Heyder avoided looking at the girl as he helped Maya.

You are so fucking stupid! Clare threw the towel at the jinn's head. Maya was too weak to notice as Heyder looked up and glared at Clare.

"Let me help her," Clare snapped, trying to get Heyder to step away from Maya. "Go away."

"No, you go away," Heyder didn't move.

"She needs to change. She smells like a fish and she's soaking wet!"

"I can help her," Clare tried to take Heyder's hand off of Maya once more.

"I'm her husband!" Heyder growled. "Back off!"

"Stop it!" Maya rolled onto the bed. "Both of you, shut up! You're so loud."

"Tell him to leave, Maya," Clare narrowed her eyes. "He's useless."

"What the hell is yo-"

"Clare," Maya groaned. "That's my husband. I want him next to me holding my hair back as I throw up."

Heyder looked over to the young girl, "I win, your grace."

"Fine," Clare frowned. Her green eyes darkened as she took a step back. "Have it your way."

Heyder felt the air around him chill as the girl stomped out of the room. His mind link snapped shut as a dark feeling began to form in his chest.

"She's sensitive," Maya said. "Don't take it personally."

"This family is batshit crazy," Heyder shook his head.

"Thank you," Maya held her hand out for the towel.

"How are you feeling?"

"I want to throw up some more, but I don't think there is anything left in my stomach," Maya shivered.

"Want me to get your mom?"

"No," Maya frowned. "Why?"

"I don't know. Don't girls usually want their moms when they're sick?"

"All I want is a hot bath," Maya looked down at her clothes. "And to never smell fish again."

Heyder snapped his finger as Maya climbed to her feet, "The bath is ready."

"Lifesaver," Maya let her shoulders drop. She placed a hand over her mouth and began to drag her feet.

Suddenly, as she got closer and closer to the bathroom, a strange idea began to form in her head. Heyder, who had been following her, paused as Maya stopped in the middle of her tracks.

"The aphros," Maya said. She slowly turned and looked at the jinn behind her. "You gave away the aphros."

Heyder felt his chest grow tight, "Yeah....I'm so sor-"

"I think I can get it back."

"What?" Heyder blinked in surprise. "No, Maya. Mirza will never l-"

"I can time travel," Maya said as if the idea was hitting her for the first time. "I can time travel to the past......"

"What are you saying?" Heyder raised a brow.

"Heyder...." Maya looked up, her eyes shining bright with ideas. "I can travel back to the night you gave the aphros away and stop you."

I'm going to write a new book filled with bonus chapters for each couple......