Ch.50 Heal

Chapter 50

It was the middle of the night when Maya felt the first wave of nausea roll over her. Her eyes opened in the dark as she covered her mouth and sat up. Beside her, Heyder slept like a log. She didn't want to wake him as she silently slipped out of bed and hurried to the bathroom.

Heyder had been healing Maya constantly. The effects were starting to show on him. He was distracted and restless. Sleeping became harder for him. Maya didn't want to wake him up as she looked over her shoulder at his sleeping figure on the bed. As quietly as she could, Maya turned on the bathroom light and leaned over the toilet.

At once, everything she had managed to eat for dinner came rushing back out. Maya's eyes watered as she gripped the sink nearby and held her hair back with her other hand. The pain in her lower stomach was unimaginable. She was afraid she would split in half if she made one wrong move. Her knees buckled and her vision blurred.

"Heyden," Maya whispered, placing a hand over her belly. "Baby, please stop."

Maya hardly got the words out as another wave of nausea came over her. She pushed the door close with her feet and sank to her knees. With each passing seconds, the throbbing pain in her head doubled and her throat began to burn.

As Maya sat on the floor by the toilet she began to lose all concept of time. Her stomach was completely empty but the waves of nausea wouldn't stop. It took everything in her to finally pull herself up to her feet and turn the cold water on in the sink. Maya gripped the edge of the vanity as her body swayed slightly. She placed her trembling hands under the cold water and gathered just enough to splash her face. The sweat beams that had gathered on her forehead melted away and washed down the drain. Grabbing a towel from the tray nearby, Maya dried her face and slowly stood up.

Done with the towel, Maya was about to set it aside when her eyes caught the dark red stains on the white material. Taken back, she looked up at the mirror in front of her.

"H-Heyder...." Maya called, her voice almost a whisper. Her body began to tremble as she watched the blood pour down her nose. Like a rapid raging river, the blood dripped down and splattered all over her shirt and sink.

Maya grabbed the towel and held it up to her nose. She tried her best to stop the nose bleed, but the more she moved, the more blood she got everywhere.

"Shit," she mumbled under her breath as she grabbed yet another towel.

With two towels in hand, Maya opened the door and lit up the large room with the light from the bathroom. She peered into the darkness to call to Heyder when suddenly she felt her heart stumble and skip a few beats. Stunned and caught off guard, Maya bent over to catch her breath. But before she could get back up, a deadly pain shot up her legs.

Maya groaned in pain as she fell to the floor. Her body began to tremble as the blood rolled to the back of her throat. She began to choke on the metallic taste.

"Heyder," Maya called to the jinn. Blood began to pour out of her mouth. "Heyder!"

At once, Heyder sat up on the bed. The covers fell off of him as he jumped out and dashed towards the witch on the floor.

"Maya!" He yelled as he snapped on the lights in the room. "What the fuck!"

There was blood everywhere. On the floor, on the walls, on Maya. Heyder felt his heart stop as she began to cough and spit up blood. He pulled her into his arms and moved her to her side. Holding her hair back he let her spit up the dark liquid all over the floor.

Gemma! Ali!

Heyder called for help through the mind-link. His hands had already begun to heal Maya, but he knew he didn't have enough energy left to help her for too long.

Maya gripped Heyder's arms and dug her nails into his skin. She bit down on her bottom lip to stop the scream but the pain all over her body could not be silenced. She felt Heyder flinch as she let out an ear shattering scream and grabbed onto him.

"Heyder," Maya began to sob. "It hurts!"

"Hold on, birdie," Heyder began to panic as he spoke into her ear. He called to all of his magic and channeled it into Maya. Her skin began to heat up like coal.

"Maya!" Gemma's voice pulled at the two. Heyder looked up to see the witch supreme running to them as Exton followed behind her.

"Don't move her," Heyder said.

"What happened?" Exton demanded as he looked at all the blood. Before Heyder could answer, Maya let out another scream.

"Heyder?" Gemma looked up at the jinn.

"I'm already healing her," Heyder said.

Gemma took Maya's hand and flinched at how hot she was. She could feel Heyder's magic pulse through Maya's skin like waves in an ocean. Her eyes began to water as Maya screamed into Heyder's chest. Gemma was racking through her brain trying to find some way to help her daughter when she started to notice the way Heyder swayed.

The jinn was on his knees, holding Maya on his lap as his arms wrapped around her body. Gemma gasped as she realized Heyder was fading in and out. He was fighting to keep his eyes open as his skin lost all of its color.

"Exton," Gemma looked up at her husband. "Go get Mavi. Tell her we need her blood."

Exton wasted no time asking questions. He ran out of the room just as Ali flashed in.

"Ali!" Gemma exclaimed in relief. "Heyder is fading."

Ali ran over to his friend as his hand began to glow a warm golden shade. He placed it on Heyder's back but the jinn shook him off. With his last bit of strength left, Heyder placed Maya onto Ali's lap and fell backwards onto the floor.

"Heyder...." Maya began to sob as she tried to reach for him.

"I got him baby," Gemma said. She moved over to the jinn to check his pulse.

"You have healing clay or dragon's blood?" Ali asked.

"Yes," Gemma nodded.

"I don't know how well they will work on him, but try it. I got Maya."

"Heyder," Maya tried to reach for her husband once more.

"Don't move, Maya," Ali said, pulling her back. His both hands were lit up like lightbulbs as he pushed his magic into her. He could feel how fragile her body was and it only made him heal her faster.

Placing Heyder's head down on the floor, Gemma rushed up to her feet. She made a run for the door to get her healing supplies when she suddenly froze. From the corner of his eyes, Ali caught the sudden change in light. He looked over and found Clare running into the room.

"What did you do to her?" Ali asked, eyeing Gemma's frozen body.

"She's just frozen," Clare said, sinking to the floor. "Simple time manipulation spell."

"Can you heal her?" Ali looked down at Maya.

"It's too dangerous," Clare shook her head.

"What do you mean?" Ali frowned with anger.

"If I heal her, I run the risk of damaging the baby," Clare explained. "He's too tiny."

"Clare...." Maya called to the girl in her half conscious state.

"What about him?" Ali motioned to Heyder.

"I can try," Clare said, a bit nervous. "One of two things can happen. Either it works and Heyder will be fine or I will accidentally cook him."

"Jesus Christ!" Ali yelled.

"I've never done this before!" Clare's bottom lip trembled. She didn't know who's fear she was soaking up but it was starting to annoy her.

"Try," Ali said. "But slowly. Like kick him a little."

Clare nodded. She crawled over to where Heyder laid unconscious on the floor and held up her hand. Ali held his breath as he watched the red mist start to pour out of the girl's body. He pulled Maya closer in an attempt to get her as far away from her cousin as he possibly could.

"Just a bit," he reminded Clare.

"I got it!" Clare snapped. She reached out with a finger and poked Heyder's face.

"Did you even try?" Ali asked when nothing happened.

"Yes, I did," Clare nodded.

"Try again," Ali pushed. "A bit more this time."

"My parents and Eggs are on their way," Clare looked at the door.

"Hurry!" Ali yelled. "Light him up!"

"I don't think I ca-"

"Yes, you can!" Ali said. "Maya needs him right now. The baby needs him."

Clare turned back to the Jinn on the floor in front of her. She felt Ali's adrenaline run through her system like a drug. Without thinking too much, she placed her palm over Heyder's heart and sent out a pulse.

At once Heyder sat up straight with a loud gasp. Clare jumped back as Ali's eyes widened. He watched his friend as the jinn's eyes grew bright silver.

"Maya," Heyder pushed Ali out of the way and pulled her into his arms. Clare and Ali stared in shock as he began to heal her immediately.

"You didn't bring him back from the dead, did you?" Ali asked.

"No," Clare shook her head. "He wasn't dead.....this time."

"What do you mean?" Ali turned to look at the girl.

"If he keeps having to heal Heyden like this then he will be dead within a week," Clare climbed to her feet.

Before Ali or Heyder could say another word, Gemma unfroze. She took the last few steps out the door and collided with Exton as he ran in with Mavi and Owen.

"Maya!" Mavi ran for the girl. "Baby, are you okay?"

"What happened?" Exton asked as he steadied Gemma. They looked over to the pair on the floor and Gemma frowned.

"Heyder.....he....he blacked out," Gemma said.

"I'm fine," Heyder said, holding Maya to his chest.

"Are you sure?" Mavi asked, with a look of concern. "Your eyes are glowing."

"I'm fine!" Heyder snapped, shutting his eyes and burying his face in Maya's hair.

"Clare?" Owen looked over at his daughter. "What are you doing here, princess?"

"I heard Maya screaming," Clare looked away from her father's brown eyes. She rubbed her palms over her shirt and looked down at Ali.

"Clare," Maya tried to lift her head up.

"Shhhhh," Heyder quieted her down. "Not now, birdie."

"Heyder, are you okay?" Gemma walked over to the jinn. "Maybe let Ali take over for a while. Mavi can give you some blood."

"No," Heyder shook his head. "I'm fine. Get another room ready. I don't want her seeing all the blood in the morning."

Everyone began to move. Exton called the night staff and had one of the spare bedrooms prepared for Maya and Heyder. Mavi and Owen took Clare back to her room, Gemma went to get healing clay for Heyder and Ali helped his friend move Maya over to the new room.

"What the fuck happened?" Heyder whispered to Ali as he lowered Maya to the bed. "What did Clare do?"

"She healed you," Ali said. "You passed out."

"Why didn't she heal Maya?"

"Did you not feel the punch that girl packs?" Ali raised a brow. "You want baby Heyden to feel that?"

"Heyder...." Maya called out in her sleep. "Clare....."

"It's okay, my love," Heyder kissed her forehead. "You're fine. Does it hurt any more?"

"No....." Maya frowned.

"Heyder," Ali stared at his friend's hand. "Stop healing her."

"Not yet," Heyder muttered.

"Heyder," Ali frowned. "Stop."

When the jinn didn't listen, Ali grabbed his hand and pushed it off of Maya.

"What the hell?" Heyder snapped.

"She's fine! She's healed. Stop wasting your strength," Ali's eyes grew serious. "You're being extremely reckless."

"You have no idea what you're talking about," Heyder shook his head. He tried to reach for Maya once more but Ali stopped him.

"You were this close to dying today," Ali held up his finger to demonstrate. "Thank your lucky stars Clare came on time."

Heyder opened his mouth to speak, but Ali stopped him.

"What's going to happen to Maya and Heyder if anything happens to you?" Ali asked. "You know Heyden's fate. You want to leave Maya alone to have to navigate through that?"

Heyder had no reply. He knew what Ali was saying was true. But when it came to stopping Maya's pain nothing else mattered. He didn't care how much of his energy he gave up. He would drain the whole seven seas if he had to.

"From now on, only heal her when she needs it," Ali pleaded. "Please....."

__________________________

Heyder tried his absolute best to adhere to Ali's words. He really did.

But as the days passed and Heyden grew, Maya's condition weakened. Clare was caught in between trying to secretly heal Heyder and set in motion everything she needed to break the curse. The whole family grew restless with worry as Maya's health declined.

She spent most of her days in bed or sitting down. Heyder next left her side and constantly held her hand to heal her. They tried to use Mavi's blood and her scales but they did nothing. Their effects only lasted maximum a few minutes before she was crying with pain again.

A week after the incident in the bedroom, Heyder sat sketching beside Maya in the greenhouse when she placed her book down on her lap and looked up.

"Heyder?"

"Yes, sweet baby?" Heyder smiled. His eyes remained on his sketch, but he gave Maya's hand a tight squeeze.

"Is there something you're not telling me?"

The pencil stopped in Heyder's hand. He slowly looked up from the paper and sighed. Maya watched him set the stack of papers aside and drop the pencil on top of them.

"What's on your mind?" She asked. "You haven't been the same since you went to go see Maaz. What are you not telling me?"

Heyder looked up into her worry filled blue eyes. He knew this moment was coming. He had seen it from a mile away. But no matter what he did, he knew he would have never been ready.

"Tell me," Maya pushed.

Heyder tugged at Maya's hand. He helped her onto his lap and buried his head in the crook of her shoulder. Maya shivered from the way his warm breath tickled her skin. She wrapped her arms around him and inhaled his scent.

"How did we get here?" Heyder asked after a pause.

"What do you mean?" Maya tilted her head.

"Sometimes I think about the days right after you set me free from the jar," Heyder searched her eyes.

"You mean the days you weren't in love with me?" Maya frowned. "When I left and wanted nothing to do with you?"

"I must be a great fool," Heyder said, lost in her eyes.

"That you were," Maya said quietly.

Heyder reached up and placed his thumb over her bottom lip. He ran it across as his eyes watched her.

"And this maiden she lived, with no other thought," he began.

"Than to love and be loved by me," Maya finished, breathlessly.

"I will never stop falling in love with you, Maya."

Maya's heart skipped a beat before she frowned. Heyder pulled his hand back and matched her expression.

"You're trying to distract me," she said.

"My apologies, my love," Heyder smiled. "I was lost in your eyes."

"I am not going to drop it," Maya said. "Tell me what you are hiding."

Heyder took in a long deep breath. He ran a hand through his hair and then rubbed the back of his neck.

"I'm not hiding it from you," he said slowly. "I'm trying to not stress you out."

"Same shit," Maya said. "Now spill."

And so Heyder did. He told her everything he had learned from Maaz about Jinn and Fey children. He told her about Nura and watched her closely to gage her reaction. Once he was done, Maya sat silently on his lap with her hand over her belly.

"Maya," Heyder took her hand. "Please say something."

Maya slowly turned to face the jinn, "You....you said you saw him."

"I did," Heyder admitted. "And he was beautiful. Just like you. But ..... I saw him when he was about five or six."

"Six?" Maya's chest shook. "Nura.....she was seven."

"Maybe it'll be different with Heyden," Heyder suggested. "When I saw him, he was so happy. I didn't see anything odd about his behavior. Maybe we find a way to help him."

"And if we don't?" Maya's eyes began to water. She wanted how much she had been crying. It was like breathing for her now. The tears were endless.

"That's not a possibility," Heyder said with all the confidence he could gather up for Maya's sake. "Heyden will have a full life filled with love and joy. We're not going to give up."

Maya took in a deep breath. Her body trembled as she tried to steady her breathing and hold back her tears.

"I just....." She dropped her eyes to her hands on her lap. "I feel like we can't catch a break. It's just one curveball after another."

"We're going to be fine," Heyder whispered into her ear. "I promise I'll make it all better."

Maya nodded her head. She sniffled and waved her hand in front of her face to dry her eyes. Heyder had seen her cry enough time in the past few days. She needed to hold herself together for him just as he was holding himself together for her.

Heyder ran his hand up and down Maya's back as she slowly processed the news. He gave her all the time she needed to come to terms with Heyden's fate. He would never give up fighting for them, but knowing Maya knew the burden he had been carrying around made the tightness in his chest ease just a little bit.

"I have a surprise for you," Heyder said after a while as he kissed Maya's shoulder.

"You do?" Maya turned to look at him.

"Yes," Heyder nodded. "I was going to wait but I think we both need some good news right now."

"What is it?" Maya asked curiously.

"Come a little closer," Heyder smiled. He held up his arms as Maya moved closer to him on his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he held her firmly and snapped his fingers.

Maya shut her eyes as a bright light hit her out of the blue. She squinted and hid her face in Heyder's neck as he carried her in his arms.

"Look up, baby," Heyder laughed.

Slowly, Maya opened her eyes. Heyder leaned his head over to shield her from the sunlight as she fluttered her lids open.

The tall evergreens that surrounded them were the darkest shade of green Maya had ever seen. The brown rich dirt under Heyder's feet munched and sent up the heavy scent of the forest as he moved around. Maya looked around at the unearthly forest in awe.

"Where are we?" She asked.

"Maine," Heyder smiled. "Not too far from Juniper actually. Have you ever been there?"

"Yes," Maya nodded. "With Piggy and Owen."

"We're about an hour away from Juniper," Heyder said. "Owen actually helped me find this place."

"What place?" Maya asked.

"Our new home," Heyder said, with a bright smile.

"W-what?" Maya couldn't believe it.

Heyder slowed as he stepped out from between the pines. He sat Maya down on her feet and turned her around to face the large house sitting in the middle of the forest.

"Do you like it?" Heyder asked.

Maya's eyes bounced around the two story stone house. The pointy roofs and large dark glass windows gave the perfect cabin like touch to the hidden gem. The long driveway found itself out of the forest and arrived straight at the front doors. Heyder looked over his shoulder as if looking at the place for the first time through Maya's eyes.

"I thought we could use a place away from the palace," he said, walking back to Maya. "I want Heyden to have a safe place where he can be himself. Where we can make a world for him."

"Is this....." Maya was speechless.

"The same house from my visions?" Heyder smiled. "Yeah. Took me a hell of a long time to find it."

"It's perfect," Maya beamed. "Heyder, thank you."

"Why are you saying thank you?" Heyder laughed. "Come here."

Maya took the few small steps forward to where the jinn stood. He took her hand and led her into the empty house.

"Some things need to be changed around," he said. "Tell me what you want and it's yours."

"Nothing," Maya shook her head. "It's perfect."

"Are you sure?" Heyder laughed. "No ponds, cherry blossoms, or swings?"

"No," Maya laughed. "Just you and Heyden."

"Should we go see the rest of the place?" Heyder couldn't stop smiling. "Maybe Adeline could decorate for us."

"She might break your bank."

"If it's what you want then it's what you'll get," Heyder winked.

For the remainder of the day, Heyder showed Maya around the house. They discussed what each room would be and had many arguments about what to do with the attic and basement.

Around lunch time, Heyder summoned a picnic and spread out a blanket on the floor of their empty bedroom. They looked out the large floor to ceiling glass window as Maya leaned against Heyder and sighed. Heyder placed his hand over her belly and healed her as they shared a lunch. He lulled her to sleep as he kissed her ear and rubbed her belly.

"Feeling better?" Heyder asked as Maya fought to keep her eyes open.

"I don't want to nap," Maya pushed away from him. "Stop doing that."

"Do you want to see the rest of the property?"

"Yes, please," Maya smiled.

Heyder pulled Maya to her feet. They left the indoor picnic behind and hurried down the stairs. Pushing the back doors open, Heyder led Maya out into their backyard that opened right to the forest.

"If you get tired, let me know, okay?" He said as he held Maya's hand. Out of habit he pushed a steady stream of energy into her.

"I like it here," Maya looked up at the tall trees. "It's quiet."

"That's what I thought too," Heyder said. "Want to go for a walk?"

Maya was about to say yes when suddenly her fey shield bounced into place around her. She gasped as Heyder pulled his hand back in shock.

"Maya?" Heyder looked up with concern.

"I don't know what it's doing," Maya looked at her arms. She placed a hand over her belly and reached out for Heyder.

"You know, I am very hurt you didn't tell me about my nephew."

Maya and Heyder whirled around to find Mirza standing by the deck of their new home. Heyder's eyes darkened as he took a step in front of Maya. his hands began to glow, but Maya could see they were not the same vibrant gold as they once were. He had been healing her for days. Maya's heart stopped as she looked up at Mirza over Heyder's shoulder.

"I have been waiting for this," the jinn smiled.

This bitch......