Chapter 11
The Feel of Family
It felt like all too soon Maya had to send the Honeysetts back with the sculpture.
She had given them more time than she had thought they would need, but soon she would need to get Misty home, then return with Apollo back to the time where they had started.
Giving the Honeysetts detailed instructions about safely moving the sculpture, Maya tried to keep her mind on the task at hand.
Unfortunately, she felt some disappointment tugging at the edges of her thoughts that their time was coming to an end.
After imbuing a bit of her own magic into the gift, Maya ensured that it made it back safely with the Honeysetts, who were planning on flying back to the wedding venue. When all of the siblings were standing around the statue discussing a few things, she spoke to Cullen.
“If you want to have regular lessons, I would love to keep teaching you how to do this work. You are showing a lot of promise, and it would be incredibly helpful to have someone take over some of the work.”
His eyes widened. “Really? You would be okay with that?”
“Absolutely. You’ve got some real talent, and I would be honored to help you see just how far you can take it.”
“Thank you, Miss Strife! I promise, you won’t regret it!” He grabbed her hand and shook it with the vigor of an excited child.
“I know I won’t. See you tomorrow for your Valentine’s Day gift.”
“See you tomorrow!”
“Now, please go stand with your siblings. I’m going to bend time to get you back before the wedding. Don’t forget to smooth down your hair, though.” She stood on her toes and tapped on a cowlick.
Cullen blushed. “I’ll make sure to clean up. Aren’t you coming?”
“I’m coming from a different point in time, so I need to return somewhere else. But you’ll see me, and we can talk about it. Then I’ll know how you feel.”
His eyes looked into hers, and his breathing seemed to be a little shallow. Then, he took her hand. Leaning over a little while maintaining eye contact, he kissed the back of her hand. “I couldn’t be happier.”
Before she could respond, he rushed over to his siblings.
Not sure what to make of the strange burst of affection, Maya headed over to the group.
“Okay, Honeysetts, before I send you back, I need a promise that you won’t breathe a word of this to anyone.
” As she spoke, Maya used a spell to ensure that they would all keep the promise.
As much as she wanted to trust them, she was all too aware how children could speak without thinking.
To keep her secret safe, she had to protect it.
All of the kids agreed to stay quiet, and they watched her eagerly, excited to see what it was like to experience time bending.
Since Maya had never made a habit of using time bending for more than just herself, she quickly found that she needed a lot more magic than she had anticipated.
Pulling time to her, she began to wrap it around the Honeysetts.
They started looking around them, murmuring about the sensations they felt.
In less than two minutes they were gone, moved back to the time right after Cullen had left the wedding venue.
Maya stumbled once she finished. A pair of hands caught her, and she felt the warmth that she had come to associate with happiness as the comforting smell of vanilla surrounded her.
Apollo’s quiet voice spoke near her ear, “It seems someone has overused her magic for the day.”
“No,” she shook her head but did not move away from his touch. “I still have enough to get Misty back home, then to get us back to our time. I’ll be very weak when that happens, so I’m trusting you to take care of me while I recover.”
“After everything you’ve done for us, I feel that it won’t be nearly enough to repay you.”
She looked up at him. “You brought me back to life, so I daresay that I’m still vastly indebted to you.
” Maya then put a finger over Apollo’s lips to stop him from speaking.
“No. Getting you off the island by making a lot more work for you was hardly something for which you should be repaying me. That’s the whole reason why I’m indebted to you. ”
His eyes flashed, and Maya watched as his lips puckered a little, then he kissed her finger. “Fair enough, Maya. I will happily accept that you are indebted to me, even if I feel differently.”
She blushed and looked down, realizing even as she did it just how ridiculous the response was.
“Misty, it’s time to go,” Apollo called his daughter as she chased something around the shop. The little girl immediately came over to them.
“Is the pretty lady coming home with us?”
“She’s going to help us get home. Then she’ll come back in a day or two. Miss Strife is one of my patients.”
“Oh. Okay.” Misty reached up, and Apollo released Maya as he took his daughter’s hand. It was only when she was no longer touching him that Maya felt a twinge of jealousy for his daughter.
Now, that is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever thought. What is wrong with me?
To her surprise, Apollo carefully pulled Misty over toward Maya and held out her hand. “If you would please hold onto her.”
Looking between father and daughter, Maya quickly nodded, “Of course.”
As soon as she took the child’s hand, Apollo started shifting, his body quickly growing so that they were quickly swept up on his back. He held out his wings, ensuring they remained firmly in one place. Then he let out a single powerful stroke, and they rose into the air.
When they returned to his home, Apollo sent his daughter inside where one of his relatives was waiting to give her dinner.
Maya watched Apollo as his eyes followed his daughter inside.
It was so easy to tell how much he loved her, and Maya felt a mixture of happiness and longing as she watched.
When he turned to her, she tried to look away, hoping he wouldn’t realize she had been watching him.
“Are you ready?”
Maya considered saying she needed a bit more time, to ask for a walk around the expansive grounds, but there wasn’t time.
Resigned to return while knowing that her body was going to be in really rough shape upon their arrival, she stole herself for the task.
“Ready or not, there is no time to wait.”
Maya closed her eyes. Then he asked, “Is there anything I can do to help?”
She opened an eye and looked at him. Without a word, Maya reached out and took his hand.
Then she closed her eyes and started to pull time around them, although with a bit more trouble this time.
For some reason, her heart seemed to be going a little faster.
Concerned that it might mess things up, Maya squeezed Apollo’s hand as she focused on pulling time around them.
As soon as she finished bending time, Maya started to sway a little. “Okay, I think that’s quite enough activity for one day, Maya. Let’s get you to bed so you can rest.”
He wrapped an arm around her back and helped her walk inside, and Maya thoroughly enjoyed the feel of his body as they made their way inside.
As soon as they walked past the entryway, Noami’s voice called out, “When did you two go outside?”
Maya looked up, her expression guilty. “We were just—”
“We went out into the yard so Maya could get some fresh air. She’s been trapped in the bedroom for the better part of a week, so I figured a little excursion would help her feel more normal. Where’s Misty?”
Noami laughed, “Misty is off playing with a couple of the Honeysetts. I think she’s already got a couple of admirers.”
Before Apollo could say anything, Cosmo cut in, “I know you aren’t talking about my niece like that.”
Naomi gave him a knowing look. “If you think that adorable little girl needs the island for anything, you aren’t the genius I thought you were.”
“She’s far too young! I won’t stand for any boys—”
Naomi waved at him, then looked at Apollo as Cosmo mumbled into her neck, “And you’ve a lot to learn about Maya if you think she’ll enjoy being outside just for fun. When she’s not planning, she refuses to leave her studio.”
Maya frowned, “I was actually very happy to be outside. This place is absolutely gorgeous. It reminds me of home.”
Noami froze, a look of shock on her face. “You grew up on an estate?”
Cosmo leaned forward, patting Naomi’s knee.
“It seems you are the one with a lot to learn, love.” He then looked back at them.
“I dare say after spending a night together, he probably knows her far better than either of us. Such a guarded dragon, that one.” His words were teasing, but Maya’s mind had latched onto one part.
Before she could say anything, Noami giggled. “Do you think that’s why she’s been so ‘sick’? Is Apollo a bit too much for her?”
Maya looked up at Apollo, her face a bright red. To her surprise, red was moving up his neck as he said, “I’ve done nothing to her to cause her current ailment.”
Cosmo and Naomi sniggered. Then Cosmo said, “I remember things a little differently. The stories I’ve heard about you from … well, you know who.” His expression fell a little, the reminder of his sister dampening his mood.
“We haven’t—” Maya said.
Naomi gave her a knowing look. “Why are you denying it now? You seemed more than happy owning up to it on Valentine’s Day.”
Maya and Apollo looked at each other, then back at the couple.
Cosmo chuckled, “They think we’ve forgotten about them slipping out of the room together on the island.
Acting like nothing happened now. It’s a bit too late, you two.
Apollo,” Cosmo shook his head, “and here I thought you were smarter than to underestimate my keen powers of observation.”
Maya was ready to say something cutting in response, but Apollo squeezed her hip. “You are quite right, Cosmo. I am a fool to think we could pull one over on you. By the way, how did you two manage to escape?”
Naomi laughed, “It was way too easy. Cosmo flew us off the island.”
Maya looked over at Apollo, who was frowning. “Funny, because that didn’t work when I tried it right after we arrived.”
Cosmo looked confused, but Noami frowned and hypothesized, “Perhaps they wanted to make sure people thought that they couldn’t leave that way. We had no issue just taking off after we went to the cafe. And don’t think we missed the fact that you guys ditched us.”
Apollo smiled, “I would apologize, but it seems to me that was exactly what you wanted. Even if you weren’t aware that you wanted it.”
Cosmo laughed as he pulled Naomi up into his lap and kissed her.
While they were distracted, Apollo lifted Maya and hurried back to the room. After placing her gently on the bed, he pulled the chair up to the bedside. “So,” he said, looking at his hands, “how do you feel?”
“Confused,” Maya said, scooting up a little and pulling her legs up to her chest.
Apollo looked up at her. “I mean do you need me to treat you? Or do you want to finally get to sleep? What were you supposed to be doing before we ended up running off for hours?”
Suddenly aware of everything she had done, Maya felt exhausted. Yawning, she said, “Why did you have to point it out?”
He chuckled, then stood and sat on the edge of the bed. Maya moved over and lay down. “I’m surprised you aren’t more tired. The first few times I bent time, I was ready to pass out when I got back.”
“Why did you have to point it out?” he asked, then yawned.
“Could you rest beside me? That way you can treat me while getting a bit of sleep yourself?” She looked at him, holding her breath, although she wasn’t sure why.
“I’m not sure …” He looked at her, then to her surprise, Apollo got onto the bed.
Moving up behind her, he pulled her body against his.
She felt him breathing, his front warming her back as she faced away from him to hide the smile.
Silence fell over the room for a few seconds, then he said in a low voice, “They saw us coming out of a room together on the island, Maya.”
Maya froze, suddenly more aware of their position. “It could mean almost anything.”
“It means that we return, so at some point, you’ll need to bend time again. Do you think you are well enough to do it again? And how long do you think we have?”
Maya’s smile disappeared. “Since time works differently on the island, I’m actually unsure what kind of timeframe we have.” She bit her tongue before she could ask the question on the tip of her tongue.
“Okay. Since we can’t be sure, I think it is best if we take care of it sooner rather than later. We’ll need to make sure you are stable before we go, but without your wound being bound by time to keep you alive, I don’t really think that magic will be much of an issue.”
So many thoughts were going through her mind, but Maya found it difficult to voice any of them. She closed her eyes, believing she would not be able to sleep, no matter how tired she was. “My thoughts are racing,” she said in a hushed voice.
The feel of a hand stroking her head was followed by a whisper in her ear, “Sleep.”
Maya felt sleep pulling her mind down into unconsciousness as Apollo’s magic surrounded her. Before she could stop herself, she whispered, “I hope they are right. I can even swallow my pride enough to tell Cosmo he was right.”
She thought she felt Apollo place his head against hers as sleep finally took her. He said something, but Maya was too far gone to hear his murmured words.