Chapter 8 #2
It hadn’t always been this way between us.
I think Lana and I used to be close when we were younger, kind to one another, actually cared.
I'm not sure when things shifted… my memories of that time were hazy, and I cursed at not knowing why.
I believe she used to try and protect me.
I recall when I was about ten and Lana was thirteen, Morgana spent an entire month trying to poison us.
She targeted our drinks, our food, even our bathwater.
I often failed to notice the more subtle attempts and was punished for it.
Lana, however, would come to my room almost every night to help me learn.
I vaguely remember laughing and smiling with her, and for a while, things were good.
But as time went on, Morgana twisted whatever bond existed between us, leaving only resentment and petty jealousy in its wake.
Black mist gathered around me, and I shadowed to the outer edge of the border, needing a moment to myself to think. I had only woken up this morning, and already it felt like days had passed. My head started to ache, a reminder that I wasn't fully healed yet, and I groaned.
A thick canopy of trees stretched above me, and I walked along the faded path until the gnarled trunks began to thin. It was summer, and the air was humid. Sunlight dappled the ground, beams of light piercing through the foliage.
I stepped out of the forest's shade and into a clearing; the ward stretched high and wide in the middle of it.
It shimmered in the sun, and I shadowed to its edge, my hand reaching out as I brushed a finger across its invisible surface.
It rippled at my touch, and I smiled softly at the magic.
It was the only thing separating me from Nexia—from him.
The Fates had been cruel to bind me to him, to another piece of her. I loathed them for it.
Morgana knew about the bond the moment I laid eyes on him on that cliff. She had sensed it through our twisted connection, pulling me back to her before he even saw me lurking in those woods.
The thought soured my stomach, my left arm itching again, but I resisted scratching it this time. Ignoring it and the souring feeling.
Memories returned, and Xavier's face appeared in my mind, his infuriating smirk filling my vision.
His dark, inky hair fell over his face as he bowed before me, his emerald eyes swirling with amusement and trust. The white strand in his hair brushed over his brow, and his lips pressed against my hand.
I could almost feel the phantom kiss, the smile that had been on my lips, the flutter in my stomach. Could almost feel his warm, calloused hand as it held mine.
That version of me had wanted it. Him. Them. That life. The feeling of it was almost suffocating, and I found myself almost mourning that girl, that version of me, that life I would have had.
But that girl never existed, not really.
Snapping out of the memory, I snarled.
Pull it together.
Something wet hit my cheek, and I scowled upward to the skies, but they were clear, blue, barely a cloud above me.
I blinked and felt another drop land on my cheek.
Furiously I wiped them away, disgust roiling in my veins.
My body stiffened as a massive, winged shadow passed over me, skating across the earth.
My head whipped skyward, and I squinted through the blazing sun as my gaze landed on an enormous, winged beast circling the sky on the other side of the ward.
Iridescent scales glittered as they caught the sunlight, shifting in shades of emerald, sapphire, and amethyst. Each powerful beat cut through the air as an enormous head swiveled my direction, his molten eyes spearing into mine. The unwavering intensity in them froze me in place.
Something opened up inside me, and I was overwhelmed by crushing emotions as they slammed into me.
Anger, hurt, desire, hope. They raged like a relentless storm, chilling me to the bone.
I gasped for air, feeling lightheaded, but then, as quickly as they came, they vanished, leaving nothing but a hollow ache behind.
Steadying myself, I furrowed my brow at the sensation. What the fuck was that? How did he find me? Xavier’s eyes flashed, and I could have sworn he was amused.
With a roar that made the trees shake, Xavier plummeted like a falling star toward the ground. Toward me. My heart thundered, but I knew he couldn’t cross the ward. What was he doing? He was going to get hurt. I scowled at myself for the thought–why did I care?
Xavier's glittering wings snapped back, the movement jarring as it halted his descent.
Dirt and grass whipped into a chaotic swirl, and it rushed toward me.
I coughed, batting away the dusty cloud that clung to the air.
My heart hammered against my ribs as I attempted to calm myself, waiting for the air to clear.
Sweat slicked my palms, and my left arm began to throb.
Why was I reacting like this?
The ground shook with a resounding thud, and through the misty air, I saw claws digging into the earth.
The shockwave from his landing had spread outward, making me step back to regain my balance.
A massive snout appeared through the haze, his hot breath washing over me and searing the air between us.
His large, mammoth eyes peered through the mist, narrowing on me with predatory intensity, and a low, threatening rumble emanated from his throat.
My breath hitched as the massive beast disappeared and Xavier stepped out of the lingering cloud of dust, a sinful smirk lining his lips. The sight of him stole my breath, and I cursed the bond for making me feel weak.
Twin blades rested at his back, peeking over his bare shoulders.
He was shirtless. Of course, he was shirtless.
The contours of his chest rippled as he walked, the muscles across his abdomen tightening with each step, and I couldn’t help but sweep my gaze over them.
My mouth went dry. Sharp twisting daggers were strapped with dark leather to his sides.
His usual black leather pants and boots made him look…
well, like him. He exuded an aura of control and danger as he stepped closer to the barrier, closer to me.
The impulse to go to him, to run to him, was maddening. My left arm was burning, itching, and I snarled in agitation. I needed to leave. I needed to run, but I couldn’t seem to turn away, to move. My gaze lingered on his chest, as his dark, lilting voice cut through the air.
“See something you like?” he purred dangerously, and my eyes shot to his with a scowl. That infuriating smirk still etched across his face.
Did he always have to say that?
Inky black hair framed his chiseled face, and he swept it back with his hand, as that fucking white strand fell over his eyes. Shifting uncomfortably, I cursed myself for feeling like this.
Being this close to him, seeing him after everything that happened, it dredged up more memories. Foggy and distant.
Pain erupted in my skull, and I saw a flash of a campsite, of Xavier watching me sleep from across a burning fire. I winced as the image vanished, and the pain subsided. I could have sworn I saw Xavier do the same, and I narrowed my gaze on him, squaring my shoulders.
“Glad to see you’re not hiding from me,” he drawled, his voice a smooth, deep rumble, and I fought back the shiver that threatened to run down my spine. I watched as his gaze deliberately dragged down my body.
“Seems like you’re the one doing the hiding,” I retorted, forcing a smirk. That’s what Lana had said, at least. No one has seen him since that meeting with Morgana.
Xavier’s smirk disappeared, his lips tightening as the playful mask gave way to an icy detachment. “I don’t hide.”
Through our bond, I reached for him, trying to read his emotions, but something felt like it was blocking me. Xavier smiled wickedly, clearly sensing my attempt and my confusion.
“What are you doing here?” I snapped, and Xavier's eyes sparked with challenge, a smug gleam swirling in their depths.
“Come past the barrier and find out,” he purred, and every exposed muscle coiled as if he expected me to do it.
A barking laugh escaped me. As if I would fall for such a blatant trap.
“I’ll ask again. What are you doing here, Xavier?”
The sound of his name on my lips sent a shiver through both of us, but Xavier only growled. “Why?” The word was rough, slightly broken, and I knew exactly what he was asking.
“It wasn’t personal.”
“Wasn’t personal?” he snarled, taking a step closer, his voice ripping through the air. “All of this was personal.” Xavier’s teeth were bared, and the muscle was feathering along his jaw.
Tilting my head at him, I raised a brow. “Your mother did this, not me.”
“No, love. You did this.” His voice was much quieter now, and that was somehow worse.
I rolled my eyes. “Love? I am not your love.” The words tasted bitter and sounded hollow, yet they hit their mark. I felt it—the hurt, the pulsing pain radiating between us. “Like I said, it's nothing personal.”
“As my mate, I disagree,” he repeated, sharper than before, as his nostrils flared. “How about instead, you tell me how and why I have an army of Fae at my border?”
I laughed, the sound bubbling out of my mouth before I could stop it.
“This is funny to you?” he snarled. “My people are endangered, many dead. And you are laughing at me?”
“Morgana already told you how,” I sneered. “Or weren't you paying attention?”
Xavier took a threatening step forward, his rage evident as wispy shadows thrashed off his shoulders. “That doesn’t explain your part in all of this. I need to know why Zara, the girl I knew—