Chapter 12

Nora could feel Noor's soft breaths on her shoulder as a gentle hand shook her awake.

"Nora?" Afet whispered. "Nora."

With difficulty, Nora opened her eyes and lifted her head. The cramp on her neck made her shift a groan as she slowly sat up, careful as to not disturb Noor.

"Did you stay here all night?" Afet asked, helping Nora sit up.

Nora nodded, "Yeah."

"You should go back to your room," the fey said. "Udara wants to see you for breakfast."

"Why?" Nora asked, feeling her head throbbing.

"I'm sure she will tell you over breakfast."

And with that, Afet left Nora to follow her out of the infirmary. The pair walked through the halls in silence. The guards paused and bowed to Afet and peered at Nora with curious eyes. Nora stared back with equal parts question and curiosity.

"Afet?" Nora hurried to walk beside the fey.

"Yes?" Afet turned her head.

"I hope I don't sound offensive but...." Nora looked over her shoulder. "I thought....."

Afet waited as Nora looked for the right wording. She arched her brow wondering what the girl wanted to say.

"In history books," Nora began slowly. "It said feys had snow white hair, eyes full of colors beyond our imaginations, porcelain skin...."

The corner of Afet's mouth curved up as she realized what Nora was trying to ask.

"You're wondering why we do not look like what the history books describe?" She asked.

"Yes," Nora said. "I hope you're not offended."

"No, not at all," Afet said, pausing in front of Nora's door. "We're common blood. We look more human than the nobles. You start to see some of those history book traits in noble blood. The higher you go up the bloodline, the more dominant fey features are."

"Oh..." Nora said, thinking of Birdie. "What about.....half feys."

"Half feys?" Afet asked, confused.

"Yeah," Nora shrugged. "Like what if a high blood had children with a non fey....what would their children be like?"

"That's very uncommon," Afet frowned. "Especially with high bloods."

"Why?"

"They're high blood for a reason," the fey laughed. "They do not like to mix with other races or lower feys."

"That's kind of messed up, don't you think?"

"It is what it is," Afet shrugged.

"So the possibilities of a hybrid child with high blood magic is.....low?"

"Very," Afet nodded. "Next to impossible. They did not tolerate hybrid children. And no high blood would be crazy enough to have children with someone below their class."

"So if there was a fey hybrid child....." Nora casually tested out the waters.

"If there was such a child," Afet laughed. "They would most likely be noble blood or common blood."

"Would noble blood be able to save the Shajara?"

With a deep sigh, Afet shook her head, "Unfortunately, no."

Nora's heart sank to the bottom of her empty stomach. Her face fell as she stood by the door, staring at the ground. A part of her, somewhere in her heart, sighed a breath of relief. There was no way she would have dragged Hayden into something this complicated. He had his own chaos he had to handle. Nora would hate to be the extra stress. She wouldn't be able to forgive herself if Hayden's life was ever made more difficult because of her.

As all these thoughts entered her mind, Nora couldn't help but laugh at the irony. Afet stared at her in confusion as the girl shook her head, thinking of how she had gone from thinking Hayden was a spoiled brat to becoming so protective and worried for his safety that she was willing to keep him a secret from the world.

"What's so funny?" Afet asked.

"Nothing," Nora shook her head. "Just laughing at how life really likes to prove me wrong all the time."

Afet nodded, not really understanding, "Udara is waiting."

"I'll be there in a few minutes."

"I'll send some fresh clothes for you to wear."

"Thank you," Nora nodded.

As she slipped inside, Nora reached for the charm hanging from her necklace. She still wasn't sure of how Udara or Afet or even the whole island would react to knowing about what Hayden and Birdie were. There was no way she would call Heyder to the island without getting to the bottom of it all.

As Nora cleaned and dressed, she began to think about the crossroad she was standing in. On one hand, she knew to truly keep Hayden and Birdie safe, she had to tell Heyder where the feys were hiding. But if she chose Hayden then Noor and all the other children sound asleep upstairs would be in danger....

Nora pulled on the jeans Afet sent for her with aggression. All she wanted was to disappear into a tree house somewhere high up in the air with a green eyed boy who made her knees weak. But no! She has to be stuck on an island full of feys.

"What?" Nora barked as someone knocked on her door.

"Forgive me, madam," came a voice from outside. "I was asked to inform you that the queen is waiting."

"I'm coming! I'm coming!" Nora yanked the door open and rushed out.

She followed the guard upstairs and through the halls as she combed her hair with her fingers and tied it up into a bun. In no shape or form was she ready to have breakfast with a queen but given the circumstances of the situation they were in, who gave a damn?

As Nora entered the open balcony overlooking the sea, she was left feeling a bit starstruck by the view. Her anger and frustration melted away as she stood staring at the high mountains in the distance that shielded the island from the outside world. Their snow caps melted into the gray skies as the matching sea below rumbled with angry waves. Nora couldn't tell if she imagined the chilly breeze carrying up a spritz of water or if it was truly happening.

"You mother liked the ocean too," Udara said, noticing Nora standing by the entrance.

"I was actually admiring the mountains," Nora said, walking in.

"So you take after your father," Udara smiled fondly. "Sit."

Nora pulled back the chair and sat down at the table. Her eyes scanned over the fresh breads, jams, muffins, and frits. But her stomach protested strongly.

"How are you feeling?" Udara asked, making Nora a cup of tea.

"I should really ask you," Nora said. "After last night..."

"I don't have time to stop and grieve," Udara confessed honestly. "Everything will fall apart if I do."

"I bet," Nora said quietly, taking her tea from the fey.

"So, I've been thinking," Udara started, taking off the lid of the sugar pot and handing the spoon over to Nora to help herself. "About our situation."

"And..." Nora's heart began to shrink.

She held the tea up firmly, not at all tempted to bring it to her lips. Fear and anxiety blossomed like a cold sweat. Nora tried to take deep breaths, telling herself not to freak out before she heard all the words.

"We really do have two options," Udara said.

Nora waited to hear more, but the queen turned her head and looked out at the gray sea. Despite her beauty and charm, Nora began to see the faint lines of worry and stress on Udara's onyx skin. Her eyes were full of dread and hopelessness. She really did her best to not show anyone, but something Nora could tell the control slipped.

"What are the two options?" Nora asked, calling Udara's attention back.

"I'm afraid you may not like either," the queen smiled, looking at her hands.

"That's not a great way to start," Nora frowned.

"I'm afraid I do not know how to sugar coat," Udara looked up.

"I understand," Nora said.

"Option number one," Udara started with a deep breath. "We move forward with purifying you."

Nora's heart stilled, "In Olympian fire."

"Yes," Udara nodded.

"What about..." Nora shifted in her seat. "What about my mark?"

A flash of pain and uncertainty flashed across the fey's face.

"I'm not a hundred percent sure if it'll work," Udara said, once again looking at her hand. "But if you choose to be purified then we're hoping it will burn off your mark."

"What..." Nora's ears began to ring.

"When you get purified," Udara explained. "You are renewed. Some myths even say that it will renew your virginity."

"That's the dumbest thing I ever heard," Nora shook her head. "How is that even possible? What, it's going to burn away my memories of having sex?"

"It's only a myth," Udara held up her hands. "But one thing is constant in all the stories. When a vestal is purified, she is renewed. A better version of herself. Stronger."

"So my mark will be gone?" Nora didn't have time to feel shocked. She was angered.

"To be fair, you didn't even know you were marked."

"Doesn't matter!" Nora said. "I know now. And I don't know if it's something one should just get rid of. You said it was greater than marriage. An act of selfless love....H-the person who marked me almost gave up their life for me. I can't just disrespect a sacrifice like that."

"Again," Udara said calmly. "I do not know if it's true. The flame might not even work because you are marked."

Nora's mouth twitched as her eyes narrowed with irritation.

"What's option two?" She asked.

"I'm afraid not any better," Udara said. "Seeing your reaction to my first suggestion. I don't k-"

"Just tell me," Nora said, feeling impatient.

"Option two," Udara cleared her throat. "Now keep in mind this is something we would have eventually discussed."

Nora waited.

"Option two is for you to have a child."

"What?" Nora almost flew out of her chair.

"Listen to me," Udara tried to calm down the girl. "Just take a deep breath and listen."

Nora opened her mouth like a fish gasping for air. She was baffled and left speechless.

A child?

She was not ready for a child. And Hayden sure as hell wasn't ready for a child.

"You will need to have children eventually, Nora," Udara explained. "You are the only vestal we know of. Your daughters will carry on the line."

Nora was beyond speaking. She stared at the woman sitting across from her with her mouth wide open.

"There are plenty of young guardians for you to pick from."

"Oh my god," Nora paled. "What? Guardians?"

"Yes," Udara nodded. "Your mother married a Shajara Gudarian. That's the safest way to ensure your daughters will grow up and stay on the island."

"But why a guardian?" Nora felt sick to her stomach. "Why not Hay...why not the fey who marked me?"

"Because you daughters will be born with fey magic and then we will be back to square one."

The loud ringing in Nora's ears intensified. She felt like the waves beneath were crashing against her body rather than the shore. Her head spun and her stomach knotted as she tried to make sense of what Udara was saying.

"So if I ever have children...." Nora asked, breathless.

"They will have to be with someone who does not come from any magical bloodline," Udara said. "And your children will always be girls. They will stay on the island to insure Zeus never gets wind of them. We already made mistakes with Samara and you. We won't let that happen twice."

"This...." Nora looked around. "This is all too much."

"I know I can understand."

"I thought I could never have kids. But now you want me to have kids. I'm not a baby making machine!"

"No! No, of course you're not!" Udara said.

"I'm not ready to have kids."

"I understand," Udara nodded, reaching out and patting Nora's hand. "But we can start giving the Shajara blood as soon as you conceive and the baby has a heartbeat."

"That's young?" Nora's eyes were ready to pop out of her head.

"We have an island full of children to save."

"I know, I know," Nora's hand shook. "I just......this all...."

She closed her mouth and took in a long deep breath.

"Oh god," Nora groaned. "I think I'm going to be sick."

"You don't have to decide now," Udara said quietly. "But I would like to know soon. We don't really have the luxury of time on outside." 

I know it's very short but I wanted to give you guys something while I'm trying to get everything done :) 

What do you think Nora should do?