Chapter 13

After her chaotic breakfast with Udara, Nora had plans to spend the day either in her room contemplating how her life had gone so downhill or spend some time helping out with the children in the hall. But when Arsenio stopped her in the halls and asked if she wanted to visit her parent's cottage by the edge of town, Nora couldn't help but jump on board.

"Does anyone live there?" She asked, following the old man down the stairs.

"No," Arsenio shook his head. "It has been locked since the day your mother went missing."

Nora felt a shiver of dread run down her spin. She wondered what else she would learn about herself. It seemed whenever she tried to uncover anything from her past, it only brought more complication to her life.

As they neared the double doors to the fortress, Arsenio came to a stop in front of a young man with impressive height and broad shoulders. Nora looked up at the guy's chestnut hair and crooked nose, feeling an odd sense of knowing the set of brown eyes.

"Noah, this is Nico," Arsenio said. "My son."

"Hello," Nora gave a small smile.

"Nice to meet you," Nico lowered his head in a nod.

"Nico will show you to your parents cottage," Arsenio said, patting his son's shoulder. "The long walk isn't good for my knees."

"Oh, are you sure?" Nora asked. "I don't mind going another day or something."

"No, it's alright," Arsenio said. "You two go on ahead."

Nora looked at Nico, who stared at his father with an odd expression on his face.

"Go, go," Arsenio said, practically pushing the two out the door. "Nico, make sure you take the road through town. Not the backroads. They're muddy."

"Will do," Nico said, not looking at his father.

Nora did not say much as she began to follow the boy down the cobblestone path that led directly into town. Her yellow rain boots were heavy but absolutely necessary. The road was covered in puddles and mud.

"You like our island so far?" Nico asked as they navigated down the hill.

"Haven't seen much of it," Nora confessed. "I only got here like yesterday. Or I think...I don't know, time feels weird."

"Where did you live before?" Nico slowed to make sure Nora could keep up.

"Romania," Nora said, her eyes on the road to make sure she didn't slip or fall into any puddle. "Well....actually no."

Nico waited as Nora took a small pause and looked up.

"My apartment in Romania was destroyed by one of the older Guardians," she said.

"Rita," Nico scratched the back of his neck. "I heard."

"Yeah," Nora nodded. "So I guess I don't have a home....I mean, I'm not homeless. I've been living with Hay-.....a friend and his family. But wait, that does make me homeless."

"You can live in your parents cottage now," Nico shrugged.

"Here?" Nora arched her brow. "On the island?"

"Well, yeah..." Nico said. "You plan on going back?"

"Yes," Nora frowned. "I have a life out there. I have a job. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be the employee of the month, but that's beside the point."

"Did you tell Udara that?" Nico asked.

"I assumed they knew..." Nora began to feel a stream of anxiety trickle down her mind. Her hand automatically flew up to her necklace as she rubbed the charm with her thumb.

"Make sure you actually voice it," Nico said, before turning and continuing walking.

Nora didn't say anything as she followed the boy into town. She noticed a lot more people were out and about, a completely different feel from the morning she had arrived. Elderly feys sat around on chairs by storefronts or on the steps of their homes. A bakery door's bell rang as people came in and out. The fruit and vegetable stands were set up and women hurried around, gathering goods for the day.

Nora looked around, wondering how much longer everything will still be around. Life seemed almost peaceful on the island. But the look of sorrow on everyone's face distracted the illusion.

"Why is..." Nora stepped a bit closer to Nico. "Why is everyone so....down?"

"Do you notice any children around?" Nico asked.

Nora shook her head.

"But all the children in the infirmary...." Nora looked up. "That can't be all the children from the island."

"It is," Nico said, looking around.

"What about the guardians' children?" Nora asked. "Where are they?"

"They're by the edge of town," Nico said. "They're kept away from town to not bring up any painful memories for the people here."

"Oh..." Nora frowned.

Her eyes once again carefully tracked the people in town. She ignored the colorful fruits, the cheerful bell, and the fresh baked breads. Instead her gaze tracked the woman carrying a small doll in her shopping basket, the old man holding a photograph and the young fey who stood outside her door with a woven basket full of fresh laundry.

Nora stared at the fey as the girl's mouth twitched and her eyes narrowed. She glared at Nico and Nora before throwing down her basket with more force than necessary and stomping back into the house slamming the door. The old man sitting up front, looked back before turning to face Nico.

"Good morning, Nico," he touched his cap.

"Good morning, Mr. Haven," Nico waved.

Nora smiled politely at the old man.

"Ready?" Nico asked.

Nora nodded with one last look around the town. She turned her feet and followed Nico down the street towards the docks before backing a left and setting off on a dirt path.

"Do you like any sports?" Nico asked when the silence between them stretched on for a bit too long.

"Not really," Nora said. "I hate running."

"Swimming is a sport," Nico laughed. "You don't have to run."

"It's also very boring to watch," Nora said. "No offense."

"None taken."

"So are you a guardian like your father?"

"Yeah."

"How long have you been a guardian?"

"Since I was fifteen."

Hayden got his first tattoo at fifteen.

Nora's heart contacted as the thought popped into her mind.

"Fifteen seems to be a very popular age," she mumbled under her breath. "What made you decide to be a Guardian?"

"I don't know," Nico shrugged. "It's what people in my family do. My dad said I had to be a guardian."

Nora slowly nodded, feeling her tummy tighten.

"Do you always do what your father or Udara tells you?"

"Yes," Nico nodded. "Udara is our queen. And I respect my father very much. He's done a lot for the isl-"

"So you would do anything they tell you?" Nora asked. "Without question."

"Yes," Nico paused, seeing Nora had stopped walking. "What's wrong?"

Nora stared up at the boy with a sour look on her face. Her cheeks warmed and she knew it wouldn't take too long for her whole face to go bright red.

"I'm not going to have your children," she said, her eyes narrowing.

Nico opened his mouth to speak but Nora cut him off.

"I see what's happening here. Sending the both of us off on a long walk? You asking me all these questions?"

Nico shut his mouth.

"And judging from the girl's reaction with the laundry basket, I'm pretty sure you don't want me having your kids either," Nora said.

"I was told you were really smart," Nico smiled.

"I am," Nora said.

"You're right," Nico confessed, looking back at the town. "My father and Udara want us to get married. They want us to have children as soon as possible to insure your bloodline lives on."

"I don't want that," Nora shook her head. "I don't know you."

"And I don't know you either," Nico held up his hand. "But you really don't have any other option. Unless you marry someone from outside the island, then you will have to convince them to come live here for the rest of their life."

"I am not going to be a baby machine," Nora said in anger. "I am not going to marry just anyone because I need to have children."

"Then how will your bloodline go on?"

"I don't know!" Nora waved her arm around. "I don't care!"

"You don't care?" Nico arched his brow.

"I mean...I do care," Nora corrected herself. "But that doesn't mean I will do something ridiculous like that. There has to be another way."

"Maybe," Nico shrugged. "But we really don't have time to be searching for a plan B."

"If you dare come near me I will blast your ass off this planet," Nora threatened.

"Woah, lady," Nico took a step back and held up his hands. "Relax. We've in a rush but that doesn't make us uncivil. No one is going to force themselves onto you."

"Do you honestly not see how ridiculous this is?" Nora asked. "You clearly have a thing going on with that girl in town. Yet, just because your dad and Udara said, you're ready to settle down with me?"

"That's how your parents did it," Nico shrugged.

"No," Nora said stubbornly, shaking her head.

Her expression and refusal to accept the truth made Nico laugh, "What....you think your parents picked each other? That it was a love match?"

"It was..." Nora pushed down the sick feeling in her stomach. "Afet said..."

"Your mother had lots of suitors," Nico said. "She was the only vestal on the island. But Udara had the last say in who she married."

"I am not my mother," Nora's eyes narrowed. "I am not going to marry just anyone."

"Go tell the queen," Nico shrugged. "Not me. What do I care?"

"I'm marked!" Nora held up her arm to show her exposed forearm. "Does Udara and the rest of the fey have no value for such a mark that apparently means more than marriage?"

"Desperate time calls for desperate measures," Nico said.

"This is sick," Nora felt winded. "I....this is all too horrible."

"Call it what you want," Nico looked at the small cottage in the distance. "Do you still want to go to the cottage?"

"Was this planned? Taking me to the cottage?"

Nico didn't reply.

"What did they tell you to do?" Nora felt herself shiver.

"I'm supposed to woo you," Nico sighed. "Sweep you off your feet and convince you that I will make you happy."

"But you can't...." Nora shook her head. "I don't have a heart to give you. Someone else already took it and he kept it. He marked it as his own."

Nico smiled, "Your fey."

"Yes," Nora nodded, her heart crying, "My fey."

"You know that you can't have children with him, right?"

"That's the least of my worries right now."

"That should be your first priority," Nico frowned.

"Well, sue me because it's not!" Nora threw her arms up.

"I'm sorry," Nico sighed. "I forget you were not raised here."

Nora pushed her hair out of her face and looked away. Her eyes landed on the cottage in the back, suddenly realizing she had no desire to know what was inside. She was sick of the place.

"Do you want to head back?" Nico asked after standing around in the middle of the dirt path of a while.

"Yes," Nora nodded.

The pair turned and headed back into town. No one said a word as they passed the girl one more in front of her house with the laundry basket. Nora didn't look up as she felt the fey's heated gaze on her. She didn't blame her. Nora was sure she would be feeling much worse if anyone ever took Hayden away from her.

Speaking of Hayden...

Hayden? Nora opened her mind-link, feeling a rush of panic as they neared Udara's palace.

Yes, Hayden answered. What's wrong? Are you hurt?

I need to see you, Nora said, her eyes scanning the stone walls.

Tell me where you are and I'll be there in a second.

No, Nora said, her gaze moved up to where Udara watched her and Nico from her balcony. You can't come here. I'll come to you.

How? Hayden asked.

I don't know yet, Nora said. I'll figure something out.

Nora, please. Just tell me where you are and I'll get you out of there. You don't have to do anything.

You can't be here, Nora pushed her anger down. I'll contact you when I can.

I'm getting real sick of you shutting me out like this, Hayden said.

I'm sorry, Nora said, closing her mind-link and stepping into the palace.

___________________________

For the remainder of the day, Nora stayed with the children. She sat beside Noor and watched him play with the others as her mind danced through the options she was given.

There was no way she would have children and doomed them to a life on the island hiding from Zeus. She couldn't even force herself to imagine any other man touching her. It made her feel sick to her stomach.

Nora couldn't possibly be the only vestal on Earth, she thought to herself. There had to be someone else out there who didn't know what they were, just like her up until a few months ago. Maybe they even had a family of their own. There was no way she was the only vestal on the face of the planet.

All she had to do was find them.

The Bram brothers had already started the work for her. The palace had all their files and research. Nora could track the others down if there were any.

There has to be, she told herself.

But just as the idea began to form in her head to go off and track down a vestal, Noor gave a small cough beside her. Nora looked down as the little boy lowered his hand to reveal blood.

One of the nurses quickly cleaned off Noor's hand and gave him some cough medication. At first he complained about being too sleepy from the meds, a feeling Nora knew too well. But when he began to cough once more, the nurse wouldn't take no as an answer.

Nora watched Noor reluctantly take down his meds before returning to his play. Her heart ached for the little boy as she pushed back his soft curls and placed her hand on his cold cheek. Noor moved a bit closer, seeking her heat as he curled up with a toy.

All the anger, frustration and anxiety inside of Nora mixed into a storm that brought tears to her eyes. She bit down on her lip to keep herself from bawling in front of the children as she looked at their fading life. They didn't have the luxury of waiting around for Nora to find another vestal...

"Where are you going?" Noor asked as Nora began to slide him off her lap.

"I have to speak to Udara," Nora said. "I'll be right back."

With a small kiss on his head, Nora sat off towards Udara's floor. One of the feys announced her arrival before opening the door to Udara's chamber and stepping aside.

The queen and Afet looked up as Nora entered. They smiled and urged her to have a seat.

"How was the visit to the cottage?" Udara asked.

"I'm not going to have Nico's children if that's what you want to know," Nora said, sitting down.

The light in Udara's eyes dimmed but she didn't let the smile waver from her face. Afet looked at the queen and then at the girl sitting before her.

"I need to get off the island," Nora said.

"That's not safe," Udara shook her head.

"I lived my whole life out there," Nora said quickly. "As long as I don't spread my titan blood, Zeus won't touch me."

Udara's lips remained unmoved. Her eyes watched Nora carefully.

"Please," Nora said. "It's important."

"Why do you need to get off the island?" Afet asked.

"I have to speak to someone," Nora said. "I promise I will be back. And I will also pick one of the options you so graciously provided for me this morning."

"Who do you need to speak to?" Udara asked.

"I don't have to share that information with you," Nora said. "It doesn't involve you."

"Is it the fey?"

Nora did not reply.

"You should really bring him here," Udara took in a long breath.

"How do you know it's a male fey?" Nora asked.

"Because you gave him your heart," Udara said.

"Boy, Nico sure is fast," Nora glared.

"He's a model Guardian."

"He's a puppet," Nora said in anger. "And yes, if you must know, I am going to go speak to the fey who marked me."

"Why?"

"Because my decision involves him too!" Nora said. "The mark we share....me having someone else's child....this should be just as much his decision as it is mine."

"Tell him to come here," Afet said. "We mean him no harm."

"I don't want that," Nora shook her head.

"Why not?" Afet asked. "His people are here. He belongs here."

"Just trust me," Nora began to feel her throat close up. "He's fine where he is. We don't need him coming here."

"Will you also be going to the jinn?" Udara asked. "Arsenio said you were with a jinn when you first arrived at the town hall."

"He's a friend," Nora said. "He means no harm."

"That's not how jinns work, my dear," Udara shook her head. "They're cunning."

"We can do this all day," Nora sat forward. "Please. You said so yourself, we don't have the luxury of time. Let me go and I will come back with an answer."

"And if you don't?"

"I'm sure you will be sending Nico after me."

Udara looked displeased. She pondered Nora's words carefully as Afet waited for an answer. Nora sat digging her nails into her palm as she stared at the queen.

"Nico will take you to the main island," the fey said after a while.

"Thank you so mu-" Nora got up to leave.

"Nora," Udara's voice stopped her.

Nora turned to look back at the queen.

"If you do not return," Udara said, her eyes growing a bit hard. "I hope you remember Noor's face."

Nora flinched as if Udara's words were like a slap across her face. Her chest tightened around her lungs, making her head spin from the lack of oxygen.

"I'm doing this for them..." Nora said, her voice laced with sorrow and heartbreak. "For all of them."

Udara looked away, feeling disgusted with herself for using such words with Nora. But she wasn't sorry. She would do anything for her people.

As Nora stood staring at the queen in disbelief, Afet took a step forward and took her hand.

"Come," the fey said gently. "I'll take you to Nico."

Nora let Afet pull her away from the queen. Udara couldn't meet Nora's gaze as the girl peered at her until she was out of the room. The door shut with a groan like thunder, cutting off Nora's view of Udara.

"Don't take her words to heart," Afet said kindly. "She knows you have a great deal to do."

Nora didn't say anything as Afet turned and began to head downstairs. Udara's words echoed in her mind as she moved her feet like a robot and followed Afet.

I hope you remember Noor's face....

As if she could ever forget. Those green eyes...

They will be the death of her.

________________________

The boat ride back to the mainland was a blur in Nora's mind. Nico tried to speak to her many times, but her lack of answer and her head lost in space was a clear indicator that she wasn't all there. When he helped her off the boat, his hand lingered on her arm as he leaned forward.

"Whatever it is that you are planning," Nico said, making Nora bite down on her tongue. "I hope you keep in mind that the children are innocent."

Nora didn't utter a word. She looked straight ahead and climbed into the car for the long trip back to the town hall. Nico watched her from the corner of his eyes throughout the drive to see if he could make out what the girl was thinking.

"Did Udara give you a portal ring?" He asked, checking her hands.

"No," Nora said. "Where do you guys get so many pixie gold rings? I thought they were rare and only three remain on Earth."

"Pixie ring?" Nico asked. "These are portal rings made by feys. The pixies didn't do shit."

"Oh...."

"When you get back, I'll get you one."

"No, thank you."

"Not like a wedding ring," Nico rolled his eyes. "Like a small gift or somet-"

"Nico," Nora looked up, unbuckling her seatbelt as the car came to a stop. "Stop talking."

"Alright," Nico sighed. "Whatever you say."

Nora jumped out of the car and stretched her legs. Her insides felt numb and cold as she pushed her hands into her pocket and looked up at the town hall.

Hayden....

Yes? Hayden's link opened.

I'm at the town hall.

I'm on my wa-

No! Nora shut her eyes. Stop. Just listen to me.

Nora, not right no-

Just open a portal for me, Nora said. I'll come through. Don't come here.

You hate portals. How will you get through witho-

If you come here, you'll be leading them to Birdie, Nora used the one name she knew would halt whatever plan Hayden was hatching. Please, listen to me.

There was a long pause. Nora felt Nico staring at her as he hovered by the car.

"Where is this guy?" He asked, looking around. "Do we need to call him or something?"

Where do you need the portal to? Hayden asked.

To you....Nora said. Someplace away from everyone. Just you and me....we have a lot to talk about.

As Nora said the words, the air in front of her began to swirl. Nico straightened up and peered, wondering what was happening as a portal opened. Nora looked over at him as her body turned towards the portal.

"You can't leave the mainland," Nico said. "That wasn't the deal, Nora."

Nora stepped forward.

"Nora, no!" Nico jumped forward to try and stop her but he was too late.

The portal Hayden opened seemed to almost move through the air and absorb Nora as she ran towards it. With her eyes closed, she jumped in. Her heart threatened to fly out of her body as a strong pair of arms caught her on the other side, stopping her from falling on her face.

"Who was that?" Hayden's eyes darkened, hearing Nico's voice.

Nora's eyes snapped open. She let out a sigh as she melted into those green eyes, feeling Hayden's arms tighten around her body.

"That's your main concern right now?" She asked. "Not me?"

Hayden shut off the portal and looked down at the girl in his arms, "You're always my number one."

As his gaze found her, finally safe in his arms, Nora's eyes began to water. Hayden felt her whole body tremble as her eyes filled and the tip of her nose turned red.

"Hi," Hayden said, feeling breathless and whole for the first time since waking up and finding the bed empty beside him.

"H-" Nora didn't get a second to respond as Hayden's mouth came down on her.

Hayden crushed Nora to his chest as his hand held her head close. She parted her lips with a sigh and kissed him back. Her tears spilled and mixed in with the sweetness of her mouth as Hayden stole her breath away.

"Where were you?" He asked in between kisses.

"I...." Nora tried to remember how to speak as Hayden tilted her head back and moved his mouth down her neck. Her whole body buzzed and hummed like a dangerous live wire.

Despite how good his mouth felt and how her body ached for more, Nora shook her head to clear her mind. She didn't come here to get lost in his touches.

"Hayden," Nora pushed at his arm gently. "Wait."

Hayden pulled back, his eyes filled with desire and love.

"Where are you?" Nora asked.

"You said somewhere away from everyone, right?"

"What is this place?" Nora looked around the small cabin they stood in.

"It belongs to my great grandparents," Hayden said. "It was a gift from my great grandfather to my great grandmother. The simple life."

"How far are we from everyone?" Nora stepped away from Hayden and looked around.

"Just a few minutes away from palace grounds," Hayden said, his eyes following her.

"Okay," Nora nodded, taking a deep breath.

"Nora," Hayden took her hand and pulled her to his chest once more. "I am so incredibly cross with you for what you did."

Nora's face fell.

"I know how manipulative my baba can be," Hayden said. "But I expected you to see through his games."

"It's not a game," Nora frowned. "It's real. The feys are real."

"But it was not your job or responsibility to go find them," Hayden protested.

"But it was," Nora said. "That's where I needed to be. To know about my parents and who I am."

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Yes," Nora nodded. "And much more than I needed."

"What do you mean?"

"Hayden...." Nora's heart began to beat with worry. "There are children.....on the island."

"Yes, I had assumed there would be children," Hayden said. "How else does one keep their race going?"

"Fey children..." Nora said.

Hayden waited to hear more.

"They're sick," Nora said. "The children are dying because the Shajara does not have enough magic."

Hayden remained unmoved.

"I can't give my blood to the tree because of our mark," Nora felt her insides twist.

"I don't see how that's a problem."

"The children are dying," Nora said in disbelief. "There is no magic."

"And you think it's your responsibility to save them."

"Yes," Nora said. "My mother did the same."

"Nora," Hayden closed his eyes and exhaled. "If you save this tree....these children will grow up and have more offspring of their own. They are a danger to the world. We can't ha-"

"They're kids, Hayden!" Nora pushed his hands away and stepped back. "They're innocent and they are suffering."

"They're fey!"

"Who cares!" Nora yelled back. "I know the jinns and fey have bad blood. But don't you see? This is the best time to end all that hate."

"No, it's not."

"It is," Nora said. "We can save a whole generation. We can end the animosity and these kids can grow up in a new world."

"The feys do not think like that," Hayden shook his head. "They will never want to live in a world where they do not have the jinns beneath them."

"You don't know that!" Nora said in disbelief. "Please, Hayden. We have to help them. I've seen what they are going through. They're dying and it's heartbreaking."

"They're showing you all this to manipulate you."

"Like you baba manipulated me with his stories?"

Hayden's eyes narrowed.

"Isn't it time this back and forth ended?" Nora asked. "Both sides are wrong. No one is right here. But we have a shot at setting things right but showing these children how to be good."

"It's not that simple, Nora," Hayden shook his head. "The Tyveer court will never agree to this."

"We don't need them to," Nora said. "All we need is my blood. And we need to find the other vestals."

"But you said you couldn't give blood," Hayden reminded her.

"I know..." Nora's heart wanted to disappear for the next part. "But there might be a way."

Hayden paused as he noticed the way Nora shifted around.

"I don't like this..." he said.

"Hear me out please," Nora begged. "Don't fly off the handle."

Hayden's eyes darkened.

"There is a chance that I can give blood..." Nora began slowly. "I will need to be purified."

"But..." Hayden's jaw tensed. "There's always a but."

Nora shut her eyes and took in a long deep breath.

"There is a chance....." she said quietly. "That....when I get purified....the fire....."

Hayden waited.

"The fire will burn off your mark."

The beautiful green in Hayden's eyes disappeared. His eyes darkened to the point of no return as his hands balled into fists and the muscles in his jaw flexed.

"What?" He asked, his voice dangerously low.

"It's a possibility," Nora felt herself shiver.

The three feet of distance separating the two could have fit an ocean. Nora wanted to reach out and touch him, but she was pretty sure he would have pushed her hand away. His eyes were like daggers, pinning her with a sharpness that made the hair on the back of her neck stand on its ends.

"You already have your mind made, don't you?" Hayden took a step forward.

Nora took a step back.

"You didn't come here to talk about this," Hayden accused. "You came here to tell me what you already plan on doing."

"Let me explain," Nora took a second step back as Hayden stalked forward.

His tall figure loomed over Nora as those fearsome eyes stayed on her like an angry tiger.

"These kids are innocent," Nora said once more. "If I can give my blood and help them, then I will do that. You haven't seen what I have. They have nothing, Hayden."

"But our mark, Nora?" Hayden asked. "Does it mean nothing to you? You're just going to give it up?"

"You didn't even know you marked me until I told you," Nora glared.

"But I know now," Hayden said. "More than marriage, right? Does that hold no value with you?"

"Nothing will change with us," Nora said.

"You don't know that!" Hayden's voice hardened. "You have no idea what getting rid of a mark like that can do."

"You saying that implies your feelings for me are only because of some kind of magical bond," Nora was suddenly just as angry as he was. "Are you saying you're scared you won't want me if I am not marked?"

"Don't twist my words," Hayden threatened.

"Then what are you afraid of?" Nora asked.

"Of these feys taking advantage of you!" Hayden yelled. "They get rid of your mark and they have you all to themselves."

"You will let that happen?"

"I can't fuckin' do anything because you won't tell me where they're keeping you!"

"I'm trying to keep you safe!" Nora said in frustration. "I'm trying to keep them away from you and Birdie and your mother."

"Why?" Hayden asked. "Why would you do that?"

Nora glared.

"You doing that implies the feys are dangerous," Hayden threw her words back at her. "Are you saying you know the feys will betray you?"

"No!" Nora shook her head. "I don't know....I don't care what they do. I can't risk you getting hurt."

"You getting rid of my mark will hurt me."

"You don't know that."

"Yes, I do know that, Nora!" Hayden yelled, closing the gap between them and grabbing her arms. "Knowing you willingly gave up something so big for the both of us will kill me."

"I'm not doing it willingly," Nora tried to move away but Hayden wouldn't budge. "Trust me, this is the last thing I would pick if I had a choice. The other options are too impossible for me to even think about."

"Can't be worse than this," Hayden jeered as he released Nora and looked away.

His words caused Nora's temper to flare. It also didn't help how the two were feeding off of each other's emotions to make the chaos even worse.

"Can't be worse than this?" Nora's words were laced with venom. Her heart burned with pain as she felt her eyes water with tears. "My other option is to have kids with another man and spend my whole life on that island away from you."

Hayden's head snapped up and turned towards her direction.

"You want me to pick that?" Nora asked, taking a step forward in fury. "You want me to go sleep with another guy and give him as many daughters as they want me to?"

The edges of Hayden's eyes began to slowly turn silver with rage. Their green seemed to glow as the silver seeped in.

"Is that what you want?" Nora shoved him with all her might, not that it did anything to him. "Is that option so much better, Hayden?"

In a flash, Hayden grabbed Nora's arms and pulled her to his chest. She yelped in shock as he fell back into a portal and transported them to his room back in his parents house.

"What are you doing?" Nora asked, pushing him away.

She looked up and her heart stopped.

Hayden's eyes were completely silver, all traces of green now along lost memory.

"You're not moving an inch for this place," he said, looking directly into her eyes and daring her to challenge him. 

Do you think Hayden's reaction was appropriate?