Chapter 17

For the next several days, the kids grew more and more sick. Nora spent all her time helping out in the infirmary as Afet and Udara worked with the shamans to stabilize the Shajara. All day Nora spent with Noor and the children, distracting them with movies or video games. At night, she laid awake running her wrist to light up her room with the faint blue light that shimmered inside of her.

A few times Nora tried to see if her mind-link would open to Hayden, but her mark wasn't strong enough to gather enough magic to open her mind to him. Nora hid her gold ring away somewhere deep inside of her bed to not tempt her from using it to run back to Hayden. She was needed on the island. Even if it wasn't for her blood, having an extra set of hands helped tremendously.

By midweek things were much calmer. The Shajara was held together by Udara and Afet's magic as town members came daily to offer whatever magic they could spare without making themselves sick. Udara had to stay in bed for a few days to conserve her strength before she returned to service. Afet wasn't any better either.

Nora's heart clenched every time she looked at the fey. Afet's skin was pasty and dull. Her once long glossy hair looked bridled and limp. Her beautiful kind eyes were sunken into her face. They looked so tired.

"Go sit," Nora said to her one afternoon. "I'll help with the medicine."

"No, no," Afet waved her off. "I just gave a few more."

"Afet," Nora frowned, taking the tray from her. "Please, just sit."

With a sigh, the fey stepped back and nodded. She wiped her hands on her apron and took a seat on the wooden chair beside the medicine cabinet.

"The cough syrup is for Thaika," Afet instructed. "The red pills are for Mera, the painkillers a-"

"Are for Dom and the antibiotics are for Gianna," Nora smiled. "Anything else?"

"No," Afet gave a tired laugh. "That's all for now."

"You should take the rest of the evening off," Nora said. "There are enough people helping out."

"Oh yeah?" Afet asked. "Who? Nico's girlfriend who only volunteered to keep an eye on you?"

"She won't even speak to me," Nora said. "I am not interested in her man."

"She's threatened by you, Afet sighed. "You have Udara to strengthen your claim if you choose to marry Nico."

"Never," Nora shook her head. "He's a bonehead."

"He's one of our best guardians."

"Doesn't mean I should marry him and have his children," Nora rolled her eyes.

"No," Afet sighed. "No, it doesn't."

"Did you eat?"

"Yes," the fey nodded. "I had some soup earlier."

"After I'm done with this, do you want to come sit with me in the garden for a few?" Nora asked. "You could really use the ten minutes off your feet."

"Don't you worry too much about me," Afet laughed. "I am just fi-"

Afet was cut off as a fit of cough came over her. Nora jumped forward in concern as the fey leaned over and shook. The wheezing sound of her lungs terrified Nora as Afet covered her mouth and tried to be sly about wiping away the blood she had coughed up.

"Please go back to your room," Nora begged, kneeling down to look at Afet. "Please, for me."

Afet shook her head, "I'm fine."

"You're coughing up blood!"

"Just a little bit."

"Enough to make you weak," Nora said with disapproval. "Please, just go."

"Okay, okay," Afet reached for the box of tissues. "I'll go lay down. But not for the whole day."

"No, of course not," Nora rolled her eyes. "God forbid you take a full day to rest."

The fey laughed at Nora's childishness. She waited until all the medicine was distributed before letting Nora walk her to her room.

"I'll come by in a bit and keep you company," Nora said, watching Afet open her door.

"I would like that," Afet smiled.

"Go take a nap," Nora said, playfully pushing her into the room.

As the door closed, Nora turned and began to head up the stairs. She wanted to check in with Udara and see how things were going before she returned to the infirmary again. But half way up the stairs, she heard Arsenio's voice downstairs and decided to meet with him first.

"Ah, Nora," the old man said as he spotted the girl coming down the steps.

"What's going on?" Nora asked, looking at the guardians coming out of the portal.

"We thought we had located another Vestal this morning," Arsenio sighed. "But turns out she's been dead for the past fifty years and the state of Alabama still hadn't taken her off their voter ID list."

"Did she have any family?" Nora asked. "She must have had children."

"Two daughters."

Nora's heart leaped up.

"Where are they?" She asked. "Did you mind them?"

"Zeus killed one," Arsenio snorted. "And the other one is in hiding."

"We can still find her," Nora said. "Right?"

"We're looking darling," Arsenio sighed. "Up until a few months ago, we only knew about you. We don't have the manpower or resources to go searching so easily."

But I do, Nora thought to herself. The research left behind by Skyfall and the palace tech department.

"How's Afet?" Arsenio asked.

"She's good," Nora turned towards the stairs.

"Where are you running off too?"

"To go check in on her," Nora said over her shoulder as she ran up the stairs.

Her mind began to run ahead of itself. She had stored away all the files from Skyfall herself with her team members at the palace. There had to be something useful in there.

"Afet!" Nora barged into the room.

"What's the matter?" The fey looked up from her book. "Are the children okay?"

"They're fine," Nora closed the door and ran up to the fey. "I need to leave the island for a few."

"Why?" Afet asked.

"Arsenio said they found information about a dead vestal," Nora rushed to explain. "She had two daughters. One is dead and the other is in hiding. I think I can help find her."

"How?" Afet sat up.

"My old job," Nora ran a hand through her hair. "I have files there from Skyfall. Arthur and James were also searching for Vestals. That's how they found me. If I can go back and look at their research, I'm sure I will find some kind of link or clue."

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes, yes," Nora nodded. "And the palace also has tons of data collection and links to different countries. I can start looking for this woman as soon as I find some useful information about her."

"Udara won't like you leaving the island...." Afet's face filled with worry.

"That's why I need your help," Nora said. "Just cover for me for a few hours tonight. I'll be back as soon as I set everything up and grab what I need to work from here."

A hint of hesitation appeared on Afet's face. Nora's heart began to sink until she spotted the fey shake her head and replace the hesitation with determination.

"Will you be safe out there?" She asked.

"Yes," Nora nodded.

"Maybe you should take Nico with you."

"No!" Nora protested. "He'll slow me down. I'll be at the palace. It'll be difficult to explain who he is if someone sees me."

"Okay, okay," Afet pushed back the covers and slipped on her shoes. "Do you still have your gold ring?"

"Yes, in my room," Nora said.

"Let's go."

Together, the pair casually walked out of the room and made their way to Nora's. They tried to walk slowly to not catch any unwanted attention. Once they arrived by Nora's door, Afet looked around the halls before slipping in after the girl.

"It's somewhere over here," Nora said, kneeling beside her bed and sticking her hand under the mattress. "Got it!"

"How long do you think it will take you?" Afet asked.

"I'm not sure," Nora said, slipping the ring on. "But I'll try to hurry."

"If anyone asks, I'll tell them I was ill and you were tending to me."

"Thank you."

"Nora," Afet stopped the girl. "Please...be careful."

"I will."

"Take this with you," Afet pulled a glass dagger out. "Please. It'll make me feel better knowing you have something to protect yourself."

"I have never stabbed anyone in my life," Nora stared at the glass.

"There's always a first time for everything," Afet smield. "Take it."

Nora took the dagger and pushed it into her back pocket. She took a step back from the fey and spun her gold ring to open a portal by the back service entrance of the palace. There were protection spells all over the place to prevent portals from opening inside unless they were by members who were authorized to do so. But all that didn't matter to Nora.

With one long look at Afet, Nora stepped through the portal and landed in the bushes beside the back service entrance of the Palace. She had strategically picked the spot to avoid being detected by the security camera.

Climbing out of the bush, Nora quickly walked over to the door and flipped open the pinpad. She punched in her code and waited for the door to open. But instead, the pinpad flashed red.

"Damn it," Nora muttered.

She forgot she hadn't been at work in ages. The codes were changed bi-weekly at the palace for security measures. Nora's code, along with all her passwords were probably all long expired.

But there was still hope.

She had installed the code system herself. And as the administrator of the codes, Nora knew the three back up pins she designed in case of emergencies.

"Bingo," Nora whispered as he pushed down the reset button on the pinpad and typed in her nine digit emergency code.

The pinpad flashed green and the door unlocked.

"I'm a genius," Nora said as she stepped inside.

She took the servant stairwell to the fourth floor, being very careful to not catch anyone's attention. Before heading up, Nora had grabbed a random clipboard off the empty reception desk to make her look like she was supposed to be there. Whenever she passed any of the maids, Nora started to flip through the sheets with great irritation as if she was busy trying to do her work. No one said a word to her as she made her way up to her office.

Given how late it was, all the lights in the different offices were switched off. The night staff had already cleaned and left everything ready for the next morning as Nora navigated her way to her desk. She quickly turned on her work laptop and typed in her password only to be locked out.

"Damn you, Nora," she cursed herself. "Why did you have to make the security system so good?"

She tried all of her different combinations and failed every time. She took just a few seconds to congratulate herself on designing a system that worked so well but it was biting her in the ass. The palace passwords were constantly changed and since she hadn't been to work in so long, Nora had no way of getting into her computer.

After trying for several minutes, she moved on to Dev's laptop before she set off the security alerts. The last thing she needed was the King's guards to come looking.

"What is your password?" Nora wondered as she tried a few combinations on Dev's laptop. "Damn, Damn, Damn."

With great frustration Nora sat down on the chair and stared at the computer screen. She tried to calm herself and think of a way to get around all the passcodes and access the Skyfall files. Her mind came up with hundreds of possibilities but they all seemed to be blocked by some form of access code.

"Ugh!" Nora put her head down on the desk when she realized her only shot at getting her hands on any information was to make her way down to the king's guards hall and see what she could find in the evidence collection.

Sitting up reluctantly, Nora checked the time on the laptop screen and tried to remember the schedule for when guards were changed. She closed Dev's screen and grabbed her clipboard, along with the spare blazer Dev kept behind his chair. Slipping it on, Nora began to make her way down to the King's guard hall.

But just as she reached the foyer, her ears filled with loud music and hundreds of voices. Nora turned to the left and found the smaller ballroom beside the throne room decorated with black balloons and long velvet drapes. All the guests were dressed in black as they sipped champagne and some swayed to the music.

This is good, Nora thought.

With a big event like this, the staff would be distracted. And if the royal family was attending, which most likely they were, then the king's guards would be in the ballroom along with them.

Nora said a silent prayer to whoever was up there and quickly made her way downstairs. She tried to busy herself with her clipboard as she passed the entrance to the ballroom when suddenly, from the corner of her eyes she caught sight of a very familiar face that froze her to her spot.

Hayden.

Nora forgot how to move or breathe as she watched the handsome boy stop for the cameras as they clicked his photo. He was dressed in his usual all black, making the green of his eyes so dark and rich that they stood out like emeralds. A stubborn strand of his dark hair fell over his face, casting a shadow over his shark jawline. Hayden reached up and pushed it back, making Nora's heart flutter.

"Nora!"

Nora jumped as Birdie stepped into her line of sight. Her eyes quickly flickered to Hayden to make sure he hadn't heard his sister.

"What are you doing here?" The girl asked, rushing forward. "Does Hayden know you're here?"

"No," Nora took a step back. "Please don't tell him."

"What?"

Nora looked over Birdie's shoulder once more and spotted Elsa walking up to Hayden. Her heart started to disappear once more as she watched the model slip her arm through Hayden's and pose for the cameras together.

"Where have you been?" Birdie handed her drink to some stranger and rushed over. "Hayden has been worried sick about you."

"I...." Nora couldn't take her eyes off of Hayden and Elsa as they made their way to the dance floor.

Birdie, confused by Nora's behavior looked, over her shoulder.

"Oh, yikes. Yeah....honey, noooo," she said quickly. "It's not what you think."

Nora's eyes focused on the silver haired girl, "What?"

"Hayden and Elsa ar-"

"Birdie, I swear to god, I am going to kill Elsa if she doesn't take her hands off of Hayden," Thea threatened as she stormed up to the girl.

"Oh Jesus," Birdie rolled her eyes.

"Why did you have to invite her?" Thea asked.

"She's Kiara's friend!" Birdie shrieked.

"Kiara doesn't even remember her!"

Nora took the momentary distraction to take another step back. She was hoping to make a quiet escape when Birdie's eyes suddenly turned to her once more.

"Nora, where are you going?" She asked, clicking her tongue and pulling her back.

"You guys!"

Thea and Birdie turned as Kiara ran up to them...well more like stumbled over.

"This is the best surprise ever!" Kiara threw her arms around her friends and pulled them into a hug.

"Are you drunk?" Thea asked with disapproval. "Where's Lila?"

"She's with her daddy," Kiara giggled. "It's my birthday! I'm gonna have some fun!"

The girl's gaze landed on Nora trying to get away from Birdie.

"Oh, hi!" Kiara smiled.

"Oh," Birdie turned to look at Nora. "Kiara, you don't remember her. But this is Nora. You tried to kill her a few times."

"Oh my gosh! I am so sorry!" Kiara pushed past Thea and threw her arms around Nora. "Wait. wait."

Nora had no idea how she had gotten roped into such a mess as the angel of violent death pulled back and looked her up and down.

"Nora?" She asked. "As in Hayden's Nora?"

"Yep!" Birdie said proudly.

"It's so nice to meet you!" Kiara pulled Nora into a hug once more. "Oh! I've heard so much about you!"

"Where have you been?" Thea asked, pulling Kiara back to save Nora. "Are you okay? Your hair looks great by the way."

"And her skin," Kiara said. "Look at her, she's glowing."

"Wait, you guys, stop!" Birdie pushed the two away. "Nora, look at me. There is nothing going on between Hayden and Elsa. But don't just take it from me, go over there and ask him yourself."

Nora looked back at Hayden on the dance floor with Elsa in his arms. She was too dizzy to understand what was happening as the girls all bickered around her and she watched the man of her dreams dance with someone else.

"Elsa is a parasite," Thea hissed. "Birdie, I don't get why you hang out with her."

"I want to get into modeling," Birdie shrugged. "And Elsa has connections."

"Nora," Thea turned the girl to face her. "You need to go in there right now and take Hayden away from that blood sucking leech!"

"What is happening?" Nora asked, not sure whom.

"You don't like her because you're in love with my brother," Birdie snorted.

"You are, Thea," Kiara nodded.

"Yes, but I know Hayden doesn't like me," Thea said in her defense. "And if I can't have him, I would much rather he be happy with someone sweet like Nora than that cold hearted empty brained bitch."

"Oh you're just so gracious," Birdie laughed.

"Hey, guys," Nora cleared her throat. "It was so nice seeing you all. But I really have something important to do right now."

"No, no, no," Birdie shook her head. "You're not leaving without seeing my annoying ass brother. The boy has been going crazy. He's had like six attacks in the last week or so. You're good for his sanity."

"What..." Nora's heart started to hammer against her chest. Her hands felt cold and numb as her eyes kept flickering to Hayden.

"Yeah," Birdie frowned. "He's been struggling a lot. I think it will be really good for him to see you."

"I..." Nora felt her throat tighten. "But..."

"There is nothing going on with him and Elsa," Birdie said once more. "I swear."

"I heard them talking," Nora said. "In the garden."

"Oh, no!" Birdie smacked her forehead. "Elsa has an audition for her first movie role."

Thea snorted, making Kiara giggle.

"She came over to run her lines with me," Birdie said. "I swear it wasn't real."

"Okay, are we done with all this?" Thea asked impatiently. "We need to get him away from her before she starts pretending to be drunk and kisses him."

"Oh I think I like drama," Kiara nodded. "Nora needs to go in there."

"I rather not," Nora shook her head. "Maybe, we can talk elsewhere?"

"No!" Kiara said. "I want to see if I like drama. It's my birthday, you have to do as I say."

"We need to change your outfit," Thea looked her up and down.

Before Nora could protest, Birdie dragged her out of the room and into the halls.

"I'm pretty good with my conjure spells now," she said.

"Okay," Thea nodded. "Do it."

Nora's eyes widened as Birdie snapped her finger and her jeans and t-shirt disappeared. A beautiful black ball gown appeared in their place along with a pair of black heels.

"Nope," Kiara said. "We need her to look sexy. Not like she's about to get married."

"Okay," Birdie snapped her finger once more.

"Too simple," Thea said looking at the strapless black dress.

"Next," Kiara ordered.

"Guys, please!" Nora took a step forward and her outfit changed once more.

"Perfect!" Kiara announced.

Nora stumbled as the height of her heels changed and her simple black dress morphed into another black number with lace detailing.

"I agree," Thea nodded. "Beautiful."

"This is ridiculous," Nora complained.

"No, you know what is ridiculous?" Thea asked. "Elsa thinking she can have Hayden."

"I can't just walk in there!" Nora shrieked. "What do I even do? What do I say to him?"

"How dare you?" Kiara pretended Birdie was Hayden and fake slapped her across the face. "You bastard!"

"No, don't listen to that one," Thea shook her head. "Just go in and let him come to you."

"I don't want to see Hayden like this," Nora said, feeling her anxiety grip her ankles.

"Too bad," Kiara said, taking Nora's hand and tugging her back into the ballroom.

"No, Kiara. Wait!" Nora gasped. "Birdie, where is my underwear?"

"I kind of don't know how to conjure up undergarment," Birdie apologized.

"Are you kidding me?" Nora hissed, tugging the hem of her short dress down.

"Don't worry, it's dark," Thea said. "No one will see."

"Angel!" Kiara called her cousin. "Come here. I want to be petty."

"Kiara, what are you doing?" Nora asked, trying to pull her arm back.

"Hey, birthday girl," Angel said cheerfully. "What's up?"

"This is Nora," Kiara introduced the girl to the demigod. "Go dance with her."

"No!" Nora shook her head.

"Yes," Kiara said. "Here. Make sure you're in the middle of the dance floor."

Nora was beyond making sense of whatever was happening. She watched Kiara hand her over to Angel and disappear along with Thea and Birdie.

"I am so sorry," Nora turned to Angel. "This is a big mess. I am not here to dance."

"Don't worry," Angel laughed. "Kia can be crazy sometimes."

"Can you let go of my hand right now?" Nora asked. "I really don't dance."

"Are you sure?" Angel asked.

"Yes, I'm sure," Nora tried to pull her hand back.

"Is Kiara still around?" Angel looked over his shoulder.

Just as Nora was about to pull her hand once more, someone grabbed her wrist along with Angels.

"She said she doesn't want to dance, Angel," Hayden appeared beside Nora and pulled Angel's hand off of her.

"Hey, man," Angel took a step back. "Relax. I have no idea what's happening here."

Hayden's eyes darkened. He took a small step forward and pinned Angel with his gaze. Unconsciously, Nora reached out and grabbed Hayden's hand as if to stop him. As soon as their skin touched, all the walls Nora had been building in her mind started to rumble. She bit down on her lip as her stomach tightened and a live current ran up her spin. She could feel the goosebumps trying to surface as Hayden's warm hand closed around her.

Immediately, Nora tried to pull away, but Hayden wouldn't let go. He had Angel pinned with his eyes. But all his attention was on the girl beside him, holding his hand. Nora's pulse started to rise as she struggled to set herself free. Her heart hammered against her chest, making her hands feel clumsy.

"Hayden," Angel frowned. "Relax."

The demigod's words had the complete opposite reaction. Hayden's jaw tensed as he took a small step forward.

Stop. Nora gripped his hand and pulled him back as her mind-link snapped open.

Hayden stilled. He glared at Angel for a few more seconds before dismissing him and turning to face Nora. As soon as his eyes landed on her, all traces of anger vanished. His eyes softened and his whole body visibly relaxed.

What's happening? Hayden asked, shocked by the presence of her voice in his mind.

Storms started to rise under Nora's skin as she stared into those green eyes. The music, the people, the staring guests, everything disappeared as she felt her skin warm from his touch.

Hi, Hayden leaned forward, the corner of his mouth turning up.

Breathless and in shock, Nora felt her eyes water. She suddenly felt the full weight of the past few days come down on her all at once as she stared up at Hayden. Her chest tightened, closing off all her airways. She began to suffocate with the guilt of what she had done standing in front of the boy who was ready to give everything up for her.

"Excuse me for a moment," Nora mumbled as she stepped back and turned for the french door leading into the gardens outside.

"Nora," Hayden tried to stop her.

Pushing past the bodies, Nora headed for the door. Birdie rushed forward from where she was watching everything with Kiara and Thea and tried to ask her where she was headed. But Nora didn't stop to answer. Her eyes were locked on the exit.

"Nora," Birdie called after her. "Where are you going? Wait!"

Nora pushed open the french doors and ran out into the darkness. The cold night air hit her like a wave as she tried to take in as much air as she could. Her breathing labored with each passing second as her mind replayed Hayden's touch over and over again. Her stomach tightened and her heart threatened to beat out of her chest.

With the party in full swing behind her, Nora covered her ears with her hands and screwed her eyes shut. Her head swayed and her legs shook as she used all her might to think straight through the guilt that was eating her alive. But as she stood there, her back tensed, feeling someone's presence behind her.

"Nora," Hayden's voice carried over the music.

Nora bit down on her jaw and shook her head, not turning around. She wrapped her arms around herself and held up her head, refusing to acknowledge him.

"Come back inside," Hayden stepped closer and whispered.

His warm breath danced over Nora's neck, making her nails dig into her arm to keep herself from shivering. Hayden noticed the way she used her nails and a deep frown formed on his lips. He lifted his hand and dug his finger underneath Nora's to lift her nails off of her arm.

At first Nora wouldn't budge. She was too stubborn. But her refusal to cooperate only made Hayden angrier. He grabbed her wrist and lifted her hands, spinning her around and pinning them behind her.

"Stop it," Hayden warned.

Nora's eyes flickered to the door behind Hayden, "Elsa is coming."

Hayden let go of her hands and took a step back. He looked over his shoulder and shut the door on Elsa's face. But when he turned back around, he found Nora marching off towards the back of the greenhouse.

"Nora," Hayden set off after her.

"I just need a minute," Nora said, sniffling and wiping her eyes.

"Watch out!" Hayden pointed to the broken stone on the path.

Nora turned and stumbled, catching herself before falling over into the rose bushes.

"Jesus Christ," Hayden hissed, speeding up to catch her. "You can't even see where you're going!"

"I'll be fine," Nora insisted.

"Where are you trying to go?"

"I don't know," Nora cried, overwhelmed by all that was happening. "I just need a second to collect myself away from you."

"Of fucking course!" Hayden threw his hands up in the air. "Always running from me. Go back inside. I'll leave if my presence bothers you so much."

"No!" Nora shook her head, her eyes wide with fear.

"Then what do you want?" Hayden raised his voice.

He was so thankful for the music inside. The last thing he needed was an audience.

"I....I'm so sorry," Nora said, her eyes filling with more tears. "For everything."

"You're not making any sense right now," Hayden snapped. "What the fuck are you saying? Why are you running?"

"I just need a minute," Nora said once more. "I wasn't expecting to see you here tonight."

"So you got off the island but you weren't gonna come see me?" Hayden asked, his voice dripping with hurt. "And how can we still mind-link? I felt the mark burn off."

"No, it's not like tha-"

"Nora, I don't get you," Hayden shook his head with anger. "What's happening? What do you want? Just tell me what the fuck you want. I'm so tired of this back and forth. Living with you, living without you. My mark on you, my mark not on you."

"I don't know," Nora felt Hayden's anger and frustration overpower her.

She knew she should keep her mouth shut but boy was he angry. And it was rolling off of him like a heatwave. Nora's mind began to grow clouded as she glared at him.

"Okay then," Hayden said. "Stay out here and figure out what you want."

"Yes, just go back inside," Nora's eyes narrowed. She could feel herself about to say something incredibly stupid but she couldn't stop herself. "Just go back inside and leave me alone. I'm sure Elsa's hands are bored."

Hayden stilled. He tilted his head as his jaw cleaned and his eyes narrowed.

"What?" His voice was dangerously low.

Nora swallowed the lump in her throat as she looked for a good reason to explain her statement. She had no idea why she said such a thing. Her brain was melting and Hayden's look of anger didn't do much to help either.

"I need to second," Nora turned towards the greenhouse once more.

"Absolutely not," Hayden flashed forward and grabbed her arm.

Before she could protest, he scooped her up into his arms and opened a portal to the greenhouse. Nora's eyes screwed shut as Hayden held her tightly and stepped through.

"Hayden!" Nora yelled as he sat her down on her feet inside the dimly lit glass structure.

The water from the fountains shimmered with the floodlights underneath. The little lights all along the wall reflected off of the glass on the windows and shimmering. Nora's heels clicked against the floor as she backed away from Hayden.

The thick damp air was filled with the scent of flowers and fruits as the angry half jinn stalked forward.

"What the fuck, Nora?" Hayden asked.

"I should ask you that."

"Elsa?" Hayden took a step forward. "All this is about Elsa?"

Nora didn't answer. She took another set back as Hayden continued to stalk forward.

"You think there is something going on between Elsa and me?"

"You dated her," Nora pointed out.

"It was for a week," Hayden snapped. "I don't have to explain my past to you."

"And I'm not asking you to!" Nora snapped back. "Trust me, no one needs the walk down memory lane."

"But you're angry."

"I'm not."

"You're a liar," Hayden said.

Nora's eyes narrowed and her lips pressed into a thin line. She looked as if she was ready to strangle someone.

"There is nothing going on between Elsa and me," Hayden said, slowly to make sure the girl understood each and every word.

"And if there was something going on," Nora bit down the bitter feeling inside of her. "It would be totally fine."

"Of course you would say that," Hayden shook his head.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Suddenly, Hayden looked up and settled his eyes on Nora. She waited for him to answer, rubbing her wrists to ease the pain from when she hand pushed him. His feet moved and her eyes tracked him.

"It means that you have no idea," Hayden said, letting go of a deep sigh as he pushed Nora up against the workbench and placed his hands on either side of her. "You know nothing about how my hands could never touch anyone else beside you."

Goosebumps rose all over Nora's skin from his words. Her stomach tightened and her breathing grew uneven.

"How many times do I have to tell you that I love you?" Hayden asked.

Nora felt her knees turn to jell-o- in her heels. She gripped the edge of the workbench as Hayden leaned down and looked into her eyes.

"You really think I could ever bury myself inside of anyone that's not you?" Hayden brushed his jaw along the edge of Nora's face and whispered.

Nora's knuckles started to turn white from how hard she was gripping the edge of the workbench. Her eyes tried to flutter close as her head automatically began to roll to the side.

"Nora," Hayden inhaled her scent like a drug. His hand lifted from the bench and he carelessly let it drag over her hips and then waist.

"Tell me you miss what we did," he begged. "In my room...in the dark."

"I...." Nora desperately tried to pull on some kind of self control. "No....yes.....I don't know"

"I do," Hayden gripped her waist and squeezed. "I miss my fingers touching you...my tongue teasing you."

Nora bit down on her lip to keep the little whimper she felt rise up to her lips.

"I love you," Hayden's lips brushed Nora's ears. "You're the only one for me.....no one else."

Nora's hand landed on Hayden's chest to try and push him back. But before she could send the signal to her brain, his hands were covering her and his mouth was kissing her.

"Hayden," Nora parted her lips and pushed. "Wait."

Hayden stopped and took a step back. He stared at Nora as they both stood panting in the dark.

"Tell me you don't want me to fuck you right now on that bench and I'll leave," Hayden pointed to the workbench Nora stood in front of.

Nora opened her mouth but no sound came out.

"Tell me," Hayden commanded. "Say it, Nora. Say you don't want your legs around me and my hands in your hair and I'm out."

Nora still couldn't form words.

"Tell me!" Hayden's voice rose, making Nora jump in the dark.

"I..." Nora's lips formed.

"Go no," Hayden antagonized her. "Say it, damn it."

Nora shut her mouth. But it only seemed to anger Hayden even more.

"Tell me you would much rather my hands all over Elsa tonight," Hayden glared. "Under her dress. Teasing her, holding her.....go on."

"Stop," Nora frowned.

"Sucks, doesn't it?" Hayden laughed bitterly, his heart broken. "Does it hurt when you hear shit like that? When the most important person in your life tells you to go put your hands on someone el-"

Nora shot forward and threw her arms around him. Hayden caught her with ease before she fell into the water. He was ready to yell at her once more when her soft lips collided with his mouth, shutting him up. Only then did he realize she was crying. Her tears mixed in with her sweet lips, causing storms to rise in Hayden's chest. He pulled her closer and savored her kiss, not knowing how long it would last.

Nora's hands began to tug at Hayden's shirt, lifting it out of his pants. She fumbled with the buttons as he took off his suit and threw it aside.

"What are we doing?" Hayden asked, picking her up and sitting her down on the workbench.

"Touch me," Nora begged. "Please....do.....everything you've ever wanted to."

"You're going to push me away when all this is done," Hayden said against her lips.

"No," Nora shook her head.

"Yes," Hayden nodded. "I know you."

Nora felt his hands push her dress up. When he slid his hands up her thigh and found no underwear, Nora rushed to explain herself.

"Birdie dressed me," she said, pulling his mouth back to her.

She tugged at his hair and moaned his name as he sucked on her neck, making her thighs rub against one another.

"After this," Hayden pulled back and paused to look at Nora. "There is no going back."

"Okay," Nora nodded, needing his lips before she screamed.

"I mean it," Hayden didn't budge. "After this I'm yours and you're mine. No matter what you say or do....there will be no going back. I can't live like that, Nora."

Nora nodded.

"Deal?" Hayden asked.

"Deal," Nora agreed.

"You'll be mine?"

"I'm already yours," Nora felt her heart stumble. "I've always been yours."

Hayden pulled Nora's mouth to his and devoured her. He kissed her with all the love and heartbreak of the past few weeks, pouring his heart out until there was nothing left of him. He bit down on her lip as she unbuckled his pants and stuck her hand inside.

Nora's chest began to tighten with excitement as Hayden hissed in pleasure from her touch. She let his hand spread her legs as he moved her to the edge of the workbench and pulled himself out of his pants. Once she was in the position he wanted her to be in, his hands hooked her legs around him and he moved forward.

Nora buried her face in the crook of Hayden's neck as he slipped inside, his hands gripping her ass while the other held the workbench. His thrusts were urgent and needy. They both needed as much of each other as they could possibly get. Nora wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself up to give him a better angel.

"Let's go home," Hayden said, lifting her off the workbench and swinging her into the portal.

Before Nora could blink, she was on Hayden's bed. He had her dress off, wrists pinned above her head and legs wrapped around his hips. His mouth stayed on her as he thrust deeper and deeper, making Nora's body light up like a Christmas tree. She moaned into his mouth, panting his name as he moved one of his hands to the arch between her legs and played with her.

"Hayden!" Nora screeched, clutching his shoulders, biting her lip, curing her toes. "Baby!"

Nora's muscles all clenched and throbbed in the sweetest way to each and every one of Hayden's thrusts. He worshiped her body for hours, sealing their deal of a life together as she came apart in his arms, screaming his name and telling him to go faster.

"Go ahead," Hayden said, hooking her leg and moving in deeper. "Keep telling me what you want."

Nora's high climbed seven skies. She felt Hayden's body tense and release into her making her scream in pleasure as she fell apart once more.

"Hey, look at me," Hayden cupped Nora's face and turned her to look him in the eye. "Look at me, Nora."

"I am looking at you," Nora blushed.

"You're mine," Hayden said. "Forever. I want this forever. But only with you."

"Yes," Nora nodded, feeling her eyes water once more. "You're mine. I'm yours...."

"I'm never letting you go," Hayden said, holding her face.

Nora felt her heart contract, "I love you."  

This chapter was chaotic....what do you think?