Chapter 23

"Heyder," Ali looked up at his friend as the jinn kneeled in front of them glared up with angry eyes. "He's not going to speak."

"No, shit," Heyder growled.

"Maaz is on his way," the jinn spit out through his teeth. "You have gone too far."

Angered, Heyder's eyes pulsed silver, ready to blast off the jinn from the face of the earth.

"Be very careful with your next words," Heyder warned. "There's a reason why I'm on the throne and not you."

"Because you're a killer," the jinn said. "And a traitor."

"Because I will slit your throat right now, right here and not even blink an eye," Heyder glared.

"Go ahead. You killed the man that raised you...." the jinn laughed. "Who am I compared to him?"

Heyder raised his hand high above his head and summoned his magic. The jinn's words had lit up the guilt he had been carrying around for years. He reminded himself why he had killed Zubair, but no matter how much he tried to bury it, Heyder couldn't overcome the sinking feeling inside of his chest.

As the raw lethal magic gathered in Heyder's palm, Ali's eyes grew concerned. He knew better than to get in his friend's way. But killing the jinn wouldn't make the guilt any lighter. Ali struggled to find some way to divert Heyder's attention when Hayden stepped out in the clearing.

"Baba," the boy looked at his father with the same concern as Ali.

"You should not be here, Hayden," Heyder didn't take his eyes off of the jinn counting the seconds until Heyder's hand ripped through his chest.

Hayden slowly crossed the distance between him and his father. He laid his hand down on Heyder's shoulder and urged his arm to lower.

"Mom is worried," he said. "So is Birdie. She's turning pale and red all at the same time."

His jaw working and his eyes shifting focus, Heyder slowly lowered his hand. Taking a step back, he looked up at Ali and opened his mind-link.

Take him to Maksim, Heyder said.

Are you sure? Ali pulled the jinn to his feet.

We can't take him to court and risk the news of the feys spreading. Maaz already knows and I bet he is on his way.

What do we do about his mind-link? Ali asked. We can keep him out of the court but he's probably calling everyone he knows.

Before Heyder could respond, Hayden stepped forward and raised his hand. The blue light that emitted from his palm made the jinn hiss in disgust and struggle. Hayden lowered his palm to the jinn's forehead and the flames started to die as if someone had stomped out a wildfire.

Ali held up the boy's limp body as he returned to his human form. Hayden waited until all the flames were out to step back and look up at his uncle.

"What did you do?" Ali asked.

"I severed his mind-link," Hayden said.

"That's not possible."

"It is for me," Hayden said quietly before turning away to look at his father.

Heyder stared at his son for a few lingering seconds before shifting his gaze back to Ali.

"Take him to Maksim," he said.

"Alright," Ali threw the sleeping jinn over his shoulder.

Hayden and Heyder watched as the portal opened and Ali stepped through. The forest suddenly fell silent, the snow eating up and sound. Heyder's eyes landed on the puddle of melted snow on the ground where he had kept the jinn kneeled.

"Don't ever do shit like that," he said to his son as he turned to walk back to the house.

"You were going to kill him," Hayden reminded his father and he began to follow. "I just severed his mind-link."

"I don't want you doing things like that, Hayden," Heyder shook his head. "It'll stay with you for a long, long, long time."

"I already do worse things for Ares and Clare," Hayden snorted.

"That was your choice!" Heyder snapped. "Your mother and I were never for it. If we had our way, you wo-"

"I would what?" Hayden arched his brow. "Stay home under your watchful eyes all the time? Walk around on eggshells? Waiting for the next attack?"

"Well, we're not fuckin walking on eggshells anymore," Heyder gave a bitter laugh. "No, no. We fuckin' stampede through that shit!"

"I asked Nora to marry me," Hayden announced.

"Not the time!"

"She said yes."

Heyder paused. Hayden could see his father's head hand before he took in a deep breath and turned around.

"She said yes?" The jinn asked.

"Yeah," Hayden couldn't stop the smile on his face, thinking about the ring on Nora's finger. "She asked for an emerald ring to match my eyes."

Heyder slowly nodded his head, "Did you get down on one knee and ask her?"

"Yes," Hayden nodded.

"Well, I'm glad one of us got to," Heyder muttered before stepping forward with his arms out. "Come here."

Hayden stepped forward and his father pulled him into his arms.

"Congratulations," Heyder said, patting his son's back.

"Thank you," Hayden felt the knots in his stomach slowly disappear.

"Did you tell your sister yet?" Heyder asked, stepping back.

"No, not yet," Hayden shook his head. "I didn't even tell mom yet."

"You should tell her," the jinn said. "It will make her happy."

"I will."

With a small nod, Heyder began to stalk towards the house once more. He could feel Maya's eyes watching him from inside as they neared and climbed up the steps. The tension on his shoulders made Heyder suddenly feel the full weight of his age. He had been on the earth for so long....yet he had only started living. And now his son was going to get married.

As the door to the home opened, Heyder began to feel a blissful peace shine through the chaos. He quickly stepped aside as Nora ran forward and threw her arms around Hayden.

"I'm okay," Hayden whispered into her hair as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Where's the jinn?" Birdie asked from the sofa.

"Abdul is taking a trip to Maksim's dungeon," Heyder announced. "But unfortunately he had already mind-link Maaz before Ali or I could stop him."

Maya's eyes shut as she absolved the news. Heyder watched her, his arms needy to hold her.

"What does that mean?" Afet asked, looking around.

"It means you gotta pack your bags and go home," Heyder said. "The jinns are coming for you."

"Heyder," Maya warned her husband to be polite.

Startled and concerned, Afet turned to look at Nora standing beside Hayden. The girl's eyes were tired and frightened. She looked up at Hayden as he pulled her closer.

"Nora is not going anywhere," Hayden announced.

"I knew he was going to say that," Heyder groaned under his breath.

"She has to," Afet frowned. "We need her."

"For what exactly?" Hayden asked. "You can't use her blood. You can't turn her into a baby machine. What purpose does she have on the island?"

"Hayden, relax," Maya shifted her attention from her husband to her son just as Nora turned to the boy.

"Stop," she whispered, placing her hand over his chest. "Be nice."

"What's that?" Birdie peered at Nora's hand.

Everyone in the room followed Birdie's gaze to the ring around Nora's finger. They heard her gasp and jump out of her seat as her brother buried to protect Nora from the craziness coming her way.

"What is that?" Birdie asked, running forward and taking Nora's hand. "Hayden?"

Maya looked at Heyder as the jinn shrugged and grinned. Afet stared at Nora and then at Hayden, who couldn't take his hands off the girl.

"Yes, yes. They're getting married," Heyder announced. "But this wedding will only happen if Maaz lets all of us live."

"You're getting married?" Birdie shrieked as she looked up at her brother. "Oh my god! What's gonna happen to your other wife?"

Nora, whose heart had been beating like a drum, looked up. She felt Hayden's chest rumble under her hand as he glared at his sister. She looked at him, her head starting to grow dizzy.

"W..what?" She asked.

"I'm just kidding!" Birdie laughed. "Don't worry. There's no one else but you."

"I hate you," Hayden said to his sister.

"I'm getting a sister-in-law!" Birdie wiggled.

"Nora," Afet cleared her throat. "May I speak to you for a moment?"

"Yes," Nora nodded.

Reluctantly, Hayden let go of Nora and watched her walk over to the fey. As she passed Maya, the witch leaned down and kissed the top of her head and whispered her congratulations and excitement. Hayden stepped away from his sister to have better hearing. He pretended to make his way over to the sofa as Afet and Nora stepped into the kitchen.

"You're getting married?" Afet asked.

"Yes," Hayden could hear the smile on Nora's face. It made his heart jump knowing she was probably spinning her ring around her finger.

"You know I am more than happy for you, right?"

"Yes," Nora said once more.

"But Nora...are you sure this is what you want?"

"Yes," Nora did not hesitate. "This is what I want."

"You won't be able to have a family with him...."

Hayden's hands balled into fists. The low whispers of the conversation in the next room were like loud bombs dropping in his mind.

"I can," Nora said. "Hayden and I will have a family."

"How?" Afet worried. "You know the complications with him. How will you be able to have your own family?"

"Blood doesn't make families," Nora said. "And I should know that more than anyone. Samara loved me like her own daughter. Lidia took care of me like her own niece. One day Hayden and I will love someone just as much."

"And what about your bloodline?" Afet asked the question Hayden was dreading.

"I can't be the only vestal," Nora shook her head. "I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of Project Skyfall. There has to be others the Bram brothers knew about."

"And if there isn't?"

"I can't give up Hayden based on what ifs," Nora shook her head. "I love him."

"I know, I know," Afet closed her eyes and tried to control her emotions. "I know how unfair it is to ask for such a sacrifice. But Nora, you have to understand that I'm only asking you to think your decision through because of what is waiting for us back on the island."

Nora slowly nodded. Hayden wished he could stop his heart to hear better.

"I can see how easy it is to forget about what's going on back home when you are here," Afet said. "Surrounded by people who have it all. But I can't show you my happiness wholeheartedly when I know there are children who need us right now."

"We'll find a way to help them."

"How?" Afet asked, her voice strained and laced with hopelessness.

"Well....I was thinking...." Nora slowly shifted her weight. "Hayden....he has an abundance of energy he has to give away every few weeks....what if....he were to come to the island and help with the kids?"

Afet stilled, "I....I don't know how Udara will react to that."

"We don't really have many other choices," Nora clicked her tongue. "There's no time to be picky or to old prejudice. Maya healed you. Hayden can heal the others. It's a win-win for everyone."

"He's half jinn," Afet said.

"And the island is half dead."

"Nora, this is more complicated than you are making it out to be," Afet shook her head. "The people will not accept a half jinn so easily."

"Maybe I can help with that," Birdie spoke up, startling the two standing in the kitchen. Everyone in the house looked up and stared at Birdie.

"Oh come on," the girl rolled her eyes. "As if you all weren't listening either."

"You are not getting into this," Hayden shook his head. "Nope. Baba, I won't allow it."

"You think I will?" Heyder snorted before turning towards Birdie. "I'll lock you up in your room if I have to."

"I know how to pick a lock," Birdie said before heading for the kitchen. "It's a perfect plan. Look at me!"

Nora and Afet stepped out and entered the living room.

"I can go to the island and pretend I'm a high blood," Birdie said. "As long as I don't use my magic, no one will know I'm a jinn. Hayden could be like my 'jinn servant' and heal people in the down low."

"That is the dumbest shit I've ever heard," Maya stared at her daughter.

"Glad someone said it," Heyder chimed in. "I was beginning to think I was the only one in this family with a working brain."

"It's a brilliant plan!" Birdie protested.

"You just want to go see the feys," Hayden shook his head.

"Oh, aren't you such a genius," Birdie teased. "I'm a full jinn. We're selfish by nature. Of course, this plan will benefit me!"

"No one is going anywhere!" Maya declared. "Maaz might be on his way here right now with his followers. That should be our main concern."

"Thank you!" Heyder clapped. "This is why I love you."

"Then my plan is even better!" Birdie said. "We can all go hide out on the island!"

"Ay, I don't hide, okay?" Heyder held up his finger. "I stand and fight."

"Okay," Birdie shrugged. "Hayden, get up. We have to stand and fight a thousand year old jinn that baba pissed off."

"Yes, I pissed him off so I will hand him," Heyder rose from his chair. "You two are not going near him."

"We're not kids anymore!" Birdie argued. "You don't have to protect us all by yourself. We can help you!"

"You're barely 18!" Heyder shouted back. "Come back and talk to me when you've lived as long as I have."

"You'll be dead, genius!"

"Lord," Heyder looked up. "Take me now! I don't want to live and have these ungrateful children disrespect me."

"Heyder, Nora is in the house," Maya lowered the jinns arms. "We shouldn't be calling to Zeus."

"Why can't we ever be normal?" Birdie demanded. "Why do you always have to be so dramatic?"

"Why do you always have to be so stupid?" Heyder asked.

"Guys," Hayden spoke up. "Come on. You're embarrassing me in front of my fiancee."

Heyder turned towards Nora, "You said yes to being a part of this. This is what you are getting."

"I'm fine," Nora gave two thumbs up. "But Birdie, I have to agree with Mr. Heyder. Your idea is....risky."

"That's her being nice," Heyder said. "She wants to say it's stupid."

"Then you come up with a better plan!"

"I will!"

"And it can't involve you killing Maaz," Maya threw in her thoughts.

"What?" Heyder looked at his wife. "Why not?"

"Because of what happened with Zubair!" Maya said. "Heyder, you can't just kill them to protect us."

"That's how it works, woman!" The jinn was ready to pull his hair out. "Even Eggs agree with me."

"You're not killing Maaz," Maya said sternly, knowing the physiological trauma it would have on Heyder if he were to kill the other man who had helped raise him. And given how much closer to Maaz he was than Zubair, Maya worried Heyder would never be the same if he were to kill Maaz.

"Our first step is to secure ourselves," Maya looked around. "We're sitting ducks by just being in this house without any reinforcement right now. Afet needs to return home for her own safety and we all need to go stay with Clare and Ares."

"Nora isn't going back to the island," Hayden said.

Afet looked at the girl beside her, "Nora?"

"I...." Nora looked at Afet and then at Hayden. Her heart cried for Noor and the other children, making her insides burn with guilt as she stepped forward. "I'm staying with Hayden."

Disappointment flashed over Afet's face.

"I'm not giving up," Nora said quickly, grabbing the fey's hands. "I know Clare can help. And maybe even Ares will be able to find another vestal. I will return with help, Afet."

"Nora is correct," Hayden walked over to where the pair stood. "We're not going to give up. I know how important it is to her to help the children."

"Afet, please," Nora pleaded with her heart. "Think about what I said. See if you can convince Udara."

"I can't guarantee anything," Afet frowned.

"But you have to try," Birdie said. "You won't be able to look yourself in the eyes if you don't even try."

"She's right," Maya added. "I know what it's like to watch your own people suffer. When my mother took the throne, witches were a dying race. She used Heyder's magic and anything and everything else she could to help save them. She knew what she did wasn't right, but she owed it to her people to try."

Afet slowly nodded, "I understand..."

"We may not see eye to eye," Heyder looked at the fey. "But there are innocent children involved. Jinns get a rep for being heartless but even we don't like to see children suffer."

Afet slowly looked at Maya and then at Nora, "I will speak to Udara."

"Thank you," Nora said from the bottom of her heart.

"You're doing the right thing," Maya assured her. "Hayden and I will be here to help. As long as you let us."

"Thank you," Afet nodded.

Heyder slowly pulled Nora's gold ring out of his pocket and handed it back to the girl. Nora slipped it onto her finger and summoned a portal for Afet.

"Wait!" She spoke up just as Afet was about to step through.

Nora turned to Hayden and said, "Can you snap your finger or do that thing and get me some chocolate?"

"Chocolate?" Hayden arched his brow.

"Is she having cravings?" Heyder asked Maya. "I'm not ready to be a granddad."

"They're for Noor," Nora smiled. "I promised him chocolates."

Before Hayden could raise his hand, a small puff of cloud exploded on Birdie's palm.

"I'm better at getting sweets," she said, holding up a box of chocolates. "You want to see me get ice cream?"

"No," Nora laughed. "This will be more than enough."

Afet smiled as the silver haired girl handed her the box. Bridie and Afet's fingers brushed, causing their magics to crackle. But the fey placed her hand against Birdie's face and thanked her for her kindness. She looked over to Maya and Heyder and shared her gratitude.

"You two have raised wonderful children," Afet said. "Thank you for allowing me to stay in your home and for healing me."

"You're welcome," Maya gave a small nod.

Afet looked at Nora once more before disappearing into the portal.

The family stood around for a few seconds before someone sighed and Heyder clapped his hands.

"Alright, let's go. Let's go."

Hayden took Nora's hand as the jinn summoned a portal. Birdie quickly tied her hair back as Maya waited for her and ushered her through the portal. Nora leaned in closer to Hayden and felt him lift her off the ground slightly as Heyder followed behind them.

"Hayden, link Ali and tell him to send Margo and kids here too," he said as they all stepped out into the lavish living room high up in the clouds of a skyscraper.

"Got it," Hayden nodded.

"Where are we?" Nora looked around at the sleek furniture and vast view of the clouds.

"Ares and Clare's home," Maya said, stepping down the small set of stairs and entering the living room.

"Cara!" Birdie yelled. "Hello! Anyone home?"

Suddenly, Clare rushed out from down the hall. She was followed by a shirtless Ares and a sleepy Cara, who still rubbed her eyes as her father summoned a sword in her hand.

"What the hell people?" Ares demanded. "What do you want?"

"Hey," Heyder waved. "So we may have kind of started a mini war."

"What?" Ares eyes darkened.

Birdie looked back and forth before jumping into the middle, "Hayden and Nora are getting married!"    

Hope you liked it :)