Chapter 25

"Remember," Heyder said, holding up the small charm. "You have to actually break it this time."

"Got it," Nora nodded, taking in a deep breath.

"That's what you said last time too, Peanut," Heyder held up the charm back. "Don't get all mushy gushy when you see them and forget the plan."

"Break the charm, find out if Afet is okay, and then wait for you all to arrive," Nora repeated the words. "Got it."

"What do you say, Hayden?" The jinn looked over his shoulder to his son.

"I don't want her going alone," Hayden sulked.

"Walking in there blind would be stupid," Ares said.

"And sending her there alone isn't?"

"Hayden," Nora turned to look at the boy. "They won't hurt me."

"You don't know that."

"They would have hurt her already if their intentions weren't good," Heyder shrugged.

"Wow," Clare's eyes widened. "Are you actually defending the feys?"

"No. No, no," Heyder shook his head, holding up a finger. "I'm just stating the obvious."

"Hayden, baby," Maya pushed away from where she had been leaning against the counter. "Nora will break the charm as soon as she is sure we will be safe there. It'll only take a few minutes. At max an hour."

"Fine," Hayden rolled his eyes. "Do whatever you want."

"Don't be so dramatic," Nora complained.

"This isn't me being dramatic," Hayden snorted. "Me being dramatic would be me locking you up."

"And who gave you the right to do that?" Nora's eyes narrowed.

"Oh I like her," Heyder chuckled. "She bites back."'

Clare cleared her voice to gain everyone's attention back. She took the charm from Heyder and placed it in Nora's palm, holding her hand between hers.

"You got this," she said, looking into the girl's brown eyes. "I've always known you were special."

"Thank you," Nora felt her fingers warm around the charm.

Her eyes flickered to Hayden as Clare stepped back and she began to spin the gold ring around her finger. The air shimmered and everyone held their breath. Nora couldn't take her eyes off of Hayden who refused to look her way.

"Hayden," she called to him.

As if fighting against himself, Hayden walked over to where Nora stood and pulled her closer. His lips landed on her forehead, kissing her and memorizing her scent as they parted for what felt like the hundredth time.

"Be careful," he whispered to her.

Nora nodded, "I will."

"Keep your mind-link open."

"Okay."

"I'll see you soon?"

"Yes," Nora looked up into those green eyes, feeling her tummy tighten.

With one last kiss, Hayden stepped out of her way. The portal hovered slightly off the ground with everyone waiting around it. Nora took a step forward and filled her lungs with air before jumping in and letting her body fall through gravity.

The warm air of the apartment disappeared as Nora vanished and reappeared on the island. Her body lunged forward, breaking out of the portal, her hand clutching the charm.

"Nora?"

Nora's head snapped up as Afet's voice caught her attention. Her eyes fell on the fey, sitting by a file of ashes with Nico and Arsenio hovering behind her. As Nora's eyes moved from the pile of ashes to the fey's eyes, Afet's bottom lip began to tremble.

"What happened?" Nora asked, taking a step forward. "Who is that?"

Please don't be Noor, please don't be Noor, please don't be Noor.

"I was too late," Afet began to weep.

"What do you mean?" Afet looked at Arsenio and then at Nico. "What happened?"

"Udara...." Afet sniffled.

Nora froze. Her eyes fell back on the ashes as her heart started to hammer against her chest.

"What..." Nora asked, her voice a whisper.

"The children's condition worsened," Afet looked back at the dying Shajara. "I was not here to help her....Udara....she...."

Nora watched helplessly as the fey began to sob harder. Her hand pressed over her mouth, muffling her cries as she shut her eyes and wept over Udara's ashes.

"Afet..." Arsenio kneeled beside the broken woman. "Be strong. We take your lead now."

"No," Afet shook her head. "I can't....I can't lead you."

"Yes, you can," Nico chimed in. "Udara believed in you. She would want you to take care of the children."

"I failed her," Afet couldn't look at the pile of ashes. "I should have been here."

"No..." Nora shook her head. "It wasn't your fault."

Nico and Arsenio looked away as if to keep themselves from saying anything unpleasant.

"Afet you were dying," Nora took a step forward. "I took you away from the island. It was my fault. Please don't blame yourself."

The fey would not hear anyone's words. She sat on the floor weeping until the others arrived and began to gather Udara's ashes. Everyone worked in silence with wet eyes and broken hearts as they gathered the remains of their fallen queen and made preparations to crown Afet.

Arsenio walked up to Nora and gently patted her head. His hands were cold and hard, making Nora feel as if she was being struck by ice.

"You did what was right," the old man said. "I just wish you would have told us where you were taking her."

"There was no time," Nora said, feeling a lonely tear roll down her eyes.

"It's alright," Arsenio sighed. "Sometimes we do hard things for good reasons."

Nora did not respond. She stood frozen as two feys in long white dresses helped Afet to her feet and moved her away. The roof was cleared and everyone began to head downstairs.

"Arsenio," Nora called to the old man as he followed the crowd down. "What happens now?"

"We must give our farewells to Udara," Arsenio paused at the door. "And then we will crown the Afet."

Nora nodded her head.

"Are you coming?"

"In a second," Nora closed her hand around the charm in her pocket. "You go on. I'll catch up."

Arsenio hesitated for a few seconds and looked around.

"You should come sit with Afet," he said, turning to leave.

"I'll be right down," Nora said.

As Arsenio walked off, Nora listened to his footsteps attentively. She pulled out the charm once she was completely sure no one was around and opened her mind-link.

Hayden?

I'm here.

Udara passed away.

Oh... There was a pause, a stretch of silence that Nora hated. I'm so sorry.

She was trying to save the kids.

How's Afet? Hayden asked. How are the kids?

She's broken, Nora felt her body shiver. She was so close to Udara. She's blaming herself for not being here.

There was nothing she could do if she was there.

I don't think she's ready to hear that yet.

Understandable, Hayden sighed. But are the kids okay?

I don't know, Nora wiped her eyes. I haven't checked yet.

Break the charm, Nora. Hayden said gently. I'll be there as soon as you do. I can help.

I'm about t-

Nora opened her hand to reveal the charm just as the door to the roof opened once more.

Frightened, Nora shoved the charm back into her pocket. Her heart started to beat faster than a race horse. Her throat dried and her knees grew weak as she stared at the nurse.

"Pardon me," the nurse rushed out an apology.

As Nora watched, the woman began to look around the rooftop frantically. She paid no mind to Nora as she ran to the Shajara and then back to the railings.

"What's wrong?" Nora asked, looking at the woman running around.

"We're missing a child," the nurse said.

"What do you mean?" Nora's eyes began to look around.

"There's been so much going on," the nurse's hand shook as she flipped through the blanket and sheets on the benches. "We forgot we had put someone up here to heal from the Shajara."

"Who?" Nora rushed forward to help.

"A little boy," the nurse pushed her hair back, panicking. "I can't remember his name. He had black hair and green eyes."

"Noor..." Nora's eyes widened. "Where is he?"

"I left him right here," the woman was on the verge of tears.

"No, no," Nora began to run around the rooftop, flipping over every blanket, every sheet.

Nora? Hayden's voice spoke in Nora's mind. What's wrong?

They can't find Noor, Nora felt her throat tighten up.

Don't worry, Hayden knew his words would do nothing to calm Nora down. You'll find him. He has to be there.

"Where did you place him?" Nora asked the nurse.

"Right under the tree," the woman pointed. "But he's not there right now."

"Did you check downstairs? Maybe someone took him down."

"No, I'm in charge of his section today," the woman held back tears. "I...I don't know how he slipped my mind."

"He has to be here," Nora began to look through the tangled roots of the floating tree.

With fear that threatened to choke her, Nora pushed aside the roots and fallen leaves. Her hand shook as only one thought ran through her mind.

Please don't let me find a pile of ashes.

You won't, Hayden wished he could hold the girl in his arms. Focus. You're going to find him.

"Noor?" Nora called out. "Noor, where are you?"

"Noor," the nurse followed Nora.

"Noor," Nora's chest shook, ready to break down. "Noor, it's me. Where ar-"

Under the Shajara, hiding behind a tangle of thick stubborn roots, Nora spotted the first hint of a pair of green eyes staring back at her.

"Noor!" She jumped forward.

Noor looked up, his breathing labored and his eyes watered.

"Noor, don't be scared!" Nora reached for the boy through the roots.

Hayden, I found him! Nora struggled to reach the boy. He's okay. He's safe.

"Noor, come forward," Nora begged. "I can't reach you."

Noor pulled his knees closer to his chest and peered up with frightened eyes.

"It's okay, baby," Nora promised. "I'm here. I got you. Please, just come forward."

Noor did not listen. He sat huddled in the small space, shivering.

"Noor, please," Nora begged, her eyes filling with tears. "Baby, come forward. I got you. You're safe now."

When the little boy still did not move, Nora began to crawl under the tree. The roots pulled at her hair and scratched at her skin as she crawled on her belly, her eyes on the little boy.

"Noor," Nora stretched her arm, barely touching the boy's feet.

But the second Nora's hand touched Noor, he jumped up.

Instantly, Noor began to rush forward in a panic. Nora did not know what came over him as he threw himself into her arms and locked his arms around her neck as tightly as possible.

"I got you," she said, holding him and making her way out from under the tree. "I got you, baby."

The nurse guided Nora's head as the pair made their way out of the tree. Noor clung to Nora like a monkey, wrapping both his arms and legs around her for dear life.

"You're safe," Nora panted, kissing the boy's ear.

As if finally realizing who was holding him, Noor began to cry. He buried his face in Nora's neck and shivered uncontrollably, his little body cold as ice.

"It's okay, it's okay," Nora tried to pull back to look at his face, but Noor wouldn't budge. "Noor, what's wrong?"

"How did he get all the way back there?" The nurse wondered. "I left him right here, in the front."

"Noor, how did you get back there?" Nora asked.

But the only response she got from Noor was his arms tightening around her.

"Please don't tell anybody," the woman began to beg. "Please. I know I messed up. I'll do better. But please don't tell the others."

Nora didn't know what to say as she stared at the fear in the woman's eyes. Her heart was full of anger and frustration. But the relief of finding Noor was playing in the nurses' favor.

"Please," the woman waited for Nora to reply. "I'm begging you."

Slowly, holding Noor and rising to her feet, Nora nodded her head.

"Promise me this will never happen," she demanded.

"I promise," the nurse nodded. "I swear I will do better."

"Everyone already has too much going on," Nora sifted the boy to her hips. "I'm going to keep my mouth shut to allow everyone to mourn Udara."

"Thank you. Thank you so much."

Nora? Hayden's voice popped into her head once more. What's going on? Are you okay? Is Noor okay?

He's shaken, Nora held the boy close to herself. But he's okay.

I don't mean to be pushy, but please break the charm.

I'm going, Nora promised. As soon as I take Noor down and can get away from everyone for a minute.

Okay, Hayden said. We're all ready.

"I'll take him downstairs," the nurse reached for Noor for him to only cry out.

"It's okay, it's okay," Nora assured both the child and the frightened nurse. "I'll take him down."

With the charm in her pocket, a fey child in her arms, and a half jinn in her mind, Nora followed the nurse down the stairs and into the infirmary. They were able to quickly slip past everyone without being noticed due to the dark cloud that had appeared over the palace since the news of Udara's passing began to spread.

Nora tried to lay Noor down on his bed, but the boy refused. He cried out for her and clung to her like sticky gum. The other nurses began to notice as Nora did her best to calm the boy and promise him that he was safe.

"Oh god," the nurse who had been upstairs with Nora paled. "Do you think...."

"What?" Nora asked.

"Do you think he saw Udara pass away?"

Nora's heart shriveled up and vanished, "Oh god..."

"He was there..." the woman looked around in fear. "Oh god, oh god."

Nora's arms wrapped around Noor as she rose from his bed and grabbed his pillow.

"What are you doing?" The nurse asked.

"I'm keeping him with me tonight," Nora said, remembering how she had to sleep with Lidia for months after her mother had passed away.

Noor's little heart hammered against Nora's chest. She could feel the fear in each one as his tears soaked her shoulders. Nora knew the fear of seeing death all too well. She would never leave Noor behind to surfer through the night alone with that kind of a nightmare.

"Don't worry," Nora paused to look at the panicked nurse. "I won't tell anyone."

And with that, she carried Noor out of the infirmary and towards her room. She could feel Hayden's presence in her mind as the minutes ticked by. Nora knew she had to hurry. But she needed to make sure Noor was safe first.

"Okay, okay," she cooed as she closed the door behind her. "We're safe now."

Noor slowly opened his eyes.

"Hi," Nora gave him a sweet smile. "Hi, buddy."

Noor lifted his head and looked around.

"You don't have to be scared," Nora walked over to the bed and sat down. "No one will come here."

Noor did not speak. He simply laid his head down on Nora's shoulder and clutched the material of her sweater in his small hands.

"Noor, I'm going to lay you down right now, okay?"

The little boy's body tensed. His legs locked up and his arms tightened.

"No, no," Nora shook her head. "You're safe. You're okay. I'm here."

Noor did not budge. He stayed in Nora's arms, refusing to let her go for hours.

Nora paced the length of her bedroom with the little boy in her arms, constantly asking Hayden to be a little more patient. She counted the seconds in her head as Noor's eyes grew heavy and the sun began to set outside.

All their meals were brought to their room, along with fresh clothes Nora was asked to wear to the funeral later on in the evening. Arsenio came by a few times to ask Nora how she was doing and wondered why Noor was with her.

"He just missed me," Nora lied. "I've been away too long."

"You have," Arsenio said with a deep frown. "Afet wants to see you."

"Right now?" Nora felt Noor's arms tighten around her neck.

"No," Arsenio shook his head. "After the funeral."

"Alright," Nora said.

Once Arsenio left, Nora drew Noor a warm bath and managed to convince him to climb out of her arms. She promised him over and over she could not leave him alone before he was ready to step into the bath. Nora's heart ached for the little boy as she sat in the tub with his knees drawn to his chest and his eyes on her, making sure she kept her promise.

"I'm right here, I'm right here," Nora chanted slowly like a lullaby as she dried him up and got him ready for bed. "Do you want me to lay with you?"

Noor quietly laid back against the pillow and tugged on Nora's hand.

"Let me turn off the light," Nora leaned over and switched off the lamp on her nightstand table. But before she turned back, she grabbed the charm from the drawer where she had hidden it.

"Okay," Nora sighed, holding the charm in her hand over Noor's head as he curled up to her chest. "Go to sleep, baby."

Hayden?

Still here, Shona.

Just a few more minutes, Nora promised.

As Noor's breathing slowed and his eyes closed, Nora took the charm into her other hand and leaned over the edge of the bed. She kept her eyes on the sleeping boy to make sure he didn't stir up as she raised her hand and threw down the charm with all her might.

The small charm shattered against the floor in a cloud of smoke. Sparks flew up and illuminated the room for a few seconds as Nora turned back towards Noor and wrapped her arms around him. She held her breath as the air in her room warmed and charged up.

Hayden?

On my way.

In the dark, Nora's eyes settled on the air that had begun to shimmer and spin. She lifted her head slightly, causing her long thick hair to fall around noor as the portal opened and Hayden walked out.

"Hi," he smiled, his eyes spotting her on the bed holding the little boy.

"Shhh," Nora held her finger up to her lips.

Is this better? The corner of Hayden's mouth curved up as he opened his mind-link.

Will they know that you are on the island? Nora asked. Can they sense you?

I'm sure someone is already looking, Hayden said, walking over to the bed and taking a seat on the edge. So this is my competition?

Nora slowly looked down at Noor, He was there when Udara passed away.

Hayden looked up with a deep frown on his face.

He shouldn't have seen that, he said.

I know, Nora pushed back the hair on the little boy's head. He hasn't spoken a word since I found him.

Give him some time, Hayden sighed and placed his hand over Nora's.

Can...can you heal him? Nora looked up. Just a little....

I can, Hayden nodded.

He's a full fey, Nora removed her hand from under Hayden's to allow his hand to rest over Noor's chest.

I can give him some of my energy, Hayden turned his body and looked down at the boy.

Please be careful, Nora's heart stumbled. For both of your sake.

I promise I'll be careful, Hayden said as he began to carefully pull at his magic.

Ever since he had marked Nora unknowingly, it wasn't an impossible task for Hayden to tell his two sides apart anymore. His mind had opened up the roadmap to his abilities, drawing a clear boundary between the fey and the jinn. He was free to choose without the other side dragging him down by his feet.

Keeping in mind how small the child was, Hayden allowed his magic to seep out with extreme caution. Nora sat holding Noor's hand as Hayden's hand began to glow the light blue and the little boy's hand began to warm.

"It's working," Nora's eyes snapped up.

In the dark, she spotted Hayden's jaw tense and his eyes shut. His whole body grew rigid as he held his breath and focused on his healing.

"Hayden..." Nora grew worried. "Hayden, stop."

"It's okay," Hayden said, sensing Noor's small heart beat grow strong.

"Hayd-"

Noor's eyes suddenly snapped open.

Nora gasped as the little boy's brilliant green eyes pulsed silver....just like Hayden's.

"Hayden!" Nora's heart leaped up into her throat. "Hayden, stop."

Sensing the strength at which Noor suddenly began to pull at his strength, Hayden snatched his hand back and opened his eyes.

"What was that?" Nora asked, breathless.

"I...I don't know," Hayden stared at Noor.

In the dimly lit room, Noor's eyes returned to normal like a flickering candle dying out. The little boy jumped up and scurried towards Nora as he eyed Hayden with fright.

"He's a friend, he's a friend," Nora explained quickly as Noor buried himself in her arms once more and locked his arms around her neck. "Noor, it's okay. He won't hurt you."

Hayden sat back, stunned by what he had just experienced. He stared at Noor in Nora's arms, shivering and whimpering. She held him firmly and repeatedly kissed his temple with soothing words.

Hayden opened and closed his palm to shake off the numbness that gripped his arm. His pulse threatened to drown out Noor's voice as she reached for him and asked him if he was okay.

"Hayden," Nora placed her hand on the edge of his face while holding Noor in her other arm. "Hayden....are you okay?"

"Yeah," Hayden nodded his head slowly. "I think so..."

"What happened?" Nora grew more and more worried as she watched Hayden's eyes peering at Noor.

"I think..." Hayden shifted his eyes to Nora. "I think he tried to drain my jinn magic."     

What is happening on the island??? Should Hayden go back???