Ch.6 Tigress

Chapter 6

Maya felt as if she had been transported back to the white sand beach of Greece where she was Theodora and Mirza was Stefano. Her heart didn't know how to act as she quickly hurried out of the store. The corner of Mirza's lips curved up slightly into a friendly greeting as Maya brought the deception spell down. Behind her she could hear Adeline calling to her, but the blood rushing past Maya's ears was louder.

With wide eyes and in utter disbelief, Maya watched as Mirza walked past her. For the briefest second he held her eyes as he stared at her in confusion. Maya was sure he must have thought she was crazy but she couldn't look away.

"Wait!" She finally called out when he had dropped his gaze and walked past her.

Mirza stopped and looked over his shoulder. He said a quick farewell to the person on the phone and hung up.

"Yes?" He asked.

"I....Um...." Maya stuttered like a child. "What's your name?"

The man paused for a little bit and raised a brow. He turned around completely and peered at Maya's face.

"I know you," he said.

"Yes, you do," Maya couldn't help the small nervous laugh that came out of her lips. "I know you too."

"You're Princess Maya," Mirza said.

Maya felt as if someone had taken a giant balloon and popped her lungs. She physically felt the smile drop from her face as she stared at Mirza.

"Hello, your grace," Mirza smiled and bowed his head.

"Hello," Maya said in a quiet voice. "What's your name?"

"Mirza. Mirza Kattan, your grace."

"Oh," Maya searched his eyes, knowing nothing of what she was looking for. "Have we met before, Mirza?"

"I don't think so, your grace," Mirza smiled as he shook his head.

"You seem very familiar to me," Maya tried to push to see if maybe, just maybe he might recognize her. But when Mirza stood in front of her in confusion, she let out the breath she was holding and ran a hand through her hair.

Adeline walked out of the store as a small crowd began to gather around Maya and the curly haired boy. She looked at her sister with concern as the people began to click photos with their phones.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Mr. Kattan," Maya gave a tight lip smile. "You just reminded me of someone I used to know."

"It's not a problem, your grace," Mirza bowed his head.

"Good day," Maya gave a nod as she turned on her heels and walked over to where Adelien waited for her. She wasn't sure why her tummy was rolling or why it felt as if her rib cage was shrinking. The restlessness and the nervous inside of Maya made her brain blare out a billion sirens as she quickly walked away from the boy.

"Princess?" Mirza's voice suddenly stopped Maya. She turned around to find the boy walking up to her with a shy smile.

"Yes?"

"I may be overstepping my boundaries here or even shooting for the stars, but......may I have your number?"

Maya tilted her head slightly as she narrowed her eyes at him, "My number?"

"Yes...." Mirza cleared his throat. "Maybe we can.... have coffee together."

"Coffee?" Maya's brow raised.

Adeline took pity upon the boy in front of her sister. He was obviously nervous and his timid gaze and fidgeting hands were a dead give away. She rolled her eyes as she watched Maya play with him some more.

"Yes," Mirza nodded. "Coffee."

"Are you asking me out on a date, Mr. Kattan?" Maya took a step forward.

"I...." Mirza's Adam's apple wobbled as he nodded his head. "Yes, I am."

"Why would I go out on a date with you? I don't even know who you are."

"Isn't that the whole purpose of a date?" Mirza gave a small nervous laugh. "To get to know one another."

"Hm," Maya looked him up and down slowly. "You can't have my number."

The smile on Mirza's face fell slightly. He gave a nod and took a step back.

"But you can give me your number," Maya stopped him.

Mirza's murky green eyes bounced from Adeline to the other princess. He broke out into a grin as Maya handed him her phone and he quickly typed in his number.

"Maybe I'll call you," Maya said as she took her phone back and pushed it into her back pocket.

"I look forward to hearing from you," Mirza bowed.

"That implies I will actually call you."

"I hope you do."

Maya smiled a little,"Goodbye, Mr. Kattan."

"Have a good day, Princess."

Maya smiled as she turned away to face Adeline. She knew her sister had an entire list of questions ready for her and honestly, she was glad. With the great confusion in her mind and heart, Maya needed to talk to someone. She had been harboring the secrets of the samsara spell for ten years. It was high time she spoke to someone about it.

"Who was that?" Adeline asked immediately as the two girls stepped into the car.

"It's a long story," Maya sighed, shaking out her breath and hair. "But I think he might be my mate."

"What?" Adeline's eyes grew wide as the moon. "Then why is he not in the car with us right now?"

"Because I don't know if he is my mate," Maya chewed on her bottom lip.

Adeline blinked in confusion several times. She tilted her head as she tried to understand what her sister was saying.

"He wasn't a werewolf," she stated her observation. "So how would you know if he was or wasn't your mate?"

"I told you it was a long story," Maya rolled her eyes.

"We have time," Adeline pushed her purse aside and moved closer to her sister.

"Not here," Maya shook her head. "Let's wait until we get back to the hotel."

Adeline followed her sister's eyes to the two Queen's guards sitting in the front of the car. She gave Maya an understanding nod and zipped her lips. The two princesses were whisked through the streets of Milan to their hotel as the sun began to set in the horizon behind them.

When the car finally arrived at the hotel, Adeline practically dragged Maya through the lobby in a haste to get her upstairs.

"Okay," she said as she kicked off her heels in excitement upon entering their room. "Start talking."

"Okay...." Maya said as her palms began to sweat. She wiped them on her jeans as she stood in front of Adeline's bed. "Do you remember when I got in serious trouble for using the Fey spell book?"

"Yes," Adeline nodded as she sat cross legged on her bed. "You were grounded for like months."

"Yeah....so, um..." Maya laughed nervously. "You can't tell anyone this, okay? I'll kill you if you do. And I will make it painful too."

"I won't tell anyone,"

"Not even Ben!"

"My god, what did you do Maya?" Adeline asked with concern.

"Nothing! Just promise me you won't tell a single soul."

"I promise," Adeline said with caution.

"Say the words," Maya insisted. "Repeat after me. I promise I will not tell a single soul what I am about to hear."

"I promise I will not tell a single soul what I am about to hear."

"Okay.....here goes," Maya nodded her head. "It's a long story and kind of confusion so try and keep up."

"Get on with it,"

"I used a spell from the book to go back in time and look at my past lives,"

"Reincarnation?" Adeline raised a brow.

"Yes, exactly," Maya nodded. "Except, I couldn't control where I went. Every time I traveled I would see a different me....and I would see my mate."

"Mirza?"

"Yes.....no," Maya shook her head. "Maybe? I don't know."

"It's a year or no question really,"

"No! It's not," Maya said in frustration. "I don't know if Mirza is my mate because there was also someone else. A few times, when I traveled, I would see my past selves with Mirza. But other times I would see a different guy."

"There are two different guys?" Adeline gasped.

"Yes," Maya nodded. "There is Nick, that's not his only name. He goes by other names too. But he's the guy that I think I really belong with. But sometimes, he wasn't there and it was Mirza."

"Oh..." Adeline said, slightly surprised.

"Oh?" Maya put her hand on her hips. "Give me something more than just oh, woman."

"I don't know what to say," Adeline held up her hand. "This seems very complicated."

"No shit, Sherlock," Maya rolled her eyes.

"What are you going to do?"

"Not a damn clue."

"Are you going to call Mirza?"

"I don't know."

"Does mom or dad know about this?"

"Well, obviously not."

"You should tell them."

"And get in trouble for lying to them ten years ago? No, thank you."

"What are you going to do then?"

"Again.... I don't know!"

"Have you found Nick?"

"No," Maya shook her head.

"Do you think you will find him?"

"Adeline," Maya sighed as she sank down onto the edge of the bed next to her sister and laid back. "You ask a lot of questions. A lot of dumb questions. Dumb questions I do not have the answers to."

"What do you want me to do then?" Adeline smacked Maya's leg.

"My brain is a bowl of spaghetti. I need you to untangle my brain spaghetti and make sense of everything."

"I am just as confused as you are....maybe a bit less."

"Why a bit less?" Maya pushed herself up onto her elbows and stared at her sister.

"Well...." Adeline turned around and switched the position of her legs. "Think of it this way. Dad was able to travel through time and dimensions, right?"

"Right," Maya nodded.

"So obviously as his daughter, you gravitate towards a spell that has to deal with time travel."

"Keep going,"

"Don't you see? Dad was blessed with the gift of time by the faiths and they led him to mom. And now, they have done the same for you."

"You're losing me" Maya squinted her eyes.

"You said you couldn't control where you went, right?"

"Correct."

"Dad couldn't either, remember?" Adeline tucked her dark blonde hair behind her ears. "Because the faiths wanted him to come to this timeline. And the faiths showed you your two mates. They were letting you know to keep your eyes open for either one."

"But if they were going to send Mirza then why show me Nick?"

"I don't know that, but the fact that you met Mirza first now has to mean something. Maybe in this life, you belong with him."

Maya felt her heart sink a little, "And Nick?"

"Maybe in your next life."

"I don't know," Maya frowned. "I feel as if there is more with Nick......"

"What if he never comes?"

"Take that negativity elsewhere."

"Maya," Adeline stopped her from getting up from the bed. "The faiths sent Mirza. Don't lose him by waiting around for Nick. You don't even know if he will come."

"And what if he does?"

"Then the faith will have a plan for you," Adeline sighed. "Real love always finds a way."

"You're messy," Maya scrunched up her nose. "You're literally telling me to string Mirza along incase Nick doesn't show up."

"It's not like that!" Adeline said in her defense. "You said in some past lives it was sometimes Mirza so obviously he is compatible with you. Obviously, you did love him. What if you never used the spell? Then you would be having coffee with Mirza right now and not worrying about Nick. Destiny is already written. The only difference is you had a sneak peek at what's to come."

"Does Ben know that you're so messy?"

"Get out," Adeline pointed out the door. "I'm trying to help you and you're making me the bad guy."

"I'm sorry," Maya fell back on the bed. She pulled a pillow over her face and smothered a cranky scream. "I don't know what to do."

"Take a deep breath,"

"I hate it when you say that,"

"It works."

"No it doesn't,"

"Just do it!"

Maya pushed the pillow away and inhaled deeply. She followed Adeline's hand and let out the breath slowly. Her temples were starting to hurt from all the different thoughts running through her mind. She stared at the ceiling wondering what her life was turning into in a blink of an eye.

"Now," Adeline said in her calm soothing voice. "Do you want to miss your chance with your mate in this lifetime?"

"No," Maya shook her head.

"How will you know Mirza is not your mate in this timeline if you don't give him a chance?"

"I wouldn't know," Maya confessed. "But I want Nick."

"Maya," Adeline sighed. "You don't even know if he exists in this life."

"He has to," Maya sat up slowly. Her lips were pulled down to a deep frown as she sulked. "I've been in love with him since I was 13."

"Come here," Adeline held out her arms.

"What? No, ew," Maya pushed her away and tried to leave. Adeline leaped forward and pulled her back onto the bed. She forcefully wrapped her arms around Maya and cuddled her as the girl fought.

"I don't need this," Maya complained.

"I do," Adeline said with a calm smile as she placed her head on Maya's shoulder. "Keep your options open. You never know, what if Mirza is Nick."

"Don't make my brain hurt even more," Maya sighed. "I will go crazy with all the what if possibilities."

Adeline laughed. She pulled Maya closer and placed one leg over the girls' hips. She knew Maya would never admit it, but the embrace was helping her. Adeline felt her sister's body slowly start to relax as the girls laid in bed silently.

"Ada?" Maya said after several long quiet minutes.

"Yes?"

"Will you miss me if I die?"

"Mom will never let that happen," Adeline hugged her sister tighter. "So I don't have to answer that question."

Maya felt a small smile cross her lips as she listened to her sister's words. She moved her head closer to the girl and sighed.

"Ada?"

"Yes?" Adeline laughed.

"You reek of Ben."

___________________________

The next morning when Maya woke, she felt dead as a doornail. All night she had laid awake playing with her wolf's bane necklace as her mind raced with memories of Nick and Mirza. Theodora had obviously been happy with Stefano, A.K.A Mirza. Could Maya be happy with Mirza too?

With only thirty minutes left before Maya's alarm went off, she rose from her bed and hopped into the cold shower. There was no point in staying in between the sheets and running over the same thoughts over and over again. Maya stood under the cold water, hoping it would freeze her thought.

Over breakfast, Adeline watched her sister with concern. She eyed her over her tea cup as Maya sat quietly picking at her omelette.

"Would you like to do anything before the event today?" She asked to strike up the conversation.

"No," Maya mumbled. "I need sleep. I'll probably do a sleep spell on myself and knock out for the rest of the day."

"What will I do all alone?"

"Not my problem," Maya shrugged. "Go shopping or something."

"I already have Ben's birthday gift."

"Then get him an anniversary gift," Maya said with annoyance.

"You're extra grumpy today, aren't you?" Adeline shook her head disapprovingly.

"Thanks, I tried extra hard."

"Maya," Adeline sighed. "Eat your breakfast and then come with me. We can go visit a museum or something."

"I need sleep."

"You've gone longer without sleep."

"Ada, stop being selfish," Maya pushed her breakfast plate back. She rose from her chair and began to head for her room across the suite.

"Do you want me to get you anything?" Adeline asked from the table.

"No, just wake me up when the makeup team gets here. Lord knows I'll be needing them today," Maya said as she kicked off her shoes and took off her jeans. She crawled into her unmade bed with her baggy sweater and pulled a fluffy pillow closer.

With a switch of a button on the nightstand table, the blackout shades closed and the whole room grew dark. Maya shifted around until she grew comfortable before she quickly recited the words to the sleeping spell and dusted her body with her own magic. Within seconds a yawn rose to her lips. She felt the magic move around her half empty belly as her eyelids grew heavy and she slipped into a dreamless slumber. Maya's last thought before sleep embraced her was a wish to see Nick in her dreams.

Around Mid-day, after Adeline returned from a spa session, she walked into Maya's room to wake her sister up. They had a charity dinner to attend before they went back home in the morning. Adeline was a pro at handling such events on her own, but Mavi had insisted Maya join her. With Adeline spending more time with Ben in Australia, it was up to Maya to slowly transition into the spotlight more and more.

And it had to be the right kind of spotlight. The whole world was already used to seeing the Princess at clubs and parties. They needed to see her in a more serious light. Especially before she took over for her mother.

"Maya," Adeline called to her softly in the darkness. "Wake up sleeping beauty."

"If you kiss me awake, I will punch you," Maya groaned from the bed.

"The makeup team is here,"

"Can they do my makeup while I sleep?"

"No,"

Maya groaned. Adeline heard the sheets ruffle as the blackout curtains slowly began to pull back. The late afternoon light poured into the room as Maya sat up. Her damp hair had dried in her sleep, leaving behind a tangled frizzy mess. Adeline cringed at her sister's appearance and rushed forward to smooth out her hair.

"Don't touch me," Maya said, half asleep. She threw her pillow off to the side and rolled out of bed. Adeline grabbed the jeans off the floor and held it out.

"I don't want to wear pants," Maya said as she shuffled out of the room rubbing her eyes.

"Maya," Adeline hissed as she tried to pull the girl back. "The whole makeup team is out there."

"They've seen it all already," Maya shrugged as she walked out.

Adeline shook her head as she watched her sister stumble onto the makeup chair and sigh. She slowly walked over to her chair as the girl stared at Maya's hair wondering where to start from.

"Just do your best," Adeline said to her with an encouraging smile.

"Don't make me look like her," Maya yawned.

For the next two hours, the girls stayed in their makeup chair as they prepared for the evening. Maya sipped on a large mug of coffee as her hair was fixed and her face was brought to life. Adeline, who had finished before her sister, watched patiently as the style team fixed Maya's black evening gown. Upon her request, they pulled out their little sewing kit and quickly lessened the slit that went up Maya's left leg. Maya rolled her eyes as she stood still watching the two women sew up the slit.

"Are you happy now, grandma?" She asked Adeline when the work was done. "I look like a nun. Worse.... I look like you."

"You look fine," Adeline rolled her eyes. She rose from her chair and asked her assistant to fix her dress in the back. Once satisfied, she looked to her sister. "Ready to go?"

"There better be good food this time," Maya said as she headed for the door. "Last time it was some weird vegan thing and I wanted to stab someone."

"I thought it was delicious," Adeline smiled.

"Of course you did,"

Adeline decided not to comment on any of her sister's remarks. She knew Maya was cranky and she was just looking for an excuse to start an argument. With years of experience, Adeline simply ignored the girl until they arrived at the hotel ballroom.

Maya took a deep breath before she put on a smile and walked onto the red carpet. She was immediately blinded by the flashes as the press took billions of photos. Maya knew she shouldn't have but with a quick tug of her hand, she ripped the seam the women had worked on upstairs and exposed her tight through the slit. She stuck her left leg out and placed her hands on her waist as she struck a quick pose.

Maya! Adeline mind-linked her from the other end of the red carpet where she was doing an interview. Put your leg back in.

If you worked out more, your legs could also be this sexy, Maya smirked.

I do workout, thank you very much. Now stop acting like a popstar.

Shut up, I need to focus on my leg. Maya shut off her link and turned her head towards the section of the press that was hollering her name. After a few seconds, the event manager and her team guided the two princesses inside and closed the doors to the press. Maya frowned as she turned to face the room full of dull old men and women walking in hushed tones as sleepy jazz music played in the background. She instantly grabbed a drink off the welcome tray and sighed. Adeline watched her from the corner of her eyes as she greeted the small crowd that appeared to meet her.

"Maya," Adeline tried her best to direct her attention to the people. "This is Mr. Duffermen, he is the chairman of the animal rescue effort."

"Hello," Maya shook the man's hand as she moved her drink. "Very nice to meet you."

"It's a honor to have you here with us today, your grace," Mr. Duffermen said.

Maya nodded, smiling. She looked at her sister and then mack at the man who was still shaking her hand.

"You can let go now," Maya said.

"Oh! My apologize," Mr. Duffermen said embarrassment.

"It's alright," Maya winked. "I know it's hard not to stare."

Adeline gripped Maya's hand as the men in front of them burst into laughter. Maya shrugged her off and took a sip of her drink. As her eyes began to scan the room a tall figure with black curly hair caught her attention.

"Oh fuck me," Maya said under her breath.

Adeline's eyes widened slightly as she held the smile on her lip in place and looked at her sister.

What are you doing? She asked.

Mirza is here, Maya's eyes followed him around the ballroom.

What are you going to do?

Hold my drink, Maya handed her sister the glass. She gave a polite smile to the men around them and slipped away before Adeline could stop her. As Maya made her way through the room, people stopped her to introduce themselves and say hello. She tried to give them all a default smile and greeting before she walked away but sometimes they just didn't get the hint. Maya tried not to be rude as she cut off conversations before they started and moved on.

After many long and annoying minutes, Maya finally made it across the ballroom. As she approached Mirza, she shot a death glare at a couple who tried to stop her to say hello. Upon seeing her angry blue eyes, they turned away and pretended they were headed for the drinks table.

"Are you following me?" Maya asked.

Mirza looked over his shoulder in surprise. Upon seeing the princess, he quickly turned around and smiled with a bow.

"Your grace," he said.

"How is it that I have never seen you around before but suddenly you're everywhere?"

"Maybe it's faith," Mirza smiled.

"Ah shit," Maya rolled her eyes.

"You look very beautiful,"

"Of course I do," Maya said. "I didn't spend two hours on a chair for nothing."

As she spoke, Mirza stared at Maya with a twinkle of amazement in his eyes. He grinded when she narrowed her eyes and asked what he was staring at.

"You're very different from what I had imagined," he said.

"Why? Did you imagine a Greek redhead?"

"No," Mirza laughed. "That's oddly specific."

"Have you ever been to Greece?"

"Once when I was very young."

"How did you imagine me?" Maya held him down under her inquisitive eyes.

"From your photos on the newspaper and on T.V I assumed you were very......timid."

Maya snorted in a very unflattering way, "What news have you been watching?"

"Apparently not the right one," Mirza laughed. "May I get you a drink?"

"No, but I am hungry so maybe some shrimp cocktails or something."

"Of course, your grace," Mirza called over a waitress who had been floating around with a tray of horderves. He directed the girl to Maya who helped herself to a small meatball on a stick.

"Thank you," Maya said to the waitress before she turned to Mirza. "So, Mr. Kattan, What are you doing here?"

"I run a little non profit,"

"With animals, I'm guessing," Maya said looking around at the many posters of wildlife.

"Yes," Mirza nodded. "My organization rescues wild cats and raises them in a sanctuary."

"What is it called?"

"Tigress,"

Maya smiled slowly, "Cute name."

"Thank you."

"You said wild cats, so does that mean...."

"Tigers? Yes," Mirza smiled. "I like wild things."

Maya felt his eyes bore into her as he spoke. She couldn't decipher how she was feeling. On one hand she was genuinely intrigued by him. But on the other hand her heart yearned for Nick.

"What brings you here?" Mirza asked as he gave a small bounce on his heels. "Are you following me?"

"What if I am?" Maya asked.

"I would be honored."

"You're not my type," Maya scrunched up her nose and shook her head playfully.

"What is your type, Princess?"

Suddenly images of Nick's piercing eyes flashed across Maya's mind. Her breath caught in her chest as she swallowed the lump in her throat.

"Brown eyes," she said after a small pause. "And tattoos. All marked up....just like your tigers."

"Tigers are beautiful creatures," Mirza's gaze moved to Mavi's eyes. His green orbs locked themselves onto her face as Maya waited for him to continue. "But they are never to be trusted."

"And why not?" Maya challenged.

"They don't hesitate to turn on the ones that once put everything on the line for them."

"Are we still talking about tigers, Stefano?"

"What?" Mirza blinked in confusion.

"What?" Maya played dumb.

"You called me Stefano. That's not my name."

"Oh, did I?" Maya shook her head. "I'm so sorry, Mirza."

"It's alright."

"So," Maya took a deep breath as she flashed a bright smile. "Do you have any brothers?"

"I have one brother,"

"Oh," Maya frowned.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Maya said, shaking her head. "I just....I don't know why I thought you had two brothers."

"Maybe another Mirza or Stefano," Mirza laughed.

"Yeah," Maya gave a small laugh too. "Maybe."

"Would you like to dance, your grace?"

Maya looked at the dance floor over her shoulder. She wasn't a fan of the crowded dance floors where one was always getting hit or elbowed by a passing couple. With a small look of disagreement, Maya was about to tell Mirza no, he took her hand anyways and led her to the dance floor.

"I didn't say yes," Maya reminded him.

"You didn't say no, either."

"No," Maya smiled. "I guess I did not."

What are you thoughts on Mirza? What should Maya do?