Ch.7 Sweet Baby

Chapter 7

Adeline quietly sipped her tea as her blue eyes stole glances at her sister. Maya bit off the edge of her toast and raised a brow.

"I feel you looking at me," she said as she cut her turkey bacon.

"I saw you dance with Mirza last night,"

"Yes?" Maya chewed on her food. "And?"

"It was nice," Adeline smiled politely. "Was he sweet?"

"I wouldn't know," Maya sighed. "I didn't lick him."

"You know what I mean,"

"He talks too much."

"So do you," Adeline laughed. "Did he ask you out for coffee again?"

"Yeah, he did."

"Did you accept?"

"No."

"Why?"

"That would be cheating."

"Who would you be cheating on?"

"Nick."

"Maya," Adeline rolled her eyes. "Stop being stupid. You met this guy twice in the span of 24 hours. It's pretty safe to say the universe is trying to make something happen."

"You know he rescues tigers?"

Adeline blinked in surprise, "Um...that's new."

"I don't know how I feel about that."

"What do you mean?"

"Every time I think about it I automatically hear a American southern accent."

"You're now just looking for excuses to not like this guy."

"I don't need excuses to not like people. I dislike plenty of people who have never done anything to me," Maya shrugged as she went back to focusing on her breakfast. She could feel Adeline fidgeting in her seat as if she had ants in her pants. Maya was about to ask her what the matter was when there was a knock at the front door.

One of the queen's guards walked in with a dozen red roses and bowed his head.

"Good morning," he said.

"Morning, Joe." Adeline smiled politely.

"You have Ben wrapped around your little finger, don't you?" Maya laughed as she eyed the flower.

"We're in love," Adeline gave her sister a wink. "What can I say?"

"Actually...." Joe, a tall young man with short black hair, tried to hold back a small smile. "These flowers are for you, Princess Maya."

"Me?" Maya scrunched up her nose. "From who?"

"Mirza Kattan," Joe said as he handed Maya the roses.

"Oooo," Adeline wiggled her brows as she smiled at her sister.

"Shut up," Maya said to her as she took the roses and pulled out the little card. She quickly opened it and read the messy handwriting.

Coffee? I'm waiting downstairs. If you don't show up by noon, I'll take that as a no.

Maya read the note again as she rolled her eyes. She set the roses down and tossed the card on top of it. Adeline immediately grabbed it and read the inscription.

"Maya," she squealed. "You have to go."

"No," Maya shook her head.

"Why are you being so stubborn?" Adeline frowned as Joe slowly backed out of the room. "He sent these beautiful flowers and he's waiting downstairs for you. It's so romantic."

"I'm doing a thing called what I want," Maya said. "And red roses are such a cliche."

"Your cool girl act isn't?"

"Adeline," Maya sighed as she rose from the table. "I don't want to have coffee with him. I don't want to have anything with him."

"He has a 50% chance at being your mate!"

"Okay, you are at a eight right now. I need you to bring it down to a three," Maya held up her hand to demonstrate the invisible scale.

"You are so infuriating!"

"Calm down, crazy," Maya said. "If you're so bothered, why don't you go have coffee with him. Stop trying to pimp me out to random strangers."

"He's not a stranger. You've seen him in your visits," Adeline pointed out.

"For like an hour max," Maya said in frustration. "Why are you so ready to push me into this guy's arms?"

"I want you to be happy. That's why," Adeline said. "And you tend to mess things up so I'm trying to stop you from sabotage yourself."

"I am happy," Maya said. "I'm happily waiting for Nick to show up."

"What if he does?"

"What did I say about your negativity?"

Adeline took in a deep breath as she calmed herself and took her sister's hand, "Maya....my sweet baby sister. What's the harm in one coffee?"

"Plenty. I could get bored and accidentally hurt his feelings."

Adeline let out the breath she had been holding and hung her head. She let go of Maya's hand and moved back in her chair.

"Okay," she said as she picked up her tea. "Do what you think is best."

"You're a bag of shits if you think you're going to guilt trip me."

"I'm not trying to do anything," Adeline shrugged as she sat her cup down. She shook out her perfectly done hair and gave her sister a tight lip smile.

"I really hate you, you know that?" Maya said as she grabbed her phone and stomped towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Adeline's eyes followed her.

"To tell this mofo to fuck off," Maya said in anger as she slammed the door and marched towards the elevator. The queen's guards posted outside tried to follow her but she asked them not to. Her body burned with irritation. She couldn't believe this man's nerves.

Once in the lobby, Maya began to look around. Her eyes scanned the waiting area until they landed on Mirza tapping away on his phone. As Maya approached him, he looked up and smiled immediately.

"What is your problem?" She asked as he rose from his seat.

"I don't have a problem," Mirza smiled.

"Then why are you here?"

"To have coffee with you."

"I don't like coffee."

"What about Pixie brew then?"

"It's ten in the morning."

"Scared of a little adventure?"

Maya's mouth twitched as she stared at the man with her arms folded over her chest. She heard Theodora's laughter in her ear and could almost feel the ocean breeze in her hair. Mirza waited for her to speak with his mischievous green eyes and a playful smile.

"One coffee," Maya held up her finger. "And then you leave me alone. I'm not interested in you."

"Ouch," Mirza put his hand over his heart and rubbed his chest.

Maya rolled her eyes as she began to walk towards the lounge. She sensed Mirza following her as she asked the hostess for a table.

"How do you like your coffee?" Mirza asked as they sat down at the small table by the windows.

"Dark, bitter, and a little too hot for most to handle," Maya said as she scanned the limited menu.

Mirza chuckled as he picked up his menu. Maya lifted her gaze and watched him through her lashes as he rubbed his jaw and read the menu.

"Tell me about your brother," Maya said as she placed the menu down. She leaned forward and rested her hands on the table.

"Not much to tell," Mirza said as he too sat his menu aside. "He's younger than me, haven't seen him in a while."

"Why not?"

"We're not very close," Mirza shrugged.

"Where does he stay?"

"He's currently in prison."

"Oh?" Maya said, a bit surprised. "For what?"

"He tried to......" Mirza struggled for the right words. "How do I explain it?"

"What was his crime?"

"He tried to take more then what was promised to him."

"From who?"

"From everybody he met. From the family business, his friends, his relationships."

"What's the family business?"

Mirza laughed as he leaned back in his hair and reached for a sugar pack. His long fingers played with the small pack as he stared at it.

"I rather not say," Mirza said.

"Why not?"

"Because I'm sure you won't talk much about your family to me either."

"But everything about my family is out in the open," Maya pointed out.

"Is it really thought?" Mirza laughed. "You mean to tell me there are no family secrets you keep from the cameras?"

"There are some," Maya said honestly.

"There you go," Mirza said.

The waitress appeared and took their order. Mirza thanked the girl as he turned back to focus on Maya.

"Thank you for coming today," he said.

"I really didn't have a choice," Maya looked out the window briefly before turning back.

"What do you mean?"

"My sister forced me."

Mirza smiled at the news, "I like her."

"Everyone does."

"Does that make you jealous?"

"What?" Maya narrowed her eyes. "Why would it make me jealous?"

"It's natural to have sibling rivalry," Mirza said. "My brother and I do."

"What do you guys fight over?"

"Lots of stuff," Mirja shrugged.

"Such as?"

"Why are you so interested in my brother?"

"Does it make you uncomfortable?"

"No," Mira shook his head laughing. "I just find it odd."

"What's your brother's name?"

"There you go. Asking about my brother again."

"Are you jealous?"

"Of course I am," Mirza leaned forward and looked into Maya's eyes. "I have a gorgeous girl sitting right in front of me and she keeps talking about a different man. A man who isn't even worthy of her attention."

"And you are?" Maya asked. "Worthy of my attention?"

"I plan to be."

"I thought we agreed on only one coffee," Maya said.

"I didn't agree to anything,"

Maya rolled her eyes. She tucked her hair behind her ear and cleared her throat. She didn't know why, but she felt Mirza's gaze on her like a ton of bricks. When she turned her eyes back to him, he was still staring at her.

"Yes?" Maya asked.

"Do you like to travel?"

"No," Maya said. "I like to stay home and sit on my couch all day."

"Doesn't that get boring?"

"The voices in my head keep me pretty entertained."

Mirza chuckled as he hung his head. When he looked back up, he ran a hand through his curls and pushed them out of his face.

"You're trying to spook me," he said.

"Is it working?" Maya asked.

"No, sorry," Mirza shook his head. "I'm just more curious now."

"You shouldn't be. There isn't much to know about me."

"I disagree," Mirza said.

A different waitress appeared with two cups of coffee and a little glass bottle of cream. She set the drinks down in front of the couple and walked away with a small bow of her head. Maya slid her cup forward and wrapped her hands around it.

"What are your hobbies?" Mirza shook a pack of sugar and ripped the edge off. Maya watched him empty the pack and stir his drink.

"I'm sure you can find the answer in any magazine that ever did an article on me," Maya said.

"But where's the fun in that?" Mirza laughed. "I'm positive those answers were crafted by someone to create a public image of you."

"Maybe," Maya said, sipping her coffee.

"So?" Mirza raised a brow. "Why do you like to garden?"

"It helps me think," Maya said.

"How did you get into gardening?"

"My grandfather."

"You two are close?"

"Very," Maya nodded.

"That's good."

"What about you? Are you close to your family?"

Mirza shook his head, "My parents died when I was young. Not really any other family."

"I'm so sorry," Maya said sincerely. "How old were you?"

"Too young," Mirza smiled. "It was definitely hard to learn how to do things on my own."

"How did they die?"

Mirza looked up at Maya and gave a small smile, "I don't like talking about it."

"That's okay," Maya said. "I understand."

"Thank you."

"How did you get into your tiger business?"

"Long story," Mirza gave a short laugh. " A friend of mine introduced me to the idea. I've been hooked ever since."

"Where is your company located?"

"We have a few branches. South Indian, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh.....countries where you would find tigers in the wild."

"How many tigers have you rescued?"

"I don't do the work personally," Mirza said. "I oversee the paperwork and financial parts of the operation."

"I see," Maya nodded.

"What are your plans?" Mirza asked.

"Well, I just finished school so I'm taking a year off before I do anything."

"What did you study?"

"History."

"Fitting," Mirza smiled. "But why history?"

"I like knowing what happened in the past," Maya said. "Sometimes the answers to move forward are in the past."

"Do you really believe that?"

"Yes," Maya nodded her head.

"Do you think history repeats itself?"

"Sometimes," Maya turned the coffee cup in her hands. "If we don't change our actions."

"But people say destiny is already decided."

Suddenly Maya was reminded of standing behind a chair peeking out at the man who now sat in front of her.

"And some say they are in charge of their own destiny," Maya held Mirza's eyes as she said the words.

The corners of Mirza's mouth twisted up into a smile as he picked up the cup in front of him and brought it to his lips. He took a long slow sip before setting the white cup back down again.

"Do you believe in that?" He asked Maya.

"I don't know," Maya said. "I think the faith decides. And who are we to speak in front of the faiths?"

"Very true," Mirza nodded.

A small stretch of silence landed on the table as the couple sipped their coffee. Maya cleared her throat before she pushed the sleeve of her sweater back and checked the time.

"Thank you for the coffee, Mr. Kattan," Maya said as she pushed her chair back slowly. "It was nice meeting you."

"You have to go already?"

"Yes," Maya said. "I have a flight to catch."

"Can I have your number now?"

"No," Maya laughed. "But I still have your number."

"Will you call me?"

"Why would I do that?"

"For a second cup of coffee."

"I'll think about it," Maya said as she rose to her feet. She held her hand out as Mirza followed her up. He took Maya's hand and shook it firmly.

Suddenly, a sharp pain appeared between Maya's shoulder blades. Her plump lips opened in a minor gasp as her heart stumbled.

"Are you alright?" Mirza asked in concern.

"Yes," Maya said. "I....just stood up too fast."

"Do you need to sit down?"

"No, no," Maya dropped his hand. "I....I need to go now. Thank you."

"You're welcome," Mirza hardly had the words out of his lips as Maya raced out of the lounge. Her heels clicked against the floor as she rushed to the elevator and pressed the button aggressively.

Maya's belly did flips as her palms began to sweat. She hadn't felt that pain in years. What could it mean?

With trembling hands, Maya reached up and touched her necklace around her neck. It was in its place but for some reason it's magic couldn't hold Maya's mind back. As she pushed the door open to the suite, Joe looked up at her in concern.

"Princess?" He took a step forward.

Little droplets of sweat had begun to form on Maya's forehead. Her skin felt hot as a chill ran over her. Her face was pale and her eyes slightly red. Joe grew concern as Maya used the door to hold herself up.

"Where's Adeline?" She asked.

"The Princess stepped out. Would you like for me to call her?"

"No," maya shook her head. "Just....give me some privacy."

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, yes," Maya said quickly. "Please just go."

"Okay," Joe said as he walked to the door. Maya let go of the handle and the lock clicked into place. She stumbled over to the living room and collapsed onto the couch. Her stomach rolled, making her feel sick to her core.

For a second he wondered if Mirza had spiked her coffee. But he had been nowhere near it. Maya tried to come up with any kind of explanation for her state but all the roads led to a dead end. She refused to go down the only road she hadn't explored.

It was a dark and terrifying road. And no matter how hard Maya tried to resist, it pulled her in. Like heavy iron gates, she felt her eyelids close as the sofa disappeared from beneath her.

Maya was greeted by the shouting, growls, and the clash of heavy metal. Her cheeks rested against something cold and hard as she gently opened her eyes.

In a delightful shock, Maya discovered she knew exactly where she was. She pushed herself off the floor and climbed to her feet. Looking around, Maya took a step forward.

"Mom!" She called out. "Dad!"

A growl reached Maya's ears as she walked down the empty halls of the palace. Outside, she heard a menacing battle rage on as somewhere in the palace soldiers and wolves marched through the hall. Maya began to move faster towards the sound.

As Maya ran faster and faster, a loud ringing appeared in her ears. She shook her head in irritation as she tried to focus on where the battle cries were coming from. But with every step the riging got louder and louder. Maya was almost brought down to her knees by the screeching ringing when she appeared at the door of the throne room.

Catching her breath and throwing her hands over her ears, Maya looked up with tears running down her face. She couldn't hear a thing as her eye focused on the figure in front of her.

Nick.

Maya stilled as her heart began to beat like a drum. Her throat dried up as she took a step into the room. But suddenly, Exton appeared by Nick's side and grabbed his arm. Maya screamed as her father flung her mate through the air. Maya watched in horror as Nick collided with the column by her and shattered the structure.

"No!" Maya screamed again. "Dad! Stop!"

But no one could hear Maya's cries. She watched her father shift into his black wolf as Mavi hovered over Owen's body. Maya began to scan the room in shock. Her mother and Adam were by the throne doing some kind of a spell. Mavi had joined Exton and shifted into her dragon as Nick said something.

Maya had no idea what anyone said. The ringing in her ear was non stop as she watched everyone's lips moving. She tugged at her hair as Mavi opened her mouth and blasted Nick with her fire.

"No! No, no," Maya ran to her father. "Dad! If you can hear me, you have to stop!"

But it was no use.

The unexplainable events played out in front of Maya like a bad dream. She screamed and screamed as Mavi and Nick fought around the throne room. She didn't know how much of it she could take when from the corner of her eyes she watched Caspian and Councilwoman Sofia step through a portal.

"No! No! No!" Maya screamed as she rushed forward to her mother. "Mom! Please! Please! Tell me you can hear me! You have to stop this."

Maya tried to grab her mother's arm, but her hand flew through as if her mother was made of smoke. Maya looked over her shoulder and spotted Nick talking to Sofia. From his expression and his angry eyes, she could tell he was yelling. She desperately wished she knew what everyone was saying.

Giving up on her mother, Maya ran back to the other side of the room where the crowd was. She once again tried her luck with her father but it was no use. Her anger and helplessness boiled inside of her as she stared at her father's wolf. After a few seconds, Maya jumped up and stomped her feet. She let out a rage filled scream.

But then suddenly, Maya felt her mind-link open.

Birdie? Nick's voice appeared in her head.

Maya gasped as she turned. She found herself standing behind Owen and looking over his shoulder. Her eyes connected with Nick as he stood stunned.

Maya's heart felt as if it might explode in her chest. She felt a sob rock through her chest as her lips opened.

"Heyder...." She whispered.

Maya watched as her mate took a step forward. She watched the shift in his eyes as they turned from the calm brown to silver.

Sweet baby...He whispered into her mind.

A smile appeared through Maya's tears as she reached out for him.

But in a blink of an eye, Heyder disappeared and Maya was thrown out of her spell.

Fuck it up, Buttercup!! Some of you picked up all the hints along the way and knew who was coming back from the start :) What are you thoughts?