Ch.15 Frozen Rain

Chapter 15

Maya sensed her sister enter the territory before she even laid eyes upon Adaline's ash gray wolf. She shifted Zuri on her hips and hurried over to the door as the wolf leaped up onto the deck and began to growl.

"Ada," Maya said, a bit breathless. "I know you're mad. But please just list-"

Adaline's wolf pushed past her twin sister and entered the house. Her growls rumbled through the halls, making Zuri hide her face in Maya's neck.

"Mimi," the little girl cried as the large wolf began to pace the floor.

Where is he? Adaline demanded through her mind-link.

"I'm right here," Heyder said, coming down the stairs, his feet bare and his sleeves rolled up to his elbows to show off his ink.

Maya's eyes darted from her sister to her husband. She wanted to step in between them, but feared for Zuri's safety.

"You guys, please," she said, her heart thundering. "Not in the house. Let's all talk about this like adul-"

Did he think to speak about this like fuckin adults, Maya?

Maya froze as she heard her sister curse up a storm. It was very much unlike sweet old Adaline to ever even think about using such a word. Maya knew there was nothing she could do or say that would help Heyder.

"Mimi, I want to go home," Zuri shivered.

"Give me a second, baby girl," Maya patted the little girl's back and placed her hand behind her head to guide Zuri face into her hair. "Ada, please go change. You're scaring Zubee."

For a minute my feared Adaline would not listen. The anger in the wolf's eyes was red hot and deadly. Maya had never seen her sister like that.

"Ada," Maya urged. "Please."

With a snare, Adaline's wolf headed up the stairs towards Maya's bedroom. Heyder's jaw worked with annoyance as he stared out the window. Zuri began to whimper as the sounds of bones snapping back into their human form came from upstairs.

"Maya, ca-" Heyder looked towards his wife.

"No," Maya shook her head. "Don't speak to me right now, Heyder."

Before Heyder could say another word, Adaline came stomping downstairs wearing one of Maya's navy dresses.

"How dare you?" She demanded to know, her eyes only on Heyder. "Who the fuck do you think you are to threaten my son?"

"I needed your husband to speak," Heyder said.

"And say what?" Adeline yelled. "We already told you everything we know about Skyfall! We did all that we could and even more to make sure they were wiped clean."

"Something that evil never truly goes away," Heyder said. "I needed to know if there was anything Ben knew about Birdie."

"You think we wouldn't tell you if we did?" Adeline's eyes watered with rage. "She's my niece. I love her like my own daughter, Heyder! Why the fuck would we do anythign to hurt her?"

"Maybe not you two, but people you know," Heyder said.

"So you had your people take my son hostage?" Adeline's eyes narrowed. "Are you fuckin' insane? What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Ada," Maya tried to reach out and hold her sister's hand.

"No!" Adaline stepped away. "Maya, my heart breaks for you. You're my twin and I can feel your pain more than anyone. But you two have no right to go after Ben or Alex. We're supposed to be family!"

"It wasn't her idea," Heyder said, spinning his ring on his finger.

"No, of course not," Adaline said. "My sister would never be so cruel and heartless. Heyder, I'm speechless!"

"I need to know where my daughter is," Heyder said through his teeth.

"And we're all doing all that we can to find her!" Adaline yelled. "You're not the only one who lost her!"

"You and your husband don't really have the best track records," Heyder said.

"And you do?" Adaline arched her brow. "How fucked up is your past, Heyder? How are you so sure someone from your past is involved in all this?"

"People don't really cross my path twice, Adaline," Heyder chuckled. "They learn their lesson the first time."

As the jinn's words slowly sank into Adaline's mind, she felt her heart drop and her irritation go sky high.

"My god..." Adaline said slowly. "You're not even sorry, are you?"

"Sorry for what?" Heyder asked. "I was just looking for my daughter."

"You kidnapped my son and threatened his life," Adaline said. "Do you honestly think any of that was okay?"

Heyder did not reply. He looked away with his jaw working. Every inch of him knew Maya was staring at him, ready to kill him if he dared to look her way.

"Adaline, I am so sor-" Maya began.

"No," Adaline shook her head, her eyes still on the jinn.

Maya lowered her hand and looked from her sister to her husband once more.

"I love Birdie just as much as I love Alex," Adaline said, looking at her sister. "Ben and I will do whatever you ask us to help you find her. But once she's home, I don't want you or Heyder to ever come near my family ever again."

"Adaline," Maya felt her chest tighten. Her eyes watered as she locked her gaze with her sister. "No, don't say that."

"I can't forgive him for what he did, Maya," Adaline took a step back. "I love you, with all my heart, but I can't be around him right now."

Maya did not know what to say as her twin headed for the back door of the house. She shut her eyes and bit down on her jaw as she heard Adaline shift into her wolf and run off. Zuri's skinny arms laced around Maya's neck as she watched her grandma cry silently.

The house grew silent. The walls held their breath as the dark clouds outside rolled across the sky. Maya stared at the spot where Adaline had stood just moments before. She felt her heart break thinking about the anger in Adaline's voice. Never in her life had Adaline ever said such words to her.

"Mimi," Zuri slowly lifted her head. She used her small chubby hands to wipe the tears on Maya's face.

Heyder slowly turned away from the window and walked over to where Maya stood. He pulled on a small smile for Zuri's sake and lifted her out of Maya's arms.

"Come here, my sweet baby," he said, tucking Zuri safely into his arms.

The jinn's brown eyes lifted, hoping to catch his wife's eyes. But as soon as Zuri was out of her arms, Maya turned and walked away.

"Maya," Heyder called after her.

But Maya did not stop. She bit down on her bottom lip as she climbed the stairs and headed for her home office.

______________________

Birdie's second day in Wren's chamber was the same as the first day.

She argued with Julian in the morning, earning a backhand smack from the fey. Wren didn't bother saying anything when he saw the mark and continued to pester her about where she was from.

"No new bruises today?" Wren asked the third morning as Birdie sat by the balcony looking at the falls.

"You sound disappointed," Birdie said, not bothering to look up.

Wren chuckled as he walked back into his room. Birdie wondered what he did all day with all those maps and books. The first day she was tempted to ask but after he had pulled the stun with the snake, she did not want anything to do with him.

"You better come inside," Wren said after a while. "It's going to rain."

"I like the rain," Birdie muttered.

Wren looked up, skeptically.

"What?" Birdie questioned.

"You're giving me more clues," Wren looked down at his book.

"What clues?" Birdie asked as the skies grew dark and the winds picked up.

"You are not from here, Birdie."

"Not this again," Birdie rolled her eyes as she went back to looking at the waterfalls.

She didn't know whether or not Wren was still watching her when she felt the first drop of rain fall from the sky.

It struck her skin like an ice needle. Birdie jumped up and grabbed her arm as she felt more ice droplets pour down. She looked up in alarm at Wren as he calmly placed his book down and waited to see what she would do.

The rain began the same way most storms did. Slowly and then chaotically. As the water splashed against her skin, Birdie felt as if she was being shot with ice bullets. Her skin began to turn red and the tips of her ears were long gone. She picked up her dress and ran inside, feeling her teeth chatter and her legs shake.

"It's ice cold," Wren said.

"No, shit, Sherlock," Birdie said through her shivers.

The corners of Wren's mouth curved up as he held back a smile. He flickered his hands and all the windows in the room shut, blocking out the freezing rain outside. He could hear Birdie shivering as the winds howled outside.

"Stand by the fire," he said, commanding the logs to ignite.

A small part of the fey was surprised when the girl did not argue with him and quickly moved closer to the fireplace. He watched her fall to her knees in front of the amber glow and hold out her hands. The light flickered in her silver eyes as the high points of her cheeks turned cherry red from the rain or from the fire, Wren couldn't tell.

Birdie's hair fell over her shoulder once more as she leaned in a bit closer to the warmth. Wren watched her from where he stood behind his desk, wondering how long it would take for her to stop shivering. She was awfully too close to the fire. If she got any closer, she just might burn up. Wren was about to tell her to get back when he suddenly remembered she was a jinn.

"Do you do that thing?" He asked instead.

Birdie glared, "What thing?"

"Do you have a smokeless form?" Wren leaned forward to see her better over the table on the floor.

Birdie looked away. She focused all her attention on the burning log as her chattering teeth slowly came to a stop. Her cheeks were warm and her palms were nice and toasty.

"Well?" Wren waited. "Do you?"

"Yes," Birdie said, sitting up straight.

"That's a lie."

"No, it's not."

"You're extra confident when you lie," Wren pointed out. "You straighten up or look down as if you're speaking to someone beneath you."

"I do not," Birdie protested. "I would never speak down to anyone."

"Prove me wrong," Wren challenged. "Show me your smokeless form."

"I am not your show monkey," Birdie laughed. "Get lost."

"You don't have a smokeless form," Wren concluded. "Why is that? You're not fully jinn are you? That's why you can lie."

"Despite being the heir to the throne, you're still not king," Birdie observed. "Why is that? You're not fully capable of ruling, are you?"

Wren did not respond. He continued to watch Birdie with amusement in his eyes as she sat by the fireplace with her legs folded under her and her hands on her knees. She may have been sitting like one of the servants but her attitude was ten feet tall.

"You know, you can't distract me every time by attacking me personally," Wren teased.

"Please," Birdie snorted, rolling her eyes.

"Want to know something else I learned about you?"

"No."

"Whenever I am getting too close to finding out something important about you, you switch the subject by talking about my personal or family life."

Birdie slowly raised her hand and looked down at her palm. Wren watched her wondering what she was doing.

"Thank you for this piece of information," Birdie said, holding up her palm. "What the fuck am I suppose to do with it?"

Laughing, Wren shook his head, "You're an open book, little bird."

"Don't call me that," Birdie's brows furrowed.

"Get off your knees."

"No."

"Fine," Wren shrugged. When he looked up once more, his eyes were mischievous, "I don't mind looking at you down on your knees in front of me."

Birdie's eyes narrowed as she slowly pulled herself up to her feet. She hated the laughter in the fey's eyes as he watched her, knowing very well he was getting under her skin.

"Why won't you just let me go home?" Birdie asked. "Why won't you tell me why I'm here?"

"I'm sure Jasmeen has filled your brain with plenty of ideas about why you are here."

"I swear to god," Birdie said through her teeth. "If you come near me, I will..."

Wren watched the girl look around the room for something to threaten him with.

"There are iron rods for the fireplace behind you," Wren pointed.

Birdie turned to see a set of iron rods set up neatly to clean the fireplace. She took a small step back knowing the iron would irritate her skin if she got too close. Her mother was a witch by birth. Iron was deadly for witches. It would not kill Birdie, but the damn thing sure would cause an allergic reaction.

"What?" Wren leaned forward once more, noticing the way Birdie stepped back. "What is it?"

"I need something better," she said, searching the room with her eyes once more.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Birdie and Wren turned as Julian stepped into the private chamber and announced Queen Adania was outside.

Wren's eyes shifted to Birdie and then towards the door. He walked around his desk and motioned for Julian to move Birdie into his study.

"You don't want your mommy to see what her son does with girls in his room?" Birdie asked as Julian began to pull her into the other room.

Wren waited until Julian shut the doors to the study to clear his throat and tell the guards outside to open the doors to his chamber.

"My goodness," Adania laughed as she walked in wearing her regal gown. "So formal. I almost feel as if I should have asked for an appointment."

"You will never need it," Wren smiled and stepped forward. He kissed both of his mother's cheeks and inhaled her sweet scent of roses. "What brings you here?"

Adania beamed with contentment as she reached up and pushed back her son's dark hair. She let her hand rest against his face as the guards slowly closed the doors behind her.

"Maisha is coming back to court tomorrow," Adanai announced.

Wren felt his eyes ready to roll to the back of his head, "Is she?"

"I was speaking to her father just a few days ago over dinner," Adania continued. "They're hoping their daughter finds a match soon."

"I'm sure she will," Wren said. "She's a very beautiful girl."

"And very rich."

"Mother," Wren wanted to shake his head.

"Wren," Adania was not in the mood to play. "Please. Be serious. Maisha is a good match for you. And her family is very wealthy. You know you need the support to back you."

"You really want me to enter a political marriage?" Wren arched his brow.

"Your father married me for political reasons," Adania said. "But look how happy we were."

Wren could not argue with her on that. He knew his mother was not suggesting anything outrageous. Maisha's family was the richest family in Xaiba. If he had their support, his reclaim to the throne would be much easier.

"Please tell me you will think about it," Adania pushed.

"I will," Wren nodded.

"You have to fight for what is yours, Wren," Adania said. "Your father left all this for you."

"No, he left me something far more important, mother," Wren sighed, stepping aside so Adania could see the books and maps on his table.

"What will you do with these stories and myths if you have no kingdom?" Adania asked. She refused to look at the pile of books on Wren's table.

"They're not stories and myths-"

"Wren," Adania said sternly. "You should be king right now. Take back your birthright."

Wren did not argue. He did not see the point in making his mother sad when all she had ever done since his father passed away was do whatever was necessary to keep him alive.

"I want you to speak to Maisha when she arrives," Adania said.

"Okay," Wren nodded.

"And I want there to be a wedding by the end of the season."

"Yes," Wren nodded once more.

"Thank you," Adania leaned forward and slowly kissed her son's cheek. "I'll see you tonight."

"You will."

With one last look at her son, Adania turned towards the door. Wren watched her leave and heard the door bang shut before letting out a deep sigh. He turned towards his study and pushed the doors open.

"What are you..." Wren began as his eyes landed on Julian covering Birdie's mouth with his gloved hand.

"She wouldn't stop talking," Julian said.

Birdie struggled to be released from the spell the fey had casted on her to keep her from moving. Wren rubbed the bridge of his nose and took in a deep breath, muttering under his breath before telling Julian to release the girl.

"Are you sure?" Julian asked to confirm.

"Yes!" Wren snapped. "Let go of her."

With a small nod, the fey released the spell and dropped his hand from around Birdie's mouth.

"What on earth is wrong with you fucking idiots?" Birdie asked, whirling around to face Julian. "I'm going to enjoy watching my baba take his sweet time killing you with his bare hands, you brainless monk-"

Julian did the only thing he was good at. He raised his hand to strike Birdie.

But this time, as Birdie flinched and prepared to jump out of the way, Wren's arm shot out.

"What did you say?" He asked, stopping Julian and pushing him away from Birdie.

"I said..." Birdie took a small step back, feeling her back shiver from the way Wren's dark eyes watched her. "I said my baba is going to kill you all."

"No, before that," Wren shook his head.

Birdie stared at the fey, not understanding what he was asking of her.

Wren watched her with an intensity she had never seen before. His eyes seemed to light up as he took a small step towards her.

"Earth," Wren said. "You're from Earth."

Ahhhh!! What now???