by G. Bailey
“I’m not enchanting Maxx,” I find myself blurting out. He shakes his head, rolling himself over me in one smooth motion, both his hands resting either side of my head. Maxx’s hard body presses into mine, feeling like he belongs close to me like this. His hair hands around his face, making him seem like a dark angel who has stolen my heart. He smirks like he can read my mind, before leaning down, looking like he is going to kiss my lips but instead he moves his lips to just under my ear. He gently kisses slowly down from my ear to my jaw, to my neck. Each kiss perfect. Each kiss making me feel like I’m hot enough to explode from the building pleasure of his kisses.
“You are enchanting, freckles. All I want to do is kiss you and hear how your breath in when I kiss an area you like,” he says, before kissing a spot by jaw I apparently now like as I stuck in a breath before I’ve noticed I’ve done it. I chuckle before shoving Maxx’s shoulders, and he lets me push him to the ground and I slide over him. From the slightly amused grin on his lips, I know he is liking the playfulness. I lean down and press my lips against his neck, feeling his hands tighten on my hips and he exhales a long breathe.
“You are such a tease, Aura,” he warns me in a husky voice.
“Oh, am I? I was just learning from you,” I reply innocently, trying not to laugh as I continue to kiss his neck and he slides his hand to the back of my neck, lightly making me meet his gaze. Maxx doesn’t say a word as his harshly kisses me, the kiss feeling like he is trying to make sure I never forget the feeling of his lips against mine. I roll my hips against him, feeling how tense and hard he is under me. I’ve never been in this position before and suddenly I realise that Maxx must know more than I do. I pull back, placing my hands on Maxx’s chest.
“We should stop. I-I don’t know how to do this,” I admit, biting my lips.
“Our first time won’t be in a dream, freckles. It will be when you are ready, and I know you are not yet. Just tell me when, if ever,” Maxx tells me, placing his hand on my cheek and I lean into his hand. I only get to nod at his sweet statement before the cloud and stars fade away into a darkness where I’m only aware of Maxx’s hands holding me tight.
I groan as I wake up on the sofa in the lounge, remembering that I didn’t make it to a room last night once Austin brought me back. I could only cry on the sofa, wishing that I hadn’t killed someone. I swallow the sick feeling that crawls up my throat as I remember the look in the man’s face as I drained him yesterday and Austin’s promise of a new person for me to kill today.
“Morning!” Aliana happily greets me, and I sit up, seeing her in the kitchen. She has a yellow dress on, a white cardigan and her long blonde hair flows around her shoulders. The sweet smell of pancakes drifts over to me as I spot the table is all set up with fruits, syrup and a pot of tea. “I made breakfast. I was just going to wake you up actually.”
“You didn’t have to cook for me, but I will admit that smells amazing,” I mutter, standing up and stretching before walking over to the table. I look over as Aliana slides another pancake off the pan onto the massive pile on a plate at the side, before bringing it over to the table. She sets it down in the middle of the table and sits down. I judge from the poured orange juice and plate set out in the seat opposite her that’s where she wants me to sit. I sit down and sip the justice as Aliana gets two pancakes and some strawberries, before pouring syrup.
“I know it’s weird, you trapped here with me, but I am not a threat to you. I just want to help you have somewhere safe to escape too when you leave,” she tells me, nodding her head at the pancakes after her speech. “Plus, I’ve spent years practising how to cook and pancakes are my favourite. Please try one at least.” I watch her a moment as she goes back to cutting up her food before nodding. I get one pancake and some blueberries, before cutting them up and easting some. They practically melt in my mouth.
“Damn, you can cook,” I mutter, wide eyed.
“You get bored in a place like this and cooking is one thing I like to do,” she admits. “Is there anything you really like to eat? I could make some.”
“Cupcakes?” I say automatically but then the memories of Landon and Maxx, and my dad follow. The more I think about any of them, the more I start to panic. My powers are just getting stronger, and now my skin glows pink without a second thought. “Landon loves cupcakes. You should make them for him.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispers, picking up on my inner thoughts. “Life isn’t fair.”
Chapter 14
Aura
I lie staring at the white ceiling of my room as I wake up from my long sleep and my time with Maxx. The weeks have blurred into months, and only my dreams help me escape from the reality of my life in this place. I only see four people now: Okeken, Austin, Aliana and Maxx. The first two, I hate more than anything. Okeken comes here every three days for dinner that Aliana makes. The meal is always uncomfortable with Okeken going on and on about my training and how proud he is of me. Aliana just sits in silence as he pretends she isn’t there. Austin doesn’t speak to me as he takes me to training, but I feel his eyes on me all of the time, waiting for me to crack. Waiting for something. The second two are something else. Aliana has slowly become a good friend, and she sees Landon every other day and makes sure he is okay for me. Well, for her as well, I think. Landon is keeping up the lie that he is interested in Aliana as well, and Aliana loves him, but she won't admit that. Maxx is another matter altogether. He looks sick. He looks thin. I don't know what they are doing to him in the real world, but it is not good, and I know I need to get him out of here soon. These dreams have become a tease, each one reminding me that we are trapped, and it’s only a dream.
"Morning!" Aliana says as she opens the door, bringing in a cup of tea in her hands like she does every morning. To be honest, we were instant friends the moment she did this the first morning I stayed here. "Wow, you are glowing brighter every day." Though her statement isn’t meant to hurt me, it feels like it rips a giant hole into my heart. A deep place inside of me where I hide the memories of the people I’ve been forced to drain. All thirty of them now. Every person Austin has brought into that room that haunts me were knocked out, thin and weak.
"Yeah," I mutter, accepting the cup of tea and enjoying the warmth from it. "Thanks for this once again. I can always make my own, you know?"
"It’s no problem,” she waves me off like she does every time I bring it up. “I have to talk to you about something actually." Her statement is nervous, and she shuffles her feet a few times as she waits for my answer.
"What is it?" I ask, sipping on my tea and letting it wake me up.
"Austin didn’t want me to tell you. He wants it to be a big surprise," she says, rubbing her arms now as she gets more nervous. “I don’t think it should be kept from you, because you should know before it happens.”
"Out with it, Ali," I say, sighing.
"Well, my father has invited the five dark clans to the mountain tomorrow. Austin is going to mate to you in front of them before father announces that you two are the new leaders. That you are the true light who will fight the light clans," she tells me, and my hands grip the cup in my hands so tight that the heat feels like it is burning my hands.
"I'm not doing that," I bite out.
"You don’t have a choice. They will kill Landon, Maxx, Iris and all the lights here. Dad thinks you have to be mated to access the true light power. They have at least realised getting you to drain people isn’t working," she says, reaching out and putting her hand on my arm as I stare at the wall, speechless. My hands loosen from the cup as hot tears fall down my cheeks.
"I can't mate with him. I know there is only one person I should be with," I whisper. I’ve known it somewhere deep down inside of me from the first moment I met Maxx. The stolen kisses with Maxx every night in my dreams and the time we have spent talking to each other have just made us closer. He is still an asshole. But he is mine now. He has always been mine, I think. I don't know if he feels the same wa
y as I do or if I am a distraction from everything, but for now, I like to pretend that we have a chance in the real world without destroying each other.
"I know that. I'm so sorry, Aura. I really am," she says and stands up, walking out the room and shutting the door behind her. The moment the door closes, I burst into tears, though I don't move, just letting the tears fall down my cheeks as I stare at the wall. Eventually, I do make myself drink my tea and stand up.
I walk to the mirror in the room, looking at myself for a long time and taking in everything. I don’t look human anymore. Not in any sense. My pink hair is bright, wavy and glossy even though I went to sleep on it wet last night after the shower. Most humans would wake up with frizzy hair that makes them resemble a gremlin, but not me, not anymore. I miss the human faults I had. The only part of myself I like to look at in the mirror is my swirly marks that glow so bright on my forehead, stomach and the little bits I’ve seen on my back. They remind me of Maxx. Of home.
I finally pull my gaze away and open the wardrobe, finding black leggings and a white jumper, pulling them on. I walk out my bedroom and head to the bathroom, brushing my teeth before using the toilet. As I open the door to the bathroom, I hear a very unwelcomed voice talking loudly. I walk out to see Austin sitting on the dining room table, his feet on the chair, and a very pink, massive dress lays on the back of the chair.
"Morning, my soon-to-be mate. How are you?" he asks. Aliana flashes me a nervous look before walking into the kitchen and pretending to be busy cleaning. After a few moments, the door opens, and three guards stand waiting. Aliana waves goodbye to us before leaving with them, the sound of the door shutting making me nervous. I don’t like being alone with Austin. Ever.
"So…you know Aliana told me?" I ask, needing to distract him from just staring at me.
"My sister doesn’t keep secrets from me," he winks. “And I overheard your conversation.”
"Where has she gone?" I question.
"Dad has taken her to a dress fitting, though you cannot be trusted to leave, so I brought your dress here instead," he explains, winking at me again. “I’d love to see you try it on.”
"In your dreams, Austin. The pink thing is a dress?"
"Yes," he says, ignoring my disgusted tone as he jumps off the table and picks up the dress. He holds it up, showing me how it’s a princess dress with an open back design, and low cut at the front.
"Just because my hair is pink doesn't mean it's my favourite colour," I tell him. The dress is extremely over the top, covered in sparkling jewels and glitter. It’s really not nice and tacky.
"But it is your family power. It's a shame your mum doesn't have it, she is yellow instead, which is odd," he muses, rubbing his chin.
"Why is it odd?" I ask.
"Family lines usually carry the same colour power," he informs me and walks over. He hands me the dress which I take off him and then smile at him.
“Let me look at it in the light at least. I can’t really see past the glitter in here,” I mutter, which makes Austin look happy. Idiot. I turn around and walk to the open balcony before quickly throwing it over the edge.
"You stupid half!" Austin growls as I watch the dress blow away in the wind. I just laugh.
"Now, if you would just jump off this balcony, all my problems would be solved," I cheerfully say to Austin. A girl can hope, right?
"Oh, sweet Aura, did I ever tell you how not funny you are?" he says, winking at me before disappearing. I turn back to the view of the mountains, watching them in silence for a while and letting their beauty distract me from the dark world I have found myself inside of. I eventually leave the balcony to go and sit on the sofa, picking up a book off the coffee table that is some old romance. I lie on the sofa and read it, getting lost in the words and wishing that, somehow, there will be a happy ending for me. At this rate, happy endings don't seem real.
Chapter 15
Aura
I blink my eyes open, staring up at the swirling stars which seem to shine brighter tonight than they ever have done before in my dreams. It's only a moment before Maxx is stood over me, holding out a hand to help me up off the cloud I am lying in. I slide my hand into his, letting him pull me up, and he pulls me until I am pressed against his chest, and he is smiling down at me. I frown at his pale skin, sunken cheeks and how his hair looks dry instead of glossy like usual.
"What are they doing to you?" I whisper, my voice catching.
"Nothing you need to worry about," he tells me, though I can tell he is lying.
"I worry about you. That isn’t going to change anytime soon. Just tell me what they are doing. I’ve told you about the training…is it the same?" I ask him, and he only shakes his head for an answer.
"Tell me what is going on. Tell me anything. I just want to hear your voice, Freckles. Your voice makes me feel better, reminds me to keep fighting," he whispers ever so seductively, his voice a deep plea.
"Maxx..." I go to tell him about the mating. To tell him how it’s the last thing I want to do, but instead I kiss him, distracting him and me from the real world. We can exist in the now, in these moments. We don't need to worry about anything else.
"We are happy to see the true light together. You remind me so of us when we first met," the shadow woman says, interrupting our kiss. Maxx pulls away at the same time I do. We both look over to see the shadow woman stood with the blue shadow man, both of them holding hands and floating in the stars. They still just look like shapes, floating shapes of people with no features other than the shadow of their hair.
"Long time, no see. Do you want to tell us what this place is and who you are?" Maxx asks, placing his arm around my waist and holding me close to him.
"We are the original true light. You are our descendants who are destined to be together," the woman says, her voice feeling so full of warmth and love. From the little we know of the true light, it’s strange to hear them say that’s what they were. Even stranger that they are related to us somehow.
"Both of you, together, are the true light?" I ask, needing to be sure.
"Yes. Just like you two. If only you take the leap of trust and love," she says, giggling this time, and I don’t get the joke.
"We are in danger in the real world. I can't get to Maxx," I tell her.
"Of course you can, silly Aura. The true light can never be separated. They are one with each other," she says, laughing.
"Who are you?" Maxx asks, but stares down at me at the same time I look up at him.
"Our names are not spoken of anymore, and we are blamed for many things. Like causing a war that destroyed our planets so long ago," the woman whispers, there is so much emotion in her voice. So much pain.
"You started the war?" Maxx asks, holding me tighter to him.
"No, but our parents did because of us. A long time ago, I was a light, and my love was a dark. We met by accident, but we soon figured out we were soulmates. Even though we couldn’t touch, we could not stay away from each other," the man shadow speaks, telling us their story.
"Back on our planets, we were the royals. I was soon to be queen of all darks," the woman tells us.
"And I, king of the darks. Our love for each other was forbidden, so we ran away together. We bonded," the man states. “Something I will never regret, no matter the deaths that followed.”
"How did you bond? How is that possible?” Maxx asks.
"Trust," the woman says, the word echoing around us.
"But you didn’t kill each other?" I ask.
"No, though we were prepared to pay the price rather than be apart," the woman replies.
"I don't understand the how in that. Every time I touch Aura in real life, she drains me, and I have to fight the urge to do the same to her," Maxx tells them.
"There is a leap to be taken. I know you can figure it out. Aura must go, she has a wedding to attend," the woman says, her voice lacking any emotion, and I wonder how the hell she knows that.
"Wedding?" Maxx asks,
and I step away from him, not even wanting to tell him the truth, but I don’t exactly have a choice now.
"Austin is making me mate to him. Today," I say, my words seeming to travel around us in the deadly silence that follows.
"Don't do it," he growls, making it sound like I have a choice in this. I don’t have a choice.
"Do you think it is that easy, Maxx?" I snap, turning to face him as he stares back at me, pure anger and pain in his eyes. "If I don't, Landon, Iris, your mum...and you die. Everyone I love dies, and I can't live with that. I will do anything to avoid that."
"Wait, you love me, Freckles?" he questions, stepping right up to me.
"How do you feel about me? Is this just dreams to you?" I ask back.
"These are dreams I never want to wake up from," he answers, avoiding the first question like I suspected he would.
"Maxx, that doesn't answer the first question," I whisper as he places his forehead against mine and links his hands in mine.
"You know the answer. I don't want to tell you it for the first time in a dream, and I don’t want to hear you tell me it yet either. We will see each other soon. I promise. Stay strong," Maxx's words feel like an echo as my eyes stay closed, and I float away into the stars below with nothing but fear of waking.
I roll over as I wake up and smell a strange scent in the room that wasn’t there when I went to sleep. It smells like Austin. I sharply sit up to see the pink dress on the end of my bed. The one I threw over the balcony yesterday. There is a note on the top of the dress, and I pick it up with slightly shaky hands.
