(Amaia)

(This Chapter is for @MissyDionne. Thank you for the gift, I appreciate it and you.)

Everyone around me gasps at King Xamian’s words.

A barge of emotions hit me at this man’s sentence which topples my whole world but anger and frustration bury everything else. I shake with a cold fury, my hands fisting. I want to punch this man for his audacity.

My father has been absent for as long as I have been alive and now this man has suddenly appeared, claiming he is my father.

I don’t trust him; I don’t trust anyone except my mates and friends.

This could be another ploy by Istrale to play with my emotions, to hurt me where it would impact the most. Since Alnilam has struck some kind of deal with them, they can’t touch me so this could be the tactic to get to me.

The veins fully stretch in my neck and arms as I restrain myself. Boldly facing him, I blast. "How dare you? You think I would believe the nonsense you are spewing?" My magic pulses right under my fingertips, charging the air around me, making my hair stand.

Mintaka’s arms protectively come around my waist, before I lose control completely.

Agonising pain washes over Xamian’s face as if I have struck him.

"Do you understand what you are saying?" Alnilam questions, standing right beside us.

"I know, it’s difficult to believe and trust me. But it’s the truth. I have all the evidence, if you could give me a chance..."

I have heard enough of his nonsense so I cut him off. He is wasting time, keeping me from my brother.

"My father abandoned us when I was born, never sought me out all my life. If you are even my father, which I doubt. I don’t need you anymore."

He frantically shakes his head, eyes moist as if he is going to cry. "I didn’t abandon you. I only kept you safe." He takes a step towards me and I push myself further into Mintaka, not wanting to be near this man at all. Tears pool in my eyes.

How dare he play with my emotions on such a sensitive topic?

How many sleepless nights I had spent thinking about my father. "Stay away from me. We are done here."

The anger and frustration have mingled creating this ticking bomb inside me and I can blast any second.

"We are here for you Amaia. It’s alright," Mintaka whispers in my ear, trying to calm me down.

Alnilam places his hand on Xamian’s shoulder. "You and I will talk alone on this topic. You can’t dump something like that on her. She is going through enough."

He desperately nods at Alnilam and then glances in my direction with a plea.

"I don’t want to speak with you," I say with finality and he lowers his head in defeat. "You are pathetic and a coward. Someone who can abandon his wife and kids is not a father and you are definitely not mine. Let’s go." I extend my hand and wrap it around Alnilam’s arm.

My mate with silver hair nods in approval of my words.

"All I need is one chance. Just arrange a meeting with me without telling anyone. And keep my children safe. Just get them out of Istrale, I beg you." He clasps his hands in front of Alnilam. Tears escape his eyes. He has to be an exceptional actor, I will give him that.

"I will," Alnilam firmly says, stepping away from him.

The Mindlink opens and Alnilam’s voice comes through. "My magic is calling me, I think my lock is with Aziel. We need to get to him. Let’s go."

King Xamian lifts his shield seeing I don’t want to be in his proximity. With one final distasteful look at the man, who is claiming to be my father I move away with my friends and mates, leaving him standing there.

"Good-bye Amaia but we will meet again," he whispers from behind me. I pay him no heed.

"I hope not," I angrily breathe out. My body is shaking so violently. Only thoughts of being reunited with Aziel are keeping me on my feet.

Mintaka continues to rub my arms. "Breathe, please don’t stress yourself this much." His worries are crowding my heart through the bond.

"Yes, we will get to the bottom of this first. And if you don’t want to speak to him, you don’t have to," Kacir wisely says from beside me.

Rahria nods in approval. "Yes, I agree with Amaia. What right does he have to barge in like that? I don’t trust the guy."

"Thank you, guys." They have been my strength in such a difficult time.

Now that everyone knows I am an elemental Fae, we are going to meet many weirdos like him who are going to make the same claims.

Even Istrale will be planning on doing everything in their power to keep me bound here.

Alnilam leads us through different pathways and takes us inside a narrow dark tunnel. There is limited light there. Mintaka’s power of cold knocks out the posted guards.

In the distance, we hear a muffled scream. We follow behind Alnilam as he rushes forward.

There I see in the distance, two Istrale guards lying on the ground, one has blood splattered around him, the other one has his eyes bulging out as if he has been choked. Amidst them is my brother, hardly awake.

"Aziel!" I rush forward, pulling him from under the guard. Mintaka and Kacir help me.

He is so frail that I am afraid his bones will break. Tears blur my vision.

"I am here, you are safe.....," I whimper, hugging him. The lock of Alnilam’s hair, which was grazing Aziel’s cheek, quickly gathers around my wrist. It has blood on its silver edges.

Did it kill the guards?

Alnilam uses the ring to quickly open the portal. "We need to leave."

The purple messy jelly appears. Mintaka gently takes Aziel in his arms and Alnilam helps me.

Kacir and Rahria cross over first.

And just like that we leave this forsaken place behind us. I throw a look back and promise.

"I will return to set free every innocent soul in these walls."