Call Out My Name

EPISODE 18

We had long left the snow. Sarani and I were settled in a stuffy room in the barracks. I looked at her for an explanation. I was confused as to how Aysa became the lover of Damarys's daughter. Did he know that Maya was Damarys's daughter? If he did, why was he still with her? How could he stand to be with her after her mother caused so much destruction?

"Can you tell me how it happened?" I asked, sitting down on a torn-up couch.

"It's a long story" Sarani replied, pulling a wooden chair and sitting in front of me. We were in an office-a terrible looking one.

"Tell me," I sniffed, rubbing my stuffy nose.

"Well. Damarys has a child. She was pregnant when we were in Valrok. I think she opened the portal for everyone to escape mainly because she wanted her child to survive. When she came to me for help, she told me about her daughter. She said if anything ever happened to her, I was to protect Maya. I gave her my word and she gave me a picture," Sarani explained, reaching in between her breasts to take out a picture of Maya.

Maya was an adult in this picture. She had beautiful brown hair and shining green eyes. From what Sarani told me, Maya was two hundred years old. None of us was ageing. I suspected it was because we were in a world that wasn't ours.

I handed the picture back to Sarani, leaning back in the chair. She still hadn't explained how Maya and Aysa became involved with each other.

"Maya and three others were captured a week ago. The guards called them half-blood rebels. It was then that I realised that the half-bloods survived the m******e. I recognised Maya because of the picture. Her friends kept assuring her that her lover would never leave her behind. Maya told them that Aysa was unpredictable. That's how I found out that she was Aysa's lover. When he came for her........well...I'm sure you saw what I saw," Sarani smiled sadly at me.

I could win him back. I would do whatever it took to win him back. He was mine, not Maya's. I didn't tell Sarani what I was thinking, I was sure she would scold me for it.

I stood up to leave but Sarani grabbed my hand and sat me down.

"There's more. I found a bird, it was dying. I cast a spell on it and sent a message to Aysa. I did it before you freed us. I asked him for help" Sarani rushed, her face flushed as she spoke.

How could she? Did she have such little faith in me?

"Why would you do that?" I snatched my hand out of her grip. "You saw what he did, how he looked at me. You heard every word he said. We are not his people. Whatever alliance we had with the half-bloods back in Valrok is over. Aysa made it very clear to us and you still reached out to him," I hissed, hurrying outside as I heard the violent flapping of wings.

I knew that sound. It wasn't from my dragons, Bazireen or Aresis.

Outside, the women had gathered to check where the noise was coming from. Men and women with huge brown feathered wings landed in front of the barracks. Aysa led them. He looked beautiful with his huge black wings and glowing purple eyes. I rushed forward to greet him but slowed down when I saw who he held in his arms.

He was carrying Maya bridal style. When he landed, he placed her gently on her feet and laughed at something she said before kissing her on the cheek. The women looked sadly at me but I nodded my head reassuringly.

They needed to know that I was fine even if I was breaking into a million pieces. Laraeya came to stand beside me, she took my hand in hers and rubbed it soothingly. I sent her a grateful smile, letting out a long breath. Bazireen and Aresis let out loud roars as they flew up from the snow they had buried themselves in and landed in front of me.

Steam escaped Bazireen's nostrils. It was a warning. If Aysa or his people made any sudden movements, he would burn them to ash. They recognised him. I knew that. But they had recognised Soren too and he had betrayed them.

"I came to help but I see you have everything under control!" Aysa yelled. He looked at me expectantly.

"Bazireen, Aresis, take a break," I said, patting their sides playfully. Bazireen shoved me playfully with his tail. He did not like that idea, at all. Still, they screeched and flew up, spitting fire as one final warning.

"They've grown aggressive," Aysa whistled. He had drawn closer now and was only an arm's length away from me.

"They've had good reason to," I replied.

He scoffed, wrapping his arm around Maya's waist. The movement hurt me more but I made sure my facial expression was blank. Laraeya squeezed my hand and I was so grateful for her.

"I understand you received a message of help from Sarani but I can assure you, we are fine. I will look after mine and I urge you to do the same," I spoke. My voice shook a little but I made sure I got the message across to him.

We did not need or want his help.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

Was that worry I heard in his voice?

I scoffed. He had taken another woman as his mate and broken ties with me and my witches. He had no right to be worried.

"I know you're her daughter," I said, staring at Maya.

Maya shifted uncomfortably, grabbing unto Aysa's arm. It pissed me off.

"She was not my mother," Maya hissed.

She had spunk. I'd cut it out of her.

"Her blood flows in your veins. We need it to get back home and I'm certain that you know it," I replied.

Maya's eyes went wide and she stared up at Aysa who only glared at me. I guessed Aysa knew too. I hoped he didn't. But if he did and he was hiding her, we were really over.

"You should leave, Aysa. There's a war brewing and I'll be coming for your bitch." I spat.

Maya flinched at my words and I enjoyed it when her eyes grew bigger out of fear.

"Don't speak about her like that," Aysa snapped.

He was angry. Good because I was pissed too.

"You picked her over me,"

"She's better than you. Way better" he replied, his purple eyes blazing hot.

My lips trembled but I held back my tears.

"There's no winning you back, is there?" I asked.

"I want nothing to do with you, Alphea" he shook his head.

"Then why did you come here?!" I screamed, frustrated.

"I owed it to your mother"

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand. This was getting more and more embarrassing but I wasn't giving up.

"I propose a duel between Maya and me. Whoever wins gets to be your mate," I announced.

I wasn't giving up on him. Not after everything we had been through together. Aysa was mine and I was his. I would make him see it.

"No" Aysa shook his head, looking disgustedly at me.

I flinched under his gaze but stood firm.

"It is how your mother became half-blood queen. It is how I will become your queen, like it or not" I hissed.

Maya stood on her toes and whispered something into his ears. Aysa's gaze softened at whatever she said. Was he in love with her?

"Alright. You duel tomorrow morning in the snow," he bit, glaring at me.

Maya had something up her sleeves, I was sure of it.

"I'll show you to your rooms," Sarani said, stepping forward before I ripped Maya's head off.

Aysa brushed past me and so did his people. They cast filthy glances my way. They could be as pissed as they wanted to. Where were they when Aysa cried to sleep in my bed because he missed his mother? Where were they when I stole cakes from the kitchen just to see him happy?

They weren't there in the beginning. I was and yet he chose to treat me this way. They couldn't possibly understand how badly I was hurting. I was going to win the duel and when I did, I would be his queen and I would do everything in my power to make him love me again.

"You're not planning on standing in the cold forever are you?" Laraeya chuckled, giving me a full view of her dimples.

She lost her sister and yet, she was able to smile.

"How do you do it?" I asked her. "You lost your sister but you're happy"

"She would want me to be. Besides, she's with the Goddess now," Laraeya responded.

She sat in the snow and I sat beside her as the wind whipped.

"You can cry out here. The wind will freeze your tears. Alphea, don't ever cry in front of him again. It makes him stronger," she advised.

I nodded and leaned my head against her shoulder as we got lost in the snow.