Chapter Fifty – The witch and the fae

Once out of the clinic Xavier and Nadine took in the cool night air. It was still light out, the sun still up, coloring the sky a pale blue.

“It’s been one crazy day” Nadine said as she looked up at the sky.

“I’m inclined to agree” Xavier kept on walking the path down to the main house, feeling the effect of the last hours. That same morning, he had been in France, planning on having a conversation with his grandmother, finding out more about what and why. Now he wasn’t much closer to the why, but they were slowly deciphering the what. And with that came new threats.

His grandmother was no more, according to his grandfather. Xavier wanted to go back and check, but he hadn’t had the time. Nor could he ask that from Nadine, not after how much she had already done for him and his family. His grandfather on the other hand, he was safely secured by lock and key at a very special place reserved for traitors and murderers. It was only one way in and one way out, through a portal cast from the outside. He wasn't going anywhere soon. And if someone tried, Xavier had the only key to the cell.

“How do you feel, about everything?” Nadine caught up with him, walking through the silent area. The others were still asleep, but Xavier could see some people stir here and there. They were probably going to wake up any time. Adam was seated by himself at the fire, and neither of them wanted to disturb him. Judging from the aura surrounding him he needed some time for himself.

“Just pick any of the empty bedrooms” Adam said once they were within earshot. He didn’t move a muscle, just kept staring into the fire.

“Thank you” Nadine thanked him. There weren’t many bedrooms left, most of them occupied by the newcomers. But Nadine knew about a cozy little hide out in the attack. No one ever went there, only her.

“You’re staying?” Xavier asked, a little surprised. He hadn’t thought that far ahead, even though he’d lived with the Midnight sun all his life it still took him time to adjust and get an idea of how late it really was. But he knew he wanted to sleep in his own bed.

“You’re not?” Nadine sounded more surprised.

“I didn’t think that far ahead. But I prefer sleeping in my own bed” Xavier answered with a shrug.

“Ah, okay” She couldn’t hide the disappointment in her voice. It wasn’t the first time, and it would surely not be the last. She still managed to push forwards a smile.

“I’ll be back tomorrow” Xavier promised just as they reached the front steps.

“You’re not leaving” Talia said strictly from where she stood on the steps, her arms folding over her chest. “In fact, no one is leaving. I forbid it. Not when people are attacking at random, people are killed for no apparent reason, and the entire pack is sound asleep due to some magical sleeping powder. No. Nope. I’m not allowing it”

Her eyes darted from Xavier to Nadine before settling on Adam for half a second. He still didn’t move, just stared into the flames. With a twist of her hand the flames grew in size, making him turn around. Good, she had his attention as well.

“What?”

“No leaving the property. That goes for you as well”

She gave the three of them one final look before disappearing into the house again to get some rest.

“You want to fight her and risk another fall from the second story?” Adam looked at Xavier.

“I love her. But I also hate her. Lead the way” Xavier turned to Nadine, who took his hand in hers and led him inside the house, up the main staircase, down the hall and stopped at a distressed wooden door.

“What kind of place is this?”

Xavier followed Nadine up the final flight of stair, looking around the attic. It was more of a cozy loft, with fairy lights running along the pitched roof and some odd pieces of furniture scattered here and there. There was a skylight in the middle of the roof, and a low bed with plushy cousins was seated under it.

“It’s my secret get away. Or Katlyn’s, but I claimed it when she started sleeping with Devan” Nadine answered with a smile. “It’s a well-kept secret, no one ever bothers to go up to the attic to store things when the basement is closer” Nadine walked over to the bed and got seated among the many cousins, taking one into her hands and fiddling with the edges of it.

“It’s very different than the rest of the house” Xavier had to duck down to not hit his head on the low ceilings, walking hunched down over to where Nadine was settled on the bed. He took a seat next to her, taking in the room. He imagined it to look very different when the sun wasn’t up all night long, and the fairy lights were the only source of light. It was cute cozy, had a relaxed aura about it.

“I know. That’s why I like it”

“It’s very you” Xavier smiled at her, Nadine beamed back and chuckled.

“Yeah – maybe. Can I blame the fairy lights on fifteen-year-old Katlyn who wanted to create her own little sanctuary?”

“You can, but I think you secretly love them” Xavier nudged her.

“You’re probably right”

A comfortable silence fell over them, Xavier exploring the room with his eyes and Nadine taking a moment to breath. To let her body and mind catch up with the events of the day. Pick of Xavier from Paris, no problem – easy task. Get wrapped into some sort of conspiracy, experiment, mad fae business had not been part of the original plan. She needed a break.

“I’m gonna sleep now” She yawned and scooted further up the bed, getting undressed before crawling under the covers, her clothes landing in a heap on the floor.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to get any sleep at all” Xavier sighed. His mind was numb from all the reading, learning the truth and seeing the true colors of his family members had taken a toll on his mind. And not to mention body. He was sore in places he hadn’t been sore in for a long while. He blamed most of that on Talia, and the hooded warlock.

“You should at least lay down” Nadine urged him, folding the blanket away on the other side of the bed, inviting him to come join her.

He wanted to. Wanted to crawl up against his witch friend. Feel her body pressed against his, breathe in the scent of her skin. He didn’t even mind how her hair used to tickle his nose. He just wanted to be close to her, but his body refused to move. Now that he had a moment of peace to collect his thoughts, he heard his grandfather’s words echo in his head. Tainted. The blood was tainted. He didn’t even care about the fact that the experiments could have killed Talia. All he cared about was how the blood wasn’t pure.

All his life he’d grown up hearing about the importance of purity and heritage. How he had to find a good woman of good name and heritage to continue the bloodline. How it was his duty as a son to carry on. It conflicted him back then, how could one talk about purity and heritage, and still don’t bat an eye on who or what they spent a night in bed with. As long as it was just for fun, no problem. Just wrap up everything and make sure nothing but pleasure comes from it.

Now the words angered him.

His hands curled into fists. His mother had done everyone she could get her hands on, and no one cared. His father enjoyed the company of other fae’s more then the company of his own family. Still, they preached about heritage and purity. Just like their parents had preached it to them, and their parents before. It was hypocritical at best.

“Why does blood matter?” Xavier asked suddenly.

“I don’t know. Why does anything matter?” Nadine asked back, making Xavier turn to look at her. Her expression was calm and carefree, like nothing was important beyond this point.

“I hate philosophy” Xavier responded but couldn’t help but smile when she just shrugged.

“I didn’t grow up with those believes. I grew up learning to love myself and everyone around me equally, no matter who or what they were. And to be true to myself, my feelings and my desires” Nadine spoke softly, her words slowly crawling under his skin.

“What are they telling you now?” Xavier looked into her eyes, letting his own get lost in her greens who held so much love, compassion and understanding. She didn’t judge, never. Not even when he acted like a complete fool and let the words of a mad man dictate his life.

“To be understanding. And to love without judgement. My heart wants what it wants, and both body and mind respect that” Nadine answered with such tenderness it gave Xavier goosebumps. “And to not push people. To respect their boundaries. It’s difficult at times, to try to understand why. To see the reason and not feel hurt by it. But I try. I always try” She moved to where he was sitting and wrapper her arms around his waist, giving him a big hug, her hair resting against his shoulder blade. It was hard, to care about someone who didn’t dare to care back. To want to be with someone who was afraid to be with anyone on an emotional level. But she had faith. Always faith.

“I’m sorry” Xavier whispered, folding his hands over her. He didn’t deserve her. He’d done everything he could to push her away, to push the forbidden feelings away. But they were persistent. Just like her. She stayed, because she understood.

“Don’t be” Nadine whispered against his skin, placing a soft kiss on his shoulder where the t-shirt exposed his skin. “Just relax” Her hands moved under his shirt, pulling it off him with some help. “It will all work out in the end” She placed another kiss on the top of his shoulder before she laid back down.

Xavier took a deep breath, held it for a moment before releasing it. She was right, he had to relax. He was of no help to anyone if he stressed and didn’t get any sleep.

“Thank you” He removed his trousers before getting under the blanket, scooting up so he laid next to her on his side, front facing her.

“You’re welcome” Nadine smiled and moved closer, curling up against his front, her head resting under his chin.

Xavier laid his arm to rest on her waist, fingers tracing up and down, making her shiver, her skin covering is goosebumps. She sighed content, laying still and enjoying the tickling for a moment before turning around, pressing her back against his front.

“You’re the one I want, and I’m happy to wait” She whispered before falling asleep.

Xavier moved closer, holding her close with one hand, while resting on the other. He stayed like that, eyes closed, just listening to her breathing, until sleep caught up with him.