Chapter 25
"Remember," Heyder said, holding up the small charm. "You have to actually break it this time."
"Got it," Nora nodded, taking in a deep breath.
"That's what you said last time too, Peanut," Heyder held up the charm back. "Don't get all mushy gushy when you see them and forget the plan."
"Break the charm, find out if Afet is okay, and then wait for you all to arrive," Nora repeated the words. "Got it."
"What do you say, Hayden?" The jinn looked over his shoulder to his son.
"I don't want her going alone," Hayden sulked.
"Walking in there blind would be stupid," Ares said.
"And sending her there alone isn't?"
"Hayden," Nora turned to look at the boy. "They won't hurt me."
"You don't know that."
"They would have hurt her already if their intentions weren't good," Heyder shrugged.
"Wow," Clare's eyes widened. "Are you actually defending the feys?"
"No. No, no," Heyder shook his head, holding up a finger. "I'm just stating the obvious."
"Hayden, baby," Maya pushed away from where she had been leaning against the counter. "Nora will break the charm as soon as she is sure we will be safe there. It'll only take a few minutes. At max an hour."
"Fine," Hayden rolled his eyes. "Do whatever you want."
"Don't be so dramatic," Nora complained.
"This isn't me being dramatic," Hayden snorted. "Me being dramatic would be me locking you up."
"And who gave you the right to do that?" Nora's eyes narrowed.
"Oh I like her," Heyder chuckled. "She bites back."'
Clare cleared her voice to gain everyone's attention back. She took the charm from Heyder and placed it in Nora's palm, holding her hand between hers.
"You got this," she said, looking into the girl's brown eyes. "I've always known you were special."
"Thank you," Nora felt her fingers warm around the charm.
Her eyes flickered to Hayden as Clare stepped back and she began to spin the gold ring around her finger. The air shimmered and everyone held their breath. Nora couldn't take her eyes off of Hayden who refused to look her way.
"Hayden," she called to him.
As if fighting against himself, Hayden walked over to where Nora stood and pulled her closer. His lips landed on her forehead, kissing her and memorizing her scent as they parted for what felt like the hundredth time.
"Be careful," he whispered to her.
Nora nodded, "I will."
"Keep your mind-link open."
"Okay."
"I'll see you soon?"
"Yes," Nora looked up into those green eyes, feeling her tummy tighten.
With one last kiss, Hayden stepped out of her way. The portal hovered slightly off the ground with everyone waiting around it. Nora took a step forward and filled her lungs with air before jumping in and letting her body fall through gravity.
The warm air of the apartment disappeared as Nora vanished and reappeared on the island. Her body lunged forward, breaking out of the portal, her hand clutching the charm.
