OH ANCESTORS I'M IN TROUBLE

Chapter 8

Oh, Ancestors, I'm In Trouble

Part 3 (Final Part)

No, I thought we had moved past this. I was stupid for letting my guard down. Xanth stopped cuddling Noctis when all I did was stare at him, refusing to answer. He slowly looked up at me, leaning back in his seat. He crossed his broad arms over his chest, still careful not to disturb Noctis's slumber. His amber eyes stared off in the distance, a pensive look descending on his features.

"In all my years of training, not one Bio-human could stop his mind screamer. I've searched planets, galaxies seeking something to stop him." His eyes returned to mine with a burning intensity within their depths. Hatred, curiosity, and something deeper, hope, were all reflected in the golden pools now. It was too much for me. So, I chose the cowards way out and instead stared down at the blanket on the bed. Xanth continued.

"And yet you did it, in an instant. I understand the basis of it. Your dragons somehow helped out. I need to know exactly how you did it, but only if you are willing to trust me."

I wanted so badly to tell someone, anyone. It was forbidden for so many reasons. I had the throat lock to prove it. And yet still, I did not care. Zaylee would have been in severe pain or maybe even died if I had not decided to step in. If she or anyone on this team, knew what the king was capable of like Xanth did, then, maybe all of this could have been prevented. I wanted to finally be able to tell someone what had been done to me. What had been taken from me. I leaned forward to let it all out. Damn Elvira and damn my sister, who both enforced fear on me enough to not trust anyone ever again. The rising thought of everything happening to me came full force, and a static shock shot immediately stabbed into my throat. I grimaced hard from the pain. Xanth leaned forward, his brown eyes wide and full of worry. I forced myself to breathe past the pain. Tears were beginning to form at the corner of my eyes. I swallowed them away, as Xanth helped me lean back into the pillows. I had almost forgotten about my voice inhibitor. Almost. I rubbed the sweat from my brow, trying to think of something, anything to change the subject. Xanth sighed and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his intense gaze locked on my throat.

"You can't tell me, can you?" I shook my head no. Xanth's eyebrows furrowed.

"Okay, do you like contests, Mute?" I blinked at him, squinting at him. The man was starting to worry me.

Xanth scooted his chair forward, his light brown eyes flashing with a hidden intent. I gaged his meaning and shook my head yes. Xanth placed his hands on the bed near my thigh, and I watched as he signed.

"If you tell me, would it put you in danger?" I shook my head yes.

"Does it have to do with your bio-powers?" I shook my head no, and I was about to tell him more when the voice inhibitor shocked again.

I gasped, crushing the blanket in my grip. Xanth quickly placed his hand on my neck, massaging away the shocking pain. I could only blink at him and myself. I even should have leaned away but, wherever his fingers landed, tingles raced across my skin, causing goosebumps to pepper it. The pain melted away, and I exhaled. I had to admit that felt good.

"Only yes or no answers. Mute. Understand?" He whispered. I could only nod, his warm hands were still on my throat, and I didn't know whether to lean into them or throw myself out the damn window. He spoke again, this time from his mouth. The heat from his breath caressed the tops of my lips. I quickly smashed them together, lest I do something stupid and put them to good use. His breath, smelling like spice my ancestor use in her sweets. Dear ancestors, have mercy. I cleared my throat. It was getting harder to concentrate on what he was saying.

"Does it have to do with where you come from?" He continued, oblivious to the turmoil thrashing within me. I shook my head, putting myself back on the task at hand. I wanted so badly to say stolen. Where I was stolen from. I glanced away to hide the tears forming in my eyes for a different reason. He tilted my chin toward him again. "I know it hurts, Mute. We have all been there." He didn't hesitate as pushed the now rolling tears from my cheek. For the first time since I had met Xanth, he smiled. It was a warm one that sent wonderful shivers all over me. The dimple on his left cheek almost made him look younger.

"Does your team know about what you can do? What your dragons can do?" I shook my head no, signing one word between what little space we had.

"Floated."

Xanth leaned back, sadly, removing his hands from my throat. I cleared my throat rolling my shoulders. Xanth must not have been affected as I was. I watched out of the corner of my eyes as his darkened with a stinging fury. He was mad at something, but why. I signed angrily for my own reasons. Xanth glanced up at me. "Why are you angry…"

"Slowly mute, slowly." I sighed, getting annoyed.

"Why are you angry?" Xanth shook his head his brow furrowing with a different reason.

"I'm not just angry, Mute. I'm enraged for you." I sat back, my mouth slightly ajar. Xanth laughed it off, shooting me a serious look.

"You've been through so much at the hands of the King. And suffered more when I didn't step in fast enough to help you." Xanth sighed, rubbing his hands over his face and neck. Noctis woke up from his nap to rub against Xanth's cheek, trying to soothe his anger and frustration. Xanth looked at me, a sad smile twitching at the edge of his mouth. I missed the one from earlier. I pushed that stupid feeling aside. I placed the crook of my finger under his chin, so he could look at my hands.

"Do not blame yourself for the fault of someone, whose only strife is to act on evil intentions." Xanth smiled at me, his eyes still sad. I rubbed my own eyes, trying to hide my yawn but completely failing. "You are right." He got up, placing a now sleeping Noctis in my lap. I grabbed onto his hand, ignoring the fire burning in across my skin as our skin made contact.

"What about the crown? You know things that I have never told anyone, and that can put my teammates and not mention, you at risk." Xanth amber eyes searched my dark brown ones.

"The crown can't do anything to me without the Bio-council's approval. I only need to prove what the king has been doing and present evidence against him in order to overthrow him from the throne. But for now…" He reached a hand up, pushing my long curls out of my face and behind my ears.

"Get some rest and know that you are safe here." He backed away, crossing his arms behind his back as a sinful smirk replaced the sincere look on his face. "Besides, you'll need it. Your team will finally see you awake, and I've heard.." He stopped at the door, it slid open, casting lights and shadows over his angular face. "They have a few choice words for you." He slipped out the door, his chuckle echoing down the hallway. I leaned back, blinking. My skin still, tingling in all the places he had touched me even after I fell asleep. Oh, ancestors, I'm in trouble.