Fencliff: Part V

I can’t explain how I know it, but she’s right. I can feel the pull of it, the whisperings of memories and emotions tied up in the little glowing ball hovering in front of me. In an act of petulance I step forward and place my palm upon it without a word.

I relay the tale in its entirety to Ayris as he sits on the bed, digesting every word. Once I’m finished he pauses for some time before speaking.

“What changed?” Ayris asks as he mulls everything over. I see his brooding expression and I know this must be affecting him. He carries so much trauma and guilt about Belmore, despite none of it being his fault. I know he blames himself for Asha working against us due to her grieving her loved ones at the Belmore massacre.

“I think a mixture of things. She soon realised that Zora was behind the creature attacks, and was actively working with the king, rather than trying to overturn him” I reply.

“Plus…” Ayris raises an eyebrow as I pause and gently squeeze his forearm.

“She saw what an honourable male you are. And she actually liked you… Liked all of us”

My heart weighs heavy at that admission. I could feel it through her memories, how she had grown to care for us and our cause. The guilt that had gnawed at her.

“Then why betray you? Why not confess and accept the consequences if she felt such immense *guilt*?”

His dubious tone belies the anger he still harbours at the part she played in my imprisonment at the citadel.

“Some sort of magical binding to the coven; it prevented her from betraying them. A *blood rite*, she called it. She really does regret everything, Ayris. I believe she would have admitted everything if she was able. It’s the reason she disappeared after we arrived, feigning illness because the guilt was eating away at her…”

“So why is she able to confess now? How do we know this isn’t all an elaborate plan by our enemies to allow her into our confidence once more and commit further betrayal?”

Ayris has every right to be doubtful, and I try my best to answer honestly.

“She was able to break the binding, but she stole additional power from the coven to be able to do it. Its why she was so deranged when she found me in the woods. She was brimming with magic that wasn’t her own”

“And that is why she is so pained now?” I nod, confirming Brunella’s original suspicion that she was on some kind of magical comedown.

Ayris tilts his head back, resting the crown of his head against the headboard as he gazes at the ceiling. I can sense through the bond that he’s conflicted. On one hand he is seething with anger at Asha’s part in my abduction, but he also understands that it wasn’t entirely her fault; and she was in too deep with Zora and her cronies to be able to find a way out.

“I really think she wants to make amends, Ayris. If you could have felt the guilt she carries at the things she’s done-“

“As she *should*” he seethes, tone enraged. “Her qualm is with me, not you”

He turns to look at me, flickerings of pain rippling down the bond.

“She pretended to be your *friend*, Laurel. All in some misguided attempt at revenge”.

Ayris sits forward, placing his elbows on his knees. It pains me to feel what he feels, the guilt he already carries about Belmore now amplified.

A blanket of silence falls heavily between us and I realise that we won’t see eye to eye on Asha and her actions. Ayris’ brooding expression belies the affectionate way he places a hand upon my belly, stroking it gently as he sighs.

“So… The true Velythian heir, hm?”

I raise an eyebrow “*That’s* what you’re focusing on right now?”

He chuckles, but says nothing more.

“It was as much as a surprise to me as it was to you. I still don’t even understand how I can be Velythian when I wasn’t born in this world. Or how we’re both fated mates. Nothing makes any sense”.

“Wherever you were born, wherever you have been, you were always meant to be mine”

“Both of you” he whispers, his tone barely audible as he glances at my belly, his palm resting comfortably atop it. “Both of you will always be mine”

My pulse flutters as his eyes drift upwards and lock with mine. Those icy blues that had a hold over me before we’d even met, the eyes I’d dreamt about back home before I knew who Ayris was or that lycans or fated mates existed. Dark stubble lines his jaw and his hair falls over his shoulders, framing his face. I can feel my cheeks reddening under his attentions, even now as my pulse quickens beneath my collar.

“Are you flustered, my little Velatha?” He asks, smirk firmly planted upon his face.

“I can sense your pulse accelerating, my love” His hand cups my chin as his thumb gently strokes my jaw.

"What can I do to help?" He asks, smirk still firmly planted upon his jaw, before he shifts closer and locks his mouth with mine.

My belly swoops as I grant his tongue access and he deepens the kiss, groaning in my mouth.

A sharp knock at the door pulls us back, and Ayris huffs in annoyance as Kel steps inside, his face looking sheepish, but also full of mischief as he realises what he's interrupted.

"Sorry, A, Laurel" He grins "But you wanted to discuss the strategy for our approach to the citadel?" He questions.

Ayris nods, as he straightens himself. I feel his hesitance trickle down the bond as he gently pulls back from me.

"Laurel has some new information that we must discuss. Please, take a seat"