I turned to Jaxon, and he looked at our entwined hands with a tight expression. His gaze raised to mine, and I quickly looked back at the woman, pulling my hand from Xavier’s with difficulty.
“She is resting,” the woman continued, and her gaze fell on me again.
“When can she travel?” Xavier asked, pulling me further behind him. At least I wasn’t the only one concerned about this woman.
Her gaze shot back to Xavier’s. “Another day, Your Majesty, maybe two. But that’s up to her.”
Xavier cursed under his breath, and Jaxon walked to the other side of Xavier, also positioning himself in front of me. The space between them was my only view of the old woman now, but she still peered at me through her long silver hair.
“Thank you for your help. I will make sure the proper payment is sent for your work. Your kindness won't be forgotten,” Xavier said, and it was the first time I had ever heard him sound even remotely king-like since I had met him.
“Her.” The woman raised a sickly hand toward me and smiled that creepy way again. “I would like to speak with her.” She hobbled slightly closer as she spoke. “She has spoken to a fate.” Her smile widened. “Tell me, child, what did they show you?”
My pulse quickened and Xavier and Jaxon spun around to face me. Their eyes were wide with surprise and also fear. Jaxon’s face paled and Xavier looked like the vein in his neck might burst.
“I- I- I- don’t know,” I said, looking between them all in a panic. I hadn’t planned on telling them, at least not here, not like this. How had she known?
“Don’t be afraid, dear; it is a blessing indeed,” she crooned, and Xavier stepped forward, his emerald eyes blazing as he took my face in his hands.
“You saw a Fate?” he breathed, and I nodded slightly in his hands. His eyes hardened, and he dropped his hands from my face and stepped back. His face became an emotionless mask again as he turned to the old woman. Jaxon still stared at me, surprise and worry lining his expression.
“You will not speak of this to anyone,” Xavier commanded. “If I hear even a rumor about this, I will banish you to the prison lands. Do you understand me?” Xaviers' voice was deadly and commanding. It held so much authority that the room buzzed with energy. The old woman flinched at his threatening words.
“Yes, my King. I apologize. Please spare an old woman’s curiosity,” she said, bowing deeply and backing away.
Xavier grabbed my hand and practically dragged me to the door. He turned, and his gaze landed on Dedra and then Jaxon.
“Handle it,” Xavier growled, and the door flew open behind us, letting us exit. Xavier dragged me back down the hall and back out into the small alley.
He practically threw me forward, and I stumbled, catching myself before I could fall. I quickly regained my balance andspun toward him, my fists clenched at my sides, ready to fight. But the moment my eyes locked on his, the sharp retort on my tongue died instantly.
Xavier’s eyes were almost wholly black, and his breath came out fast and labored. I looked at him in surprise and unclenched my fists, worry flooding me as I watched him start to pace. He seemed to be wincing as wisps of smoke evaporated off his shoulders.
“Xavier…” I started to say cautiously, but he cut me off.
“A fucking Fate?” he barked, stopping his pacing and narrowing his eyes at me. I blinked in confusion. Was he mad at me? I took a step away from him in shock.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he demanded, and I narrowed my eyes right back at him.
“If you don’t remember, we were a little busy running for our lives,” I shot back, “Not exactly the ideal time for a heart-to-heart, now was it?” I retorted, my temper rising.
Xavier let out a low growl, his voice rumbling with the sound. “What did it show you?” he commanded.
Like hell was I telling him now. I scoffed, crossed my arms over my chest, and turned away from him. His shadow fell over me a second later, and I resisted flinching at his approach.
“Zara, what did it show you?” His voice softened, and visions of us flashed in my mind, making me squeeze my eyes shut.
“Like I would tell you anything after this reaction,” I spat, “I was the one trapped with that thing; I had to endure it, not you.”
He let out a frustrated sigh. “I am not angry with you; I just need to know if they showed you… if they told you…” He cut himself off, not finishing his sentence.
“If they what?” I hissed, turning around and almost hitting his chest. My cheeks reddened as more visions of him flashed in my mind, and my stomach tightened, my toes curling as the scent of him washed over me.
Xavier stiffened, looking down at me. I tried to turn away again, but he stopped me, his hands gripping my shoulders. I turned my head toward the ground, but could feel his gaze on me.
“They showed me too many things,” I whispered, shaking my head as the vision played in my mind, as if they were burned there so I wouldn’t forget. “Nothing I fully understood.”
The air seemed too thin, and I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to push away the images again. Xavier was quiet, his hands still gripping my shoulders. I opened my eyes, glancing up at him.
