"I’m going to miss you," Kayla exclaid as she threw herself into Maxi’s arms, causing Maxi to almost lose her balance. As a horse shifter, Maxi still wasn’t accustod to the affectionate nature of Kayla’s family.
Today was the day that Maxi and Issac were leaving for Aldric’s castle, and Maxi couldn’t shake the feeling of sadness in her chest. She wasn’t used to becoming attached to people, but the thought of leaving Kayla and Oma filled her with sorrow.
Both Kayla and Oma now knew Maxi’s secret - that she was a dark Fae horse shifter - but it hadn’t changed the way they treated her. They were now more cautious, not because they were afraid of her harming them, but because they wanted her to feel like she belonged. Maxi was not an outcast.
It was an understatent to say that Maxi was touched by their actions. She didn’t know how to properly thank them. For the first ti, she was being treated like a living being, even with her secret out in the open. The feeling was incredibly heartwarming.
At this point, Maxi would do anything for Issac’s family. She was fiercely protective of them. If anything happened to her, she would die in peace knowing that she had found a family that accepted her for who she was.
"I know, I’ll miss you too," Maxi responded, feeling a bit strange about openly admitting her true feelings. However, she pushed aside any feelings of awkwardness and embraced the warmth that Kayla provided.
Maxi wanted to stay longer, but the lack of communication with Aldric over the past two days was making her uncomfortable. Despite his flaws, Aldric was still her friend and her first "family." They had been through so much, and Maxi couldn’t abandon him over one argunt. Though she ant what she said, Aldric wouldn’t have an easy ti if anything happened to Islinda.
Reluctantly, Maxi let go of Kayla and turned to face Oma. While Oma didn’t hug her like Kayla did, she still held Maxi’s face in her hands. Maxi’s cheeks flushed as she rembered that she was centuries older than Oma, yet Oma treated her like a child. Maxi tended to behave like a child at tis due to the traumas she had experienced while growing up.
"Now you be careful," Oma told her, and Maxi nodded her head in response. Oma let go and her gaze shifted to her son, Issac, as she commanded him, "Keep her safe."
Maxi snorted, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. If anyone was keeping them safe, it was her. She was stronger than Issac.
Issac must have heard her derisive exhale because he scoffed and gave her a smug look. There was a challenge in his eyes, and Maxi knew that if his family weren’t present, they would be engaged in a battle right then and there.
While Maxi didn’t possess their fancy seasonal powers - as she called them - she was stronger and faster, especially in her horse form. Plus, her telepathic ability and years of experience had honed her fighting skills, making her lethal on the battlefield. Fae tended to underestimate her because of her sweet appearance, until she tore their heart out of their chest.
Maxi inwardly chuckled at the thought. Issac was still a child in her eyes. But then again, wasn’t it considered a cri to date a child? The thought made her mouth twitch.
"By the gods, will both of you stop eyefucking each other in my presence? It’s sweet, but eww!" Kayla interjected, clearly grossed out.
Issac shook his head, while Oma gave Kayla a reprimanding look. But it was Maxi who smirked, unashadly taking the bla. However, her smile faded when soone knocked on the door.
Maxi instantly tensed, sensing who was at the door. Oma was a social person, but she rarely entertained visitors at her house, as they mostly ca for gossip. However, there was one person who freely ca and went from her house - Anya.
Maxi hadn’t seen the Fae since the public display of apology with her mother the day before. Maxi suspected that Anya must be here to bid farewell to her "childhood friend" Issac. How Anya knew they were leaving puzzled Maxi, but she had a nagging feeling that Anya had sohow spied on them. Otherwise, the only other explanation was that Anya was clairvoyant, but Maxi knew that couldn’t be true. Although Issac ca from mixed courts, Anya was clearly an Autumn Fae.
Maxi wasn’t the only one suspicious, as Kayla and Oma exchanged glances, silently communicating their concerns. Maxi pretended not to notice, deciding to see how everything unfolded.
This ti, Maxi was in control of her emotions. She wouldn’t let her anger expose her identity, endangering not just Issac, but his entire family. If the authorities discovered that Issac and Oma were harboring a dark Fae, the consequences would be devastating. For their sake, she couldn’t attack Anya. That is, as long as Anya kept her hands off Issac.
"I’ll go..." Kayla broke the awkward silence in the room, forcing a strained smile on her face. "I’ll open the door." She hurried off before anyone could say anything.
An uncomfortable silence settled in the living room, and Maxi felt herself holding her breath as her premonition ca true. The visitor at the door was indeed Anya.
"Hello, Oma. Issac..." Anya glanced at Maxi. "Hello to you too, Maxi," she said in a sweet tone that no one was fooled by.
Maxi replied, surprising everyone present. They had expected her to snub Anya. But Maxi knew how to act civilly, even though she was tempted to snap the little bitch’s neck.
Their conversation remained polite, but it was clear that there was no love lost between them. Maxi had no interest in extending an olive branch, especially since she knew Anya’s scheming wasn’t over.
Anya took a deep breath, and upon closer inspection, Maxi realized that her appearance was more disheveled than usual, as if she had rushed there. Anya had always been prim and sophisticated whenever she visited, unlike Maxi, who looked ordinary.
"I had a feeling that you would be leaving today, and it seems my suspicions were correct," Anya observed, scanning their appearances and the items they were carrying. Oma had given them a few things to take back with them.
Maxi smirked unkindly. "Your suspicions always seem to be accurate."
Anya’s lips pressed into a thin line as she understood what Maxi was implying, and it was all being done in front of everyone.
Quickly, she defended herself. "We live close to each other, so it’s not surprising that I know a lot." Anya added hastily, as if trying to dismiss anyone else from speaking, "But that’s not why I’m here." She turned to face Issac and touched his arm. "I need to speak with you before you leave."
Unfortunately for Anya, touching Issac was a grave mistake.
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