The group had been flying for almost six days.
"The presence's getting stronger,that must be the kingdom"Evette spoke as she looked ahead.
Aviva's body froze once she saw the Kingdom.
Her kingdom
Her reaction didn't go unnoticed by Azron"what's wrong?"
Her reply was fast"nothing"
He took a deep breath as he pieced the pieces together,"is that your kingdom"
She gave a small nod in response.
He didn't know what to say" I'm sorry"
"Don't be, this is something I should be over with it by now,I'm fine"
He didn't look convinced.
She noticed he wasn't convinced so she made her way over to him,her voice whisper-like"Azron, I'm fine, I promise"
His gaze flickered down to her lips and it took all self-control for him not to claim her, wondering if her lips tasted as sweet as he imagined.
He took a deep breath,her sweet scent filling his nostrils.
Aviva snapped back realizing that she had acted on impulse,she stepped back hurriedly and he felt tempted to stop her to tell her that was what he wanted.
"I'm so sorry Azron, I didn't mean to do that"
She kept on apologizing and he felt hurt,was it only him that wanted it.
"It's okay,Aviva"
He spoke to reassure her,it worked as she turned her attention back to the way to the Kingdom.
~~~~~~~
"That's the Kingdom up ahead" Vida stared at the beautiful kingdom lights glowing in the night sky.
"We're almost there,we need to actually get this gem,we need to give everything we've got" Yasmin spoke.
They nodded,they were determined to get this gem.
~~~~~~~
"Aviva, wake up,you okay?" She opened her eyes to met Azron's own.
"What happened?"
"You've been screaming"
She was having a nightmare,it wasn't the first time but the thought of her going back to the same kingdom that gave her trauma was triggering it again.
"I'm fine,just a nightmare"
"Aviva, what happened,I mean do you want to talk about it"he was being careful because he knew this was a sensitive topic for her.
Her chest felt heavy,she wanted to tell him but when she opened her mouth, nothing came out,no words.
She stayed silent,this nightmare was the most horrific since she started having these nightmares.
She saw her mother dying but this time her father had stabbed her enough times to trigger a trypophobic person.
Her mother's blood stained the knife as it dripped down to the floor but even at that her mother still came to protect her,she had been riddled with stabs yet she still came to protect her,she was on the verge of death but she still came to protect her.
Azron wiped away a tear,he wrapped his hands around her as his warmth,his calming scent and presence helped her calm down.
She stayed still in his arms as she tried to catch her breath.
"I'm so stupid"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm a mess,I'm sorry you have to see me like this,at my worst"
He laughed catching her by surprise.
"What's funny?"
"Nothing,Aviva"he started his voice against her ears sending shivers throughout her body "If I can't be there for you at your worst then I surely don't deserve you at your best"
Aviva felt a warm sensation in her body after hearing his words.
"Thank you Azron, you've done so much for me"
"There's no prob..."he was cut off as she placed her lips on his for a peck.
He didn't have time to process what was happening when she pulled away from that.
"Just a thank you gift"she smiled.
"I doubt that was long enough to be called a gift"she didn't miss the slight upturn of his lips at his sly remark.
"Really,how would you..."His lips were suddenly on hers,his hand snaking into her hair, claiming her in a hot, passionate kiss,a kiss that portrayed his emotions to her.
By the time he pulled out,she was flushed,her lips swollen,he took a look at her and smiled,pleased with his masterpiece.
"You look good like this"
She fought back the urge to roll her eyes,was he always like this.
"You don't say so"
"You know,I think I've been a good boy and good boys get multiple gifts"
"Where are you heading..."
He planted his lips on hers,this time hotter,more greedy,like he wanted to absorb all of her through it.
She smiled then responded as she deepened the kiss.
~~~~~~~~~
"The kingdom's pretty amazing,I love its beauty"Evette's eyes sparkled as she took in her surrounding.
"Focus E,right now,we need a place to stay"Ciara cautioned her.
Aviva contemplated taking them to her siblings,her mind telling her not to but she knew they needed a place so she told them.
"I know a place, let's go"
They followed her and after walking for a while arrived at a dazzling house.
Aviva gathered courage as she knocked.
The door opened revealing someone she missed so much, Maverick.
His eyes widened upon her sight,he couldn't believe it.
"Aviva"his voice came out choked.
Tears welled up in her eyes,god,how she had missed him.
Maverick enveloped her in a tight hug.
"I can't believe it,how are you here?"
"We need to do something but for that we need a place to stay,can we stay here?"
"Of course you can,Aviva you're family, don't forget that"
The others apart from Azron were shocked,it was at that moment they realized that they didn't know much about her.
Maverick released her,faced the others"You can come in,make yourself at home,I'll show you your rooms"
They appreciated him.
"Are you the only one here?"Evette questioned.
Maverick shook his head"No,come with me to meet the others"
They followed him inside where they meet three other people who also shared the same features with Maverick
They all looked shock as they entered,the first to snap it was a girl who walked up to Aviva,tears streaming down her face.
"Aviva I'm so sorry,you went through hell and I didn't help, please forgive me"
"Lora it's fine" She wiped the tears of her sister's face.
She was happy to see them, Azron was right she had to stop running from her past because she was also running away from her family.
They loved her and she loved them.
"As much as I love to see my little sis back something tells me we've not heard the full story"Marshall came up with a cup of hot chocolate as he sat down.
"Right" Aviva nodded,she looked at Jude and he assured her that she could tell them.
"We're here to collect a magic gem to help bring back the guardians of their Kingdom,we have to bring back the guardians or another evil god will unleash a terrible dark magic war"
Marshall nodded"where do you think the gem is?"
"We don't know for sure but those that have already gotten their gem can feel it's presence so we just follow it"
"Okay,Mave show them their room"
Maverick nodded and took the rest to their rooms leaving Aviva behind.
"Aviva,welcome back,I know I haven't been the best big brother but please I need you to forgive me"
Tears welled up in Aviva's eyes as she hugged her brother tight"I've always forgiven you big brother"
They all hugged her and Aviva felt so happy to be here,with her family.
~~~~~~~~
"Where's Kyle?"Ciara asked as Jude opened the door for her to enter.
"Where do you think?"Jude asked and Ciara got the message.
She entered inside" how do you feel?"
He raised a brow.
"Being so close to victory"
"I don't know,I still can't shake this feeling that we're not done"
Ciara stared at him as he walked over and sat on the bed.
They kept talking until they eventually slept off.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Jude,Jude wake up"Ciara shook him lightly.
He shot up, drenched in sweat due to hyperventilation,his eyes searched the room frantic.
Ciara had never seen him so vulnerable.
He kept on panting,his body shaking.
She placed her palms on his face forcing him to look at her "Jude,listen,take a deep breath,I'm real you can touch me to confirm,I'm real, your dream wasn't, you're okay"
He slowly began taking small breaths to calm himself down,his hands held Ciara's own tight as if reassuring himself that whatever he saw in his dream wasn't real.
"Ciara,thank you"
"You don't need to thank me,what did you see"
"Destruction"One word and she got the message.
"Don't worry, everything is going to be fine, we'll succeed, I know we will"
Jude took a deep breath as his breathing returned back to normal.
"Thank you"Their eyes locked onto each other as they got lost in each other,their presence calming each other down.
They leaned closer to each other as he claimed her lips,his arms wrapped around her and her hands went up in his hair.
"I don't know what I'd ever do if I didn't have you"
"You might never know because you'll always have me"
Jude smiled before going in for another kiss.