AKIRA'S POV
It's been a week since Ares and I last spoke. After he told me about Lenora and how she and their baby were killed by Salvatore, I had asked him to leave the room and ever since then I haven't spoken a word to him.
I still haven't gotten over the fact that our baby was gone. One part of me was simmering with anger and blaming Ares for everything, while the other part was telling me to forgive him, even if he hid an important part of his life from me.
I needed time away from him for our good. I needed to think and get myself together.
I was in my room but everything still felt foreign. I was physically and mentally exhausted and I was also nauseous continuously crying and throwing up at every chance.
I stiffened when the door to my bedroom creaked open and the sounds of footsteps shuffling inside had me wincing, I didn't want anybody to see me like this.
Thankfully, I was facing the other part of the room and I waited for them to realise that I didn't want to talk to anybody. After some seconds they began to walk and I exhaled softly, thinking they were going out until the footsteps grew closer and they rounded my bed before appearing in front of me.
My windows and curtains were drawn shut and my lights were turned off but I still knew who they were from the glow of the lamp beside them.
Eve and Lenny.
I had been avoiding them ever since I woke up. It was because I was ashamed. I had insulted our friendship.
I watched as they took in my curled-up form, red puffy eyes– which I was sure were staring at them coldly, and finally, my thin body.
They both had their hands on their waist and they were staring me dead in the eyes. My eyes flickered between both of theirs and I held my breath waiting for them to snap and tell me to get over it.
Eve was the first one to break. I watched as her resolve crumbled and the bed dipped as she sat on it. "You're killing yourself, Akira."
I blinked at her, unable to open my mouth and respond.
"You can't keep doing this to yourself," She looked at Lenny before looking back at me. "We both love you and we can't just watch you silently kill yourself. You have to talk to us. You need to talk to someone... Anyone."
I stared at the both of them. I didn't want to open my mouth to speak because I was scared that my voice would crack and I would start crying once more.
Lenny sighed, she chucked her shoes off her feet before she began to crawl on the bed. She wiped a stray tear away with her thumb once she was in front of me.
"Why aren't you talking to us? We're your best friends, Akira. I understand that you can't talk to anyone but..." Her voice turned into a whisper. "We've been through thick and thin together, don't you think we'll get through this together?" She asked softly.
I stared into her brown eyes I realised I missed so much. "Aren't you ashamed of me? Aren't you guys pissed at what I did?" My voice did crack as I spoke, it sounded rough and my parched throat hurt as I spoke but I went on. "I was selfish, Lenny. I took matters into my hands and I know my actions placed you and Eve in the spotlight."
I knew that after I had left Eve and Lenny were the first people Ares had questioned. Knowing Ares, I could only imagine how they felt when he questioned them. I knew he would've been brutal.
It was Eve's turn to crawl further into the bed and she laid down behind me. I was placed in their middle, protected. And I knew this was how it has and would always be. They would always be right there for me.
"We don't hate you at all, Akira. Why would you even say that?" Eve's soft voice was filled with hurt when she spoke. "Nobody hates you and you were certainly not selfish. You heard things and you did what you thought was best for you. We understand. Ares does and so does everyone else."
I sighed, relaxing under her fingers massaging my scalp as I took in her words. "They don't?" I whispered.
My mind drifted to Madam Yelena. Did she also not hate me?
Lenny shook her head. "They don't. Eve is right, Akira. We all don't hate you, we care about you and how you feel way too much to get mad over what you did."
I sniffled as I stared at her warm eyes. "I love you both."
Eve giggled. "We love you more, Akira. We all."
Lenny nodded with a smile. "We do."
Instant relief flooded my veins and I sighed. I've been trying to isolate myself so badly, shutting myself from everyone, thinking no one would understand what I was going through but I was wrong, even if they didn't understand, I knew they were going to stand by me every step of the way.
I huffed out a small laugh and the conversation onwards was less about me and more about them. Lenny talked about how she and Cyrus were getting things on even when he went on various searches for me. While Eve and Czar were beginning to take things seriously.
I sighed as my best friends giggled at what they said.
I could hope this happiness would last.
~
I was sitting on my favourite bench in the garden, trying to get some time to myself when I saw familiar figures walking towards me.
As they drew closer, I realised why they were familiar.
It was Nana and Ama.
Was I really seeing clearly? I rubbed my palms over my eyes for my clarification and when I opened my eyes again, it was still them.
Nana had a huge grin on her face and Ama was already running toward me.
I quickly stood up to meet her halfway before engulfing her in a hug.
"Ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod! It's really you, Akira!" Ama chanted happily in my ears.
Tears sprung to my eyes as I released her only to hug her back tighter. I couldn't speak. I was too shocked to speak.
"I'm so happy to see you," I whispered, stepping back to clearly look at her.
She had changed so much it was almost surreal. Her brunette hair was now dyed a striking emerald colour. And she looked like she had lost a few pounds.
"Me too, Akira. Me too." Ama whispered, trailing her eyes over me.
I chuckled before walking over to Nana who was staring at us with a soft smile.
"Nana," I whispered, engulfing her in a tight hug. Her familiar warmth had more tears streaming down my face.
"H-How did you get here?" I managed to ask Nana through my tears.
"Your mate found us. He invited Nana and I, he said you were going through a tough time and we were the only people who can help." Ama answered next to me. "He sounded distraught, Akira. What happened?"
I looked at Nana who was still quiet. "How are you, child?" She finally asked. The sound of her voice flooded me with a lot of memories and I choked out a sob.
"Happy now that you're here," I respond with a smile despite my tears. "I'll tell you everything over tea."
And we all went inside. Once we were all served hot cups of coffee each, Eve joined us before I told my tale. I told them everything from when Eve and I were kidnapped to everything that happened after then, making sure I left out the r-rated details. Eve helped to input wherever she could and Nana and Eve both listened with rapt attention.
I watched Nana's expression as I went on and I was surprised when she kept her neutral expression.
"Wow." Ama breathed out once we were done. Her mouth was dropped open in shock.
"I know." Eve giggled. "It has been one cluster fuck of a ride for all of us." She nodded to Lenny who joined us last minute.
"I'm sorry all that happened to you, Akira," Ama whispered sadly. "I'm sorry that happened to all of you."
"Akira has been through the most. We should all stay strong for her." Lenny announced and Eve and Ama nodded in agreement.
It was quiet for a while until Nana spoke up. "I would like to have a word with Akira." She added. "Alone, if that's fine."
As everyone moved to leave the room, I rose. "No, Nana. Let's go out to the garden instead." I suggested.
As we took the short trek to the garden, it was quiet between Nana and I.
"How do you feel?" Nana finally asked once we were seated on the bench.
I sighed and tilted my head upwards. "Barely hanging on the thinnest thread."
Nana laughed softly. "Ares seems the opposite of my tales."
I grinned, remembering the tales she always told Ama and I. Funny how I was living in a fairytale.
"I remember those." I said. "I told Ares about them and he said you are an old soul." Another chuckle came from me.
Nana hummed. "That's because I am."
I looked at her. "I'll be sure to tell that to him."
Nana shook her head before gently holding my hands in hers. "No, what I am saying is, I truly am an old soul."
I nodded my head. "I know."
She didn't act surprised. "Elizabeth mentioned me then." She announced, smiling.
"She did." My voice turned serious. "Why didn't you tell me that you are a witch, Nana?"
Nana shook her head with a small frown. "I wanted to. The last night I told you the tale about Ares, I had a feeling that they were going to come for you. The Moon Goddess was already growing impatient with the fact that you had not seen your mate and she was willing to do anything to bring you to Ares."
"So... You're saying that my kidnap was staged?"
Nana shook her head again. "No, no. Not staged. It was fate. All done by the Moon Goddess."
"Was that the reason you kept telling me about Ares? Because you know he's my mate?" I asked.
"Yes. Partly. But it was also because I wanted you to know what you were about to get into you. It was my way of training you for this part of your life if you would call it that. The night Ama told me you went for a party with Eve, I knew something bad was about to happen so I asked Ama to take me to the party but by the time we went there you and Eve were both gone."
I stayed quiet, trying to take in everything she just said. "Did you know that I was in the city with Elizabeth?"
"No. She never told me anything, she knew if she did I would come to you immediately. But she wanted you to go back to Ares before I come into the picture."
I smiled. Typical Nana. "I'm glad you're here." I grabbed her hands and gave them a small squeeze.
"Me too." She brushed a hand over my bangs. "You have to trim these."
I chuckled. "Now that you're here you can do it for me."
Nana looked at me, intently. "You have to forgive Ares, Akira."
I cleared my throat before sighing. "I know. But I need time.
"Take all the time you need, Akira but know that he will always be here for you. He's your mate, your soulmate. I understand that he hid the truth from you and you're mad about that but you have to learn to forgive, that's what a relationship is all about. Next time you both have a discussion, I suggest that you set your boundaries, I'm sure he knows you don't tolerate lies, tell him other things you don't tolerate and he would do the same."
I sighed.
"I think you've punished him long enough. He's hurting from the death of his child, too, Akira. You're supposed to let him stand by you in times like this. You both are supposed to stand by each other. Support each other at difficult times. I know you love him despite who and what he is and that's enough reason for you to forgive him. You're hurting the both of you by putting this distance between you and him and that's unfair to either of you," Nana wiped the tears streaming down my face. "Go talk to him, child. Teach him the art of love."
I nodded and once Nana saw that she has convinced me, she stood up and looked up at Ares's bedroom.
It was evening but I could still see his silhouette looking down at us. I gave him a soft small, hoping that he could see it before looking at Nana.
"Thank you." I sniffled. "Thank you so much, Nana."
Nana smiled softly. "You should thank him for bringing us over."
This was what I needed. Someone to remind me of how much I loved Ares. And Nana did just that.
"I will," I responded.
Nana leaned to place a kiss on my cheek before she turned to walk away. Once she was three steps away she turned back to look at me. "Elizabeth says hi."
I frowned. "But she's dead."
Nana smirked. "Is she?"
Before she walked away, leaving me dumbfounded.