***
"You know you shouldn't use you powers on your housemates like that, Myriah." Atoli murmured as she continued to comfort the crying girl whose head was in her lap.
"Never forget where you came from and why it is important to hold onto who you are now as well as the pain you've endured."
Myriah offered a weak nod in understanding. "Had I been more aware of what happened with Mika and Tyler and Edymond I would have spoken with you about it sooner. For that I am sorry, Myriah..."
"Why do you lot trust Jasmine so much?"
Atoli offered a tender smile, "Jasmines life is one full of tragedy and abuse, when Angalo rescued her, it was on condition." Myriah tilted her head, "So she's still not free?" Atoli nodded, "Jasmine has only ever known the bonds of servitude."
"Atoli..." Axel murmured from Myriahs doorway. "I don't think this is the time, Axel." Atoli murmured as she narrowed her eyes and Myriah wiped at her tears. "It's okay, Atoli..."
Atolis expression softened as she hopped off of Myriahs bed and made her way to the kitchen to make Myriah some soup and a tea. She gave Axel a warning glare as she passed him.
"Why aren't you with Jasmine?" Myriah bit out the moment she thought Atoli was out of ear shot. Part of her internally winced at her tone, another part of her was too angry to care.
"After all you were so eager to keep her safe."
Axels eyes widened. For the first time in a long time, he didn't know what to say. Why would he be with Jasmine? Sure she was his comrade but she wasn't... Axel tilted his head, why should he be here doting on Myriah when she had just intentionally hurt one of their own? And yet...
"Myriah, I-"
"I'm not going to apologize for hurting her. She nearly cost Lucien and Mika their lives." The lavender eyed girl snapped as she wrapped her arms around her shoulders as if she was holding herself together. "No one will ever put his life at risk and live to tell about it." She promised. "Not while I breathe."
Axel sighed, "I understand you're upset-" "she works for Alexander!" Myriah cried, "And you protected her!" The tears filled her eyes again and Axel felt his heart ache at the sight. "You picked her side when you promised that you would protect me..." He was sitting across from her holding her hands in his before she could wipe at the tears that were sliding down her cheeks. Myriah tried to tug her hands away from him, but he gave no quarter.
"A death on a misunderstanding would hurt you far more, Myriah..." Axel murmured as he tugged her hands and pulled her into his chest. "You of all people should know that protecting someone also means to protect them from themselves." Myriah sighed when his arms came around her small form and held her close to him....
Myriah put a hand to his chest to shove him away from her. She was trying to fight the haze that was muting her angry thoughts.... Only to became painfully aware of how hard his body was... how warm...
Myriah shook her head in a futile attempt to get her mind off of the perfection that was the man holding her.... she wanted to stay mad at him... the lavender eyed girl closed her eyes and let her hand travel the planes of his chest. "...That girl I saw earlier tonight.. isn't you, Myriah..." Axel whispered, his own mind becoming hazy from her soothing touch. He sighed as her arms snaked around his waist and held him as if he would disappear... Axel willed himself to calm down when he felt her small hands exploring his back. Her fingers traced along his spine and muscles. Myriah sighed when she felt him shiver under her touch. Part of her was glad that she wasn't the only once affected by this bond... she would have to remember that she was upset with Axel... later.
"I am sorry for upsetting you, Myriah." He whispered against her skin.
"I don't protect Jasmine from you to hurt you." He murmured. Myriah stilled.
"I protect you from yourself."
"Me… from myself?"
Axel nodded, "Yes. Let's start with this: why are you adamant that Jasmine is a spy?"
Myriah sighed, "she was there. Both times…"
Axel nodded and moved to sit on his haunches, bringing Myriah to sit between his legs. "And…?" He prompted, "and.. I can't see her mind…" Axel nodded with a quiet 'ah.'
"Being able to see into one's mind should not be your only lead in trusting them. Especially right now that your gifts are still so new to you."
Myriah stilled, as if she were slapped.
"Take me for example. With my abilities I have to keep my mind shielded off. So you wouldn't be able to see into my mind either. Yet you trust me."
Axel took her right hand in his left.
"I see into your mind… when I look into your eyes." Myriah murmured, making Axel freeze, "I've always been drawn to you and your gaze." She murmured. Axel sighed,
"To this day, I'm the only one who can touch you freely without being burned by you." Myriah froze. "I… burn people?"
Axel nodded, "You do. Think of it like this: the way you shield your body is how Jasmine shields her mind." Myriah pursed her lips,
"You also shield your mind?" Axel nodded, "Like Mika said: I can compel many at a time, due to my being empathetic. I feel what others feel. I'm also drawn to the dead to help them find peace in going to the after life. If I keep my mind open I cannot control my abilities…"
Myriah tilted her head at the unfinished sentence. ".. or your thirst right?" She whispered. Axel stilled.
And Myriah moved so that she could see into his eyes.
"It's okay." She assured as she guided his face to hers, she held his wide eyed gaze.
"It's not your fault you've to drink the blood of others to survive. And it's admirable that you rein in your cravings." Axel felt his body sag with relief. "But not at your expense." Myriah whispered. "Don't make yourself suffer needlessly." Axel caught her hand and kissed her fingertips.
"We are talking about you." He murmured as he brought her hand to cup his cheek and closed his eyes.
Myriahs breath hitched at the vulnerability Axel was showing to her. "You should allow Jasmine to tell you her story… maybe her mind has to be closed off as well."
Myriah pursed her lips. "Why would her mind have to be closed off?" Axel shrugged, "that's her story to tell, Myriah. You know… Your parents lied to you." Axel murmured. "Both of them lied to you. And it severed your ability to trust." Myriahs eyes filled with tears. "You need to make your peace with that: you were betrayed by both of your parents? Myriah." Axel pulled Myriah into his chest and allowed her to cry.
"Part of your healing is learning to trust another is to recognize where your mistrust really comes from." Myriah nodded as she buried her face in axels chest and allowed herself to cry.
"As for your trust in me, I'm as honored as I am concerned that of all people, you trust someone like me." Myriah moved so that she could stare into Axels eyes again, "I am a cruel and selfish man Myriah. I-" she allowed his gaze to sweep her away.
He gasped when her fingertips stroked his jawline. "You're an amazing person, Axel." Myriah murmured, as she continued to hold his gaze. "Your heart is pure… good or bad, you are pure…" she whispered. Axel didn't dare to speak or even move as Myriah drifted closer to him if possible. He could feel her breath on his lips.
"I'm flattered-" he tried but she paced a gentle finger on his lips to silence him. "Let me see you…" She paused as her eyes continued to search his. Axels hands cupped her cheeks and he closed the distance between them.
Myriahs hands fell into his shoulders as his right hand got tangled in her hair to hold her in place. She wrapped herself around him as he leaned forward until she was on the floor beneath him. Myriah felt her body shiver as his hands traced her curves. She barely had time to catch her breath when he broke the kiss to stare into her lavender eyes. Myriah sighed when he kissed her again.
It was pure warmth, his kiss. Consuming, demanding. It was a pleasure she was more than happy to submit to.
She sighed when his hands landed on her hips. "Myriah…" Axel drawled, as he drew lazy circles on her hips.
Myriah wrapped her legs around his waist, making him grow low in his throat. "I want to see you too." Axel whispered as his left hand wondered under her shirt. "I want to see you writhing beneath me." Myriah gasped when his hand found her left breast as squeezed. "I want to see you flushed from the pleasures I give." He murmured as he lifted her shirt to see the lacy bra that lay beneath. "I want to see all of you Myriah…" Axel whispered as he sliced her bra down the middle. "I want to have all of you…"
***
Myriah shot up with a yelp. Her hands flew to her chest and she felt her face turn redder and redder as she realized that she was braless.
'Did he really…. 'Did I….' She scrambled to the edge of her bed to see her bra carelessly spread out on the floor. Lavender eyes widened as she recalled the memory, the feel of his lips on her skin- Myriah squealed as she recalled the feeling of Axels hands on her breasts… 'it felt so real…' her body felt warm and tingly. Her hands wondered back to her chest as she felt the foreign sensation of her nipples hardening. She pressed her thighs together as her mind continued to be bombarded by the silver eyed man named Axel…