Behind the Mask

9. Emptiness and Coldness

Mel

“You could have told me when I was pregnant with Liv or when she was born. Why not then?” I tried to be rational and even see it from their perspective. But it was impossible. They could have at least told me everything after my daughter was born.

It was hard to think straight when my mind and heart were clouded by so much hurt. 

“We...” Maximus started, but Liv cut him off.

“Elric wanted to tell you everything when I was little. Or at least he told me so, maybe it was one more of his lies,” Liv muttered, her last words enlaced with bitterness. I knew how it all was affecting, hurting her.

I wanted to protect her from it. Especially now that she was so sensitive. But I couldn’t protect her from the truth or have it denied to her any longer. We already saw that “protecting” someone from the truth only created deeper wounds.

She had to know everything that Elric did, she had to know him. Otherwise, her relationship with him would be only based on lies and secrets, behind a mask. I couldn’t have that happening to her, having her suffering symbolically from the same thing I’d suffered literally.

“It’s true. He told me that I could, that I should tell you the truth.” Maximus told me.

“Why didn't you do it then? You couldn’t use your king as an excuse anymore.”

“Melinda, I...” he gulped hard and ran his hands through his silver now dishevelled hair.  “First, I was fearful that if I did so, people in your Realm would discover that our daughter was a hybrid and that could endanger her. She was the only hybrid in The Six Realms. I was afraid that Avalon could use her as a bargaining tool, a pawn, a weapon, or even hurt her,” he said, looking at me. I saw Avalon's enraged and indignant face with the corner of my eye.

“What the f*ck? I’ve never hurt little children and I would never hurt Mel’s kid,” Avalon hissed for the first time in this conversation, narrowing his eyes at Elric and Maximus.  

“If I knew that this information would endanger my child, I wouldn’t tell a soul. That’s obvious. What kind of mother do you think I am?,” I replied. 

How could they even think that I would spread some information that would risk my child’s life?

“Triggered by her slightly different scent and the mystery surrounding her origin, they could put you under a spell to make you reveal the truth. If you knew it, this knowledge could endanger you as well, not only Liv,” Maximus said.

“Avalon knew he was her mate since she was a toddler,” I argued. 

“Mate or not, I would have protected her; I would have protected them both and Lea,” Avalon lashed out as I expected.

He was enraged. Liv wrapped her arms around his torso, probably trying to calm him down, even when she was so tense herself. She really loved him, they’ve learned to love each other well and deeply, even though they could both be very intense and even explosive.

“We didn’t know about Avalon also being her mate,” Maximus replied nervously.

“Of course not! You never talk to me. How could you know?” I hissed. “What is the second reason for it, Maximus? What will be your next excuse?” I asked throwing daggers at him with my eyes. Channeling all my pain at him.

“These aren’t excuses. It’s the truth.”

“There is always a first time for everything,” Liv mocked, raising a brow at him. 

I looked at her tense and tired face, tears roaming down her face continuously, and looked up at Avalon, giving him a pleading look, to try and avoid that she stressed herself even more.

“Baby, let’s go to rest a bit,” Avalon said, stroking her face tenderly.

“No, I need to know. I can’t live a lie any longer.” She looked back at him.

“Mel can tell you everything afterward,” he argued.

“We can’t leave her alone,” Liv protested.

“Yes, sweetheart, you can. Don’t worry about me,” I replied, taking her hand in mine.

“No.” Liv’s voice dripped with finality. I knew that was no more arguing. My headstrong daughter had made up her mind.

“We should talk about it alone. Only the two of us,” Maximus uttered.

“No!” Liv and I exclaimed at the same time.

Maximus sighed sharply and ran his hands through his silver hair again.  

“I was afraid that you would reject me if I told you the truth, revealed my identity,” Maximus muttered, his always firm and deep voice faltering a bit. His very tense face and locked jaw, was now taken over by something else, sadness? Worry?

“Can you even do that now after mating?” Liv asked. 

Liv gave me a questioning look. I would like to know the answer to this question too. Was it possible to reject him after we mated and he had marked me? Our bond wasn’t fully completed, for I never marked him. 

“I don’t know,” I uttered.

“As far as I know they haven’t completed the marking. So, it wouldn’t be that hard...” Avalon thought out loud. Maximus was looking feral as if he wanted to launch at Avalon.

“She can’t do it while being pregnant, she could die. The breach of the bond has many effects on one's soul. It would untie the souls of mates, thus cut them,” Elric explained.

“Wait... could have she done it before... without dying? Can I do it?” Liv wondered.

Elric now looked livid, petrified. I’d never seen him so affected before. Lines formed on his forehead, his jaw was painfully locked and his fists clenched into balls.

“You would likely die. Depends on the bond. The connection between the mates, how deep it is. We are fully mated and marked and...” Elric tried to say.

“I don’t see how it would be dangerous for me. Our so-called connection was based on lies and secrets. Our connection was a lie, Elric!” She leashed out and took a step forward, towards him. The thin curtain of fire that she built between them fading away with her step. 

Avalon pulled her back to his chest gently and wrapped his arms around her protectively.

“No, Livia! You know that isn’t true!” Elric’s voice was pure weariness and almost aggressive. It sounded like a lash.

“I don’t know...” she muttered looking intently at him. She didn’t look angry anymore, only hurt and tired.

She was nearing her breaking point and so was I. I took her both hands in mine and looked intently at her moistened blue eyes, her pain mirroring mine. 

“Let’s leave now, sweetie. We can continue this conversation later.” Before she could protest, I continued, “Your babies are probably awake now and Helena must be crying for you.” 

She nodded and gave me a lingering hug before she flashed away with Avalon. I opened a portal and left myself. Elric and Maximus didn’t dare to say any further words. 

They knew what they did. 

They shattered all crystals in our hearts, trust, love, and hope. 

Now all felt only empty and cold. 

Once again, only emptiness and coldness.