The Mystic Academy

Chapter 8

(Urania's POV)

"Draco calm down Love." Mother spoke calmly to father as she stared at me with uncertainty. She must think I am crazy for the way I was protecting Joel but I knew that the Goddess placed Joel into my life for a reason. He needed me to help him through his grief before it destroyed the gentle soul within him. One day, my family will understand that as well. "Let's head to the academy and discuss this there."

"Mother?! Why would you suggest allowing a kidnapper into the academy full of children?" Umbrielle asked with surprise.

"I hate to say this but I agree with mother. Urania wouldn't defend someone who was dangerous, even if he did take out sister from us for the last three years." Uriel said in defense. I wasn't surprised he was on my side, he always knew how to be my biggest supporter. I felt my legs becoming weak after snaping one of my bones when I got off of Joel. Before I could collapse on myself, Joel scooped me back into his arms, causing a breath of relief to leave my lips. The pain radiating through my leg was slowly calming down to a pulsating as the pressure was removed.

"Thank you." I whispered breathlessly as I leaned my head against his chest. Joel kissed my forehead as he looked at me with mix emotions. I knew he hated himself for taking me and I knew he was going through more than anyone could imagine as he tried to bring himself to accept my unavoidable death. His weak smile and eyes clouded over with emotions told me all I needed. I placed my tiny hand over his cheeks, as I reassured him that everything would be fine. The giant bear of a man was a big softy to me.

I felt Joel start to walk and I knew he was following my family. I kept my head tucked into him, knowing he wouldn't do anything to put my life in danger. Not that anyone could endanger me anymore than I already am. As we walked all their thoughts jumbled together within my mind, causing an overload of emotions.

'How could she be so cozy with that man? She isn't related to him and he stole her from our home. We have been searching for the last three years and she just allows him to pick her back up as if he was the good guy of this story.' Uriel's thoughts filtered through, as his anger and displeasure overtook his mind.

'We need to go at this in the right mind frame. If Urania feels threatened or we are backing this man into a corner I know she will bolt. She is attached to him, why, I am not sure. We have to keep Draco calm and the others as well.' Mother thought and I knew she was talking with her counterparts.

'How dare this man take my daughter and then walk back here as if nothing had ever happened. Then he allows my daughter to defend him like she is his mate. No f*****g way. Over my dead body.' Father thought angrily. How could he think Joel, a man old enough to be my father, was my mate. He had a mate, one he had to kill for his daughters honor. Why could they not see the suffering this man went through?

'Why is Urania so close but still feel so far away?' Umbrielle thought, sadness radiating through her body. I hated knowing I was causing her this pain.

'I shouldn't be here. I should have made sure Urania got here but then left. They are all going to kill me and I didn't blame them. I took their daughter, sister away from them during the last years of her life. I should be happy she has such a strong support system but I hate to see her go. I am greedy, wishing she could stay with me until her last breath escapes her.' Joel thought, his depression clouding his thoughts again and I knew my job here wasn't done. I needed him to have no regrets, to understand I forgave him and that my death is no one's fault. My life was always supposed to go this way.

As soon as we walked into the academy, I felt the presence of everyone joining us. I missed their strong, supportive presence that always gave me a leg to stand on. I looked around, giving them all a reassuring smile that seemed to only make them have worried expressions. I knew I wasn't doing well, I only hoped they would process my death faster than the time they seemed to need.

"Call Doctor Julian." Mother commanded, as I watched Grandpa Di run off as if a fire was under his feet, chasing him down the hall. Hmm, they brought doctor Julian with them? Did something happen with one of my family members? Why would she need to be at the academy? I prayed they trained a few new doctors for the rest of our kingdom. They needed a strong doctor there and Julian was the best.

"Hand her over to Uriel and let them get her checked out." Father demanded in a gruff voice, as if he was trying to restrain the rage bubbling under the surface. He was good but I could still feel it.

"He stays with me. Joel can take me to see doc." I told them, without making eye contact with any of them. I could feel the confusion, the anger, the ambiguity, and shock radiating off them. I hated to make them feel this way but I had to keep him safe and finish helping him.

"I will take you guys." Uriel said unconvincingly. I could hear the uncertainty coming from him as he debated if he wanted to take Joel with us or not.

'How could she be so willing to allow a kidnapper around all of us? Why does she not see the damage that could cause? She is to forgiving and trusting of people she shouldn't.' Uriel thought to himself. I wonder if I should tap into what his counterparts are feeling. Was he doing alright with them since I was gone?

"Uriel," I whispered, hoping he could hear me. "I have missed you."

'I have missed you more than you could ever know sis. Don't think I forgot you can hear my thoughts. I am here for you and if you want to protect this guy, then I will support you for now. Once he shows an ounce of malice though, I will have to think about your safety first.' Uriel thought to me, letting our conversation be only one sided out loud. He loved to make it look like I was talking to myself.

I knew as soon as we entered the doctor's office, the smell of antiseptics and alcohol wafting through my nose. I knew this smell all to well, one I wished to never have experience again. I looked up t Joel, as if he could understand the reason for the misery within my eyes.

"It's alright. I won't leave you and as soon as the doctor is done I will take you away from here." Joel whispered in my ear. May be he could understand how I was feeling. I nodded once, letting him know I was happy with that agreement before bringing my focus over to Doctor Julian.

"It's nice to see you back and safe Urania." Doctor Julian said with the brightest smile upon her face. I knew she was being enthusiastic because of Joel and Uriel's presence. I wasn't safe and she knew it as much as I did, anyone could tell with just a look at me. I was dying and her help wasn't going to change that. "I know you hate shots but I need to catch you up on your regimen, take a work up of blood and bandage up your leg after realigning the bones. I am sorry Urania."

I knew by her eyes that she was telling the truth. She didn't like the next steps as much as I wouldn't. I nodded curtly, allowing her to proceed. Joel laid me down on the stretcher, as Uriel and Joel each took the opposite hand of mine. I smiled at both of them before closing my eyes and focusing on breathing. I always sucked up anything I didn't like to prevent making anything worse for others. It was the least I could do.

'I am not leaving your side sis. You have no idea how hectic it has been without you.' Uriel thought to me, making me peer my eyes open at him. I stared at him, seeing if what he was saying was true or not. He seemed conflicted between telling me how horrid everything was for the last three years and keeping his wording curt so I didn't worry. What would they do when I left this world? Doctor Julian couldn't prevent the inevitable.

"Just tell me." I told him reassuringly, showing him I could take it no matter how bad the last three years were.

"Mother has been closed off from everyone, even us. She has been gone for months at a time, looking for you. She even attacked me when I couldn't follow your scent. It took everyone to pull her off and she hasn't been the same since. Doctor Julian has been sedating her at night time when she is within the kingdom. Father is slowly losing himself with grief and feeling as if he lost his mate. Umbrielle only talks with me and a few friends, trying to find comfort in boys. The twins have been pulling back as they act out in rage. They need more attention than they are receiving. Uncle Xavier has been trying to keep mother out of trouble, putting a damper on his own relationships. It has been hard, the whole kingdom is falling apart. Instead of the happy, upbeat place we have lived in, the kingdom has fallen into a quiet, depressed place." Uriel said softly, trying to keep it between us two. I could feel the uncertainty and pain coming off Joel. I squeezed his hand before addressing everyone in the room.

"Joel, this isn't your fault. The goddess had me fall exactly where I needed to be. I can say I healed you throughout the last three years, allowing you to move on through the tragedy your life turned into. Doctor Julien, I will fix mother before I leave. I won't allow your death to come because of my demise. Uriel, we will heal the kingdom and our family together, it is time everyone accepts that my death is unavoidable." I told them all reassuringly with a smile upon my face. I would never allow them to worry for me.