24. the secret

                                    

                                          
The Secret
                          
I don't remember what I dreamt about last night, but either way, I'm shaking violently.
                          
     "Elisa?" A voice asks, soft. I almost let out a cry, remembering yesterday's events so well again. I focus on my heavy-feeling body on the mattress and the early sun shining on my left cheek, heating up my skin. My eyes flutter open, and I take in the cozy hotel room. Taking in a deep breath or two, I wait patiently before I dare to turn myself.
                          
     Eventually, I do, and I shift so I'm now leaning onto my side, watching Axel next to me.
                          
     "What's wrong?" he asks, his brows furrowed.
                          
     I'm not shaking anymore. Actually, my body has stilled immensely as I stare at him. He's so close, yet too far away. I frown at him, remembering him stopping me from saving Mor. I remember him leaving me for Jil to collect. That's right–Jil took me with her. How am I here then, in his room?
                          
     "Nightmare?" I shudder, truly hoping I dreamt it all. First, the black cats, and afterward Mor dying. Oh, how badly I hope I have another shot at saving Mor.
                          
     My eyes stay on Axel in awe, and I force myself to forget about all of it. I'm with him now. He's with me. I feel my heart swelling at the thought. I dreamt it all. A reassuring smile comes onto his lips, allowing me to finally breathe.
                          
     He reaches out to grab me by my waist. He pulls me close to him, though I'm not able to feel his body heat. Before I can worry more, he covers my bare shoulders with a soft blanket.
                          
     "My Elisa," he whispers, his lips already on my collarbone. He kisses my skin quickly, leaving a trail of wetness neither of us cares much about. "My Elisa, why'd you do it?"
                          
     I freeze with him on top of me. His normally warm, gorgeous eyes are now cold. A shiver goes down my spine as we stare at each other.
                          
     "What?" I manage to ask him. "What did I do?" I'm hoping, hoping, hoping...
                          
     "Why did you chose someone who betrayed you over my family who accepted you?" His words repeat in my head.
                          
     It did happen.
                          
     Mor is dead.
                          
     But how am I here–and with him?
                          
     Tears sting in my eyes, and my hands begin to shake against Axel's cold chest. I look at them, noticing his coldness again. Axel rolls his eyes in response, which I don't fail to notice.
                          
     I pull them back right away.
                          
     "We allowed you in," he growls in my ear.
                          
     "I know," I whimper, feeling his icy eyes on me. "But I had to try–"
                          
     "You ruined everything!" he raises his voice, and I attempt to crawl away from underneath his body, doing my best to use my trembling body.
                          
     "I ruined nothing." I face him, suddenly remembering my own anger. He acts like I've ruined all–while I did nothing that lead to something. "Morgana is dead, Axel. Ethan made sure of that. And if you expect an apology, you'll be waiting a long time. I won't apologize for trying to save Morgana. I regret nothing." Words fall from my lips. And I realize I meant them all.
                          
     "An apology?" he echoes mockingly. I'm almost fully from underneath his weight. "You think my family and I would be satisfied with an apology?" He cocks his head to his side, an evil smile forming on his perfect lips. "Why do you think I came here, Elisa?"