FULL NOVELXO Chapter Aysu's Dream
XIMUN
Later that night, when most of the peaceful pack had gone to sleep, Ximun woke up with heaviness in his mind. As he sat up and pressed the edge of the bed as carefully and quietly as possible, he knew it was time for him to acknowledge that something was off with him.
He was not feeling as happy and fulfilled as he was before and he needed to do something about it before his feelings could ruin the best relationship he has ever had since he knew the world.
Ximun glanced at a peacefully asleep Aysu and wondered what he could do to drag himself out of the trashy way he was feeling. Perhaps he had to first acknowledge that he had truly lost his position in The Night Crimson Pack because ever since it happened, a part of him remained in disbelief and that part kept secretly hoping that things would return to the life he knew before.
But after a quick look at the room that was draped in darkness, Ximun knew that he had to damn that part of him hoping for nonsense. He needed to face reality.
So, he got to his feet and assured himself that the feelings he had were just mere child-like tantrums. He was basically whining like a child who had lost something, so he needed to man up and stop letting those tiny feelings intercept his marriage and his plans for revenge.
Ximun was soon able to get that admonishment into his head. So, after a few paces around the room, he proceeded to walk out to get a cup of water to drink but a wince from Aysu had him racing to her side instantly.
Her forehead was wearing a deep frown as well as beads of sweat.
So, with a frown of worry, Ximun wiped those sweats and gently called, “Aysu?”
“Hmm…” She stirred, pain in her response. “How… could you?” she whispered and Ximun became more intentional about waking her up.
“Aysu, wake up,” he called again, his voice louder this time. “You are dreaming.”
“Hmm.” Her eyes squeezed some more. “Stop…”
“Aysu!” He didn’t mean to, but he was so scared that he screamed her name. But he managed to get her to open her eyes, so while relief settled in his chest, he pushed aside the fact that he had to shout at her in such a way and grabbed her shoulders.
“Xi… Ximun,” Aysu said, her voice painfully low. With gasps, she held onto his arms and made her upper body lean closer to him. “Ximun…” He looked deeper into her eyes and saw a mix of emotions. But the most dominant one was fear. “Ximun,” she repeated. “I just had…”
“... a dream? I know, baby. I know.” He hugged her closer instantly. “It’s just a dream.”
“No,” her voice suffered a crack. “I saw it, Ximun. I saw it all.”
Ximun’s brows knitted while he maintained his comforting embrace. “What did you see, Aysu?”
“I saw Cassera and… and Montari. T-the people Clarissa was talking about… I saw them. I saw their lives in my dreams and it was so real. I… I felt their pain, Ximun. I felt what they went through, Ximun. I…”
Ximun wasn’t sure what to term what was going on but he could tell she was telling the truth, so as he made their hug more firm, he said, “Let’s go back to sleep for now. We will talk about it later. Okay?”
“I…”
“I want you to rest from the shock of what you saw.” Ximun slightly pulled back to look into her eyes. “From what Clarissa told us, the dream must have been more of a nightmare to you, so, let me hold you right now and as you fall back to sleep, I will assure you that all is fine.” He reached for the side of her face. “Okay? Will you let me do that?”
Aysu nodded immediately and at the same time, she lowered her head to hide the film of tears in her eyes.
“Hey,” Ximun lifted her head gently, “we will talk about it later, okay?”
“Okay.” After her response came silent tears and that prompted Ximun to hold her closer.
So, in silence, they remained in that position until sleep came for both of them.
Ω
Dawn arrived and Ximun woke up to see Aysu staring at him while her fingers lingered around his lips as though they were unsure about touching him.
“Aysu,” he said, his lazy eyes blinking slowly as he tried to drive the sleep in his eyes away. “How do you feel now?”
“After seeing that dream, I don’t know how to feel.”
Ximun had an idea of her feelings. But he had to ask. “What do you mean by that, my Queen?” As he asked that question, his hand found her waist and he pulled her closer.
“I uh…” She finally placed her finger on the side of his lips. “I hardly believed the story Clarissa told us but regardless, I was willing to try her advice concerning breaking the curse. But the dream I had last night, it uhm, showed me everything. Everything I doubted was presented to me in the best and worst way possible.”
Just as it was earlier, her voice carried pain and that made Ximun’s heartache.
“The best and worst way possible?” he asked.
She nodded. “I saw everything and I experienced everything. The happiness, betrayal, the self-pity, the pain, the good times, the bad times and most especially,” her eyes teared up again, “the part where Cassera had to kill her mate.”
“Oh, Aysu,” Ximun quietly dropped and he wiped away the few tears of hers that dropped.
“I know. It sucks. Why did I have to have that dream? It’s almost as though the universe is trying to make a joke out of my thoughts.”
“The universe can be a huge pain in the ass sometimes.”
Aysu chuckled while she tilted her head a little upwards. “It sure does feel that way.”
“Aysu, look at me.” She followed his humble request. “Let’s make sure we break the curse, okay?”
As she nodded, more tears dropped. “That’s the best way to get back at the universe, isn’t it?” she asked, her voice heavy.
“It is the best way. So let’s make sure we win, okay, my love?”
“Yes, my wonderful mate. Let’s do that.”
Ximun tightened the embrace of their bodies and they remained that way until a knock landed on their door.
“Who is it?” Ximun asked.
“Master, it is I, Jindo.”
“Oh.” Ximun glanced at Aysu. He hoped that whatever Jindo had to say would not make him get out of bed. He wanted to remain in bed with his woman for a little while longer. “Is there a problem?”
“Not really, master. Some representatives of the men of the pack were here to deliver a message.”
“They were?”
“Yes, master. They wish to have a meet and greet with you, Sir Ximun. It’s scheduled for later this morning. Should I send word that you’ll be attending?”
Aysu quickly said, “This is an opportunity, Ximun.”
She spoke his mind and since she said it first, Ximun became certain that it was indeed an opportunity he could not let go of.
“Jindo?”
“Yes, master.”
“Make adequate preparations, we have to make sure we get those men on our side by the end of the meeting.”
“Noted, master.” Jindo’s footsteps retreated from the door.
“This might be a sign that things will go well,” Ximun said to Aysu.
And she assured him by saying, “It will go well.”
No more words were said, but the way they held each other in silence became a means for each person to know that indeed, they were loved.
PART ONE OF THE CURSE OF REJECTION ENDS
photo source: pinterest (kind of how I picture Ximun)
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Hello, my beautiful people.
Yes, you read that right, this chapter concludes the first part of Aysu and Ximun's story. Their story continues in the second part titled THE BEAUTY OF REJECTION which will start updating in the last week of April.
Thank you for following this love story till this point, I guess it's safe to say, see you in Part Two of Aysu's and Ximun's love story where things remain as crazy. :)