∞ The Tethered Ones ∞

Chapter 18

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• Luna •

Hours had passed, and Luna stayed curled next to Amir.

She'd gotten up twice when she needed to use the restroom, and he'd stayed by her side for assistance. As she got re-adjusted in her spot, her stomach growled.

She was surprised that she hadn't felt hungry earlier, but she figured it was because of the shock her body was going through. The only thing she did was drink two bottles of water and listen to Amir translate a book from English to Urdu. It wasn't even nine o'clock, and he joked about reading her a bedtime story. She smiled up at him, feeling his heart beating with hers.

No one on the property bothered them. He'd stuck a sign out on the front door that said, "Do Not Disturb."

She wanted to see her daughter, but Faisal had explained it wasn't a good idea. Luna agreed because she didn't want Sarah to see her mother in this condition. 

But that wasn't the only concern.

Wherever their group was hiding, they needed to be careful when they used their telepathy. They were off the grid, and that could all change in a blink of an eye if a hunter was near and sensed their aura.

Faisal explained to Luna about Liberty and their bloodline. Amir informed both of them about what he had learned about Origins in the meeting. She was shocked to learn she wasn't meant to be tethered and have superhuman abilities. But all of her doubts had been suppressed the second she met her husband's stare.

She knew their lives were always going to connect, regardless of her father's procedure in the past.

Sam had connected them beyond the grave.

Turning the final page, Amir looked down and laughed. "Do I hear your stomach singing?"

She nodded. "It is. It wouldn't hurt to get something to eat."

"I would've gotten you something earlier, but you were recovering and on pain medication."

Twisting his body, he draped an arm around her waist and placed a hand over her stitches. Then, he closed his eyes and inhaled a breath, and exhaled.

When he didn't make a sound for two whole seconds, she asked, "What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to heal you."

"You know, you have never explained to me how you obtained those miraculous healing abilities."

His eyes locked on hers and he chuckled. "Sorry, but I didn't get a chance to read the handbook on How To Heal Your Partner From A Gunshot Wound. I'm pretty sure it has some fascinating information in it, though."

She scowled, scoffing. "I knew you wouldn't give me a straight answer."

He laughed again.

"What's so funny now?"

"You. I love you, Moon. That's all."

"Oh, you do? Do you love me enough to answer my questions?" She pinched her lips, waiting for his rebuttal. "It was a simple one."

"Honestly, I don't know how it works. I just have this sensation inside my veins, and I want to touch something dead, or barely alive, and see what happens."

"So, I get to be the first test dummy?" Her brows raised as he played with the ends of her hair. "I don't mind. It's for a good cause."

He shook his head, smiling. "Let me try to heal your scar. Please."

She inhaled a breath and stayed silent for a moment before answering him. "I want to push through my pain the natural way. If I can test my limit, then anything thrown at me wouldn't feel as bad. I need to ensure this."

When a tear slid down her cheek, he reached forward and caught it with his thumb. "You're so strong," he said. "The organization had injected a serum into me. It can heal Tethered Souls."

"A serum to heal?"

He nodded.

"That's crazy. You haven't tried it yet?"

She followed his gaze as he looked toward the bathroom door. He kept his eyes focused on the floor, and then finally turned his neck, meeting her eyes. "I saw a roach while you were sleeping."

"Was it dead or alive?"

"It was alive, but barely. I looked at it and thought of how I tried to heal you. I could have gone through with it and healed you, but I . . ." He paused, adjusting his arm. "I didn't want to test my ability on you. I didn't know if I'd awaken some other power I may have. This is new to me."

Securing the blanket around her chest, she nodded. "I can understand that."

"Yeah," he whispered. "I decided to see what I could do for the roach."

"And?"

He giggled. "You're enjoying this."

"I am," she replied, nodding hastily.

His fingers skated around her chin and kept his eyes locked on her. "That's intriguing, Moonlight."

Her brows furrowed. "Um, 'Moonlight?' Don't you mean, 'Moon'?"

He laughed. "I realized I needed to up my game. Why do you get to have a hundred nicknames for me and I only get to have two for you?"

"I thought it was one."

He bit his lip. "You're so argumentative."

"Well, that's what you get for marrying me."

Throwing himself backward, he laughed uncontrollably. "Were we always like this?"

"What? Playful and whimsical?"

He didn't reply.

"I don't have a clue what you're talking about, Mr. Khan."

"Uh-huh," he said, his eyes roaming down her neck. "I like how we are now. I don't even care to relive my other memories. These new ones are worth all the trouble."

"You're worth everything, too," she said. "Don't keep me in suspense. What happened next?"

"On what?"

"The roach, silly boy."

He smirked. "Now, I have to add those words to my nickname chart?"

She pursed her lips and settled on her elbow. "You created a chart with your nicknames?"

"Would it be so bad if I did?"

"No, baby. I want you to. You should keep a diary of everything that happens. And when old memories of your life resurface, you can reflect on what you have experienced."

"That's not a bad idea," he agreed.

"And that's why it's called teamwork."

"Definitely a team."

She smiled. "You write the diary, and I'll write the novel."

"A book sounds like a lot of work."

She shook her head. "Nope. It'll be easy-peasy."

He beamed. "Do you even have characters for your fictional world, baby?"

"Yep. And we are the stars of it. I even have a title and an outline."

He raised an eyebrow. "Can you elaborate more on it, please?"

"Nope. It's top secret. But I will give you a hint." He lowered his neck and cracked a grin as she continued. "The title is another word for 'connected.' It'll all make sense once I work out the plot."

He chortled. "From a photographer to a novelist. You'll soon become a household name, Luna."

"Well, we'll see how you feel after you read it. Your character finds himself in compromising situations, and he may not get himself out of them."

"It's a good thing I'm not like him, then. I can get myself out of anything. Even from this place."

She let out a soft laugh and flexed her legs in the dim light. Noticing how quiet he'd gotten, she asked, "Is everything all right?"

"Yeah. It's just . . ." He paused and took a breath, and then added, "Have we discussed this before? About you writing a book?"

A shudder rolled through her, and she narrowed her eyes. She couldn't believe he remembered that day. It seemed so long ago, and it was. Almost a year had passed.

Pulling her closer, he insisted, "Talk to me, Moon."

"We . . ." She cleared her throat. "There was a time we had joked about it."

"So that memory was . . . was real?"

She nodded.

"Yes. Mashallah. That's great news," he replied.

"It is, Amir. We were friends then and had given each other a tour of our hometowns."

His smile grew wider as he turned his head. "I got to show you Pakistan."

She smiled and nodded. "We had also visited a haunted cemetery that night."

He made a face, and she busted out laughing, her side slightly hurting.

"Mrs. Khan. I told you to be careful," he said in a serious tone. "Don't make me punish you."

"Oh . . ." She placed her hand over her chest like she was offended, teasing him. "When am I not punished by you, Mr. Khan?"

A coy smile graced his lips. "You keep that up, Moonlight, and you'll see a side to me you never saw coming."

"I have to get used to being called that."

He snickered, and she added, "I like it. Your dom is peeking out."

"It only peeks out for special occasions."

She giggled. "And now is a special occasion, prince." She bit her lip, staring at him. "Or should I say . . . Dom?"

He turned away, laughing quietly.

Exhaling, she said, "For the fiftieth time, what happened to the roach?"

He brought his eyes back around, and his brows furrowed. "What is with you and the roach? Should I be worried?"

"No," she snorted. "I'm simply asking on behalf of our creator."

"Sure. I think the roach is coming between us. I don't like it."

She giggled. "Is Betelgeuse okay or not?"

Sliding out of the bed, he couldn't contain his laughter. Luna just laid still and laughed with him, his sound coming out like waves from the ocean, hitting her intensely.

"I guess I will have to peek inside your head to find the answer," she said. "I wonder what skeletons I'll find."

Facing her, he placed his hands on his naked hips, then answered, "Betelgeuse is okay. He's hanging in there. I healed him."

"Good."

Amir strode back to the bed and sat down. "Are you happy now?"

Tipping her head up, she nodded. "I am."

"Great," he said, laying his body against the headboard. "We've got to get something in that stomach of yours. Fast."

Wiping her eyes on the back of her hand, she curled an arm around his waist and said,  "Look at you. Getting ready to put buns in the oven."

"Haha. That's not what I meant and you know it," he said, shaking his head. "You need to eat."

"What do we have?"

"Mm," he mumbled, the beat of his chest hitting her ear. "There's a strawberry yogurt in the fridge."

"That sounds edible."

"I can get it if you want," he offered, and she nodded. "Don't move an inch. I'll be quick."

"Yes, Sir."

He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist, then stepped out of the doorway. The sound of kitchen drawers opening and closing and the fridge slamming shut caused her to stir.

When she lifted her body, she straightened a little and slightly rubbed her sore. She knew she wasn't supposed to touch it, but she couldn't help it. It was a reminder of the hell she'd been through. A reminder that . . .

She stopped thinking when Amir appeared in the doorway, a tray of food in his hands. Stepping forward, he placed it on the end of the bed and passed her a glass of grape juice.

Taking a sip, she closed her eyes and then moaned deeply. "It feels like forever since I had any of this. I missed it."

"I could tell. It comes with being tethered to you."

"Right." She let out a tiny laugh, then spotted a bowl of oatmeal and toast. "Thank you for getting some food."

Groaning, he said, "Moon. How many times do I have to tell you that you don't need to thank me? You're my wife and I take care of you."

He reached forward and folded a hand over her knee, his lips tipping up.

Keeping their eyes locked, she whispered, "Tum khush hotay ho to lugta hai jaisay saara jahaan khil utha hai."

She wanted to express to him that when he was happy, it was like the whole world had blossomed.

He smiled back and cupped her chin. "I have a lot of reasons to be happy. One of them is sitting in my presence."

Her stomach grumbled in response.

She then bit into her toast and stared at him, unable to peer her gaze away.

"You're strong and beautiful, Luna. I have never been more blessed than I am now. I promise you from this day forward, I will do everything in my power to find a way for us to leave from here. You have my word."

She nodded and laid her bread back down as her lips trembled. 

"Baby, you need to eat," he urged. "I can hear your stomach."

"Sorry about that."

He sipped his drink and looked back at her. "Don't apologize. We only have enough food for one more round, and I can't get any more until I go to the main house."

"Oh," she mumbled, shoving a spoonful of oatmeal in her mouth.

After they were finished, he stood and took their dishes, then placed them on the dresser.

Making his way back to the bed, he crawled in and draped an arm around her shoulders. "Feel better?"

"Mmm," she murmured, hugging him close. "I do."

"I'm glad."

As she glanced at the clock, it read nine-forty. She cleared her throat and turned to him. "I'll help with the mess tomorrow," she whispered. "I'm sure there's glass and blood, and — "

"It's all been taken care of." He stilled. "They came and took care of Chase, and the room is fine. You can't see anything because of the dim light, but it looks like nothing ever happened."

Relief was potent, and she wanted to relax but couldn't. An image of her walking into the room, glaring at Chase had sent a shudder through her. Silence fell between her and Amir as she stared at the flickering light and replayed the incident over and over. She wanted to remain calm and collective with her ex, but he made it impossible for her not to grow colder. After seeing his gun, she decided she was going to have to give up her facade and teach him a lesson.

Her breath rose and got stuck, circling the quickly rising lump. What was worse than the knowledge that she almost took his life was her acceptance of doing so. She had no qualms about offing somebody she despised, and that terrified her. She was perfectly fine with taking lives for survival. But for revenge?

Her stomach rumbled.

She was beginning to lose her sanity.

"Moon," Amir whispered. "Did you fall asleep?"

"I wanted Chase dead." Tears welled up and traveled down her cheeks before she could stop them. "It wouldn't have bothered me if I had killed him."

He turned slightly and placed a hand over her collarbone. "It's okay. You had to protect yourself."

"No." Her throat tightened as she struggled to breathe. "What I had done doesn't grant me the right to use my ability viciously like that." She coughed and patted her side. "Oh, God . . ."

"Luna . . ."

"What's wrong with me, Amir? I could have just stopped him, but I chose to rebel against him instead. And I caused a mess in your room."

"He deserved it. Okay. Chase brought a gun and threatened your life and my family. You acted out of self-defense."

It all sounded reasonable to him, but it wasn't. Chase was disturbed and wouldn't let her go. Once she'd gotten control over him, she wanted to beat him at his own game. And it had failed. He ended up seriously hurt by something she'd done, even if he was asking for it. That knowledge rocked her from the inside out and tears kept spilling out of her eyes, pooling around her neck. It didn't seem right or fair to be comforted. It was easy for her to flip a switch, to become someone else, and be consumed with rage. She wasn't the same person anymore. Not the Luna who enjoyed life and what it had to offer.

She struggled free from Amir's grip, but he held on, not letting her go. "I'm a monster. A complete monster."

"Are you serious right now?" Disbelief thickened his tone. "How can you think that?"

Tears stained her face. "Chase is in a coma because of me," she croaked. "It was different before. Days ago, I'd just gone at him. But yesterday I wanted to choke him to death with my invisible grip. I'm just as bad as a cold-blooded killer."

"No, you're not."

She dragged in the air by the lungful. "I am. I'd do it again. If anyone threatened Sarah or you, I'd kill them in a heartbeat. And this isn't how people react. I'm not right in the head."

"You're being too hard on yourself, baby," he said. "Do you think a soldier enjoys killing someone on the field? They don't. It's something they have to do, for self-defense."

She wiped her cheeks. "That's different."

"Yeah? How so?" He grasped her chin with his hands and forced her to look at him through drenched lashes. "If someone provokes you to protect yourself, you have to. You can't let them win."

She didn't say anything and just continued to stare into the darkness.

"It's okay to feel that way, Moon. You're going through a healing stage." When she winced, his eyes traveled to her side. "Not trying to change the subject, but I can't stand to see you in pain anymore."

She moaned. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

"No, Luna. I need to . . . I want to do something."

"What is it?"

"Heal you."

She wanted to protest, but her chest burned. "I need to feel my pain. You may not be around the next time I go through something like this."

A deep, throaty chuckle returned. He then brought a hand to her wound and sucked in a deep breath. "Baby, I'm sorry, but I need to help you. We're connected, and your pain is my pain."

Her chest ached as the warmth of his hand soothed her insides. A bright light surrounded his frame, and the sweet brown hues of his eyes were the flame she needed to feel comfortable.

Once he was finished, she touched her side and her laceration was no longer there. It was like she was never hurt. "It's . . . it's gone."

He gulped, his eyes wide. "I don't know how . . . I did that."

She looked up at him. "You're good with your hands. What can I say?"

"I know you didn't want me to do that, but you aren't on the receiving end watching the one you love feel miserable."

Touching the dark strands of his hairline, she whispered, "Yes, I am."

"Oh, Moon . . ."

"Don't say anything. I know exactly what you're going through. We're both in a healing stage."

"We can heal together."

"As one," she said.

He nodded. "As one."

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The dom comment brought to you by, Evergreen_Ebony 😂

"The dom peaked out for a moment here."