My heart skipped in my chest as the door swung open, likely by Xavier’s magic. I was finally going to see him. Jaxon.
Xavier lingered by the door, his gaze still fixed on the floor as I rushed into the room.
It was dark—too dark for the time of day. The shades must have been drawn, muting the sunlight. A faint flicker of light sparked to my right, and as it illuminated the room, my breath hitched.
Jaxon sat against the wall, his back angled awkwardly as he leaned against the cold stone. His face had lost its usual life, and the once-bright golden hue of his eyes had faded to a muted yellow. His chest, bare and exposed, revealed ribs more prominently than before, the defined muscles now appearing smaller, like he had lost weight. A bowl of water and a rag were next to him as if someone had been tending to him.
Xavier followed me into the room, shutting the door behind him with a quiet click. He leaned back against it, assuming the same detached posture he’d held in the hallway.
“Jaxon,” I breathed or shouted, I wasn’t sure, as I ran toward him. Jaxon’s head lifted weakly in my direction, and his eyes widened slightly.
“Don’t,” Jaxon hissed, holding his hand up as I approached, making me stop only feet away. He glared at Xavier. “I told you I didn’t want to see her.”
My heart cracked at his words, and Jaxon averted his gaze. I fought to maintain my composure, feeling the weight of his rejection and trying not to crumble under it.
“And I told you, you need to snap out of it,” Xavier’s voice sliced through the air, “You’ve barely touched your food, and nothing else has seemed to help.”
Jaxon let out a feral roar of anger, and Xavier only laughed at his outburst.
Jaxon’s eyes flickered toward me, and the sight of the tear that slipped down my cheek seemed to sharpen his gaze into something both pained and resolute. “I want to be left alone,” he growled, the words like daggers aimed straight at my heart. “Leave,” Jaxon barkedandrose from the floor, his body tense and rigid.
Xavier stepped between us, positioning himself in front of me.
“What did I do to make you so angry?” I asked, my voice trembling. The relief I had at finally seeing him withered away inside me.
“Like you don’t know,” Jaxon snarled, his gaze fierce and accusatory. “Like you don’t feel it.”
“Jaxon. Enough.” Xavier’s tone was sharp. “You’re angry, but this isn’t the way to handle it.”
“What is he talking about?” I demanded.
The cold, mocking laughter that escaped Jaxon’s lips made me flinch. “You and him,” Jaxon growled, eyes locking onto Xavier.
“Me and who?!” I shouted, the words bursting out of me as I shoved past Xavier. My hands collided with Jaxon’s chest, the force of the push making him stagger slightly. I was done playing whatever game this was.
Xavier stopped me from advancing further and grabbed my arms, pulling me behind him with a protective urgency. Jaxon’s gaze remained locked on Xavier.
“I told you not to bring her here. This is on you!” Jaxon roared, shoving Xavier.
Xavier caught himself, deftly moving me aside to prevent me from being knocked over. “I wouldn’t do that again, brother.” Xavier’s voice was bitter, with a deadly undertone that made my skin prickle.
Jaxon advanced, his anger unrestrained, but Xavier was faster. He lashed out, landing a punch that sent Jaxon crashing into the wall with a resounding thud.
I let out a cry as I lunged forward, but Xavier's hand was suddenly on my arm, holding me back. “This was a mistake; we should go,” Xavier said softly.
“Let me go,” I snapped, and he released me without question. I rushed to Jaxon, who lay crumpled on the floor, his breath uneven.
“Jaxon, please, talk to me,” I pleaded, kneeling beside him.
“We have nothing to talk about. Go back to my brother and leave me be,” Jaxon whispered, his voice a hollow echo. He struggled to his feet, walking away from me and past Xavier toward his bed. He collapsed into it, pulling the covers around him like a shield, turning his back to us.
A low growl rumbled from Xavier’s throat, and he moved swiftly, crossing the room to grasp my hand. Without waiting for a response, he tugged me out of the room. My feet followed mechanically, and I didn’t resist.
Once in the hall, Xavier shadowed us back to my room and dropped my hand.
I stood frozen where we appeared. All this time, I’d thought Xavier was keeping Jaxon from me, but now I realized it was Jaxon who didn’t want to see me.
Xavier sank onto the edge of the bed, burying his face in his hands. His shoulders trembled slightly, and his voice came out muffled and strained. “I’m sorry. I thought… I thought seeing you would help. It was a mistake. He's not himself, and you shouldn't have had to see him like that, to be treated like that.”
