AN - Thank you all so much for reading, reviewing and everything! You're all awesome.

Chapter 10

For a moment I stare blankly at her. Rory's eyes are determined and I know there's no changing her mind. The more I learn about her, the more I realise she's the stubbornest person I've met. Despite the fact he basically owns her, Rory refuses to conform to Andrew's idea of a perfect wife and insists everyone calls her Rory.

Still, I have to do something. I have to at least try to make her see sense.

'Please come with us, Rory. You don't have to marry him. I can look after you. I swear it to you.' I promise, seriously.

Can't she see I would do anything for her? It goes without saying I'd make sure she was safe and happy - of course I would. She can read my mind, she knows just how much I want her, just how far I'm willing to go for her. What's stopping her from leaving with me?

'What about my family, Xav? I can't leave them to face Andrew's wrath. I won't.'

Her logic makes sense in a way but I can't accept it. I need her to come with me. Hell, I just need her.

Some of my old anger leaks back in to me as I realise my soulfinder is planning on leaving me again, 'So that's it, is it? You marry Andrew for his money? Do you know what that makes you?'

I regret the words as soon as they leave my mouth. Will glares at me in disgust and silently tells me I've screwed up monumentally. Rory's eyes fill with tears and her face flushes violently.

'I can't believe you said that. I can't believe my soulfinder said that.' She murmurs quietly as if she were talking to herself, hurt evident in her quivering voice.

I'm sorry, Rory! Please believe me. I didn't mean it, baby. I'm sorry.

And now she's angry. I steel myself to brace her wrath, knowing I deserve it completely.

'How are you any different, Xavier? You say you'd never hurt me but you just did! Andrew hurts me physically - he hurts my body - but you, Xav, you hurt me emotionally in my soul. And if you ask me, that hurts a hell of a lot more.'

She's right. I sag in my chair. I'm not any better than that oversized brute. I hurt her. My God, I hurt Rory.

'I'm sorry, I didn't mean it,' we both whisper at the same time, repentance clear in our apologetic eyes.

Rory smiles a little and I know I'm forgiven. I beam right back at her.

I guess I got what I wished for. No matter what Rory does, I know I'll always come back for more and, as my anger-induced word vomit just proved, it appears the feeling is mutual.

Will clears his throat and looks increasingly panicked. Andrew must be close.

'He is,' mutters Rory, anxiously and I realise she must have read my mind, 'He's gone in to the wrong café but he'll be here really soon, Xav. You both need to go. Andrew knows you're my soulfinder and I have no idea what he'll do to you - he hasn't thought of a punishment he deems severe enough yet - but I know it won't be pleasant.'

'I'm not leaving without you, Aurora Stone.'

I'm completely serious. I refuse to leave my soulfinder to face the fury of her sadistic fiancé.

'For me, Xav. Please, for me, leave.' Rory begs, her eyes never leaving mine.

Now I'm torn. Half of me wants to do as my soulfinder says to make her happy and the other less idiotic side wants to sling her over my shoulder and get her out of here, consequences be damned.

Before I can do so, Will pipes up unexpectedly.

'Our family is strong, Rory. We can protect you, if you'll let us. Please come with us. I know Xavier's an idiot and I'm truly sorry you ended up with an annoying twerp like him for a soulfinder but he needs you. You didn't know him before, Rory, but trust me when I say he's changed for the better just by meeting you. Don't get me wrong, he's still annoying, egotistical, messy, unbelievably thick-' Will speaks up on my behalf, albeit in his own special brotherly way.

'Hey! You're supposed to list my good points.' I argue, interrupting him swiftly before he can reveal anything worse to Rory.

'Those are you're good points.' Will smirks at me. I punch his shoulder.

Very maturely, he respond by sticking his tongue out at me. Rory giggles at our antics before the situation sobers her up. Her eyes are so confused and conflicted.

I hate that I've done that to her. I hate that I found her only to cause her pain.

Would she have been better off without me?

Suddenly, I wish I brought Sky or Phee. Maybe they'd understand Rory's conviction that the only way anything will work out is if she leaves me. I mean, both Sky and Phee left their soulfinders in the beginning. Maybe they could help Rory understand it's not productive.

Will is getting increasingly edgy, causing Rory's eyes to flit around suspiciously as if the table of twelve-year-old girls next to us are suddenly going to jump up and knife us or something.

Rory stands up to leave without a word and I grab her hand. Anything to make her stay for even a second longer.

'Xav, I need to go, honey.'

She reaches out and strokes my hair soothingly as if I'm a frightened child with abandonment issues.

'Please just a little longer,' I beg, clutching her closer to my chest. She has no idea how good it feels to just hold her. In my arms, I know Rory's safe and healthy. Again, I send my thanks to God for making me a healer. It's the most peaceful I've felt since she left, 'I hardly know anything about you. I don't care about Andrew; I could take him.'

'I don't want you to 'take him', Xav. I don't want you getting yourself hurt over me.'

'But-'

'Xav, I can't go with you,' Rory won't meet my eyes and that's when I know I've lost her. She will not hurt her family; she will not leave here with me.

Then her demeanour alters completely. Those gorgeous eyes harden until they resemble emeralds; beautiful but cold and unyielding; her back straightens and she stares at a spot over my left shoulder.

'Xavier,' Oh, God please no. She full-named me. 'I'm not going with you because I don't want too. I want to marry Andrew. He can give me so much; security, protection, financial aid. Being able to help my family is just a plus.'

'No, Rory, you don't mean that,' I say desperately, 'You're trying to protect me or something! Aurora Stone, if you only listen to me once in your life then listen now. I'm a healer, baby. I can help your Dad, I promise. Your brother can apply for scholarships or Vic can fabricate him a degree if it's a specific job he wants. Together we can fix this, you don't have to marry him.'

'You're wrong, Xav.' She whispers with tears stuck in her eyes, 'I'm so sorry.'

My legs shake weakly and I slump back in to my chair as she repeats the same words for a second time.

Then I watch my soulfinder walk away from me. Again.