Chapter 14

I never realised how supportive my brothers were until I needed them. Victor's sat beside me, much like Zed did, while I stare in to space. After he showed me the invite he didn't try and tell me what to do. For once, Victor didn't think he knew best.

He's letting me think for myself while making sure I'm not alone and giving me the option to talk if I want. I know Vic doesn't particularly want to hear about my soulfinder and the fact that he's willing to listen if I want to cry about her is unbelievably kind.

Actually, scratch that, he seems pretty lost in his own thoughts.

'Xav?' Vic asks my quietly.

I'm glad he's finally spoke up - for the past hour he's been opening his mouth as if to speak then shutting it with a snap. It's really annoying.

'Yeah?'

'Are you glad you found her? Or do you wish you never met Rory so you didn't feel the way you do now?' He doesn't meet my eyes and I know his mind isn't on me or Rory.

It's on his soulfinder, whoever she may be.

'Yes, I'm glad I found her,' I give him a look like he answered 'what number comes after one?' wrong. I mean, the answer to his question is painfully obvious, 'No matter what, even when she's another mans wife, Rory's my soulfinder, Vic. That doesn't change.'

He regards me for a bit before nodding and leaving me to think. Victor's not a big talker.

Of course there's such a thing as thinking too much. Which is what I'm doing. I've pictured my Rory's whole wedding. Jealously seethes through me, twisting my heart until it feels irreparably mangled.

I can picture Rory in a white dress walking slowly down the aisle. Knowing her, she'd do something unpredictable, something so completely Rory. I doubt Andrew would appreciate that.

Would she cry as she said 'I do'? Would people assume they were tears of joy? They'd walk back down the aisle together and Andrew's massive hand would be around my soulfinder's waist.

They'd have their first dance and Rory would probably trip over her own feet - would Andrew catch her? I know I would.

Then there's the thing I can't even bring myself to think about. The wedding night.

The idea of anyone putting their filthy hands on my Rory is revolting. She can't do that to me, can she? Rory's been working so hard her whole life I doubt she's even considered this. That only makes it worse though. I don't want that monster to be her first anything.

Not her first kiss or her first husband or her first lover. Hell, I don't want him even looking in her general direction.

I'm unimaginably relieved when a knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts. It's around nine in the morning but the rest of the family is yet to make it downstairs. Probably because they waited until Victor found me to go to sleep. I should feel guilty about that.

'I'll get it,' I mutter to Victor, who nods and goes off in search of the sweet nectar of the Gods that is coffee.

I don't have a caffeine dependency. Of course not.

I open the door to find a guy about Vic's age looking worn but determined. He's half-dressed in a tuxedo with a mess of red hair and sea-green eyes that aren't nearly as bright at Rory's.

'Hi,' the man says, looking me up and down in that intimidating way father's do, 'I'm looking for a Xavier Benedict?'

'That's me.'

There's no emotion in my voice as I try to block the pain thinking about my soulfinder brings.

'You're Aurora Stone's soulfinder?' He asks me, squaring his shoulders.

'Yes. She's not here, she's getting married today,' I tell him bitterly.

'I know. I'm her brother - Eric Stone.'

'Wow, your Mum really had a thing for Disney characters, didn't she? I suppose it could have been worse - she could have called you Aladdin.'

Like an idiot, I speak the first words that come to mind. It's just that, of all people, I never expected Rory's brother to turn up on my doorstep on her wedding day. Luckily for me, my soulfinder's brother rolls his eyes and grins.

'Yeah, Mum lived in a fantasy world. Our Rory definitely got the short end of the stick, though. At least my name is normal. Seriously, the poor girl couldn't even pronounce her own name until she was seven.'

'I don't mean to be rude,' I start because, in the future, this guy might be my only way to know Rory's okay, 'but what are you doing her? Shouldn't you be getting ready for Rory's…day?'

I finish lamely because this isn't Rory's wedding. It's Andrew's. And that is the distinction that is keeping me from falling apart.

Eric looks at me expectantly. When I just stare at him blankly he sighs.

'Are you just going to sit back and let this happen, Xavier? Rory won't listen to me. She's convinced herself this is the only way. I need your help. She's your soulfinder and you're going to let her be forced to do things someone as good as Rory should never have to do?'

'This is what she wants,' I mumble, pain flashing through me as I finally admit it to myself.

Eric's eyes are kind and understanding as he regards me.

'My God, my sister got short-changed in the soulfinder department, didn't she? She was trying to protect you! Andrew threatened you. Rory tried to leave, you know. The days after she found you. But Andrew threatened you and you know Rory; she'd do anything for the people she loves. Even marry an monstrous fool to save her soulfinder.'

I'm stunned. And so, so relieved. My soulfinder isn't in love with another man.

My Aurora wants me and right now she needs me.

'You're right!' I exclaim, my voice coming out unintentionally loud.

'Shut up! Why the hell are you even up this early?' shouts Will from upstairs, before groaning 'I think I preferred you when you didn't get out of bed,' and presumably going back to sleep.

I ignore him. I know someone will fill him in later.

I can't believe how self-centred I've been. This isn't about me. It's about my Rory. She's willing to sign her life away to protect me. What have I done? Except punch some random guy.

'So you know what you have to do then?' Eric raises an eyebrow at me.

I know what I say now will define my relationship with Rory's brother. I want him to like me. Even from the little Rory said I know he's more important to her than her own father.

'I have to crash my soulfinders wedding,' There's a short pause, 'Okay, I admit I never thought I would have to say that.'

AN - I hope you liked this chapter and thank you all so much for the reviews. Votes are as follows: Trace - 2, Uriel - 3, Victor - 1 and Will - 1. Only two more chapters to go now!

Also, it's going to take me a couple of weeks to come up with plot. So in the mean time I was wondering if you guy's wanted me to do Finding Sky or Stealing Phoenix in someone else's POV - I know it's been done before so I'd understand if you didn't. But I could probably do that quickly because I wouldn't have to think up the plot so I could do it while thinking up my next story. Thoughts?

Thanks for reading!