Chapter 11

Nikki slowly walked towards the house, her thoughts in turmoil. She had just left the barn, after watching as Xavier went through the portal back to his world. He had tried to tell her that he loved her, that nothing would make him leave her.

She still couldn't convince herself that he would always be there. How could he? One day he would be King of his world. That meant he would have so many responsibilities and therefore he wouldn't have any time to come see her. She didn't think he understood that, but he had kept insisting that he would always be with her.

She was still trying to process all the information she'd learned from him and had still been stunned to find out that he was a prince that she hadn't been as fascinated as she normally would have been when he'd entered the trapdoor portal to return to his world. She had vaguely been aware that he'd even told her good-bye, he loved her, and he'd be there to walk her and Kristine home from school on Monday before giving her a kiss and jumping through the portal.

It had taken her a while to realize that he was gone and that she should head on back to the house before Amy and Felix returned from the meeting. She was still in a daze as she walked through the back door into the kitchen area until she heard Kristine's voice.

"Hey Nikki. How is Xavier?"

Nikki blinked as Kristine's question penetrated her dazed mind, "Oh, hey. Um, he is fine."

Kristine grinned, unaware that Nikki's daze had nothing to do with being alone with Xavier. "So, did you ask him how Zach and his family are doing? Does he need anything? Should I make something to send to him?"

Nikki tensed as she realized what she now knew about Zachary. Xavier's words ran through her head, "I don't think you should tell Kristine anything you've learned today Nikki. I think you should let Zach be the one to tell Kris the truth... Do you think she'll believe you when you tell her? You didn't believe me until I proved it to you. How are you going to prove it to her?"

"Um, Xavier said Zach was really busy, but he's doing fine. So is his family. He said you shouldn't worry about anything because Xavier and his family are helping Zach cope."

Kristine frowned, "Did you ask if I could send something or.."

"Xavier said not to. They have it covered Kris." Nikki sighed, hoping her friend wouldn't push it further, "Xavier wanted me to tell you that Zach misses you and he promises to come see you as soon as he can. Zach also wants you to know that he's fine and doesn't want you to worry about him, okay?"

"Are you sure?"

Nikki nodded, "That's what Xavier told me to tell you. He said there's really nothing you can do, but everyone else is there to help Zach if he needs it."

Kristine sighed, "I just think there's something more I could do..."

Before she could say anything else, the girls heard the front door opening and Felix's voice calling to them. "Hey girls! We're home!"

Nikki breathed a sigh of relief as Kristine turned to answer her parents. Nikki knew she'd just been saved from having to get into it any deeper with Kristine, and she didn't have to keep feeling so guilty about keeping secrets from her best friend. However, she knew it would be just a matter of time before it all had to come out. She just hoped that when it did, Kristine would be able to handle it.

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It was finally Wednesday when Zachary was able to return to see Kristine.

Xavier had been there alone on Monday and Tuesday to walk the girls home. He and Nikki had gone to the barn on Monday while Kristine returned to the house, but even Kristine could see that something had changed between her best friend and Xavier.

When Xavier had greeted them just like he had on Friday, Kristine noticed how Nikki moved slightly away from him, as if trying to keep a space between them. They had both been quiet not saying much, and Nikki hadn't been with him in the barn for that long before she'd come into the house. Kristine hadn't even had a chance to talk to Nikki about it since as soon as Nikki walked in, she'd gone to take a shower and things had gotten too busy later for them to talk before going to bed.

The next day, Xavier had only walked them home and left, obviously knowing Nikki wasn't ready to talk to him. When Kristine tried to bring up the subject, Nikki had simply sighed and said that it was nothing for her to worry about. When she'd tried to press on, Nikki had looked her in the eyes and told her that it was between her and Xavier only, so Kristine needed to leave the subject alone. Kristine had gotten the hint and not said anything else.

On Wednesday, both girls had been surprised to see Zachary walking with Xavier as the girls had waited by the gym. Kristine had let out a squeal of happiness and launched herself into Zachary's arms. Zachary had a huge smile on his face the moment he'd laid eyes on Kristine and happily wrapped her in his arms before giving her a long, passionate kiss right there in front of everyone.

As the two had kissed, Xavier had looked at Nikki, trying to convey with his eyes that he wished she'd return to his side, but Nikki had looked everywhere except at Xavier. Once Kristine and Zachary had said their hellos, the four of them walked together to the barn where Zachary and Kristine had disappeared into the hay loft and Xavier and Nikki remained on the ground floor.

Xavier waited until he was certain Zachary and Kristine were settled into the hay loft before using mind speech to warn Zachary of what he was about to do. Zach, I need you to create a wall so I can talk to Nikki in private. I don't want Kris to hear this.


I understand. It's done. Came Zachary's reply.

Zachary knew what was going on, as Xavier had been keeping him up to date about everything happening between him and Nikki. Zachary knew Nikki knew the truth. He also knew that Xavier had made up his mind that Nikki would be the one he was going to marry on his twentieth birthday despite the fact that Nikki believed he would leave her because he was a prince. Zachary had given Xavier his full support, believing that Nikki was the perfect bride for Xavier.

Once Xavier felt the invisible barrier between the loft and the area that he and Nikki were in, he turned towards his future bride. She was standing near the door, looking as if she wanted to leave. He could smell her sadness and her discomfort. She didn't want to be there because it hurt her too much to try to keep pretending that all was okay between them and would always be. At least that is what she'd told him when they had talked on Monday.

He'd tried to reason with her again, making promises that he would never leave her, that he was in love with her. He'd even tried to show her, but she hadn't let him remain close to her. She'd moved away from him and without looking at him asked him to give her some space to deal with her emotions on her own.

She told him that she cared about him, but they could only be friends and nothing more. She said she didn't want to ever be hurt the way she'd been when she'd lost her family. She asked him to respect her wishes and just be there to protect them because she couldn't give him what he wanted. She'd said what she wanted him to hear, then she had left him there as she returned to her home.

Xavier moved slowly towards Nikki, letting her sadness wash over him. "leijha'mi," he whispered, lifting his hand to brush her hair from her shoulder.

Nikki tensed and moved away from him, her eyes on the ground. "I'm just going to tell Kris I'll wait for her in the house."

He sighed as she moved past him towards the ladder, "You can't, Nikki."

She stopped and turned her head slightly, "What do you mean?"

He faced her before speaking, "I asked Zach to create an invisible wall between us and them. It'll give us the privacy we need to talk."

She whirled to face him, eyes wide, "He can do that?" At Xavier's nod she continued, "Tell him to get rid of it."

"No."

Her eyes narrowed, "Don't take that tone with me, I'm not one of your subjects to command."

"I know that, but if you would just hear me out."

"There's nothing to discuss."

"There is, Nikki, please listen to me."

She shook her head, "No. I listened. And you heard my side. Now tell him to take it down so I can leave."

Xavier didn't move, but lowered his head as he slowly shook it in denial.

Nikki clinched her fists as she once more turned to the ladder determined to find a way through the invisible wall herself.

Dimo artia, I'm begging you to stop this. You are hurting the both of us!

Nikki froze as she heard Xavier's voice in her head. She knew he had the ability to use mind speech, but this was the first time he'd ever used it with her.

He continued when she remained frozen to the spot, I can smell your sadness, dimo agalo, you know I can. And you know what it does to me.

She closed her eyes with a sigh, "Stop it then."

I can't.

Slowly she turned to face him, "Xavier, we talked about this. You know what I need. You know that I can't pretend..."

"I'm not asking you to pretend, Nikki. I love you! Why won't you believe me?"

"You're going to be King someday, you won't have time for me!"

"I'll always have time for you! Do you think it would be that easy for me to set you aside? You have no idea what you mean to me! I can't give you up, Nikki. You are my ulhi'maos!"

She gritted her teeth, "Stop that! If you're going to talk to me, speak my language!"

He took a deep breath before saying, "You are my soul mate."

"What does that mean? How can you know that?"

"I know, Nikki."

"Oh, you know," she threw her hands in the air, "and I'm just supposed to understand that!"

Xavier looked into her eyes and held her gaze as he began to shift into his other form. Nikki could hear the chant in her mind as she watched him shape shift into his wahani form, his eyes glowing bright white. She tried to speak and realized he held her there with his powers. Her eyes widened as she realized she couldn't move, she was literally paralyzed. She watched as he slowly made his way towards her, lifting one of his hands, claws extended.

Nikki closed her eyes as she felt the tips of his claws trail down her cheek before gently curling into her hair. Xavier used his other hand to tilt her head back before covering her lips with his. He kissed her deeply, letting her feel everything he felt for her. He nipped at her lips with his teeth before lowering his face to her neck.

Nikki's body shuddered at the feel of his tongue taking a long lick over the pulse in her neck and she suddenly tensed when she felt his teeth press gently against her neck. As she felt him taking a deep breath, inhaling her scent, she heard his voice again, Feel me, nu'halla. Feel what I feel for you. How can you not know me as your ulhi'maos, when I know you. I know what you feel for me.

Still unable to speak, she hoped he could hear her thoughts. I don't know you, Xavier. How am I supposed to feel you?


Use your senses, dimo agalo. They will not lie to you.


My senses? How are they supposed to help me? I can feel you touching me, how does that prove that I am your soul mate?


Use all of your senses, not just the ones you are familiar with, but also the ones inside of you.

Nikki frowned as she tried to make sense of what he was saying. Senses inside of her? What was he talking about. Before she had a chance to ask him to explain further, she felt his teeth nip her neck again. A gasp escaped her lips as she felt the flash of pain that was gone in the next instant. Her pulse began to pound as his lips and tongue moved over the spot where he'd bitten her. He hadn't broken through the skin, but he'd bitten hard enough to leave a mark. As he wrapped his arms around her, she went limp.

Nikki was suddenly aware that something was different. As Xavier held her to his chest, as his mouth worked over her pulse, she knew she could smell him. His scent was strong, powerful. There was the smell of spice mixed with a musky, wild scent. As if she were standing in the middle of a jungle surrounded by the wild vegetation and rain, as well as the inhabitants that made the jungle what it was.

Xavier's mouth moved over hers once more, claiming it in another passionate kiss. As she responded to his kiss, she could smell the love he had for her, the way he wanted to protect her. And she could smell something else, something familiar. Her eyes flew open as she instinctively recognized what she smelled.

Xavier lifted his head and Nikki noticed that he was no longer in his wahani form. Looking into his emerald green eyes, she took another deep breath, taking in the scent of her soul mate. She knew that smell, had known it forever. Something inside of her recognized it and responded without reservation.

Lifting a trembling hand to his cheek, she whispered, "I recognized your scent, like I've known it forever! How is it possible that I've always known you and yet I've never met you before?"

Xavier lowered his forehead to hers as he answered, "That's what it means to be soul mates. Your soul recognizes mine, as mine recognizes yours. That's why I knew you were my ulhi'maos. That and because of the way my body responds to your nearness, your scent."

Nikki closed her eyes, breathing him in, letting his scent speak to her. She answered her own question, "It's the wildness in you. That's it isn't it? Your other self smells me and wants to claim what belongs to it." She opened her eyes and lifted them to his emerald ones, "And you can't fight against your true nature, you can't control it."

He nodded, "It's getting harder to control each time I'm near you. It's why I sometimes start changing without warning and why I start speaking in my language without noticing it. It's..."

"Instinctive, primal." She finished for him.

Xavier stared into her eyes for a few moments before a slow smile began to spread over his face, "Exactly."

Nikki returned his smile, then did something no one could have predicted she'd ever do. She took his hand and led him to the hay stacks near the back of the barn. As she reached a stack that was low enough to the ground for them to be comfortable on, she climbed onto it and tugged him down with her. Xavier made to sit next to her, but she leaned back and pulled him on top of her fusing their lips together.

Xavier's eyes went wide in surprise for a moment before he let himself enjoy her closeness. He deepened the kiss as he settled his body over hers. Her arms went around his shoulders as her hips cradled his. He threaded his fingers through her hair, then trailed them down her sides to rest them against her hips. Nikki pressed her lips against the corner of his mouth, before leaving a trail of kisses along his jaw and down his neck.

Xavier felt Nikki's tongue trail over the pulse in his neck before she gently nipped at it the way he had done to her. His eyes closed in pleasure as he tilted his head back and allowed her to feast on his skin. Nikki continued to nip at his pulse, and as she added more pressure, biting to leave a mark, Xavier groaned deep in his throat.

Once more he could feel the wildness rising as he dipped his lips to hers again in a heated kiss. She willingly responded to him just as heatedly. Her hands were now working at the ends of his shirt, sliding it off his body, then letting her hands roam over his skin as she began to suck on his collarbone.

His hands slid beneath her shirt, slowly moving up her stomach until his fingers brushed the underside of her breast. As Nikki gasped and threw her head back, Xavier cupped her breast through her shirt and leaned down to nuzzle her other breast with his mouth. Nikki curled one hand in his hair and wrapped the other arm around his body, holding him to her.

Xavier growled as the scent of his mate reached his nose. He knew she wanted him, her body was ready for him. He could feel the way she clung to him, the way her body slid sensuously against his. Her legs wrapped around his and she lifted her hips to grind herself against him. He jerked his head up as he felt his fangs lengthening, his claws began pressing into her skin.

"No!" he growled, as he tore himself away from Nikki.

Nikki sat up, puzzlement on her face, "Xavier? What is it?"

He was standing half way between her and the entrance of the barn, having leaped there due to his powers. She could see the way he was trembling and the movement of his chest, indicating that he was breathing hard.

His voice was in her mind, We cannot, Nikki.

She frowned, "I thought we were soul mates."

We are.

"Then what is wrong with what we were doing?"

I can't control myself with you. You know that.

She nodded, "I know. It's okay, Xavier. I wanted to."

He shook his head. No, we can't. It's too soon.

"Too soon?"

She heard him sigh, and watched as he made his way back to her. He sat down next to her, obviously he'd gotten himself back under control. Something inside of her seemed to sigh in disappointment, but she didn't let him know that.

Xavier took her hand in his and looked into her eyes, "Nikki, I want to be with you. You know I do. Dimo ulhi'maos. Idi agalo esu." He paused, "But it's too soon."

Nikki looked into his eyes, finding the answers there, she understood. Slowly she nodded, "I understand. You're right. We have time."

He smiled as he caressed her cheek. He leaned in to brush his lips over her forehead, "Idi agalo esu."

Nikki closed her eyes as his words whispered over her skin. She could feel them reaching deep in her soul. And her soul responded in turn as she whispered back, "Idi agalo esu, Xavier."

Translations
dimo artia - my heart
dimo agalo - my love
ulhi'maos - soul mate
nu'halla - little one
idi agalo isu - I love you