Chapter 12

*Three Weeks Later*

Nikki felt the brush against her mind just before she heard his voice, Hello, leijha'mi.

She smiled before looking away from Kristine to see Xavier walking towards them in the distance. Kristine frowned when she realized Nikki wasn't paying attention to what she was saying and followed her line of sight to see Xavier as he finally approached them.

Kristine shook her head, "I don't know how you know when he gets here! He's so silent, yet you know when he's coming. It's freaky."

Xavier chuckled as he wrapped his arm around Nikki's waist, pulling her to his side, and bending down to kiss her. As Kristine turned away to give them privacy, Xavier lifted his head, graced Nikki with a smile, and spoke to Kristine, "Zach wanted me to let you know he'll be here tomorrow to see you." To Nikki he said, I missed you, dimo agalo.

Nikki replied, You just saw me yesterday, orahan.

Xavier's smile widened as he acknowledged the fact that Nikki thought he was handsome.

Nikki had begun to learn more about Xavier and his life over the last few weeks. When the two of them had time alone in the barn, it was usually spent with the two of them trading stories or explaining to each other how their worlds worked. Nikki had also been trying to learn the wahani language every chance she got. It also helped that even when the others were near, she and Xavier would carry on their own private conversations telepathically.

Kristine had a huge grin on her face as the three of them began walking away from the school's gym. "Oh good! I've really missed him. He said that things were getting better, but he was still needed at home." She turned to look at Xavier, "Tell me his dad is getting better."

"Things are getting better Kris." Xavier replied as Nikki tightened her hold around his waist.

The three of them continued to walk home, going through the park, towards the direction of the barn. As they walked, they listened to Kristine as she talked about how she felt about Zachary and how worried she was that he was working himself to death taking care of his family.

Over the past few weeks, Kristine had been able to see Zachary twice a week at most. Every time he came to see her, she had been so happy and he had seemed just as happy to see her. The two of them had always retreated to the hay loft to spend time together, which Kristine loved.

It was there that she got to talk to him. She loved talking to him. He always listened to everything she had to say, no matter how small or ridiculous it was. She told him everything.

He listened as she complained about her parents, school, Nikki, or her life. He laughed as she told him stories of her and Nikki growing up or of other things she had thought was funny. Zachary was always an eager audience and Kristine basked in all the attention he gave her.

While Kristine did miss Zachary and felt a little envious over the fact that Nikki got to see Xavier almost every day, she knew he had responsibilities and she couldn't fault him for loving his family the way he did. She treasured the times she got to see Zachary and enjoyed his company when she saw him. She just wished she could see him more, especially when she would glance over to Xavier and Nikki who had seemed to have gotten past whatever had been between them and were now looking like a couple of lovesick teenagers.

What Kristine still didn't know was that the family that Zachary was taking care of was actually the kingdom he was now partially responsible for as the newest Chief Advisor. She didn't know that the dark circles under his eyes and the lines of strain she noticed around his mouth and around his eyes were caused from all the time he spent working on whatever diplomatic or strategic mission he was having to handle at the moment. Kristine had no idea that Zachary treasured the few visits he made to see her because she was the breath of fresh air he needed to get through all the political mess he now had to deal with.

Zachary saw Kristine as his sanity, she made him laugh and he always felt at peace when he was with her. And when he couldn't be with her, he still worried about her safety and trusted Xavier to be able to take care of her. Zachary knew Kristine was still in the dark about the entire truth since no one had come out and told her anything.

It was something he wanted to change. Nikki knew the truth and Zachary wanted Kristine to know, but she rarely seemed to give Zachary a chance to get two words out since when he got to see her, she was the one doing most of the talking. And when she wasn't talking, they were making out. Zachary hoped to find the right time to finally tell Kristine the entire truth and he hoped that she would accept it as well as Nikki had accepted it when Xavier had told her.

Xavier laughed as he listened to Nikki teasing Kristine about the way she and Zachary acted when they were together since Kristine had started it by picking on the two of them for being so cutesy and always all over each other. His laughter was cut short when a familiar scent reached him.

Nikki felt Xavier stiffen an instant before she heard his voice, li'ho, take Kris and go to the barn quickly.


What is it? she asked.

The gang is nearing. I think they are aware that the two of you are here.

Nikki looked around without tipping Kristine off. Where are they?


Just beyond the entrance to the park. He paused a moment and Nikki knew he was listening for something. Go, dimo agalo. Get to safety. I'll stay and divert them.


Xavier, I think...


Nikki! There's no time, go!

At Xavier's tone, Nikki knew better than to argue with him. Instead, she linked her arm into Kristine's and spoke, "Come on Kris, I'll race you to the barn."

Kristine rolled her eyes, "Yeah, like I'm gonna... Hey! No fair!" she yelled as Nikki took off running.

As Nikki glanced back to make sure Kristine was running after her, she spoke to Xavier, Be careful, dimo agalo.

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Xavier waited until the girls were out of sight before he turned and made his way towards the gang. They were already inside the park and he could hear them searching for the girls. He had heard Scully, their leader, giving orders to find the girls and bring them to him. They were not to be killed, but they could rough them up if need be.

He slid into some tall bushes and kept his senses open to everything the various members were doing. Once again he heard Scully's voice, "I don't care how you do it, just bring them to me. Dad wants them, especially the red head. She'll be good ammunition against her bothersome parents."

"What about the other one? Is she to be ammunition too?" asked another voice.

"Nah. Dad said I could do whatever I wanted with the brunette," Scully chuckled as he continued, "And I'll bet that fiery temper of hers serves her well in other areas too, if you know what I mean."

Xavier's fists clenched as he heard several snickers follow Scully's last remark. Suddenly he saw red. Scully wanted Nikki! As images of the last time the gang had confronted the girls raced through his mind, Xavier remembered the leering look Scully had given Nikki. A low growl escaped his throat. He was gonna tear that guy apart, limb from limb.

As the gang began to spread out, beginning their search for the girls, Xavier slowly inched his way silently through the bushes towards the nearest man. As the man walked past the bushes, Xavier came up and punched him hard enough to knock him out immediately. Xavier caught the man as he fell and dragged him into the bushes, hiding him from the others.

He made his way to the next man, using all of his senses to keep tabs on the other three still looking for the girls. He quietly stalked the fourth man who was walking towards the playground, unaware that Xavier was behind him.

As Xavier reached for the man, a whizzing sound near his ear made him whirl around. He went into a crouch, eyes narrowed on the shadow moving through the trees in the distance. At the same time, his intended prey lunged at him, and the two of them went down in a tumble. The man tried to get in a few punches, but Xavier was able to deflect them and roll away without any damage done.

Xavier leaped to his feet, keeping his eyes trained on both the shadow and the man who was still trying to get to his feet. He lengthened his claws as he used his senses to judge what the shadow was going to do next. He was aware of the man next to him as he lunged at him again. Without turning his attention away from the shadow, Xavier lifted his arm and clawed the man across his face.

As the man stumbled back with a scream of pain, Xavier heard the sound of the gun and went down into another crouch as the bullet whizzed high over his head and thunked into the tree behind him. He growled low in his throat as the shadow emerged into the clearing. It was Scully.

"Well, well. What do we have here? You must be the one who thought you could frighten us into staying away from the girls." As two others joined him, he asked, "Where's Grant? He's the one who saw this punk the last time."

The man whom Xavier had been fighting tried to lunge at him again, but Scully held up a hand, "Derek! Enough!" Derek backed off as Scully came closer to Xavier, the high powered rifle still trained on Xavier. "Let me guess, you and Grant already met again?"

Xavier sneered, "Why don't you go ask his unconscious body?"

The other two men flanked Scully as he spoke to Derek, "Derek, go find Grant." As Derek walked off to do Scully's bidding, the other two began to surround Xavier. "Where's your partner?" asked Scully, "He'd better show himself unless he wants you bleeding all over this park."

Xavier didn't respond. Instead, he concentrated on the way the other two were trying to surround him and on the rifle Scully was still holding. Xavier knew they were trying to take him unawares, but he had a few tricks up his sleeve.

Scully lifted the rifle, training it on Xavier's forehead, "Answer me boy!"

As the two attacked from the sides, Xavier jumped straight up and flipped in mid-air to land on his feet behind Scully. Using his telekinesis, he yanked the rifle out of Scully's hands and sent it slamming into the tree nearby.

Scully roared, "Kill the sucker!"

Xavier grinned as he leaped into the air, past Scully and slammed into one of the men behind him effectively knocking him off his feet. As Xavier came down, he whirled and kicked out, his foot connecting with the others chest sending him stumbling into a tree trunk.

Exasperated Scully yelled, "Jesse, Billy! Use your heads idiots! I want him dead!"

Xavier turned towards Scully and began to stalk him. Scully went into a defensive position, but before Xavier could pounce, another shot rang out. Xavier gasped as the bullet nicked his shoulder and immediately blocked the pain from his mind.

Derek came running into the clearing, "I found Grant. The fucker knocked him out cold and hid him in the bushes."

Scully growled, "You are a real pain in the ass, aren't you boy?" He looked past Xavier and grinned, "That's it Jesse, finish him off."

As Jesse pulled the trigger of the rifle he'd managed to recover, Xavier once more leaped into the air, intending to take cover in the trees. Pain shot through his thigh as he felt the steel blade of the knife Billy had thrown. Xavier roared as his fingers gripped the tree branch and he swung himself onto the limb.

Xavier had enough. He knew he wasn't paying attention like he should have been. His mind was still seething over the fact that Scully was after Nikki. His rage and animal instinct to protect his mate was overpowering him, rendering him ineffective at fighting his best. Gritting his teeth, he pushed all thoughts of Nikki out of his mind and took a few deep breaths to clear his mind and prepare himself for battle.

Scully was yelling orders, "Jesse, my gun! Billy, Derek find him and shoot him! Don't you dare let him live!"

Xavier silently made his way through the trees, climbing high enough so that he would be hidden from sight. He knew he had to be careful, his thigh was still bleeding and that could give away his hiding place. He waited until Derek walked beneath him.

Xavier jumped down, landing behind Derek as Billy lifted his gun. Using Derek as a shield, Xavier held him in front of him as Billy fired his gun. Derek's body jerked as the bullet slammed into his chest. As Xavier let go of Derek, he used his powers to yank the gun from Billy's hands before mentally slamming Billy backwards into a tree. The back of Billy's head hit the tree and he slid to the ground unconscious.

Xavier took off at a run, directly at Jesse as he came into view. He lifted his claws and raked them down Jesse's chest. Jesse screamed in pain and dropped the gun in his hand. He stumbled back, righted himself and lunged for Xavier. Xavier lifted his claws once more as Jesse swung his fist. Xavier deflected the punch and clawed at Jesse's arm. Once more Jesse stumbled back screaming in rage. He cradled his now useless arm as he glared at Xavier.

"What the fuck are you man?" he hissed at Xavier.

"Your worst nightmare!" Xavier growled. "If you want to live then I suggest you run." He lifted his claws towards Jesse, threw back his head, and howled.

Jesse's eyes went wide as the animalistic howl sent chills down his spine. For a brief moment, he saw the wicked claws, fangs, and glowing red eyes. That was all it took for him to turn and haul his ass out of there. Later, he would think it was just his imagination running wild.

As Jesse fled, Xavier whirled around, letting his senses flare out to locate Scully. Tilting his head back, he sniffed the air as he slowly turned. Scully's scent came to him and Xavier realized he was fleeing too. With a curse, he took off in the direction of Scully's scent.

Scully jerked the door open and threw himself into the driver's seat. No way was he staying here with no protection at all. He had seen what that thing had done to the others and he knew he was going to be next. He turned the key in the ignition, threw the car into drive, and slammed on the gas pedal. As the car peeled out of the lot, he heard something heavy land on the roof.

Xavier had used his supernatural speed to race through the park towards Scully's car. When the car came into view, he'd taken a giant leap and landed squarely on the top of the car. He lengthened his claws even more before slamming them down into the roof.

Scully screamed as claws tore through the roof and embedded themselves in his shoulder.

Xavier yanked his arm back before slamming it down again. Before his claw could sink into the roof again, the car swerved throwing him off. Xavier hit the ground with a roll and came up standing. He stood and glared as the car sped away with his prey in it. As the car disappeared in the distance, Xavier threw his head back and let out a fierce howl.

Scully glanced back into the rear view mirror with a smirk as he saw the thing rolling on the ground, then standing and watching the car get away. His smile faded as a bloodcurdling howl reached his ears. He glanced back into the mirror, but that thing was nowhere in sight. He pressed the pedal to the floor, his heart thudding in his ears as he raced away to safety.

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Nikki paced the length of the barn. She was worried, it had been too long since she had left Xavier in the park. Once she and Kristine had made it to the barn, she had convinced Kristine to go on home while she waited for Xavier. Kristine had been oblivious to the fact that Xavier had stayed behind to protect them from the gang.

At the sound of the barn door opening Nikki spun around. Her eyes went wide as she watched Xavier limping in. There was blood on his thigh and shoulder, as well as his hands.

With a cry of alarm she rushed to his side, "Oh my God! You're hurt!" She wrapped her arms around his waist to help him to a seat.

"It's not that bad, Nikki." Xavier replied with a grimace as she helped him to sit on a stack of hay.

"Not that bad! You're bleeding!" She went down to her knees to examine the wound on his thigh.

Xavier reached out to stop her, "Nikki, don't."

Nikki flinched as his hand came near her. She grabbed his wrist and stared at the blood covering his hand before looking up at him. "What happened to you?"

He sighed, "This isn't mine. I used my claws on them."

Her eyes widened, "So they know what you are."

He nodded, "It couldn't be helped. They were after the two of you and I couldn't let that happen."

"Here, let me bandage these wounds." She stood up and walked to a small closet near the front of the barn.

Xavier watched as she rummaged around for a few moments before producing a first aid kit. She made her way back to his side and knelt down once more. She frowned as she looked at the knife wound in the side of his thigh. It looked deep.

"I think this is going to need stitches," she told him.

"Just clean it up and wrap it. It'll be fine."

"Xavier, it's too deep."

He reached down with his fingers and tore the pants open to give her access. "The wrap will do for now."

Nikki sighed but got to work cleaning the blood from the wound. Once she was certain she'd cleaned it enough, she began to wrap it tightly. Xavier held the sides of the wound closed as she began to wrap it so that it wouldn't bleed as much.

When Nikki was done with his thigh, she sat next to him to begin working on his shoulder, "You should get stitches as soon as possible."

She leaned in to get a good look at his shoulder. It wasn't a deep wound like the one in his thigh. "This isn't a knife wound, what happened here?"

"They had guns."

Nikki straightened, "What! You fought them when they had guns! You could have been killed!"

Xavier gave her a tender smile, "I have my own weapons, li'ho."

"Yeah, but they had guns! You don't need to be at close range to use a gun!" she shrieked.

Xavier leaned his forehead against Nikki's, "I'm still alive, dimo agalo," he whispered.

Nikki's lips trembled as she fought back tears, "I can't lose you," she whispered, "I'd die if I lost you."

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. Lowering his head, he took her lips in a tender kiss. Nikki wrapped her arms around Xavier's neck, careful to stay away from his shoulder. She took comfort in his kiss, letting the feel and taste of him chase away her fears. He was still alive. She let his warmth sink into her.

Opening her mind to his, she spoke, I love you, Xavier.


I love you too, dimo ulhi'maos.

Xavier let her slowly pull away from him and she gave him a grateful smile as she squeezed his hand. He lifted his free hand to brush away a stray piece of hair from her face as she shifted to work on his shoulder.

It didn't take as long to work on that wound since all the bullet had done was graze the top of his shoulder. Still, Nikki knew just how close to his neck that bullet had been and even though it was just a flesh wound, there had still been a lot of blood.

Xavier waited until Nikki had cleared away all of the supplies and had cleaned up the blood from the both of them with a wet towel from the basin near the front closet. Once she was sitting next to him again he took her hand in his, waiting until she looked into his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to frighten you like that."

Nikki nodded, "I know." She sighed, "I know better. I mean, you're a prince and you told me about how you've been training since you were young. I know you are trained to fight, but there's always that danger."

He squeezed her hand, "I promise you that I won't just throw myself out there. I may have been trained to fight, but you know as a prince, a king, I won't always be in the middle of the fighting."

She nodded. Xavier had told her how the politics of his world worked. While the leaders did fight, they tended to spend more time behind the lines strategizing and giving orders, only going out to fight when things got bad.

Nikki gave Xavier a shy smile, "I know. But can you blame me for acting like the weeping girlfriend every time I will know you are out there risking your life for someone else? I know you are what you are. I'm not saying I want to change that, I'm just saying you are going to have to let me be the weeping girlfriend."

He chuckled, "Okay."

She laughed as she leaned in and gave him a long, leisurely kiss.

As Nikki sat back again and trailed her fingers over his bruised knuckles, Xavier studied her. He knew how she felt about him. Over the last few weeks, Nikki had allowed herself to open up more. She didn't hide her feelings anymore. He loved the way she was always smiling when he was around. He noticed the way her eyes sparkled when she looked at him and how natural it was for her to use mind speech and his language when they were alone.

Most of all, he loved the way she was passionate when showing him how much she loved him. He knew she acknowledged the fact that they were soul mates and that they loved each other deeply. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He knew the time had come to seal their fates.

"Nikki?" He asked.

Nikki looked up and smiled, "Hm?"

"There's something I have to ask you. But before I do, I need to tell you about something."

She nodded, "What is it?"

Xavier swallowed, "You know that someday I'll be King." At her brief nod he continued, "In my world, the tradition is that when a crowned prince reaches the age of twenty, he will be crowned King."

Nikki stared at him as that sunk in. She knew Xavier was nineteen, he had already told her that.

When Xavier was certain she understood that part, he went on, "And on the day he becomes King, he must also marry the chosen Queen."

She didn't say a word. He was going to have to marry on his twentieth birthday. She closed her eyes and whispered, "When?"

"About a month from now."

Nikki felt her heart stop. Her throat tightened and tears pricked her eyes. She tried to keep the trembling from her voice, "So, you'll be getting married in a month."

"Yes."

She nodded as her lips began to tremble. He was going to leave. He had told her he loved her and he'd always be there for her, but how could he? She knew he'd be too busy with a new wife and a kingdom to rule.

Xavier stared at Nikki as she sat unmoving with her eyes still closed. He could see her lips tremble slightly, but there was no other sign from her. Squeezing her hand in his he spoke, "Leijha'mi, look at me."

Nikki opened her eyes and Xavier noticed the unshed tears. He frowned, "What's wrong, dimo agalo?"

Nikki shook her head, "How can you still tell me you love me and call me all those things when you will be getting married in a month?"

"Because they're all true."

As the tears began to slide down her cheeks, Nikki cried, "You can't love me when you marry another! I don't think your future Queen will stand for that!"

Xavier stared at her for a moment as he realized she thought he was going to leave her for someone else. "What? No! Nikki, I told you I'd never leave you! Didn't I promise that I'd always be there. I love you! You are my soul mate."

"You're going to be married in a month, Xavier!"

"Yes! To my chosen Queen!" Xavier paused for a moment before lifting her chin with his hand and speaking in a softer voice, "It's you, Nikki. Don't you understand? I choose you."

Nikki lifted her eyes to his. She saw the truth in the emerald depths. Suddenly she began to realize why it was that he had been so adamant about letting her know how he felt about her. It all began to make sense now. Why he couldn't control his other form when he was with her. Why he insisted they were soul mates. All of the promises he'd made and the declarations of love. It was all because he had known. He had known from the beginning that he wanted to marry her.

As she sat there staring into his eyes and letting all the pieces fit together, she heard his voice in her mind, Say something, dimo agalo.

She blinked and slowly smiled as she realized how happy this news made her. He loved her, he wanted to marry her. He wasn't going to leave her and she knew she didn't want him to.

"Yes," she whispered.

"What?" asked Xavier.

She smiled, "Yes, I'll marry you, I'll be your chosen Queen."

Xavier's eyes went wide as his breath hitched, then the brightest smile Nikki had ever seen spread over his face. "Really?" he asked.

She laughed through her tears, "Yes!" She kissed his lips and breathed the words, "idi agalo esu, Xavier. Forever."

"Vergita," he agreed.

Translations
leijha'mi - beautiful
dimo agalo - my love
orahan - handsome
li'ho - honey
dimo ulhi'maos - my soul mate
vergita - forever