Chapter 36

Xavier moved slowly across the room, stalking his prey. She was on all fours in the middle of the bed, eyes glowing orange. His eyes slowly moved over her naked skin, the smell of her need beckoning him closer.

She purred softly as she arched her back in need before lowering her head slightly to look at him through lowered eyelashes. He growled low in his throat when her tongue languidly moved over her lower lip. She began to recline back against the headboard when he reached the foot of the bed and began to slowly undress. She watched him as he did so, enjoying the way his skin slowly came into view.

When he was as naked as she was, he leaned over and proceeded to crawl up the bed licking his lower lip as she spread her legs for him. His gaze moved to her beckoning folds and he dipped his head down, allowing his tongue to take one long lick of her sweetness.

She gasped in pleasure as his tongue continued to lap at her juices before tenderly pushing inside of her to stroke her walls. As his nose nuzzled her mound, she lifted her hips to push closer to his face for more pleasure.

He could feel her thighs beginning to tremble, so he removed his tongue from her and took her pleasure button into his mouth, sucking gently. Sliding two fingers into her heat, he quickly built up the pace and matched his sucking mouth to the rhythm of his fingers.

The mewling sounds she’d been making quickly escalated until she came with a soft cry of his name. As her orgasm washed over her, he moved his mouth to her opening and greedily lapped up her sweet offering. Even with that respite, she still wasn’t satisfied. Her mate still hadn’t fed her craving. Luckily for her, he knew exactly how to keep his mate sated.

Leaning over her, he lifted her in his arms, careful not to injure her five month extended belly. Shifting her in his arms, he sat her in his lap, facing away from him. She leaned back against his chest as they both slid one arm beneath her belly, fingers entwined. Widening her legs, she lifted up on her knees and he used his free arm to help her settle down on his shaft.

As soon as they both knew she was comfortable, she slid her free hand up behind them and into his hair while he used his free hand to help her ride him. He leaned his head down to nibble her neck and shoulder as he continued to lift his hips up into hers. He could feel her walls tightening around him, knowing that these days it didn’t take long for her to reach her end, especially when he’d already given her pleasure just recently.

As their arms tightened beneath her belly and fingers clutched harder, he buried his face in her neck. She was using her knees and thighs as leverage to raise herself up and slide back down on him in quicker movements. That and the viselike grip of her walls were more than enough to send him over the edge.

Still he held on, breathing hard against her neck, letting her have her pleasure first. She was keening now, louder with each downward stroke of her hips. He lifted his free hand to cup her breast and gently bit at the base of her neck. With a cry of ecstasy, she threw her head back against his shoulder as her latest orgasm ripped through her.

He growled against her neck as he felt her liquid heat drench his shaft and the sudden pulsing of her already tightened walls around him. As her nails dug into his palm and at the nape of his neck, he thrust his hips harder up into her body and let go with a roar of her name.

Her body reacted instantly, walls milking him of his nourishment. She continued to rotate her hips in his lap until she could feel the last of his seed being absorbed by her body and the faint shudder he gave with his completion. Sitting completely still, they let the last of their mating heat pass before either one of them made a move.

He was the first to move.

He simply lifted her slightly to lay her on the bed and spoon up behind her, nuzzling her shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her. Locked in his tender embrace, she quickly drifted off to sleep, her body and heart completely nourished and satisfied.

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Kegan glanced up as he heard the door open and frowned when he realized it was only a servant.

Zachary caught the frown and hid his knowing smile from Kegan. “He’ll be back soon Kegan. There’s no rush.”

Kegan looked up at Zachary, “I don’t think Valin is going to wait while Xavier and his mate go get frisky, do you?”

Zachary chuckled, “It’s been almost a week, Kegan. If Valin hasn’t made his move yet, I doubt he’s going to do it within the next couple of hours.”

“Hours! Are you saying we’ll be here for hours? Geez! How many more months is it until the heir is born?”

The door opened once more to reveal Xavier, who was still buttoning up his shirt. He glanced at Kegan and softly growled, “If you must know, she’s due in four months. Until that time, I will do whatever it takes to keep her happy and safe, even if it means I have to keep getting frisky with her every minute of every day. Understand?”

Kegan lowered his head and muttered low, “Understood, Your Highness.”

Xavier nodded, “Good.” He turned to look at the table, “So, where were we?”

Zachary didn’t even bat an eyelash as he pointed at the map and said, “Here, at the site of the arena. How we are going to get our people in to destroy it and Valin.”

“Right, okay as I was saying earlier this is where Nikki led me out…”

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Nikki stood near the door to their bedroom, watching as her husigos dressed in his fighting outfit. Her arms were folded over her chest, but she didn’t say a word. She knew it was fruitless to do so.

He’d never let her go. Not when she’d already risked her life and the life of their unborn son so much already. She understood that, she really did. Still, it didn’t stop her from wanting to be at his side when they destroyed the arena. She knew how to get in after all. And so did Evelyn. Which was why Evelyn was going with them, but not her.

Xavier finished buckling up his weapons belt and looked up at his feigos keeping vigil at the door. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair at the look on her face. They’d been over this already, several times. Granted, she’d been in all of the meetings helping them plan how to get in and fight at the arena, just as Evelyn had been. But he was only allowing his sister to go this time and only as a guide, not a fighter.

“Nikki, leijha’mi, please don’t do this.”

“Do what? What am I doing?”

“Giving me that look.”

“What look?”

He shook his head, “You know you can’t go. We talked about this plenty of times.”

She nodded, “I know.”

“You have to stay here and keep our son safe.”

“I know,” she replied as she began to walk towards him.

“My mother will be here with you and so will Kris and Amy.”

“I know, Xavier.” She stood in front of him and cupped his face in her hands. “Promise me you won’t go looking for danger?”

He sighed as he gripped her wrists. She tightened her hold on his face.

“No! Don’t avoid the subject! Promise me Xavier! Or you will find me out there with you!”

He looked up into her eyes, hesitating for a few moments. Then he lowered his forehead to hers, still looking into her eyes.

“I promise, dimo ulhi’maos. I promise I won’t go looking for danger.”

“You’ll let Zachary, Jules, and the others do their jobs first?”

“Yene. Idi thewa meco memeh spi’ho meco dimo feigos.” He paused before adding, “Deh meco vles teto genbi eto dimo o’syn.”

Nikki smiled at his words. She too hoped he would be there to welcome his son into the world.

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Valin screamed in rage as he grabbed his guard’s gun and blew the messenger’s head off. Everyone else in the room went silent and seemed to shrink in fear. Nikoli stood slightly behind Valin, eyes glued to the body as it toppled to the ground. He swallowed and kept his voice as low as possible.

“My lord, we knew they would be coming soon.”

Valin growled, “Yes, Nikoli, we knew. That is why we were preparing for it! We had every advantage what with those magnificent weapons we stole from the human world!”

He whirled around and glared at his best advisor. “Yet somehow those beasts managed to deflect our weapons, disable them, and are now swarming into our lands! Tell me Nikoli! How is it that those imbeciles have managed to get this far? How!”

Nikoli did his best not to squirm beneath his leader’s hysterical yelling as he calmly replied, “I do not know how they defeated our weapons, but since someone managed to come and rescue the Wahani King, I am assuming it is that person who has given the Wahani knowledge of our land.”

Valin gritted his teeth in frustration before he tossed the gun he still held at the wall. “I know that you idiot! What I want to know is how they are defeating our weapons! Get someone out there who can get me results! I will not allow those beasts to win! Do you hear me! I want every last one of them wiped out! I will show them that their ways are extinct, just like they will be!”

Nikoli bowed his head, “Of course, my lord.”

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Xavier stood surrounded by the guard that Zachary and Jules had assigned to him while Zachary and Evelyn stood on either side of him. He watched as Jules signaled for the next wave of fighters to move in and breach the enemy’s defenses. Charles stood not too far away with several other technicians and the machines they’d built to render all electronic devices in the area useless. Once he’d given Jules the go ahead, Jules had given the order for the fighters to move.

Now, Kegan stood by with his men, vigilantly watching for any sign of the weapons the rebels tended to use. So far, no more had surfaced since the Wahani had managed to disable them with their telekinesis powers.

As the recent wave of fighters swarmed the rebels, Jules gave another signal to the next batch which would push through the holes that had appeared amongst the rebel line. Xavier nodded to Zachary as the fighters made their way past the line and into the grounds surrounding the arena.

They were finally in.

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There was no mistaking it. Nikoli could hear the shouting and the sounds of fighting echoing through the corridors. They were being invaded. Valin’s reign had finally come to an end, but even Nikoli knew his leader was too far gone to even admit defeat.

Turning to the guard next to him he issued orders. “Take five of your best soldiers and guard our leader. Lock him in his rooms if you have to and kill anyone who tries to get to him. Even if it is one of ours. Understood?”

The guard bowed, “Yes sir.”

Nikoli turned to the rest of the men in the room. “Go to the others. Spread the word. We are to fight to the end and keep the Wahani from getting into this place at all costs. Anyone who tries to turn traitor will end up at the end of my weapon! Now, move!”

With a resounding cry, his men rushed out of the room to do his bidding. Nikoli took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment, sending a silent prayer that he would die a soldier’s death.

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“Your Majesty! The fighters have gotten in! All rebels are being apprehended as we speak!” announced Jules as he came running up to the small group surrounding Xavier.

Xavier nodded. “Good. Take the group like we planned and find Valin. Bring him to me alive!”

Jules bowed, “Of course, my lord.” He turned to look at Evelyn standing next to Zachary. “Ready, my lady?”

Evelyn glanced at her brother for a moment before nodding briskly to Jules. “Ready.”

Xavier watched as she moved to Jules’ side and the rest of the group that was going with them quickly formed a tight ring around them. Charles was one of the men who was going with them, Xavier knew he wouldn’t want to be too far from the woman who claimed his heart. Within moments they had disappeared into the arena as the fighting continued all around them.

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Valin shoved the guard in front of him and reached for the small gun he always kept hidden in his sleeve. Pulling it out, he shot the guard in the shoulder and screamed.

“I don’t care who gave you those orders! I will not be locked up like a prisoner while those filthy beasts run wild in my home! Don’t you dare waste your breath trying to explain things to me! Go and skin one of them! Make yourself useful man! I want them dead!”

He fired the gun once more and screeched at all of the guards to get going or he’d add them to his collection of dead animals.

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Nikoli let go of the man he’d just killed and turned as he heard one of his men yelling for him. Watching as he ran up to him nearly out of breath.

“I’m sorry, sir, but our leader refuses to stay in his rooms. He’s already shot two of the men and is threatening to skin every last one of us.”

Nikoli muttered under his breath. “I don’t need this right now!” Turning on his heel, he barked more orders. “Guard the corridors! Pull all of the men back! I want the main guard all moved to the hall outside of the leader’s rooms now!”

Once more everyone began running to obey his orders as he made his way through the place towards Valin’s rooms. Even from far away, he could hear his leader’s hysterical screaming.

“Kill them! Skin them alive! Kill the prisoners before those beasts can get to them! Use every weapon we have! Pull out all of the stops! Burn this place down if you have to!”

Nikoli came running around the corner to see Valin screaming and shoving soldiers out of his way.

Valin turned to glare at Nikoli. “What the hell is going on! How dare you try to lock me in my rooms! Why aren’t those beasts dead yet?”

“I’m trying, my lord, but having you undermining my orders isn’t helping!”

“I refuse to just sit and watch you fail!”

“I am simply trying to keep you safe! Instead, you want to run right into the nest!” yelled Nikoli.

Valin blinked at that before backing down. “Fine. I’ll stay in my rooms. Just make sure you find that so-called King and split him open.”

“As you wish, my lord.” He motioned to the guards who escorted Valin back into his rooms and shut the doors.

As Nikoli turned around and headed down the hall, he could hear the fighting getting closer. He issued more orders, “Defend this hall with your life men! Do not allow anyone through.”

He took his stand just behind the doors to the hall, knowing that if they managed to make it this far, Valin wouldn’t last much longer after that.

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Evelyn watched as the others pushed ahead of her. Charles and Jules remained at her side as well as four other men, but the rest were clearing a path through the corridor. As soon as the signal came that all was clear, the small group moved ahead. Evelyn turned the corner and nodded as soon as she saw the doors.

“That’s it. Those are the doors that lead to his rooms. Go through that set and there is another set to the left which is his private sitting room and his bedroom is behind that.”

Jules nodded. “Good, we’re here then.” He turned to the others. “Okay, you know what to do from here, make sure the others know which way to go.”

The men nodded and began moving into place with Jules not to far behind them. Evelyn, Charles, and two others moved into a corner to stay out of the fighting. As they watched the men push forward into the hall, Evelyn began to look around the area, smiling to herself.

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Valin paced impatiently as he listened to the sounds outside. He glanced up once more to see the guards waiting tensely in front of the doors, keeping him in and the fighting out. He growled under his breath. He trusted Nikoli to do what he had to do. He knew Nikoli had always been the best, it was why he’d promoted him over any of the other greedy bastards. None of them were as loyal or as efficient as Nikoli was. When this was over, he was going to give Nikoli anything he wanted.

He turned once more and paced towards his bedroom, hands behind his back. Just as he reached the doorway, hands reached out and yanked him through. He stumbled and righted himself quickly, just as he heard the door softly closing behind him. Whirling around, he paused the moment he noticed who it was. Dressed in black leather pants and a matching corset, Evelyn smiled demurely as she leaned back against the door. Valin’s mouth began to water at the sight.

“Hello again, Valin.”

He growled, “How the hell did you get in?”

She chuckled softly, “It was easy.” She pushed off the door and moved sultrily towards him. “We didn’t get to finish our conversation from last time.”

Valin nodded his head as his eyes glazed over. “Yeah.”

When she laughed, he shook his head to clear his daze and glared at her. “Wait a minute! You drugged me, you bitch!”

She grinned, “Did I? I thought you were drunk. Weren’t you trying to get me drunk?”

He backed away from her and pulled his gun out from his sleeve, aiming it at her. “You tricked me! All you wanted was to distract me so that someone could get that filthy brother of yours out! Well, that’s the last time you will win! Now we do things my way!”

Evelyn laughed, “Haven’t you been listening?” She cocked her head towards the door. “See? Your people are losing. My people will win and my brother is here to see you lose!”

Valin roared and aimed the gun at her again. Before he had the chance to fire, Evelyn leaped out of the way, landing in a crouch behind him. He whirled around, eyes wide as he watched her change before his eyes.

When she slowly stood, Valin saw the long blonde mane of hair, flowing freely down past her thighs and the long wicked nails protruding from her fingers. Her eyes glowed a bright red as she opened her mouth and growled at him, showing sharp teeth and even longer canines.

He whimpered in fear as she took a step towards him, her voice lower and raspy as she spoke. “You lose, Valin.”

He covered his eyes with one arm and screamed bloody murder as she launched herself at him.

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Nikoli turned towards the doors of Kivar’s private sitting room with a frown. “What the hell?”

All of them had heard the shout of one of the guards within the room.

“Keep guarding the hall!” he ordered as he ran towards the sitting room and threw open the door. Inside he saw the two guards banging on Valin’s bedroom door.

As he heard the doors to the hallway being broken down behind him, one of the guards turned towards him and yelled, “Sir, there’s someone else in the room with him!”

Nikoli swore under his breath as he rushed to the door and shoved the guards out of the way. “Go help the others!”

As the two men made their way into the hall to fight, Nikoli jammed the door knob with the butt of his gun until it fell at an angle. Backing up, he braced himself and threw his entire weight against the door.

Just as he burst through the door, he heard Valin’s bloodcurdling scream.

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“Jules! Evelyn is gone!” yelled Charles as he and the rest of the guards began searching for any clues as to how she’d disappeared.

“What? Where the hell did she go?” asked Jules who remained near the hall doors, as Charles and the others rushed up to meet him.

“I don’t know! One minute she was right next to me and the next she was gone!” replied Charles.

Suddenly a scream rang out from inside Valin’s rooms, followed by a very feminine roar. As one they all turned to look in the same direction.

“It’ska! Evelyn!” yelled Charles as they all began fighting their way into the rooms.

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Evelyn slammed into Valin, knocking him to the ground and pouncing on top of him. Roaring loud, she reared back and flexed her claws, intending to rip him apart. As her hands raced towards their goal, something hard slammed against her head, knocking her off of her prey. She rolled slightly and grunted in pain as she shook her head before looking up. Before she had a chance to launch herself at Valin again, Nikoli was besides her and used the butt of his gun to strike at her jaw, knocking her into the ground again.

Valin scrambled to his feet and screeched at Nikoli. “Stop! I want to finish her!”

He knelt on her back, pinning her to the ground and grabbed her hair, yanking her head back. “You filthy bitch! You are just like them! A beast! Well, if you insist on acting like one, then I will treat you like one!” He yelled.

He moved his face closer to hers as she growled at him. “I’ll rip you apart you bastard! And if I don’t, my brother will see to it that you die painfully!”

Valin laughed. “No princess. I will win! My people will capture your brother and bring him to me. I will skin him alive and then use his hide as our marriage bed!” He spat before slamming her head into the ground.

Standing up, he yelled at Nikoli. “Kill every last one of them, except the Wahani King! I want her to see him die!”

Before Nikoli had a chance to reply, the commotion from the sitting room stopped him. Turning his head, he swore. “Knock her out, my lord! They have breached the doors!”

Valin made his way back to Evelyn’s side, but she lashed out at him with her claws, preventing him from touching her. Nikoli swore once more and turned to slam the doors shut, catching a glance of the Wahani who had swarmed into the outer room before he joined Valin in subduing the princess.

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Xavier didn’t move as the guard relayed the message to all of them. All Zachary saw was the slight clenching of his jaw when he’d heard that Evelyn was hostage to Valin and his second, Nikoli. The two men had locked themselves in Valin’s bedroom with the princess as their hostage and no one had managed to get in without causing harm to her. Jules and the others had effectively wiped out all of the rest of the rebels, but Valin and Nikoli were the last to remain.

“Zachary, give the orders for Kegan and the others to sweep the arena and clean up the leftovers. Make sure all prisoners are taken care of,” came Xavier’s quiet command.

“Of course, Your Highness.” As he turned to relay the orders, Xavier began making his way towards the arena.

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Nikoli paced in front of the bedroom door, sweat beading his brow. He knew this was the last stand. He knew all of the rebels had been defeated and the Wahani were now in control of the arena and the surrounding area. Glancing at Valin, he wondered if his leader even knew what a hopeless situation they were now in. There was no way the two of them could make it out of there alive, especially since he was the only real fighter between the two.

A knock sounded on the door, causing him to freeze and aim the gun towards the door even though he knew the gun was useless against a Wahani at this point. Still, it offered him some sense of security as he tried to speak in a strong voice.

“What is it?”

“King Xavier wishes to negotiate for his sister’s life,” came the reply.

Valin laughed, “There will be no negotiation! Evelyn is mine!”

Nikoli frowned at the door, not wanting his leader to see his disappointment.

“I don’t think…”

“Zachary, let me talk to him,” interrupted another voice which Nikoli was very familiar with. Even with the door and a gun between them, that voice still sent shivers down Nikoli’s spine.

“Valin, I’m sure Nikoli has informed you that my people have taken control of the arena and are freeing the prisoners as we speak. All of your men have been disarmed and arrested. You and Nikoli are all that remain. And you are surrounded. You cannot escape. However, I am willing to make your death painless if you hand the princess over to me without a fuss. If you continue to resist, we will make sure you pay for every second of resistance.”

There was silence as Xavier let that sink into Valin’s brain.

“Are we in agreement, Valin?”

Nikoli turned to look at Valin who was glaring at Evelyn. She had been chained to the wall with chains that Nikoli had refused to think about why Valin had them in his bedroom in the first place.

Nikoli whispered, “My lord, I think we should take his offer. Maybe we can plead with him for our lives if we give her to him peacefully.”

Valin whirled around and glared at him as he hissed, “Are you mad! I will never surrender to beasts! They are beneath me! Beneath you! We will kill them all! Exterminate them! They are not fit to survive in our world!”

Nikoli frowned, “We are out numbered, sire! We cannot defeat them!”

“I will not let them win!”

“They have already won!”

“NO!” screamed Valin. “I am still alive! I know a way out!” He moved to Nikoli and shoved him towards the door. “Go! Distract them while I escape! I will take the princess and go while you defend my life!”

Nikoli hissed, “Didn’t you hear him? They have the place surrounded! You cannot possibly escape!”

“Nikoli! I gave you an order!” Valin roared.

Nikoli opened his mouth to protest once more, but Valin slapped him as he screamed, “Don’t you dare disobey me, you coward! I am your leader! I made you what you are! Defend my escape!”

Nikoli clenched his jaw as he exchanged glares with his leader. “Yes, my lord,” he murmured from between pursed lips.

“Good!” nodded Valin as he grabbed Evelyn and unchained her from the wall. Yanking her to his side and holding a knife to her ribs, he hissed, “Try anything, Princess and I’ll run you through.”

Nikoli watched as Valin made his way to the fireplace and ran his fingers over the corner of the mantel. As the wall slid aside, Valin yanked Evelyn with him and disappeared into the dark hole. Nikoli turned and opened the bedroom door before standing back and holding up the gun at Xavier who stood motionless.

“Sorry, Your Highness, but Valin won’t be surrendering himself or the princess today.”

Xavier narrowed his eyes at Nikoli, “Where is he?”

“Gone.”

“And the princess?”

“With him.”

Xavier growled and tilted his head towards his second, “Find them.”

Nikoli cocked the gun, “Can’t let you do that, Your Majesty. My orders are to defend his life.”

Xavier glared at him. “Do you really think he will escape?”

There was a pause before Nikoli responded, “No.”

“Then what are you doing!”

“I have my orders, sir.” came Nikoli’s reply.

Xavier stood there staring at the man in front of him. He remembered Nikoli well. He was Valin’s second as Zachary was his. And like Zachary, this man defended his leader, loyal to the very end. Even as he stood there and looked into Nikoli’s eyes, Xavier knew what Nikoli knew.

Valin had lost.

Nikoli was giving up his life for a leader who had never appreciated his loyalty. He was going to die fighting, for loyalty, for honor. It made Xavier respect Nikoli for the warrior he was and mourn for the warrior he could have been.

Slowly he nodded and stepped back, motioning to Zachary.

Zachary looked towards Nikoli as he heard Xavier’s voice in his head, He will defend his leader to the very end. He knows his job well and will not stray from it. He is a good soldier, treat him as such. I will take Jules and hunt down Valin.


As you wish, Your Highness, came Zachary’s reply.

Xavier nodded towards Nikoli. “Stil’lin pao, rioistis.”

Nikoli responded, “Sehi xadlo, ursa io‘slo.”

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Valin ran through the corridors dragging Evelyn with him until he burst into the sunlight, blinded momentarily.

Nikoli ducked Zachary’s swinging fist and swung his own fist upwards, connecting with flesh.

Valin blinked tears out of his eyes, blurry vision straining to make sense of the shadows looming ahead of him.

Nikoli’s fist connected again with Zachary’s chin as the others continued to keep vigil in the loosely formed circle around the two fighters.

Valin could feel Evelyn scrambling to her feet behind him and saw her blurry form rush past him into the waiting arms of her brother.

Nikoli spat blood as he doubled over from the blow to his stomach and staggered back, sinking to his knees.

Valin watched as Xavier handed his sister over to Jules before walking briskly towards him, claws extended.

Nikoli looked up at Zachary for a moment, acknowledging his defeat with his eyes before lowering his head.

Valin could feel the scream lodged in his throat as the claws ripped thorough it and blood spilled down his chest.

Zachary watched as the body slumped to the floor before lifting one hand over his heart and whispering, “Orasire sehi ceir, rioistis.”

Xavier stood still as Valin lay drowning in his own blood, waiting patiently as he watched the light fade from the rebel leader’s eyes. Only then did he turn and walk away from the useless piece of meat.

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Kegan continued to supervise the others as they helped the prisoners out of the holding cells of the arena. Some of the prisoners had put up fights, but they were quickly dealt with. Others were grateful for the rescue and helped in any way they could to get out of the place quickly. Still, some prisoners had to be helped out because of their deteriorated conditions and the worst had to be carried out.

Jules, Zachary, and Xavier soon joined him. He nodded in greeting. “I take it Evelyn is okay?”

Xavier nodded, “She and Charles are already on their way back to the castle.”

Kegan sighed, “Good, that’s one less worry, right now.”

Xavier arched an eyebrow, “Well, you can keep on worrying ‘cause I’m not leaving until I’m satisfied everything is okay here.”

Kegan looked at his father with a smirk, “Is he serious?”

Jules rolled his eyes, “Keep your mind on your job, son.”

Kegan nodded, “Right. Okay, well we’ve finished searching all the holding cells, except the west one. But we are working on that one right now, so we should be done within another two hours.”

Xavier nodded, “Good.” He turned to look at Jules, “And the arena?”

“It’s being emptied as we speak. As soon as Kegan gives the word, we’ll burn the place to the ground.”

“Okay, Zach…” Xavier paused as he felt the familiar heat begin to spread through his body.

Kegan looked up at Xavier when he’d paused. “What?”

As he looked from Xavier to Zachary, then his father, he knew.

“Aw, Da’kata! Now! Xavier, now?”

Xavier gritted his teeth as he turned to look at Zachary. “You are in command, C.A.”

Zachary nodded, “Understood, Your Highness. Jules will follow you home.”

Xavier shook his head as he began to shift form. He growled, “No, I can travel faster on my own. Jules needs to be here to help.”

Without another word he turned and sped off into the distance.

Kegan watched him go with a frown, “How many months is it again?”

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Jules moved into the doorway and looked at Kegan who was walking towards him. “Finished?”

Kegan looked up at him, “Yes. They got the last of the prisoners out. You can start torching the place.”

Jules nodded and walked back out to give the orders.

As Kegan made to follow him, he heard a sound coming from a cell close by. Instantly putting his senses on alert, he listened for any more sounds.

When he heard a soft moan, he moved quietly towards the cell and looked in. His eyes scanned the area and almost missed the tiny stirring of straw in the far, dark corner.

“Hey, is someone there?”

Another moan reached his ears as the straw shifted again and he saw fingers reaching through it. His eyes widened as he heard a whispered voice, “I’m… over… here… please…”

Without another moment of hesitation, he walked to the straw and began brushing it away until he saw the body curled into a fetal position on the floor.

Long auburn hair was terribly matted and caked with dried blood, covering the face completely. Strips of cloth were all that remained on a body that was covered in more dried blood, bruises, and dirt.

“Od’yia! What the hell did they do to you? Hey, can you hear me? I’m going to have to carry you out of here, okay?”

Another moan was his answer as he slid his arms around the body and lifted it into his arms. He nearly dropped the body as he realized just how light it was and got another shock as the head rolled back and the hair fell away to reveal a pale, pale face.

But that wasn’t what made him catch his breath. As he stared down into the now open grass green eyes, he could see the other half of his soul staring right back at him.

And he knew…he knew her name was Serena.

Translations
husigos - husband
feigos - wife
leijha'mi - beautiful
dimo ulhi'maos - my soul mate
yene - yes
idi thewa meco memeh spi'ho meco dimo feigos - I wan to come home to my wife
deh meco vles teto genbi eto dimo o'syn - and to see the birth of my son
it'ska - shit
stil'lin pao, rioistis - shine on, warrior (meant to show respect towards someone)
sehi xadlo, ursa io'slo - in glory, your highness (meant to return respect towards someone who offered it first)
orasire sehi ceir - rest in peace
da'kata - damn
od'yia - god