17 : My King

Cassius was wearing his sleeveless green tank with slits cut into it's back from which his white gorgeous wings slipped through and were neatly folded behind him.

He had black sweatpants on and was barefoot.

The usual.

He definitely did not like the idea of shoes - or shirts - sometimes and today he wanted to be barefooted, which kept him light on his feet.

His hair was messed up and he had an emotionless look etched to his face as he walked beside Xena who was also dressed formally.

She had a long stylish lilac dress that was short from the front and long from the back and touched the floor. Her feet were in silver flats that complimented her skin tone and eyes.

She wished that she could walk barefoot just like Cassius sometimes but that's where her father comes in.

The ruler of all.

Her long ginger hair was pulled in two Dutch braids and her hands wrapped in front of her. She had light makeup on her face and a small pendant around her neck. The same one that Cassius gifted her.

They both stood in front of the ginormous gates that led to the meeting room.

"Princess." The four guards bowed and opened the gates for them.

They were suddenly attacked with the pitter-patter of the people in there. Some were arguing their cases, some were discussing and some were talking to the King.

The second they all noticed the princess' and the creature's presence, everyone quietened down.

Xena glanced at her father who had a frown etched to his face. They still hadn't made up. Xena looked away and walked in with pure confidence oozing out of her in waves.

Cassius had an aura of his own, even though he was light on his feet and not one could hear him walk, they still were terrified by his mere presence.

He could simply wipe out this whole room with only a swish of his wings.

So much power in the hands of one mortal.

But the fact that now he was bounded to the female walking in front of him, if he stays away from her for too long, he will grow weak and if she dies than of course, he dies too.

That's something he does not want.

Xena took a seat on her father's right and Cassius sat beside her. No one else sat in the same row as Cassius that day.

"Gentlemen." Xena's father called and everyone removed their eyes from The Creature in the room and towards their King.

"Please, bring your arguments." The king ordered and from the line of several men, a man stood up.

He looked like a normal town man with his trench coat, a tee-shirt, and some suit pants. He had a pair of glasses on his nose and a hat to cover his balding head.

"My Lord, my name is Killian and I am here on the behalf of the town men. That - " He pointed towards Cassius and Xena grew protective. Before he could continue his sentence, Xena spoke,

"That has a name. It would be better if you call him by that."

Killian looked baffled at his princess protecting the vile creature who probably held an even lower status than all the men in the room.

While Cassius was fuming inside, no matter the calm demeanor he had plastered on his face from the outside, he made no move.

He was a King! These low life puny humans knew nothing. How dare this man disrespect him like that. But when Xena stood up to his support, he had held down the smug look from coming onto his face.

Killian didn't say anything anymore regarding the creature's name and continued - completely disregarding the Princess. He had no respect for her anymore.

Why would he!? In his eyes, their protector was siding with the enemy.

"He comes to the town every night and kills our men! Take our children and hurt our women! This is despicable! And the Princess protects him! Do we not hold a place in her heart or does she not have any!"

No one spoke, the only thing anyone could hear was a crow cawing far in distance.

But the words were heavy.

That hurt Xena. He was right, she should have put her people first but she was too self-absorbed and wanted to fix things with Cassius that she did not think about them.

That she didn't found it wrong to protect the killer. But then again, she went with what she wanted. With what she desired and if these people have a problem with that, she is not good for the position then.

"I am sorry but the humans you call my people tried to kill me! Tried to pierce their princess' heart with spears! Does that not affect you! How can I protect a nation that fails to discuss matters and is led astray blinded only by hatred and superiority." When Xena exclaimed that, the whole room gasped.

Guess none of them knew that Xena was almost killed, oh well.

"When did that happen!?" The King demanded and Cassius smirked as the first seed of terror was implanted and now it was ready to bloom.

"Maybe if you were a good father to me and cared about my needs enough to look out for me then you might have known. You were not a father to me but a father to the people who had enough people already to care for them!" Xena exploded.

All her emotions that were bottled up now flew out free,

"You cared for their emotions! Not your daughter who lived under the same roof! You might be a good King but you never were a good father! Good thing mom left before she could see how you treat her daughter!"

That hurt the King. He never knew that his daughter didn't appreciate the way he did things for her, she was right in a way. He only cared for the kingdom, thought what was best for the kingdom and not for his daughter.

Tried to marry her off to another kingdom for the betterment of this kingdom, but isn't that a sacrifice needed by the royal family!?

"Sit down Xena! A lady shouldn't raise her voice."

Xena has had enough and sat down, she has had enough now. Any hopes of making up with her father had gone down the drain now. Cassius had a stoic face as he watched the drama unveil in front of him.

The people in front of them had quietened but when no one else spoke, Killian continued,

"We cannot bear this! It's getting out of hand. He will have to go or we will do something ourselves!" The people around him nodded in acceptance while Xena flared.

"He is going nowhere! He is under me and nothing will happen to him until I am alive." And with that, Xena strutted out.

Cassius also followed her but when he was almost out, he heard someone say,

"Then we will just get rid of her."

That was something Cassius was not going to let happen and so he smirked and like a devil that he was, walked back in and by that time, Xena had already been out of the hearing range.

Cassius walked in the middle of the room.

"Just so you know, I will kill you before you even touch her. Remember, every dark corner you see, I am there. Every wall out there has ears that will lead all information I need to me and Before any of you can comprehend, I will have your beating heart in my palm. I swear none of this is a lie because I never speak anything but the truth. If you want your head on your shoulders, keep your blasted distance." Cassius threatened and pulled one of his claw out.

His smirks widen even more as he noticed the faces of the people around him pale.

Even the two guards that were inside were scared shitless. He could feel them.

Cassius slowly and threateningly walked towards one of the men who he was sure had said what he had heard and placed his claw right over his heart.

His eyes were immediately out of their sockets when he noticed Cassius finger slowly digging into his skin and in one smooth motion, his heart was ripped out and tossed on Killian's table.

"A proof of what I said is not a lie. You will be next if you don't back off." And with that, Cassius walked out with confidence and dominance radiating off of him.

He loved the thrill he got from killing people. He definitely needed to kill more often now.

Not like he didn't kill enough already.

As he made his way up to Xena's room, the king and the men around him had made the decision that Cassius was definitely crossing lines and they should get rid of him.

Even though the King was sort of against it, he couldn't help but agree. They all were going to get rid of Cassius for good and since he was practically linked to Xena, it would be even easier.

Guess they didn't take heed of the warning.

...
What do you think? Not much happened but I hope you enjoyed it!

P R O Q U E E N