18 : Bring Her Back

Xena sat in her room, thinking about everything through.

It was because of her that Cassius was being hunted by a lot of people and it was because of her that Cassius was not free anymore. All because of her.

But if Cassius was free, it wouldn't solve the issue of innocent citizens dying.

Xena would never be able to forgive herself if something happened to Cassius while under her wing - the irony - she would rather die of guilt.

One thing that forever swirled her mind was, why!?

Xena was still thinking when Cassius walked into the room and looked around searching for her. His eyes glowered around the room and then finally settled them on Xena.

What was she thinking so deeply about?

Cassius looked at the women who he was troubled about. Features of a goddess, heart of an angel, and character of a Queen. The innocence lightening her features pushed him on his knees several times but he still stood strong. Somehow.

Her soft baby skin and the pink lips just increased his attraction towards her by tenfold.

She was god sent.

And under different circumstances, he would've claimed her his but . . . Not in this life.

Xena finally raised her face and looked into Cassius' eyes. Those gorgeous eyes! Those glassy marbles.

For a moment, Xena herself was bounded to his eyes. To his carefully sculpted face and his body. God surely spent his lovely time on creating him.

The sexual tension was thick and it seemed like both were unaware. Somehow.

Xena imagined what it would be like to touch him, to feel him, and to caress his smooth skin. How he would feel inside her, his strong arms carrying both of us - She definitely needed holy water to wash her brain with

She finally cleared her throat and both of them came back to reality.

"Cassius, I want to talk to you," Xena muttered and stood up, Cassius didn't say a word but rather continued to stare at the woman in front of him.

"I Xena, Princess of Karabia, revoke my claim from Cassius -" she stopped for a moment, who was the King of again? She shook her head and continued nevertheless, "- of slavery, I set you free." She whispered the last word.

What!? Cassius thought.

Something happened. Both of them felt something break. Cassius immediately felt freedom.

What had just happened?

"Wh-" Cassius started but Xena shook her head,

"I am sorry for what I have done but now you are free . . . From me, you are no longer bound to me, but now you better leave this place and my people."

The happiness was visible in Cassius' eyes and without a thought, he moved forward, he wanted to hug her, thank her and all but he held himself.

What about the plans he had made to kill her?

The step he had taken forward was now halted, instead, he took two steps back. Creating distance and stopping his urges.

He quietly nodded and with one swish movement, he had his things in his hands and was gone. He flew away - out of the window.

Just like that. No other exchange of words.

Xena felt her heartbreak slightly. Why did she feel sad that Cassius left without saying anything . . . she calmed her self.

They had no relation anymore, why would he bid her goodbye. He hated her. He made plans to kill her.

Xena sighed and lied down on her bed. She finally felt tired and empty from the inside. Was it right what she did?

He won't come back again. None of her people would be harmed anymore, everything would be back to normal.

Without thinking of anything else, she went to sleep.

Maybe he will come back - maybe she meant something to him. Maybe.

Cassius flew free, he had his freedom. Finally! He can now have his revenge again - not that he wasn't going to have before but still, now he wasn't bounded by the woman anymore! He was free!

Free!

He still couldn't believe it anymore.

It was time for a feast.

Time passed like a race. Fast. The night fell quickly and Cassius sat on his usual spot. On the hill.

He felt alone - sort of, there was this nagging in his heart and he decided that he would go for a fly to clear his head from the invading thoughts.

He with one big swish lifted himself in the air and flew in the sky as high as the clouds. The cool air tumbled on him and he relinquished his freedom in it.

His shirt was gone once again and his chest was bare now. His hair was an utter mess and his claws were extended just like his canines and his feet bare.

He flew as free as the wind with his wings flapping like a bird.

Unknowingly, he passed by the castle. He didn't know when he stumbled around it. His brain urged him to just have a little peek on what Xena was doing.

No, she said to leave. But I didn't make any promise.

One last time maybe.

And with that thought in his mind, he moved towards the window of Xena's room. He looked through it to find that there was no Xena and the room was a mess.

What?

The bookcase was toppled over and the mattress was torn, letting the cotton inside it escape. The sheets were on the floor and the dressing table had it's glass broken.

It was like a storm had struck it.

Cassius furrowed his brows and pulled the window up, instantly stepping in the room as if it was his.

What happened in here?

He opened the door to her room and walked to the ground floor. Hopefully, no one knew that now he was free of Xena or he won't be able to walk freely as he was right now.

He could not smell Xena anywhere. She was not in the castle, that he was sure about it but he still looked around.

What was he doing? He did not like the woman then why? Why was he . . . Worried about her?

He casually strolled and when he passed through a certain room, he heard shouting,

"I don't care! Bring her back!"

Cassius without hesitating, kicked the door open to find the king slumped on his chair with his red cheeks and few men standing in front of him with their swords closed tightly in their hands.

Cassius knew exactly what had happened. It wasn't hard putting two and two together.

"Where is she!?" Cassius' voice boomed and everyone looked at him. The second the King saw him, hope fluttered in his chest and he stood up, stumbling in front of him.

"You have to find her, please please, I will do anything just bring her back. Bring Xena back." He pleaded and Cassius looked at him.

Anything?

"Anything?" Cassius said voicing his thoughts.

"Yes! Anything, just get her back."

Without acknowledging, he turned back and flew into the night. He was going to find her and he knew just the place. Killian was going to pay.

...
I don't know what is wrong with me . . . Help, I don't want to write but just read. Also, I finished all six books of storm and silence in two days! They were awesome!

Waiting for the seventh book.

P R O Q U E E N