Ravished

Hurriedly, I rush to Meet Xavier, lifting up a Prayer for his Safe return to our Agreed upon Location.

The Possibility of Executing my Authority twice within the hour weighs heavily. There are aspects of Power I do not Enjoy.. the hardening of My HEART Being the most prominent of many.. If only our People could Be more SELF-Disciplined in their Journeys.. perhaps this ROLE would be unnecessary.

When we are careless with our own Hearts, we are careless with Others.. the Result a mere consequence of Humanity. Unending Calamity.

Our HEARTS woefully bending to earthly Roles and Responsibilities. The Balance hanging by a Three-Cord Thread of UNIVERSAL DUTY. DUTY to our GOD, DUTY to our SELVES, DUTY to our People.

I reach the underground Pathway Leading me to Xavier, pausing. My Mind is racing.

Where does this Beautiful Stranger fit into the Puzzle? Is he the consequence or the DUTY?

The Prophetess's WISDOM has gone against everything I have ever Known regarding The Rules of My QUEENDOM. Have I eaten the forbidden fruit?

I have never Felt more Awakened.. have I already fallen? "GOD! SHOW me YOUR WAY!" I Lift My Face to The HEAVENS.

"FOLLOW YOUR JOURNEY." The Still Voice Whispers My NAME. "YOU ARE THE QUEEN, SERÁ. Do not BE dismayed."

I Tremble at the Sound of MY CREATOR, Breathing in Deeper.

I Embrace this Moment and Carry My SELF Forward.

The bank of the River comes into View. The Moon Shines Bright tonight. I Hear the gentle breeze as the Wind Flows through each blade and leaf, her Whispers beckon me to the shore.

To run my fingers through the still, glistening waters. To submerge My SOUL. My HEART Swells with the Nostalgic Memory of the Child I once was. I resist the urge, remaining concealed. This is My DUTY. This is where I belong.. The FREEDOM to Run, to Play, to Dance in the Moonlight is no more. I blink back the tears as they fall from the sky.

The fresh scent of rain befalls me. My Emotions collide.

But where is Xavier? The damp evening chill Reminds me of Why I am here.

I wait Silently, the hour passes by. A Realization crosses my Mind. I have not had a Meal since the previous night. I am ravished. I must Remember to send down to the Kitchens before the end of tonight.

A small twig snaps. I shallow my breaths. I am unarmed. What was I Thinking? My fury re-emerges toward Sebastián. Had he not been with that.. woman.. I would have had more Time to Prepare..

Or I would have overslept. I was cursed either way.

"Good evening, Será."

I nearly jump from my skin. "Xavier! You started me!"

"Ah, yes." He smirked his dazzling half-grin. "Good. It was my intention."

I blankly stared.

"You," Xave emphasized, "are late."

"And where have you been, exactly?" I calmly replied.

"I was here at sundown, per our Agreement. You were not here. I Needed a Meal." He shrugged casually.

"Were you witnessed?" I inquired.

"I have my skills." He flashed a wicked smile.

"Good. What did you Learn?"

"Many things."

This man is toying with me. "I am not in the mood for games, Xavier." I stood my ground.

Finally he stepped into the opening and began the short walk back to The Estate.

"Neither am I, QUEEN. Let us Speak Privately amongst our Selves."

I quietly Follow. "An unusual Choice of Words." I Think quietly to my Self. We continue in Silence until we Arrive Successfully to my Private Quarters. Turning to Xavier, I am the first to Speak.

"Xavier. I have not had a Meal since our last Meet. I must Replenish my Self before we Speak. Do you Need anything?"

"A Fresh change of outfit. A Good bottle of red. Perhaps a more suitable Meal."

I nod, taking my leave.

The clothing would prove to be a Challenge. The rest, I will have sent up to the empty Drawing Room as a Private Meal. As I near the Kitchens, I stumble upon Jonathan to my absolute Delight.

"Your Majesty." He bows.

"Good Evening, Jonathan. What a Fortunate Affair to have you here."

"How may I Be of Service, my QUEEN."

"I Need you to Be my Eyes in this particular matter."

He bows his head.

" I could do with a rather large Meal. I have not eaten for quite some Time." I explain. "Hot tea and a Good bottle of wine - preferably red - would put you in my Favor."

"I will personally See to it that your Meal is Handled without concern."

"Thank you, Jonathan. I will be Receiving in the East-Wing Drawing Room this Evening."

He nods and enters the kitchens.

Now for a wardrobe.. surely our Royal Guest Wing will have a Selection of Good Choosing. I make my way up to the second floor.

After searching several rooms of endless Armoires, I finally find what I am looking for. I Select three outfits - one suited for privacy, one for scouting, and one for appropriate wear. I fold each fabric carefully, robe myself in an inconspicuous cloak, and hold the items closely to my chest.

"Good." I say inwardly. Now to go unseen to the Drawing Room without raising suspicion.

Upon Arrival, I knock quietly. No answer. I exhale the breath I have been holding. I enter, setting the clothes and the cloak in a cabinet drawer. A knock hurries me to the door.

"Your Majesty." It is Jonathan. I open the door.

He is with a young maiden. She curtsies, as I wave her in towards the intricately-carved oak table by the hearth. She enters the room with a large silver platter - the tray filled to the brim with more than enough food to feed an insatiable hunger. She curtsies again. I nod in dismissal, and the maiden takes her leave.

"Shall I stand Guard, your Majesty?" Jonathan inquires.

"Thank you, Jonathan. That will not be Necessary."

He bows and exits.

I close the door, bolting it behind him. Placing my ear to the door, I quietly listen as his footsteps dissipate. After several Moments, I lift the tray and slip out of the room Silently.

I enter my Private Quarters, handing a freshly bathed Xavier the platter, exiting again without a word.

Back in the Drawing Room, I gather the garments and close the door behind me.

I re-enter and set the outfits upon the fur-cloaked bed. Xavier smiles.

"Thank you, my QUEEN. Your Kindness is uncanny." A playful note dancing in his eyes.

"It is Good Manners." I simply reply.

"Shall we eat then?" He has read my Mind.

I take a seat in front of the warm fire, while Xavier reaches for the bottle of wine.

"A Toast." He smiles, raising his glass. I politely decline. "You do not Indulge, Será?" He arches a brow.

"It weakens the Mind." I firmly reply.

"Then so must I." He sets down his glass and takes a seat next to mine. I am surprised at this new side of Xave. A Gentleman in disguise?

"Allow me, your Highness." He pours a hot cup of tea for us each. I smile softly to myself. His Kindness is Refreshing.

"What a Delight." I Hear my Self slip.

"I Appreciate your Willingness to Trust me thus far. It is a small Token of my Respect for your considerable Honor."

I am taken aback.

"You are a TRUE QUEEN, and I will Lay down my Life to Defend your Honor."

Humbled, I bow my Head. An Instinctive, submissive Act. I am caught by surprise by my own Actions.

His eyes fill with an Emotion beyond Respect. One with which I am unfamiliar.

He leans forward, brushing the fallen strands of hair away from my face, tucking them into place behind my ears. He cups my cheeks, staring Deep into my eyes.

"I AM YOURS, and YOU ARE MINE."