YOU

"It Appears that I am unable to stop these Visions of Yours from taking place, Prophetess." I Hear Xavier Say.

"Mm." She responds, the Sound of her chopping travels down the hallway. I pause to Listen.

"SHE has Been sullied."

My HEART wrenches at HIS Words, despite our inability to TRULY Exist Together in this world.

"By YOUR Mark, Xavier." She scolds HIM. "SHE Did not Ask for YOU to Show up and Do what YOU Did."

HE Sighs. "You Know WHY I Did."

"And yet, SHE is With CHILD." The Prophetess States.

The weight of the room Grows heavy. "By whom?" HE growls.

"By YOU?" She Inquires.

I Hold My Breath. HE Does not Answer.

"Whose else Would it Be?" She continues.

"SHE has Been forcefully Entered." Xavier seethes. "You Know the Rules."

The Prophetess stops chopping.

"Then Slay." She Says bluntly.

MY HEART beats rapidly. "Slay?" I panic inwardly. Without Thinking, I step out of the hallway and into the Kitchen. Xavier is leaning casually against the cabinets.

"Is this involuntary discretion Worthy of death?" I Speak icily.

Xavier arches HIS brow, steeling Me with a cool Glare. "Do YOU Make it a Habit to Listen in on Conversations that are not YOUR Own?"

"I am The QUEEN." I seethe. "It is My Responsibility to Be Well-Informed. Especially when the Conversation involves Me."

The Prophetess continues chopping vegetables, hiding Her Smile. "It Seems YOU have Met YOUR Match, Xavier." She interjects.

"It Would Appear I have." HIS eyes go molten as HE burns HIS Gaze into Mine.

I swallow. Heat Fills the room.

"Enough, Xavier." She is abrupt. "Sit down at the table and let us Discuss. Breakfast Will Be Ready Momentarily." She waves us both off Toward the table.

Xavier glowers in response as HE waits for Me to Make My Move. I turn My back to HIM and take a seat, folding My hands neatly in My lap.

I bow My head and PRAY Silently.

"HEAVENLY GOD, I Do not Know what Path YOU Would have Me Tread. The JOURNEY is treacherous - The Road narrow and long. GUIDE Me per YOUR WILL, and LEAD Me in YOUR Ways. I AM YOURS." I take a Deep Breath. "AMEN."

I open My eyes as The Prophetess sets the table, Xavier still leans against the cabinets Studying My every Move. She Moves back Toward the Kitchen to finish Preparing Our Meal.

Xavier walks across the room, pulling My chair out from underneath the table. HE cradles My head in HIS hands and lowers HIS face, pressing a hard Kiss upon My lips.

HE Shifts a hand behind My head to Deepen the Kiss. HIS tongue slides inward and moves expertly with Mine. Despite My Best Efforts, I am unable to resist HIS Desire. My eyes flutter closed as I Allow My SELF to succumb to HIS Heat.

"Ahem.." The Prophetess clears Her throat.

I Feel Xavier Smirk, removing HIS tongue. HE bites My bottom lip and pulls away, My pupils dilating. I am Breathless and lusting for More. HE flashes a Wicked Grin and grabs the chair Directly across from Me. I Feel My cheeks flush at HIS obscene Display of Seduction.

The Prophetess takes Her seat at the Head of the table. "Shall We?" She Says.

I feast My eyes upon a Beautiful spread of ornate Dishes laid out before Us. Fresh-caught Trout roasted with an array of Vegetables envelopes My Senses along with an Assortment of Home-made Croissants, hand-picked Berries, and sparkling Cider. I am eager to Begin as I Patiently wait for The Prophetess to Serve.

"Help YOUR SELVES." She chuckles, Serving Her SELF a spoonful of Berries.

Xavier Gestures Toward My plate. Ignoring HIS feeble Generosity, I instead Help My Self to a Croissant. HE Smirks.

Silently, We eat. I am famished. Xavier Watches as I eat a Healthy portion of everything The Prophetess has to Offer. "Hungry?" HE rudely Comments.

My eyes flash.

"SHE is With CHILD, Xavier." The Prophetess scolds.

Gratefully, I finish My Meal. A small flutter Moves in My womb, and I Smile to My SELF.

"Keeping Secrets are We, Será?" Xavier Inquires.

"Xavier.." The Prophetess cautions.

I Look Up, uncertain as to how I Should respond. Confusion crosses HIS face. I Consider whether or not I Should Answer TRUTHFULLY. I chew slightly on My inner bottom lip and shift uncomfortably in My seat. The Prophetess continues to eat quietly, while Xavier waits Patiently. HE is not Going to let this minor slip Go unnoticed. I Sigh.

"Xavier.." I reply. "..Must YOU Be so harsh?"

The Prophetess Raises a brow.

"I Do not Tolerate Secrets, MY QUEEN." HE calmly responds, taking a bite.

"And WHO ARE YOU to Inquire about My Secrets?" I Say.

HE chews Thoughtfully before Giving HIS response. "OUR Fates ARE Intertwined, MY QUEEN. It Does not Make a Difference whether YOU Know WHO I AM or not." HIS face Grows Serious.

"If YOU cannot Find it Necessary to Be TRUTHFUL with Me, there is no Need for Me to Share My TRUTHS with YOU." I Match HIS Tone.

HIS eyes storm Silently, Daring Me to Look away.

The Prophetess Rises, clearing Her plate. "This is Productive." She Laughs.

Xavier Speaks, still holding OUR Gaze. "A REVELATION to Say the Least. Have I no Effect on YOU?" HE Questions Me.

"No More than I on YOU." I cooly reply.

"I am Going to Ask YOU one last Time, MY QUEEN." HIS eyes Meld into liquid pools of Gold and Amber. "Who Dared to lay their filthy hands on YOU?"

Stunned, I blink. "Does it Matter?" I Whisper, MY HEART wrenching painfully.

"It Does." HE seethes.

"And what Could YOU Possibly Do with such Knowledge?" I angrily retort.

Xavier's eyes darken. "More than YOU Would like to Know."

HIS Words unsettling, My Thoughts falter.

"Now.." HE continues. "Let US Be Done with this Business and put it Behind US. Tell ME Who it was."

"No." I firmly respond.

"WHY ARE YOU Protecting them?!" HE roars.

"Xavier!" The Prophetess slams Her fist down upon the table. "YOU Will Be Calm or YOU Will Leave My Home!"

Xavier turns on Her, HIS eyes blackening.

"The Northern King." I Admit loudly.

Xavier and The Prophetess turn their Attention Toward Me, mouths agape. "It was The King.." I Whisper. "..twice.." My eyes Fill with tears. "..I tried to Fight Him off.. " My Voice trembles. "..the second Time was worse.." I struggle to continue.

"Is this Necessary, Xavier?" The Prophetess Questions, Concern Filling Her Voice.

"Yes." HE Confirms.

I Breathe Deep.

"..Something Changed Him. He Spoke of a MARK.." Memories Play through My Mind.

Xavier Smirks. "GOOD." HE sneers.

"Did He MARK YOU?" The Prophetess Asks abruptly.

"I Do not Know.." I Whisper.

She glances at Xavier disconcertingly.

"Did He Bite YOU?" HE Clarified abrasively.

"No.. He was Going to.. at least I Believe He was, but then He left.. in absolute terror.. I cannot Explain what took Place.." My Thoughts muddled as I Attempted to Make Sense of the Evening prior.

"Logic cannot WIN this WAR." The Prophetess Said, patting My knee Gently.

"And The CHILD?" Xavier presses The Conversation further.

"Will Belong to The Eastern Shores." I Steel My SELF. "Should THE KING Accept My Offer."

The Prophetess shifts uncomfortably.

"To Whom Does The CHILD belong?" He seethes.

"The CHILD is in My Womb." I respond.

"That is not what I Asked." Xavier Bites back.

"A Seed Does not Make a Father, Xavier." I Challenge. "This CHILD Will Be of My Own Flesh, My Own Blood - Knitted Together in My Own Womb. I Will Give The CHILD Life by My Birth, by My Breast, and by My Sacrifice alone."

"None of which is Possible without The Seed, Será." HE States.

"I am The QUEEN, Xavier. I Must Move. Claims Will Be Made."

"Three Kings - one CHILD." The Prophetess Breathes.

"And from Whom Does The CHILD obtain The Seed?" Xavier Inquires.

I take a Deep Breath and Answer. "YOU."