Curiosity

Hours pass without a sign of Xavier's return. Finding MY Self restless within the Palace walls, I finally Decide to Venture beyond the Private Villa - out into the Sun-Filled Gardens.

As I walk the lush, tropical Grounds, a small Gold statue catches my eye. I approach the delicate, Golden-Leafed olive sprig, Admiring its Beauty. I Reach out to finger the seemingly fragile leaves when I Notice a thin Path tucked away in a soft corner behind.

"Hmmm.." I Wonder absent-Mindedly aloud. Curiously, I Follow the weaving Trail down into a Natural tunnel arched by the twisted boughs of Olive Trees. I look around as I Venture further into a thickening Grove. Soft Golden hues of Sunlight peek through the dark leaves, Creating a Beautiful Display of streaming Lights throughout. I take in MY Surroundings, Feeling compelled to go Deeper. The Path ends, leaving ME standing in the midst of a grassy, manicured lawn marred only by the protrusion of each Magnificent Trunk.

I take a Deep Breath and continue Forth, looking back periodically to ensure I Do not lose the Trail. Silence Fills the Air, yet I cannot help but to Wander still - the Grove becoming Denser with each step.

Soon I Find MY SELF walking almost entirely in the shadows, MY SOUL Whispering, "Keep Going". The LIGHT no longer filtering, I struggle to SEE more than a few steps ahead. MY HEART beckons ME Forward.

"Xavier?" I Breathe, uncertain if I will Find HIM in this blackening place. There is no Answer as I now walk blindly in the dark.

"Ouch!!" I Exclaim, colliding into a solid structure directly in front of ME. I Tenderly rub MY nose before sliding MY hands across what Feels to be a flat, wooden surface. MY fingers brush against a cold, metal object. "A door?" I Question out loud.

I turn the handle, Grateful to Hear the unlatch. I push the door open and am met with a blinding white LIGHT. Shielding MY eyes, I step through and close the door behind ME. Slowly, MY Sight adjusts.

Lush green grass expanses the entirety of the large, High-walled, circular enclosure. I slip off MY sandals, leaving them by the door from which I entered before moving Towards a single AWE-INSPIRING white-Blossoming Tree standing Proudly in the center of the outdoor room. A Crystal Spring flows effortlessly beneath. Beside the Tree rests a white, marble bench. A small, white lamb sleeps quietly in the soft grasses, covered by the shade of the Elegant branches.

"What is this Place?" I Whisper, Allowing MY eyes to scan further.

As I Approach the Tree, a large, Golden Lion steps Forward - HIS Mane well-Groomed, and HIS coat Reflecting the SUNLIGHT as it sheens and glistens. MY Breath hitches as HE proceeds closer, HIS massive paws padding Silently with each step. MY HEART pulses anxiously. OUR eyes Meet.

PEACE TRANSCENDS ME as I gaze into HIS Gentle eyes. Beautiful ambered-Gold, the color of Honey, stares Deep into MY SOUL. I reach out subconsciously and HE places HIS silken head against MY palm, HIS eyes never leaving MINE.

POWER Flows through ME, as I AM Transported into The HEAVENLY Realms.

"YOU Have a PURPOSE." The Lion Speaks loudly. MY HEART trembles at HIS VOICE.

"Yes.." I Whisper, "..but I Do not Understand."

HE nods Knowingly.

"I AM Aware." HIS VOICE reverberates. I shiver in response.

"THE CHILD?" I Question.

"RAISE HIM WELL."

"And Xavier?"

"TIME WILL TELL."

MY HEART twists longingly, never wanting this Conversation to end.

"WHO ARE YOU?" I Dare.

"I AM THAT I AM. I AM THAT I WILL BE. I AM THAT I AM." HE Declares.

"THE VISIONS?"

"ARE MANY." HIS ANSWER is vague.

I nod Respectfully.

"TOGETHER, YOU MUST CHOOSE WHICH VISIONS BECOME TRUTH." HE further Explains.

"Will HE LIVE?" I Ask, settling a hand upon MY belly.

"THAT WILL DEPEND." HE Answers.

"On what?" I Whisper shakily.

"HIM."

MY brows furrow in confusion, not Knowing whether WE Speak of Xavier or OUR CHILD.

"THERE ARE TWO FORCES WITHIN HIM. ONE IS darkness, THE OTHER LIGHT." The WISE Lion circles ME. "ONE PATH LEADS to death, ANOTHER LEADS to LIFE. THE CHILD WILL LEARN of Both Paths. Let US HOPE HE IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD."

"And Should HE Choose the latter?"

"The World will fall into chaos and darkness, for HE is THE LAST of HIS KIND to BE BORN." HE sits down upon the ground before ME, a solemn look Fills HIS eyes. "Stay THE COURSE, MY QUEEN, and YOU SHALL BE REWARDED. Succumb to your selfish desires, and the entire body of Humanity WILL BE PUNISHED."

I swallow heavily.

"Have I Been HERE before, KING of KINGS?"

"YOU ARE not THE FIRST." HIS Golden eyes Burn. "YOU ARE, however, THE LAST."

I nod MY head slowly, Acknowledgement Dawning upon ME as I Realize the dire NEED of MY ACCEPTANCE of THE TRUTH in which HE GUIDES ME.

"How Did YOU COME to BE HERE?" I Wonder.

"THE QUESTION IS NOT IN THE HOW, SERÁ, BUT IN THE WHY." HE Answers.

"WHY?" I redirect MY Question.

"BRING ME THE ANSWER." HE Smiles.

"WHERE WILL I FIND IT?"

"YOU MUST SEEK IT FOR YOUR SELF." The Lion stands and turns, nudging The Lamb with HIS muzzle. The Lamb Awakens, bleating before shaking the Sleep from HER tiny head and skipping Toward ME.

Carefully, I Kneel down, scooping the fragile Creature in MY arms. It nuzzles the side of MY face, and I cannot Help but to Give a JOYFUL Laugh.

"THERE IS YOUR ANSWER." The Lion Says.

I Look into the Loving eyes of The Lamb, setting HER down Gently. SHE trots back to The Lion.

"COME BACK WHEN YOU ARE READY." HE Directs ME.

I bow MY head Graciously. HE nods in subtle Approval.

"UNTIL THEN." HE Dismisses ME.

"UNTIL THEN." MY HEART Whispers.

The blinding white LIGHT returns, and I Find MY SELF standing outside the narrow Trail, fingering the Golden-Leafed statue once again.

"Looking for ME?" I turn around as Xavier Approaches ME Confidently, a mischievous Smirk playing at the corners of HIS mouth.

"I am." I quickly Recover.

"GOOD." HE Replies. "YOUR Ship has Arrived."

I Look at HIM Questioningly.

"I Believe YOU Sent for ME?" HE Clarified. "What Shall I Tell them?" HIS eyes flash dangerously.

"Tell them it Would Be YOUR Honor to Formally Accept MY Invitation." I Smile sweetly.

"Only if I will Be Sharing YOUR Quarters." HE pushes HIS body against ME.

"I Believe YOUR Request can Be Accommodated upon the dissolution of MY current Marriage, and.." I Smirk. "..as the Consummation of OUR Official Union."

"YOU torment ME, MY QUEEN." HE slides HIS hand beneath MY gown, running a finger between MY folds. I shiver.

"YOU are shameless." I Whisper Breathlessly.

"Indeed I am." Xavier growls throatily, releasing MY dress. "So, MY QUEEN. How Shall WE Greet OUR Guests?"