Making Plans

"Dinner is Served, MY QUEEN." Xavier lifts the lid to the gold platter set upon the bed, revealing a barely cooked steak and a small sampling of roasted vegetables. I eye the large slab of meat, wrinkling MY nose with uncertainty. Xavier laughs.

"YOU will find more Enjoyment of such a Meal with each passing Day." HE grins.

I nod and cut a tiny sliver of the steak's edge before bringing it slowly to MY mouth. Xavier watches ME closely as I chew and swallow. While taking a subsequent sip of water, I Feel MY stomach flip and a ravenous hunger consumes ME. MY mouth Begins to salivate as I Find MY Self struggling to Maintain MY proper lady-like Composure in the midst of a sudden urge to devour the piece of meat whole.

I use the knife to slice a much larger cut of the juicy steak and take a bite. A soft moan of Delight escapes MY throat as the flavors explode in MY mouth. Xavier arches HIS brow. A hint of a Smile plays along the corners of HIS mouth. "How is it, MY QUEEN?" HE Asks as a third massive bite meets MY tongue. A trickle from the rare meat drips from MY lips as I chew.

Realizing MY Manners have slipped, I blush in embarrassment. I reach for the cloth napkin, but Xavier moves it further - instead leaning in, capturing the bloody stream with HIS tongue before dragging it up towards MY mouth and across MY lips. MY eyes flutter shut as I let out a guttural groan.

"OUR CHILD is Strong." Xavier whispers into MY ear. "Eat more." HE Says, lifting another large bite to MY lips. Sensing the Delicious meat, they instinctively part, and Xavier pushes it in. Chewing slowly, I Feel a shadow flit across MY HEART.

"Open YOUR eyes, Será." I Hear Xavier Command. Lifting MY heavy lids, I Meet HIS heated molten gaze. Suddenly, HE lets out a possessive growl and crashes HIS lips down onto MINE.

I hiss in surprise, pushing MY hands against HIS chest in an Effort to gain some distance.

"Xavier!" I mutter haughtily into HIS mouth as HE expertly forces entry. "Stop!"

HIS body stiffens as HE reluctantly pulls away from the kiss.

"YOU cannot keep taking ME anytime YOU want." I state firmly, staring into HIS mesmerizing eyes.

"YOUR eyes changed." Xavier shrugs as if this is Acceptable Reasoning.

I cross MY arms and wait for HIM to continue.

HE smirks and Offers ME HIS hand. Taking it, HE gives ME a Moment to slide off of the bed before Leading ME to a full-length mirror. HE walks back towards the bed, cuts a large piece of meat, and strolls casually back to ME. Calmly, HE holds the fork out for ME to take. I arch MY brow and place MY hands on MY hips.

"Have YOU Become Accustomed to ME feeding YOU, MY QUEEN." Xavier slyly cocks a half-grin. "Let ME Help." HE lifts the juicy steak, and I quickly reach out to take the fork from HIS hand. I take the bite and immediately melt in Delight. Xavier places HIS hands on MY waist and spins ME to face MY Reflection.

I gasp as MY eyes shift from emerald to amber gold before briefly pitching black before flashing back again. Xavier groans in resistance behind ME.

"Like I Said." Xavier grins. "OUR CHILD is Growing Strong."

MY Mind races with Thoughts of how I am going to Explain these vampiric changes to The Council upon OUR Return.

"Will I Become dangerous, Xavier?" I Question.

"There is no way of Knowing until YOU are exposed to another human." He shrugs.

"Oh.." I Whisper. "How Do I Mitigate such a risk?"

"It is Best to Keep ME by YOUR side at all Times while WE tie up loose ends." HE casually replies.

"But that is impossible!" I Exclaim.

"YOU Think too much." Xavier accuses.

"YOU Care too little." I retort back, eyes flaring.

Xavier laughs. "Priorities, MY QUEEN." HE responds. "Would YOU Rather bend a few of YOUR own silly Rules or savagely drain YOUR entire Council?" HE cocks a sideways grin.

"Did YOU Know this Would Happen?" I Ask of HIM, irritated with HIS Answers.

"The Pregnancy or the consequences?" HE Inquires.

I turn to face HIM Directly. "Both."

"I have never Produced a CHILD, so the consequences I Would not Know." Xavier Answers.

"But surely YOU had some Idea this Path Would Lead US Here?" I push HIM further.

"There have Been VISIONS." HE stares at ME coldly.

"YOURS or Hers?" I shudder under HIS accusing Glare.

"Both." Xavier sets HIS lips in a thin, tight line. HIS jaw ticks.

"I Have not Done a Thing to Warrant such an icy stare." I angrily retort.

"Perhaps not yet." HE growls.

"Then WHY Seek ME out?" I Ask.

"What other Choice Did I Have?" HIS eyes darken.

"I Know not What YOU Speak of, Xavier. Please Be Direct." I place MY hands on MY hips, fixing HIM with an equal glare.

"I cannot." HE cooly Says. "If WE are to Change OUR Path, then WE must Do so in Accordance with OUR own GUIDANCE."

MY brows furrow in confusion. "What if OUR GUIDANCE Leads US down an inevitable Path?"

"I Have already LIVED it, Será." HE grimaces. "I Do not Desire to Do so again."

"Then Tell ME What it IS, so I Can Ensure that it IS not Done." I grit MY teeth.

"YOU Must Decide for YOURSELF." Xavier Answers.

"Such Cyptic Language." I groan in frustration.

"Even I am Bound by The UNIVERSAL Experience." HE Gives ME a Understanding Glance. "If I Do not Allow YOU to Decide for YOURSELF, then it Becomes FOREVER Written into Existence. TOGETHER, WE Must TRUST the Other as WE Forge OUR Path."

"Then Let US Hope for the Best.." I Respond.

Xavier nods in Agreement. "Yes."

Lowering MY hands from MY waist, I shift the Conversation. "Shall WE Discuss OUR Plans upon MY Return?"

HE smirks. "Follow ME, MY QUEEN."

Xavier turns and Leads ME into the Beautiful Seating Area adjacent to the Bedroom. HE Awaits for ME to Sit before taking HIS Seat in an oversized, richly-colored winged back red velvet chair.

"I Assume YOU already Have a Thorough Plan." Xavier folds HIS hands beneath the sharp features of HIS chin. "Enlighten ME, and WE Will See which pieces Can Be set in motion."

MY Confidence wavering, I respond hesitantly. "I Did.." I trail off. "..but now? I am uncertain."

Xavier grins mischievously. "So what I am Hearing from YOUR Beautiful mouth is that a Shared Chamber is no longer off the table." HIS Smile widens, providing a clear line of Sight to HIS sharp fangs.

I roll MY eyes. "Be serious, Xavier. WE Need to Handle this Situation with Care."

"MY QUEEN, I am offended." Xavier smirks. "I am merely Considering the Safety of YOUR QUEENDOM."

"I Do Hope Layra and her mother are getting on without trial." I Think aloud, ignoring HIS remark.

"They Will Need to Be relocated." HE responds.

Startled, MY eyes widen. "But I have Promised continued Relations with The Children's mothers."

"They Can Come too." Xavier replies nonchalantly.

"They Will not Be Happy.." I ponder. "..if, they even Agree to such an upheaval."

"They Will Should they Wish to Maintain a Relationship with their respective child." HE Answers.. "YOU Will Be Upholding YOUR Promise. A New and Better Life is hardly a Sacrifice." HE pauses. "Considering The TRUTH of their Choices to lay with YOUR Husband, they are Fortunate YOU Have a Gracious HEART."

I stare blankly into Xavier's eyes. HE Sighs. "Any other Queen would have taken the Children's Lives. But YOU, Será, never even Considered it."

"They have Lives, Xavier." I reply.

HE rolls HIS eyes. "WE Can Arrange for their Employment here. I am Certain WE Could Find them the Perfect brothel if that is the Life they Truly prefer."

I wrinkle MY nose, and Xavier lets out a Hearty Laugh. "Just Giving Some Perspective, MY QUEEN. Would it not Be Best to reunite these Children with their Mothers whilst Keeping them close - away from the grasp of other Kings?"

"Perhaps.." I cautiously Agree.

"Then it is Settled." Xavier Concludes before Moving forward.

"I Would like to offer Layra and her mother a Better Position." I firmly State, interrupting HIS Thoughts.

"Why?" HE growls.

"She is not a whore." I Answer.

"Does this not Make the indiscretion worse?" HE Inquires, surprise etching HIS Handsome face.

"She was merely one of his unfortunate conquests. He made her choice." I shiver.

"What is her trade of Profession?" He Asks.

"They are Excellent Chefs." I offer. "Her Mother has Been Trained by the absolute Best."

"Very well then." HE Accepts. "WE Will Provide them a Choice - a Place in the Palace Kitchens or their own Inn if they Can Manage."

"Very GOOD." I Agree. "As for The Council, let US.."

"..Proceed with Caution." Xavier Interrupts. "Allow ME to Gather Intel while YOU Conduct Business as usual."

I nod. "And I Will Move quickly in the dissolution of MY Marriage prior to Sebastián's beheading."

Xavier's eyes flash before a seductive smile crosses HIS face. "I Will Make Plans Accordingly, MY QUEEN."