Chapter 20. The Terms of Our Meeting.

Filia drifted down the hall after Cleon in a daze. She'd tripped over her own feet about three times since they'd left Xellos and her hands were still shaking. She really needed to sit down, but she wasn't about to give Cleon any indication of what had happened.

"Miss Filia?" Cleon began inquisitively.

"Hmm?" she responded distractedly.

"Don't you want to know about the news from the search?" he prompted.

"Oh," Filia said. To be honest, that was the last thing on her mind. "Yes. Did they find something?" Like a gun in the leader of the Pro-Human League's room?

"They didn't exactly find anything," Cleon said. "But shortly after the search was announced, the Pro-Human Leaguers packed up and left before their rooms could be processed."

"Hmm," Filia said again.

"I was wrong and you were right, Miss Filia," Cleon said contritely. "It's clear that they didn't want their guilt to be discovered."

"I guess so," Filia said, still only seeming to be half there.

Cleon looked a bit troubled at his boss's apparent lack of relief in the fact that the group trying to assassinate her had fled. "I suppose you're wondering whether or not we'll be able to catch them or not," he went on, in a tone that implied that he didn't really suppose this, but would have liked to suppose it.

"Will we?" Filia asked, idly touching her arm and looking at the walls as they went past.

"It's possible," Cleon said on this rather thin prompt. "But it's also possible that they'll take refuge in a country sympathetic to their cause and then we may never bring them to justice."

"Oh," Filia said.

Cleon once again gave her a side-long look of puzzlement as though he wondered how the woman who'd been so determined to triumph against her hated enemies could be so blasé about their possible escape from justice.

"At the very least, you won't have to worry about them anymore," Cleon added from the bright side.

"Yeah," Filia said. Cross being killed off her worry list. Too bad the top five slots of her worried list were already marked 'Xellos'.

She hadn't been prepared for any of that. Honestly, how could anyone be? In her wildest and craziest ideas of possible scenarios confronting Xellos might bring (including the one where he takes off his gloves and reveals that he has no hands), she had never even considered that he would just randomly start kissing her and ask her if she wanted to… to…

What would you have done if Cleon hadn't shown up? The thought dropped heavily into her mind, casting ripples across her subconscious.

…

I would've said no! Filia practically screamed in her own mind. Of course, I would've said no. I was just… building up to it, that's all.

Look, you just wait until Xellos invites you into his bed, and we'll see how quick to react you are, Filia snapped red-faced to herself.

And then she thought: Who am I arguing with?

…This is not a good sign.

"Miss Filia?" Cleon asked as they reached her room which was still being guarded by Galadrion and Kevin (who must have been doing a good job because it hadn't been stolen yet). "Are you okay?" he asked, voice etched with concern. "Did he say something to you?"

She was just in shock. That's all it was. Shock.

"I'm fine," Filia said. Then she tried to put on a weak little smile. "Just tired."

Cleon didn't look like he quite bought this. "The meeting's tomorrow. Are you sure?"

Filia was so not-sure at this point that a mathematical equation might be necessary to pinpoint her exact uncertainty. "I'm sure," she said.

"Alright," Cleon said, still not sounding like he 100% believed her. "Good night," he said.

"Good night," she said.

She shut the door and collapsed against the carpet.

She'd tried to undress like three times and just couldn't manage it; which was stupid, but she wasn't going to deal with it. Instead she just kept her day clothes on and crawled under the covers of her bed to wait for sleep. She knew that it would be a long, painful wait.

But how could she ever get to sleep when she knew that her meeting with Xellos loomed in the near distance? She just… couldn't face him after what had happened. But there was no way she could back out of this.

The idea of having Cleon and Rasmus with her might have dispelled some of the worries about meeting with Xellos again that she wasn't anxious to verbalize, but it also introduced a whole new set of worries. What would Xellos say in front of them? Would they find out about what happened between them?

She buried her head in the pillow. It was just too unbearable to even think about. She'd kissed a monster. Not only that but, though she'd hate to admit it, there was a slight chance that if Cleon hadn't shown up she might have been swept away and… been a bigger disgrace to dragon kind than she already was.

She cringed. What would her mother say if she was alive? Worse yet, what would her father say?

…Best not to even think of that.

What a minute, Filia thought, lifting herself on the bed by her elbows. I can't start thinking like this. This isn't my fault! I didn't ask for this!

…But Xellos said that the Supreme Elder only sent her to… to tempt him. Which didn't make any sense really! If he wanted to send her for… that kind of purpose, wouldn't he have told her so she'd better play her part?

…Except for the fact that she'd definitely have said no if he asked for that.

Anyway, she'd been doing pretty damn well at the summit considering her life had been targeted. She'd been able to handle things much more diplomatically than Cleon had (at least most of the time) because of her experiences traveling with Miss Lina. She couldn't believe that that was the only reason she'd been sent. Xellos just thought the world revolved around him.

Yes. It didn't have to be the only reason. It didn't even have to be one of the reasons. It was just what Xellos thought.

All that what he'd said had really told her was… that he found her tempting.

Which was also crazy. But there it was… a confession basically. Both in words and actions.

What kind of messed up monster wants a dragon?

Of course, none of this disproved her initial idea that he was just trying to trick her. His actions had certainly completely thrown her off and left her vulnerable concerning the meeting the next day. There was always the chance that he didn't really want her and this was just a ploy to manipulate her into whatever the monster race had on their agenda.

…But… hadn't he taken it a bit far if that was the case?

Maybe she was wrong. But it just seemed to her that this went somewhat beyond distraction. It didn't meant that this wasn't all some plot against her, but… well, really, what could he bring up at the meeting that he would really feel the need to sleep with her to accomplish?

It just seemed like maybe he had… long term plans for her. But what could he possibly want from her besides… the obvious notion which she was choosing not to entertain at this point.

She unconsciously crossed her arms over her chest as if cold. Hadn't Xellos talked about 'political alliances' when they'd first met at the summit? Yes… when he'd pointed out Lopa and Arkon. He was the one that said then and there that love and politics didn't mix. How could a relationship with her benefit him?

…Well, in lots of ways now that she thought about it. Even though she largely lived apart from her race, she was still a dragon and having frequent contact with her would give him insight into what the race was up to. Especially since there was always a chance that she'd be asked to stay in her post as Premier of Foreign Affairs. The dragons might need her as they started up their new trading program. And… she might actually accept, especially if the Supreme Elder could guarantee that Val would never be targeted.

And Val… Oh, Val, Filia thought with a chill. Getting close to her would ensure that Xellos would also be close to the last ancient dragon in existence; just in case.

And then there was herself. Xellos might brag that he thought black magic was better than holy magic, but there were things you couldn't do with black magic. Breaking through holy seals for one. And then there was the big thing… light-dark fusion magic. If Xellos could get her by his side then he'd have access to a power few could wield. And that would be worth a lot.

That must be it, she thought to herself. Everything around the summit is politically motivated anyway. There. Isn't it better now that I know why he's trying to manipulate me?

No, Filia thought quietly, a completely unauthorized tear trailing down her cheek. No it's not, she thought louder this time. When someone kisses you it's supposed to mean something.

She tried to fight against the stream of tears cascading from her eyes, but to no avail. She hadn't cried when she first got to the summit. She hadn't cried when Rasmus had been shot. She hadn't cried any of the times she'd nearly been killed. But she had to cry over this.

Choking back sobs she collapsed again onto her mattress and eventually fell into a fitful and exhausted sleep.

Filia and Cleon stood in the anteroom of the conference center of the hotel. Filia's eyes were raw from crying and from unrestful sleep, but she stuck out her chin. She was going to get through this.

…Somehow.

"The meeting should start at nine o'clock sharp," Cleon said, tucking away a pocket-watch he'd been examining. "So we've got plenty of time. I'm going to get Rasmus from the infirmary. Would you like to come with me?"

That was right. Now that her assassins were gone she actually got a little autonomy. "No thanks," Filia said. "I think I'd rather just… get my bearings."

Cleon nodded understandingly. "Don't worry," he said, patting her on the shoulder. "Rasmus and I will be there to help you along when the time comes." And then he went off down the hall.

Why do I think you'll do more hindering than helping? Filia thought sourly.

She stared around at the crowded lobby. There were plenty of people there and quite a breakfast buffet spread. But Filia couldn't bring herself to eat.

They'd reserved a conference room to meet Xellos in. It would be much more formal than the meet and greets Filia had been on before. Which was good because she certainly didn't want to be in his room or for him to be in hers.

"All alone?" said a voice behind her.

Damn that punctual bastard!

She abruptly moved away from him and turned around to fix him with a glare. "Mister Cleon," she said stiffly, "has gone to get Mister Rasmus from the infirmary."

"Three days in the infirmary?" Xellos asked, raising his eyebrows. "I must say you dragons have fairly fragile bodies."

Filia closed her eyes for a moment and breathed out. Xellos liked to leave little… stepping stones in conversations. She knew it. She could see where she was going with this and she was not anxious to have a conversation and dragon's and monster's bodies.

She opened her eyes and he gave her a twisted little smile. Damn it! He knows what I was thinking!

"Speaking of—" he began.

"No," she said firmly. "I don't want to speak of it."

Xellos shrugged. "Fine by me," he said, and then vanished.

Filia turned around and looked wildly across the room for where he'd reappear. But it was no good. She should've known that he'd appear…

"You don't have to talk," a voice said in her ear.

…right behind her.

"I do so wonder what you've been thinking lately, Filia," he said.

She tried not to lose her cool as he draped his arms around her. "Get away," she said in the strongest voice she could manage, which wasn't very strong.

"Oh, so you do want to talk," he said cheerfully, his chin leaning against her shoulder.

Filia was not doing well. If this wasn't even the negotiations, she dreaded what would happen then. But she'd have Cleon and Rasmus with her and he wouldn't do this around them.

Umm… would he?

She couldn't wrench her way out of his arms, so she used the last threat of any woman in a public place: "Stop it," she breathed, "or I'll scream."

"I certainly hope you do," he answered.

There was a delayed reaction, but then Filia went red.

"Shut up," she barely managed to get out. "I'd never ever do something like that with you."

"Why not?" Xellos asked into her neck.

"Because," Filia said, trying to overpower that chill down her spine with anger, "you're only trying to use me for political purposes. It's not because you actually love me or anything."

"There's no reason why both can't be true," Xellos said calmly.

Filia's eyes flew wide open in surprise. She wanted to turn around to see what kind of expression he was pulling, but he was holding her fast. Finally she gritted her teeth and said: "Don't throw my words back at me. It's not clever."

"It's pretty clever," Xellos said fairly.

Cleon and Rasmus walked down the hall and into the lobby and to Filia's surprise and intense relief, Xellos released her from his arms. Though it was also true that he did this slowly enough that Cleon and Rasmus certainly saw him withdraw and he still remained quite close.

"Oh," Cleon said nervously, as he reached them. "You're early."

Rasmus scowled at both of them. Filia didn't really think she deserved that from her bodyguard, but she was unsure if Rasmus had another expression so she let it slide.

"Well," Cleon said, clapping his hands together awkwardly. "Shall we get going then?"

"We?" Xellos repeated. "I understood that this was going to be a one-on-one negotiation."

Filia let Cleon take this one and simply marveled at Xellos's audacity.

"We never indicated that," Cleon said worriedly.

"Well, I haven't brought anyone, so it seems only fair," Xellos pointed out.

Yes, Filia thought to herself. But I haven't killed thousands. You have.

"Nevertheless," Cleon rallied, "Miss Filia must have the protection of Mister Rasmus considering the resent assassination attempts."

"But her assassins have fled; isn't that right, Mister Rasmus?" Xellos asked. "Perhaps you did not hear while you were resting in the infirmary."

Rasmus merely glowered in response.

"Well, uh," Cleon began, seeing his excuses evaporating before him. "There's… well, I mean, obviously what with the uh… the history of our two races it would seem, well, prudent too…" he trailed off.

Xellos snaked a hand around Filia's waist. "Oh, I think you'll find we get along surprisingly well," he said. "Isn't that right, Filia?" he said, grabbing her hand and kissing her palm.

She cried out.

Damn it, she swore after she'd wrenched her hand away from him. It wasn't that she'd been affected by the kiss (…much). He'd just chosen to kiss the chemical burn from the dry ice that she'd never bothered to heal. That's why she cried out.

Stop making it look like I want you, you jerk!

But she knew from Cleon and Rasmus's mortified and suspicious expressions that a negotiation would never work with them there. They weren't in the mood to compromise with Xellos. Not after what they'd seen. Xellos had seen to that.

Plus there was something Xellos wanted to tell her in private. And she really wanted to know what it was.

"Have it your way," Filia snapped at him, disentangling his arm from her waist. She started to move toward the conference room they'd reserved down the hall.

"Miss Filia, I must protest!" Cleon said, now sounding rather panicked.

"It's fine," Filia said. "I can handle myself."

Though not necessarily him…

She got one look at Cleon before she abruptly turned back. What she saw surprised her. Rasmus, now, he looked angry enough to burn a forest down. That was to be expected. But Cleon didn't look angry. He just looked… sad.

And that's when it hit Filia. All that… being nervous around her… and all worry and coddling that had been annoying… Cleon loved her. And she'd never even noticed.

But Xellos had. That's where that whole display had come from. He was… he was showing off! It was a little song that went: Nya-nya-nya-nya-nya-nya! Look what I've got!

"You didn't have to do all that," Filia said quietly as they walked along. "It was just cruel."

"Oh please," Xellos said dismissively. "As if you constantly ignoring him wasn't at least as cruel."

Filia didn't want to think about that, so instead she put on her game face. She didn't want Xellos to think he'd won this one. "Look, I just want you to know that I did that for the negotiation," she said firmly. "And negotiation is all we're going to do. Whatever sick ideas you've concocted; I'm not interested in them."

"Alright," he said agreeably.

Filia frowned. That hadn't been the response she'd expected. Perhaps a faux-innocent denial of having any such ideas, coupled with a suggestion that it might be Filia herself who was the one with the sick ideas. He was agreeing too easily.

"What sick ideas did you have in mind, anyway?" she asked suspiciously.

"You mean the one's you're not interested in?" he asked.

"Yes," Filia said.

"Let me get this straight," Xellos said slowly. "My supposedly sick ideas. The ones you're not interested in. You want to know what they are?"

"Yes!" Filia said impatiently.

"You could say that you're interested in knowing more about them?"

"That's why I asked!" Filia said, now almost completely out of patience. "AND WHAT ARE YOU SMILING LIKE THAT ABOUT, YOU MONSTER?"