Chapter 11

Xellos, least to say, was as close as he has ever come to being completely shocked. But he didn't let it show on his face. He kept himself as calm and calculating as possible, closing his eyes and replying with the best answer he could think of, "Huh…?"

Filia took another breath as she began to fidget under the covers. "Xellos, I want to see you, the real you. I want to know what it is I'm signing myself up for. You know almost all there is to know about me, yet I know nothing about you. If I am to consider spending the rest of my life with you, I need to know who and what you are like, not just what you show others. I'm not that naïve Xellos, I know that behind that mask you always wear, you are a completely different person, and I want to know who that person is. And I figured the fastest way to get some answers is if you showed me your true form. Is that really too much to ask?" Filia asked, almost desperate for him to answer her.

Xellos began to mull this over. On one hand, Filia had a point, not that many people have ever truly known him, save his mistress. And if Filia is to become his mate then she would have to get used to his 'other side' sooner or later. But on the other hand, if he dropped all his restraints and revealed his true form to Filia, there are many things that could jeopardize both Filia and his relationship with her. If he reverted to his other form, his instincts would be in near full control, he may accidentally hurt her. Even now he was still fighting for restraint so as not to unwillingly mark her. His powers were very restless and at the moment very unpredictable, he really didn't want to risk it. If it had been any other day in the past he probably would have consented to Filia's wishes, when he was in better control of himself, but now…

Xellos looked up to Filia's pleading face, this did not help his predicament. "Filia, you need to understand this, so listen closely. If I am to truly show you what I really am, my base form, it would involve letting my instincts take control, more so than usual. That's why I hardly ever show my true form in the first place. Being the high level monster that I am, I have a certain reputation, true?" Xellos said. Filia confirmed by nodding her head slowly, taking in everything Xellos was saying to her. "Well, my true form can be the total opposite. You see because unlike most monsters, I actually have proper manners, which means I have to restrain my inner self even more than other monsters of lower rank. As a result, when my true form is released, it like to go a little wild I guess you could say, and at times it can get very much out of control if left out for too long. Do you understand what I'm saying?" Xellos asked, hoping that Filia would understand why it wasn't a good idea for him to reveal his inner self at this time.

A thoughtful look graced Filia's features as she absorbed this new bit of information. She truthfully was not expecting that kind of answer from Xellos. She didn't think him simply reverting to his true form would have such serious consequences. But honestly how was she supposed to know! The man never told her anything, it was always 'a secret'!

"Hmm, but if you can't control yourself when you change, then what happened way back with Valgaav in the cave? Didn't you transform then, just in smaller pieces?" Filia asked slightly puzzled.

Xellos chuckled at Filia's question, opening one eye towards her. "Two reasons Fi-chan. One, I wasn't bonded then," he said eyeing her intensely. Filia blushed a bright scarlet at his gaze. "And two, I was in the middle of a battle, it's one of the situations that call for a more...vicious approach, understand?"

"Truthfully, no. but then again nothing makes sense anymore," Filia said with a sigh as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

Xellos pondered something for a short while, his face then brightened considerably as he came up with an idea. "I got it! How about you spend some time with me here, on Wolf Pack Island. And after a while of cohabiting with me, you give me your final decision. That way you have plenty of time to find out all you want about me if you so wish," Xellos said with an air of triumph at his clever idea. He managed to come up with a solution that meant he didn't have to risk releasing his inner self to Filia (at least not yet) and he gets to keep her with him in his home, maybe even in his room! Xellos felt like a kid in a candy store at the thought of Filia in his territory, on his terms, at his mercy. 'Not so innocent' thoughts began to invade Xellos's mind as he rolled this concept around in his mind, the possibilities where nearly endless.

Filia was slightly taken aback at Xellos's idea. Live on Wolf Pack Island? With Xellos? Filia felt in her gut that this might be both good and bad at the same time. The positives where obvious, she had plenty of time to find out who the real Xellos was before she had to make up her mind. But at the same time, whilst she was here, he could do whatever he wanted with her. Even though she highly doubted that Xellos would actually force anything on her, the mere fact that the possibility was there was unnerving. 'But, I may not get another chance like this. This could be my last chance to find out about the hidden Xellos. And if I don't take this chance, will he send me home and never return?' This thought had constantly haunted Filia since the day she subconsciously realized that she secretly enjoyed his company. What if she never saw him again? After finally admitting to herself that she cared about him, the mere thought caused Filia's heart to ache.

She looked up to Xellos's expectant face, eagerly awaiting her reply. 'It's worth it,' she decided to herself. "…Fine, I will stay here with you, for a little while! And during this time if I ask a question, for a change I want an answer, no half-truths or 'that is a secret', I want the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you L-sama".

"Yes your honour," Xellos said, sitting up strait and giving her a salute, his grin growing wider by the second.

"Fine, so we are in agreement. Lets shake on it so we are both clear about this," said Filia, extending her hand to the purple haired monster. Xellos simply continued to grin as he reached out his own hand, grasping hers firmly but gently as they shook to seal the deal.

'This is gonna be fun!'

'I just hope I know what I'm doing'.