Chapter 12
"No".
"But Filia-".
"No".
"It's not tha-".
"No".
"Come on Fi-chan".
"No. no no no and no," Filia was standing in the doorway of the room she was to call her own whilst she was on Wolf Pack Island, one arm against the frame as she blocked Xellos from entering.
"Filia," Xellos whined, "It's my room too! Why won't you let me sleep in my own room? I promise not to take up all the bed space, honest," said Xellos, raising his right hand to show his sincerity.
"For a number of reasons. One, you're a MONSTER, you don't even need sleep. Two, as of this moment we are not married, and it is improper for an unmarried pair of opposite genders to sleep in the same room in the same bed. And three, even if I did let you in, because of reason one combined with your roaming hands, I highly doubt I would be getting any sleep for my entire stay here, and you wouldn't want me to be tired now would you?" Filia stated more than she actually asked, raising one eyebrow at Xellos, almost daring him to contradict her.
"Well, I guess not. But I thought you wanted to learn more about me and spend more time with me. And wouldn't that be easier to do if we had to live in the same room?" Xellos retorted, his eyes almost pleading. Hey monster or not, Xellos is a male (a sexually frustrated one at that) and men do get desperate! And besides, that was his bedroom and this was his home, and she was kicking him out!?
"Nice try Xellos, but that's not the point. I have made up my mind and you will not be sleeping in the same room as me. If you so much as open the door without knocking, I'll…I'll…" Filia thought for a moment. "Life is so wonderful, it makes me so full of joy to hear the birds sing in the clear blue sky, isn't life just marvelous Xellos? So full of colours and…"
"Alright ALRIGHT, you can have the room just Stop!" Xellos exclaimed, his face turning an interesting shade of green as he leaned against a nearby wall, looking as if he was going to be physically ill.
Filia grinned triumphantly. "Why thank you Xellos, that's very kind of you. Now if you will excuse me, I need to unpack a few things. I'll see you in a while." Before Filia left, she leaned over and gave Xellos a quick peck on the cheek and closed the door giggling before Xellos could even register what had happened.
Xellos held his cheek where Filia had kissed him and could not stop the grin that was making itself known on his face. 'Oh you had better be careful Filia, you're baiting the wolf,' Xellos thought to himself as he made his way down the hall to his study, which apparently was to be his new home for the foreseeable future. 'Well, at least it's furnished with enough cushions to make a bed out of,' Xellos may not actually need to sleep, but he still did like to indulge himself in the act every now and again.
"Xellos! Throne room! Now!" Xellos physically and figuratively flinched.
'Oh crap. She sounds pissed,' Xellos began to break into a light sweat as he obeyed his masters wish and proceeded to the throne room, crossing his fingers along the way.
/
Meanwhile Filia was busying herself with unpacking the clothes Xellos had picked up for her and putting them along with some other items for essential female living into a chest of draws with a mirror on top. While Filia had been resting the previous night, Xellos had gone back to her shop to pack enough clothes for her stay. He had also got in contact with Jilas and Gravos and they agreed to watch the shop for her. They just asked that she stay safe and for her to bake them some of her casserole when she got back as payment.
Filia smiled as she remembered the two. They where her dear friends and she was grateful for everything that they've done for her. She finally finished unpacking and walked over to the bed near the back of the room. She sat down and ran her hand over the violet silk sheets, 'honestly what is it with Xellos and the colour purple?' Although she will admit that it was a rather appealing colour, but that could just be because she always sees him when she sees purple, it's like he is the colour itself. Not that she minded though, it suited him. Purple was considered to be one of the royal colours, and Xellos did seem to have a regal-ness about him. He is also the first person Filia has known that can make the colour seem almost masculine.
Filia looked towards the bedside table that seated Val and his basket, the egg still in its place nestled comfortably in the cushion. "Hmm, well your taking your sweet time in hatching now aren't you?" Filia said to the egg. Evidently her son was a rather lazy one. Filia then began to ponder on what would happen to Val if she did end up being with Xellos forever. Would he be protected? Would Xellos care for him like a father? Would he make Val go on missions for his mistress? This thought greatly disturbed Filia. She did not want Val's second chance in life to be controlled by monsters again. In his last lifetime he was under the servitude of Gaav, he did not need another life of servitude. He deserved a happy life surrounded by people who would love and protect him.
"Well that's one of the reasons I'm here isn't it? To make sure that bonding with Xellos won't jeopardize your chances of a better life," Filia said more to herself than to Val's silent egg.
Filia looked towards the clock on the nightstand. 'Well I have some time to kill, might as well take a small nap'. Filia then retrieved Val's basket and placed it right next to her head on the stand. "Goodnight Val, pleasant dreams," Filia said before closing her eyes and falling asleep.
/
As Xellos approached the main doors to the throne room, his anxiety did not diminish. In fact with every step he took it seemed to double in intensity. It was very rare for his mistress to be in a foul mood, but when she was, least to say it's never pleasant.
When Xellos arrived at the main doors, he hesitated for a split second before opening them enough for him to walk through and closed them behind him. He then walked up to the modest throne in the centre of the room and bowed before his mistress. Upon his approach Xellos noticed with unease that his mistress was not relaxed in her throne like usual, leaning back with her legs crossed with a long cigarette in hand. Instead she was sitting straight up, arms crossed and a look upon her features saying clear as day 'I'm not happy!' But what really had Xellos worried and fearing for his life, was the absence of the cigarette, 'Shit shit shit, I'm in deep shit! What did I do? What happened? SHIT!'
Zelas began to tap her foot slightly, like a mother waiting for her child to explain how there are muddy handprint all through her clean laundry and why the cat is now bald.
Xellos gulped. "You called for me mistress?" Xellos tried to keep the quiver from his otherwise smooth voice.
"Why is she still here?" Zelas said through gritted teeth, she was definitely in a bad mood.
'Ah, well you see, I was going to tell you…"
"Silence Xellos. Do not stall and just answer me. Why is that dragon of yours still in my home? She should be healed by now, so why isn't she gone yet? Explain Xellos, and this had better be good," said Zelas, her voice ringing with authority and irritation.
Xellos was sweating by this point. "Heh, well mistress, you see there was a slight…change of plans," Xellos began, standing upright and scratching the back of his head in nervousness.
"What do you mean a change of plans? I said do not stall Xellos, out with it".
"I mean mistress, that Filia will actually be staying here for a while for the purpose of deciding whether or not she will accept my mate mark," Xellos said in a rush, cringing ever so slightly as he waited for the explosion that he was sure to come.
A dead silence pervaded the room. Xellos could feel the tension growing in the air as he awaited his mistress's reply. Zelas took a deep breath as she managed to compose herself. "Xellos, did it cross your mind at all to at least ask me, before deciding who stays in my castle?" Zelas asked, her voice deadly calm, it sent a slight shiver down Xellos's spine.
All Xellos could so was scratch the back of his head with a small nervous smile on his face.
Zelas sighed in exasperation and pinched the bridge of her nose. This whole thing was beginning to give her a headache. "Well I suppose that it doesn't matter now does it? What's done is done. Will you at least tell me what it exactly is going to happen during her stay?" Zelas asked, her tone softer now as she leaned back in a more relaxed posture.
"Of course. It was agreed that Filia will stay here in this castle, and while cohabiting I try to answer any questions she may have about myself, in order for her to better know me and make an informed decision on whether or not she wishes to be my mate, willingly." Xellos added. He did not know how this would all work out and what state of mind he would be in after prolonged contact with her. All he knew was that if Filia did not accept him, it probably wouldn't be healthy for either of them.
"Wait. You agreed to answer any of her questions? Xellos were you even thinking straight when you made this arrangement?" Zelas said, irritation creeping back into her tone.
Probably not. "How do you mean mistress?" Xellos asked, slightly puzzled.
"Xellos, there are some things that should remain a secret. What if she starts nosing into your assignments, or the monster race in general? This arrangement could potentially leave the monster race vulnerable. Xellos I'm going to have to order you to break that vow of honesty. It's just too risky," said Zelas.
"Hmm, I see your point mistress, but I think that would contradict the point of Filia's stay. I'm sure there is some kind of compromise we could come to?" Xellos asked, while he was not too keen on sharing all his secrets with Filia in the first place now that he though about it, he will admit that it was necessary for Filia to trust him in the future. If he went back on his promise now, then she will never trust him again, and that could make things a whole lot more difficult for him.
Zelas closed her eyes as she contemplated this. "Hmm, I suppose. Fine, answer her questions, as long as it's to do with you and only you, even then only what she needs to know, and nothing more," Zelas said with an air of finality.
Xellos thought this was a logical plan of action as it allowed for Filia to learn more about him, and it prevented him from being forced to share information that was classified top secret to an outsider. "That could work. Thank you, mistress Zelas," Xellos said with a bow, relieved that the danger had now passed.
"There's no need Xellos. After all where did you think you got that quick wit of yours from? You can go for now. Report back here by noon tomorrow. I have a new assignment for you tomorrow night. If you get it done quickly you can hurry back to your pet dragon," Zelas said as she conjured up a cigarette out of thin air, waving her hand dismissively at Xellos.
"Yes mistress Zelas, as you command," And Xellos left the same way he had come, closing the doors behind him.
'So, the dragon girl is staying here for a while is she?' Zelas chuckled darkly to herself. 'Hehe, I think it's about time I had some fun with her,' Zelas plotted as she took a drag from her cigarette. 'Oh yes, and what fun it will be'.
/
Filia had just finished her nap and was gathering her clothes to change when there was a knock at the door. "Who is it?"
"It's me Filia, can I come in?" this slightly irked Xellos that he had to ask permission to go into his own room, but he really didn't want another lesson in how wonderful life could be.
"Not yet just give me two minutes I'm getting changed," Filia called out, he could hear a lot of opening and shutting of draws as Filia rushed around trying to get changed.
"Oh, would you perchance require some help? I would gladly give you my assistance," Xellos said as a small grin crept across his face, already knowing how Filia would react.
"Oh I bet you would you perverted piece of trash! You just stay out there and don't you dare try and sneak a peak!" Filia replied in irritation as she slipped her dress over her head. Filia could swear she heard Xellos tapping his foot impatiently.
"Are you done yet? Honestly are all dragons this slow at everything? Slow learners, slow flyers, slow dressers…" Xellos was halfway through his teasing rant when the door suddenly opened and a dark object appeared and hit Xellos square in the face, sending him flying into the wall behind him.
"Ouch…" Xellos moaned. He was more surprised than hurt that Filia actually managed to hit him, he barely even saw that coming. When he stopped seeing stars around his head he saw Filia standing in the doorway panting and holding her mace out towards his face, a small triumphant smile on her face. 'Funny, I thought I purposely left that thing behind,' Xellos thought absently.
"That's what you get for being so impatient," Filia said as she walked over and pried Xellos out of the indent he made in the wall.
"Filia, where did you get that mace? Because I don't remember packing it," Xellos asked, eyeing the mace as if it personally was the root of all his troubles.
"I keep a spare mace under the cushion in Val's basket, just in case," said Filia, winking at Xellos as she made her way back into the room.
Xellos sighed in frustration as he stared at Filia's retreating form. 'Well there goes my mace free endeavors,' He thought gloomily to himself as he followed her into the room.
"So, what are we gonna do today then?" Filia asked as she sat down in front of the vanity and started brushing her hair.
"Well I thought it would be a good idea to give you a bit of a tour of the place and lay down some ground rules while we're at it," Xellos replied as he watched Filia run the brush through her golden locks.
"That sounds reasonable enough. What about Val? I can't just leave him here on his own. I don't exactly trust the servants in this place," said Filia, concern for her son etched on her face.
"Smart girl. I suppose we could bring him along, just don't let that basket out of your sight once we're outside, if it goes missing while we're out there you'll never see it again," Xellos said as Filia went over and picked the basket up. "Oh and before we head of I need you to put this on," Xellos reached into his side bag that he always wore and pulled out a silver bracelet with green ancient symbols that Filia did not recognise carved all around. "This is a charm bracelet. I've had a spell cast on it that will allow you to walk around the castle and island without being attacked as an intruder. It will also act as a shield of all the negative emotions that permeate the island. As I understand it over exposure to all these emotions can be rather unhealthy for dragons, just as it is for monsters and positive emotions," Xellos explained as he fastened the bracelet to her wrist.
"Oh, thank you Xellos," Filia said as she stared at Xellos's calm features as he finished clasping the bracelet, his hands seemed to linger on her own for a few seconds before he pulled them back.
"Yes well, now that that's done, shall we?" Xellos said as he bowed slightly and gestured out the door with his hand.
"Yes, we shall," Filia walked out the door, Val's basket tucked safely under her arm, with Xellos following close behind.