Chapter 25

"Val honey, hold still! Just let me finish and you can go play for a bit," Filia firmly held Val's face in her hand as she wiped the remains of his breakfast from his face as gently as she could. Val was getting very impatient though, his tail hitting the ground as he squirmed. "Oh fine! I suppose that will do for now," Filia relented as she let the young dragon go to play with the wolf cubs who were calling out for him.

"He's growing rather quickly isn't he?" Zelas commented from her usual spot in the rounded boulder, taking a long drag from her cigarette.

"It seems so. I don't think I was prepared for how quickly ancient dragons develop. He's barely two weeks old and he's already trying to feed himself you know," Filia commented as she took a seat nearby against a tree. "You don't say. Sounds like the next time you blink he'll be learning to fly," Zelas mentioned casually. She could sense the sting her words caused the young woman, her own injuries still fresh in her mind.

Zelas smiled as she took another drag. "So, I hear you're planning to go home soon," the Beastmaster stated matter of factly. Nothing happens in her domain without her knowledge.

Filia gave her a polite smile "Yes I am, today actually. I've been gone a while and I want to check up on things. And Gravos hasn't even met Val yet since he's hatched. Jilas hasn't seen him since then either. I think they would both be overjoyed to be reunited with him," Filia said with a bit of excitement in her voice.

Zelas rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out in mild disgust, "I suppose..." she relented. She's not sure if she coud ever get used to how intensly the dragon feels her emotions, especially the goody-goody ones. 'I have no idea how Xellos puts up with it. Speaking of which...'

"So how are things between my servant and yourself? You know, ever since your spat nearly destroyed half my island," Zelas did nothing to hide the sarcasm in her tone. Those damages will take a very long time to repair.

Filia giggle nervously, "Things..have been fine. He's been trying to work a few things out and I thought it better to give him a little space". It had been a couple of days since their fight. And while they did sort of leave it on better terms, he had said he was going to distance himself a little to think. Not that he's actually been that distant. She has seen him in passing in the castle whilst she has been keeping Val and herself occupied. She has also gotten better at picking out his particular energy in the castle, she's felt him watching her from a distance when he thought she wasn't paying attention. Filia is also very certain he was watching her sleep last night, but he vanished before she could open her eyes to confront him.

"Ah. Is that why you've asked Kerry to take you home instead of him?" Zelas questioned. No wonder he's seemed a little pouty lately.

"In part, yes. Speaking of which. Miss Zelas, I would like to speak with you about something," she said as she turned to the Beastmaster.

"Hmmm?"

/

She's leaving today. She's leaving today and he still couldn't bring himself to face her properly. 'Maybe her going back home would be best, at least for a while'. Xellos hasn't really had a clear mind since the lake outing, even her mere presence in his home has been driving him mad. Her scent was everywhere, she was everywhere. No matter where he wandered in the castle his feet always seemed to lead him straight to her. His chest still felt tight from when he almost..almost...

His grip on his staff tightened as he tried to squash the rising heat in his body. He felt constantly tense. He feared he was starting to lose control over his faculties, he was so close, she was so close, 'I trust you Xellos'.

He let his staff fall to the ground as he sat on the bed. His wonderings seeking peace of mind had lead him back here, to her..their..his room? He wasn't sure anymore. He looked around from his spot on the bed. Her bag was packed to the side of the room, a large satchel next to it with Vals blanket and toys. She had already straightened the room out, aside from the packed bags and her scent, it was as if she was never here. Xellos looked back at the bed, the image of her sleeping here so peacefully last night still vivid in his mind.

'How am I supposed to trust you, if you wont show me the same trust in return'.

'I'm choosing to trust you anyway'.

'I'm not going anywhere Xellos Metallium. I'm right here'.

'I still trust you Xellos'.

A pained look overcame his features. He never realised how such a trivial thing could have such a large impact on him. He was both astounded that despite all the reasons not to, she's still decided to put her faith in him, and damn ashamed that he couldn't bring himself to do the same for her. It was a level of vulnerability that he just couldn't bring himself to expose. 'I'm not going anywhere Xellos Metallium'. Maybe he can start here. Just because she said she was going home, it doesn't mean that she's leaving.

He really did not want to let her leave. There is a large part of him that wants to keep her here, to lock her in this room and never let her go. She didn't say when, or even if she would be back. What if she changes her mind once shes back in her own home and away from his presence? Would all this be for naught?

'No, stop it! She said she cares for me, and I believe her. If she's willing to put faith in me, despite who I am, the very least I can do is have faith in her. She will go home, and I will wait for her to call for me'. His eyes drifted to the flower that he stored a piece of himself into. 'Maybe...maybe I should tell her about that,' Xellos began thinking of all the pros and cons of such a choice, it looked to be more of a bad idea the more he looked though. She'd likely get angry, furious even at the invasion of privacy. She would feel spied upon, she may even get rid of it so he couldn't keep watching her, and she may never accept anything from him again in the fear that it too would be a vessel for him to keep tabs on her. It could reinforce her belief that he can't trust her. 'But then again, if I don't tell her, isn't that confirming the lack of faith in her?' He exhaled harshly, "it seems no matter which way I decide I'm on the losing end of this," he bemoaned to the empty room. The silence provided no answers.

/

"Are you ready yet?" Kerry asked irritably, tapping her foot impatiently.

"Oh, Yes I am. I was just hoping to see Xellos before-Xellos!" Filia exclaimed as the aforementioned monster walked in the doorway of her room.

"Filia. Might I have a quick word, alone please?" Xellos asked, still not quite meeting her eyes though.

"Oh, um ok. Miss Kerry would you mind if I..?

"Just go, and keep it quick. I don't have all day," she snapped as Val ran around and in between her legs chasing his own tail. "Thank you," Filia called as she walked out of the room behind Xellos, holding her satchel tight to stop it jostling so much as he lead her down the hall and into another room. This one she remembered as his study, where he had been staying since she commandeered his old room. He walked over to a desk and turned to face her, leaning against the corner. She walked a few steps and stopped in the middle of the room, leaving the door open behind her.

"So, you're all set to go then?" he asked. She smiled at him, "Yes I am, I'm actually a little happy to be going home. Not that my time here was bad, but I do miss my own space," she truly did sound happy to be returning to her home.

"Mmmm. I don't recall you mentioning if you'll be coming back," Xellos said with a blank expression.

"No, I suppose I didn't mention," she offered nothing else in answer. The silence was heavy between the two.

"-sigh-Look Filia. I've got something I need to tell you. You'll likely not like what I have to say. But please just, just believe that I believed it was a good idea at the time. I still do but, I guess I'll leave that verdict up to you," Xellos began to fidget with the back of his head. "You remember that gift I got you a while back?"

"The flower?" She asked.

"Yes, yes that. You see, I kind of, made an unusual addition to it before I gave it to you".

"An unusual addition?"

"Yeah, in the terms of, that is to say, I might have added a portion of my power and conciousness to it".

"Oh. You did that did you? And, What does that mean?"

Xellos was starting to get worried at the lack of yelling. "It means I've been able to sense and sometimes hear things that happen around it as if I was standing there. It's actually how I knew you were being attacked by those dragons, so you see it did serve a good purpose! And I've not seen anything indecent and I haven't been listening in all the time since that takes more concentr-" -BONK- Filia's mace silenced his rambling as she struck down on his head. Xellos just stood there grimacing in pain.

"That, was for thinking it's ok to spy on people in their homes". Xellos knew this was going to happen, why wouldn't she be furious with him. Filia removed her mace from his head and stepped closer, "and this," she tilted his head towards her and placed a quick peck to his cheek, "is for telling me. Even though I know you probably didn't want to". She took a step back from him, his hand coming up to hold the cheek she just kissed in astonishment. She then began ruffling through the satchel she carried, pulling out the guilty plant and stared at it in contemplation.

"Are you going to get rid of it?" He asked hesitantly.

"Hmm, I'm honestly not sure. Until I decide, I'm going to ask that you not use it to eavesdrop on me and my home," her tone had a sense of finality to it.

"As long as you're safe, I think I can do that much," he replied, a small sense of relief eased his tensions.

"Good. Now if there's nothing else Xellos I really should be going". She turned and began walking to the door. A hand clasped hers, halting her exit. She turned to look at his downcast eyes. "Just, please..." Filia waited for him to continue, "please...don't go destroying any towns again until I'm there to watch," he said with a grin sneaking onto his face. A weight smacked into his legs, sweeping him off his feet. He looked up at the glowering blonde, her tail in clear view. "Stupid monster, you're the real reason that even happens!" she spat as she turned with a humph and began to walk out. "Ah that is so like the dragon race, blaming catastrophes on somebody else. You've not changed much since your priestess days then huh?" Xellos called out. To her credit Filia kept on walking straight out the door, head held high and tail ramrod straight behind her. No one would ever know the grin she had when she left the room.

/

/

Over a whole month had passed. Filia couldn't believe how time can be so quick and agonizingly slow at the same time.

The first day back with her newborn son had been full of tearful embraces and interrogations, as well as a healthy amount of fawning over the baby ancient. Jilas and Gravos had actually done a good job in minding the shop for so long without her. And while there was a fair amount of lost stock from breakages, it wasn't nearly as bad as she expected. Val seemed very wary of Gravos when they first met. But the hatchling quickly warmed up to him, with a fair amount of coaxing from Jilas.

She had only been home two days when she realised that her current lodgings were not the best to be raising an active hatchling in. Val was so full of energy and he hated being cramped in the shop all day. But they lived in the middle of town, and she couldn't have him running wild in the streets. Not that this village has anything against dragons, most of the townsfolk knew of her heritage. But if she was found once by Earthlord Rangorts followers, she could be found again. And now that Val had hatched...

She decided a move was in order. It didn't take her long to find a nice old farm house in the countryside not too far from town, only about two hours by foot. Sure it was a bit of a fixer-upper, but the walls were solid and the roof didn't leak. She had enough money saved away just in case this very situation came up. Her shop had even gained enough positive notoriety that she could actually hire some staff to mind the shop without her. She spent days in interviews, trying to find the right people who had at least a basic understanding of the wares she sold. She now has two middle aged women and a lovely young man under her employ. She still went in a few days a week, and she still did commission work, but otherwise she mostly worked from home. Which was just fine with her. There was a long road ahead to get her home up to her standards, and Val needed near constant attention. Fortunately Jilas and Gravos make a very good babysitting team, taking the role of uncles in stride.

Throughout the entire time, Xellos hadn't shown up once. Filia will admit, she sort of expected him to show up at least when she was moving house, since she did end up keeping the gift he gave her. Surely he must have noticed the change in location. Unless he kept true to his word, and has not been spying on her this whole time. The thought left her both happy that he's learning to give her space, and also a bit lonely. She had stayed with him for such a short amount of time, and yet they had been through so much, she already missed his company. Every night since her first in her new home, she would gently run a finger down a petal, touching her lips to it before climbing into bed. She no longer had the terrible nightmares, instead her dreams were full of fragmented images of caressing hands, piercing eyes, searching lips. She always woke up breathless and sometimes sweating, a gentle warmth in her nethers that usually required a cool morning shower.

She looked out of her kitchen window to the setting sun, 'It's almost time'. She finished with the last of the dishes and proceeded to the living room, taking off her apron as she approached. She looked in to see Gravos sitting in the large armchair, watching over Jilas and Val curled up together in front of the fireplace, Val's eyes shut as he dozed after his meal. Filia quietly approached and laid a hand on Gravos's shoulder. He looked up at her and nodded. "That time already huh? Go on, We'll be fine. That barrier you put up should keep most things out. And that monster lady you said is coming over should handle the rest".

Filia smiled at the large lizard man "Thank you Gravos. If anything happens, just send for me". Gravos gave her a thumbs up "Will do".

"Good luck boss," Jilas whispered so as to not disturb the sleeping hatchling.

"I said to stop calling me that," Filia gently scolded as she made her way upstairs.

She walked through her bedroom door and closed it behind her. Her room was a modest one. Just enough for a queen sized bed, vanity, a wardrobe and enough room to move around a little. To her left there were two doors, one went to the ensuite attached to her room, and the other...

She walked to her wardrobe and changed out of her housework garb. She selected a simple pink dress that hung low on her shoulders, hugged her waist and ended at her knees. Walking over to her vanity she sat down and began brushing and fixing her hair, taking it out of its ponytail and letting it hang loose around her. Taking one last look in the mirror, she took a deep breath and stood up. Grabbing a key from the desk and slipping on a pair of simple flats she walked over to the second door to the left. She slipped the key into the keyhole and muttered the spell she was taught, 'please let this work,' she prayed as she turned the lock and opened the door.