Instert standard disclaimer here. Everyone should know that I don't own these characters. Also chopped the story up into chapters. Sorry if the transitions are rough. If you want to read it without chapters, head over to vejiitasei.com.

This is the sequel to "Reckoning" and won't make much sense unless you're read that fic. Hope you enjoy, and please review!

Absolution- Part 1
by the Prime Minister

Xellos laid her gently on the massive bed, her red hair spilling across the black silk like liquid flames. He slowly took in a breath and held it, taking in the sight of her. Very tenderly he reached toward her, fingertips barely even grazing her skin as he brushed a few strands of hair from her face. he breathed, carefully sliding his weight onto the bed beside her. If he had a heart it would have been pounding. Monsters might not be capable of feeling many things, but Xellos was very aware of his anxiety as he gradually nudged nearer to her. After so long there was a certain excitement in being close to her once again, being able to smell her skin and hear the moving of air within her lungs. It was done; the man she loved had rejected her. He would be there to pick up the pieces. His ploy had worked perfectly, after all. It wasn't that he didn't want the best for his little girl, but she had been a convenient tool. If the girl hadn't existed, Gourry never could have been persuaded to let Lina go. As it was, Xellos had played his cards well. He had expected that the swordsman's sense of duty would take him out of the picture, and he had assumed correctly. Lina was free of Gourry forever, and he would do his best to reclaim his former place. Sighing, he closed his eyes and placed his head between her shoulderblades, pulling her to him as closely as he could and curling his body around hers.

Xellos, what are you doing? a cool voice said from behind him, and he sprang off of the bed, surprised.

Nothing, Mistress. I have just now returned, he replied, successfully keeping the stammer from his voice.

The Beastmaster raised an eyebrow. That is very un-Monsterly behavior, she said softly, walking over to the bed. Lecia was in her arms and the Monster Lord held the child very carefully, every so often giving the baby a little bounce to keep her smiling. Xellos felt mild alarm at seeing his mistress so familiar with his child, but Xellas obviously meant the girl no harm. That surprised him to a certain extent and made him wonder what she was plotting. No Monster Lord had ever treated a human well.

Forgive me, Xellos mumbled, bowing his head, but always keeping an eye on Xellas. If she was going to try something to harm his daughter or Lina it was the right moment for it. He certainly wouldn't be able to stop her, but he might be able to save one of his females. It was becoming more and more difficult to decide where his loyalties lay: to himself and his own desires, or to his Mistress. The vestiges of human will and instinct clung to him still, warring with his sense of history as a Monster.

Xellas leaned over the bed and looked Lina over coldly, reaching down with her free arm and batting away some of the human's unruly locks of hair. So this is the infamous Lina Inverse, she muttered. This little slip of a woman has singlehandedly destroyed so many of our race.

Don't kill her, Xellos blurted, much against his better judgment. Lecia needs her.

Xellas chuckled, the sound hollow. Don't worry, pup. I wouldn't do anything to harm your offspring. This whole situation is highly unnatural. Monsters have never fraternized with other races. I sometimes wonder if I was mistaken in letting you pose as a mortal so often and for so long.

One cannot say, Xellos said, hoping his tones conveyed the proper respect.

Xellas sighed and bounced Lecia on her hip, the little girl giggling and grasping at the Lord's filmy clothing. Well, what's done is done, she mumbled. I will give you until tomorrow evening, then you will have to tend to both your woman and your daughter.

Tomorrow? But Lecia-

Will be in good hands until then.

The underlings will-

Xellas shot him a cold stare, killing his sentence immediately. I would not entrust such a treasure to the underlings, she said stiffly. I will care for her myself. She is mine, too, after a fashion. What do the mortals call it? Grandmother?

Xellos murmured.

Xellas glanced at the sleeping form on the massive bed. You got what you wanted. You have your work cut out for you, she said with a sniff, and vanished.

Xellos stared for a moment at where his mistress had stood, then turned his attention back to Lina. She would be a handful, that was certain, and he wasn't sure how she would react to the situation when she awoke. Taking off his cloak and boots, he climbed onto the bed once again and slid over to her. It wouldn't do for her to awake in traveling clothes, nor did he want the dust of the road in his bed. Sheets of the caliber he had on his bed hadn't been made in centuries and he didn't want some mortal mucking things up. He quickly stripped her of her cloak, boots, gloves, and leggings, then removed his own gloves. Tracing the lines of her body, he put his fingers at her throat and slowly began to undo her shirt, exposing the pale, flawless skin beneath. Soon he had her naked except for her underwear, her skin shining faintly in the candlelight. The sight of her conjured up so many intense memories. Flashes of her body arched over his, his mouth on her breast, or watching her chest heave beneath him as he moved against her flashed through his brain, almost making him dizzy. He let his finger trail over the swell of her breast and up to her collarbone. He had almost forgotten how soft her skin was. As a Monster he was incapable of desiring her, but he still recognize beauty when he saw it. Tearing himself away, he went to an armoire and pulled out a white, gauzy sleeping gown, then carefully clad her in it. She stirred a bit but did not awaken, and so he gently slid her beneath the covers. Sleep well, Lina dearest, he whispered, letting his hand rest on her shoulder for a moment, then turned away to attend to his plan of action.