Hello! Another chapter. Anyhoo, this chapter is rated R for slight gore (It's not what you think) but that's about it for bad stuff. Oh, wait, there's mention of sex and a bit of "deviant" behavior, but not explicit at all. So rest assured, your young virgin minds will be uncorrupted . . . for now . . . (Bwa-ha-ha! -- ahem)
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter, which is pure character development . . . and leave a review, or no more smut for you!!
Ukchana
PS: The song that is sung is an old Irish shanty, Billy Joel made a version, but as far as I know he didn't create it and doesn't own it, so it should be considered public property like the bible or something. (shrugs)
Chapter 25
Hong
Kong, China
June
7th, 2002
Gleefully, Iyzeka glided the brush across his cheeks. "You definitely have a warm complexion!" she exclaimed, bouncing in time to the music in the background.
Valgaav's face flushed scarlet beneath the makeup. "Why can't you put makeup on Mom?" he grumbled.
The two sat on the floor, Iyzeka practically in his lap with her collection of makeup close at hand, and a CD of hers playing on the stereo. "We'll do that later," she said, frowning in thought as she peered at him. "Maybe a salmon lipstick instead."
From the bathroom, Xellos called, "But I want to put makeup on your mother."
The two teens turned, their mouths falling open as they watched the couple enter the living room. "Dad?" Valgaav gaped, painted lips wide, "you let Mom curl your hair?"
The General-Priest fingered the violet spirals framing his face and beamed. "Why not? Though," he frowned and rose an eyebrow at the amused blonde beside him, "she did burn my forehead with that damned iron."
Laughing, Filia raised her hands, blue eyes sparkling. "I'm not used to using a curling iron!" she defended herself, occasional giggles breaking past her smile. "I never realized how feminine you could look."
With a hand on his hip, Xellos batted his eyelashes and waved a hand at her. "Oh, a man's got to keep his secrets," he lisped girlishly.
Across the room, Iyzeka burst into gales of laughter as the boy at her side clutched his stomach, a pallid green crossing his face. Filia just stared at the demon incredulously while Valgaav muttered, "I am SOOO disturbed . . ."
Folding her arms, the blonde grimaced worriedly. "This is one secret I wish you'd kept to yourself," she muttered, skin pale.
"Now, now," Xellos took her hand and led her to the floor next to the children. "There's nothing wrong with homosexuals. Hmm," he grabbed the makeup kit from her hand and opened it. "Do you have any cool colors? I'm a winter . . ."
The dragoness' mouth moved wordlessly as she slumped to the ground beside him. "I, I don't have a problem with homosexuals . . . but . . . you . . ."
"Oh," he beamed, "don't worry, I won't leave you for a man!" He kissed the startled woman on the cheek then returned to peering through the selection of paints and powders, his head bobbing in time with the music.
Valgaav shuddered and firmly turned away from his 'parents'. "I amnever going to be that comfortable," he muttered.
Beaming, the magenta-haired girl held up something. "Mascara! It's green, to match your hair!"
With a sigh, the boy's shoulder's drooped. "Okay."
"You're so pretty!" she cooed, twisting the handle and pulling out the wire brush. "Okay, open your eyes really wide . . ."
"Don't stab my eyes out," Val warned, mouth pursed with embarrassment.
Chuckling, the demoness winked, "Don't worry! I'm very practiced with putting makeup on people!"
He groaned and stared up a the ceiling, forcing his eyes open. "I bet . . ."
—
"I think a grayish-purple would look better," Xellos commented.
Filia frowned and clutched the eye-shadow brush. "Blue is pretty!"
"Okay," he shrugged, "but I really think it's not dark enough."
Having won the argument, the dragoness smiled primly and began applying the dust to his closed eyes. "Your skin is so smooth and unblemished," she said, a trace of jealousy coloring her tone.
He smiled, thoughts still troubled. "Thank you." Why can't I relax? the demon asked himself. I love this kind of stuff, but I can't seem to loosen up . . .
As the blonde continued applying the paints to his face, he mused over the images fleeting across his mind's eye. The same scene from the movie repeated over and over, a slow burning anger flickering inside of him as it played . . .
The boy stepped into the silent chamber, surrounded by glistening torture devices. Approaching the back of the room, he stopped before an Iron Maiden – suddenly, dead blue eyes appeared in the slit, the metal door swinging open, spilling blood —
"There," Filia grinned at him, and for an instant her cerulean eyes were framed by gray iron.
Then it was gone, and the Mazoku smiled back at her, head spinning slightly. "All done?" he asked, fighting the flurry of emotions, the most prominent being fear.
"Yep, here's a mirror." She handed him the vanity mirror and chuckled as he looked into it at his reflection . . . his violet gaze shadowed by the metal coffin surrounding him—
"Zander? You look a little tired."
His head jerked as he let the mirror fall from his fingers onto his lap, forcing a smile to his painted face. "Nah, I'm fine! Looks good, maybe we should go out and see how many people we can fool into thinking I'm a girl!"
What's wrong with me? Xellos closed his eyes as he beamed, the slight act of detachment comforting his psyche. Something . . . something is correlating that scene with something else . . . some part of my mind . . .
—
Filia leaned back and glanced at her son, then began to laugh. "Oh, Val, you look so cute!" she exclaimed. "But your father looks by far the most feminine." She rolled her eyes as the Mazoku winked at Valgaav, tossing his head to make his purple curls dance.
Sighing, Valgaav grumbled and frowned at his mother, ignoring the giggling redhead beside him. "Can I take this makeup off now?" he pleaded.
"But it's so much fun!" Xellos smiled happily.
The young man gave the General-Priest a somber, almost considering look, then turned away slightly. "How about we do something else? Play a game or something. You brought cards, right, Dad?"
"Yes," answered the painted Mazoku. "But I think your game sounds much more interesting!" he wiggled his brows at him.
Mouth twisting, the boy sighed, and the music in the background filled the silence. "Okay, fine," he finally grumbled, but his eyes seemed to have something else in them . . .
Filia blinked, shaking her head slightly. Must be imagining things. Wish I was empathic too. "So, what game are we playing?"
Her violet-haired companion grinned at her, his womanly face contrasting perversely with his masculine body. "Truth or Dare!"
Bringing her hands to her chest, Filia peered at him. "What on earth is that?" Sounds like a bad sit-com idea!
Val turned away and stood, muttering, "I'm gonna wash this off."
"Hey!" the petite demoness ran after him, "come on, just a few more minutes!"
"Well," Xellos said instead of answering, "I guess I'd better go back to normal too; I know how much this disturbs you!"
Filia dropped her hands to her lap as the priest beamed at her and stood. "Okay."
The Mazoku headed for their bathroom, leaving her to listen to the rock music and think about the night. Something's not quite right, but I can't tell what it is . . .
(-(-(-)-)-)
"Okay, so," Xellos beamed, hair straight again, but rather wet, "who's first?"
They sat in a circle around the snack-laden coffee table, the two men with clean faces and makeup kits in their laps.
Filia frowned as Xellos began applying lipstick to her. "I donno'. It sounds pretty simple. I guess I could go first."
"Alright." The demon smiled and said, "Ask whoever you chose."
Next to her, Iyzeka smiled, adding, "You can ask me first if you want to!"
"Stop moving," the demoness' partner said, narrowing his golden eyes as he held aloft an eye-shadow brush. She pouted, but slackened her face, feet wiggling in time with the music.
"Um," the blonde blinked, holding still as Xellos began applying eyeliner to her, "Okay. Truth or Dare."
"Dare," the petite girl replied.
Biting her lip, Filia glanced up at the man intently applying makeup to her face. "What should I make her do?"
"Whatever you want," Xellos murmured, his mouth twisting as he looked at the selection of colors. "Hmm . . . blue is far too garish for you."
Staring at him with an unsettled expression, the dragoness glanced away. "Um, okay. Does it have to be embarrassing?" The demon shook his head and began applying a pale gold powder to her eyelids. "Okay, Iyzeka, I, um . . . I dare you to walk around the room with a book on your head."
Xellos' brows rose as he looked at her incredulously. "That's so horrible, Veria," he drawled mockingly. "However will she live it down?"
"Shut up!"
Iyzeka smiled at Val and said, "You'll have to wait to finish making me up afterwards." She found a book from a cabinet and placed it on her head. "Okay, my turn!" called the young woman as she held out her arms dramatically, running around the room pretending to be a plane as she balanced the book. "I choose Valiant. Truth or Dare."
He stopped and thought about it, frowning heavily. "Truth."
"Oookay," the girl zoomed around the group, book still atop her head. "What is your favorite color?"
"Black."
Xellos rolled his violet eyes as he continued painting Filia's face. "Boring," he muttered, chuckling as the blonde's mouth turned down at him.
"Come sit back down," Val told Iyzeka. "Okay, I'm going to ask . . . . Mom."
"Hm?" Filia stirred, eyes flickering over to him. "Okay. Truth."
"Alright. Mom, when were you the most happy in your life?"
She froze, mouth opening a bit. "Well . . . I . . . I'd have to say these past three days."
Blushing, Filia tried to drop her head but the smiling demon caught her chin in his hand. "No moving, Vee," he beamed, "mascara is really hard to apply."
"My turn," the woman added, not meeting his gaze. "Zander. Truth or Dare."
"Dare."
She wrinkled her nose at him and scoffed, "Why am I not surprised."
"Good luck," Valgaav snorted, "Dad'll do whatever you tell him to. He's got no fear."
"Yeah," Filia agreed, "it's kind of disturbing sometimes."
Shrugging, the purple-haired man smiled. "Eh. That's me! Eyes wide, now."
With a sigh, the dragoness stared up as he applied the mascara. "Okay, I . . . I dare you to . . ." A flush crept up her cheeks and she grinned. "I dare you to go out into the hallway naked and ask another guest for a towel."
"But that could get us kicked out of the hotel," he wisely replied, grinning broadly. "Are you sure you want to dare me to do that?"
Impeded, she grimaced and said, "Well, then it won't matter what I dare you to do."
"Come on," Xellos winked, "it's just a game."
"Yeah, yeah. Okay," the blonde sat up straighter, "I dare you to sing a song. Without accompaniment," she added, eyes narrowing.
With a pert nod, the Mazoku set down the makeup and began to rise. "Alright. Let me think of a song to sing." After a few moments, a sad smile crossed his lips. Dropping his head, he breathed, "That one."
Cerulean eyes tightening, Filia leaned back against the couch and gazed up at him. Across from her, Iyzeka and Valgaav had stopped as well and looked up with confused, solemn expressions.
From where he stood before them, Xellos seemed to think for a bit, then he took a deep breath, clutching his hands behind his back.
"In every heart, there is a room . . . a sanctuary safe and strong. To heal the wounds from lovers past . . . until a new one comes along."
Shock rolled over the spectators as his soft voice slipped along the melody. "I spoke to you . . . in cautious tones . . . you answered me with no pretense. And still I feel . . . I said too much . . . my silence is my self defense."
His violet eyes dropped to meet Filia's. "And every time I've held a rose . . . it seems I only felt the thorns," his gaze slid from her, "And so it goes, and so it goes . . . and so will you soon I suppose . . ."
With a tiny smile, the demon dropped his head. "But if my silence . . . made you leave . . . then that would be my worst mistake. So I will share this room with you, and you can have this heart to break."
Pausing, Xellos breathed again, voice growing stronger as the lilting tune rose. "And this is why my eyes are closed, it's just as well for all I've seen. And so it goes, and so it goes, and you're the only one who knows . . ."
The connotations struck the dragoness, and her mouth began to tremble.
"So I would choose . . . to be with you . . . that's if the choice were mine to make. But you can make . . . decisions too . . ." Xellos stopped, mouth open and gaze heavy upon her.
"And you can have . . . this heart to break."
He dropped his head, violet eyes burning into Filia's as he peered down at her, silent and unmoving.
Tears flooded Iyzeka's face in the quite aftermath, and she beamed up at him from the floor. "That's so beautiful, Mister Mettler."
"Thank you," Xellos murmured, gaze still upon the dragoness as he slowly sat down next to her.
Filia wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, unable to look away from him. Xellos. That . . . that song . . . It fit him perfectly.
"I'm almost done with your makeup," he added as he touched her face lightly.
Smiling, she nodded. "Zander. You have a lovely voice." Her eyes flickered between him and the floor. The children watched, unspeaking.
With a light chuckle, the violet-haired man leaned over and kissed her cheek, lingering to brush his nose against her skin. "Thank you." Grinning, the demon turned his head to Valgaav and said, "Okay, Val my boy, your turn."
The teen dropped his chin and looked at his 'father'. "Alright." He grunted and shook his head. "Dare."
A wicked smile slid over Xellos' face. "I dare you . . . to kiss Iyzeka in front of your mother."
Valgaav covered his eyes with his hands. "I knew this was coming. Okay, fine. Um . . . Iyzeka?"
Beaming, the girl sat up and said, "Okay."
The green-haired young man reached over, planting a light kiss on her temple. "There, I kissed her," he smirked as he sat back down.
"Aw!" Xellos pouted, "you're no fun!"
—
The General-Priest returned to the makeup kit as Valgaav asked Iyzeka which she would chose. I feel so lost, Xellos mused as he shut the box, sparing another glance to the painted woman beside him. I wonder why I did that. I never intended on sharing that with anyone. And yet here I am, spilling my feelings out . . .
Another image of blood flashed, and he forced it down harshly. Later. LATER! Not now, I won't deal with that now.
Instead, he concentrated on the emotions flowing out from his companion. Raising his head to gaze at her, the violet-haired man closed his eyes. The sensation was reminiscent of Mistress Zelas' feelings of affection for him. It's so odd how pleasant these feelings are. Yet, more and more they're becoming commonplace.
But why did he sing to her? Xellos struggled with the emotions the thought produced, but when he thought back to right before he began to sing, he could not give a reason. I just . . . HAD to do it. Compelled. Without reason.
"Dad?" someone said, and he looked up.
"Yep!" the demon beamed, shaping the faux smile easily.
"Okay," continued the aqua-haired boy, "Truth or Dare."
"Dare."
"Youalways pick dare!" Filia sneered. "Come on!"
With a light shrug, he tossed his head. "My choice. Anyway, what's the dare?"
"Well," Valgaav smirked at him, "I thought about it and realized that you gave Mom a pretty poor cop-out for not going through with her first dare; I doubt we'll get kicked out of the hotel, and even if someone does find out about it, you can always say a prank was pulled on you. So, I'm daring you to go through with it; go out in the hall naked and ask someone for a towel."
Letting out a deep breath, Xellos rolled his eyes and said, "Alright, okay. You caught me." Beaming, he stood up, saying, "So, do you all want to watch or should I make you close your eyes?"
(-(-(-)-)-)
Val and Filia peered out of the crack between the door and the frame, Iyzeka behind them, crying, "I wanna see what happens!"
"No," Val said, "you're not seeing my dad naked. No way."
In the vacant hall, a very nude Xellos stood unabashedly grinning before a neighbor's door. Knocking politely, he waited as footsteps sounded behind the heavy mahogany.
The door swung open, and an old man stared up at him.
"Hi-"
SLAM!
The naked Mazoku turned to gaze back at the two dragons watching him and shrugged. "Oookay, next door."
He sauntered down to the next suite and rang the bell, whistling absently. After a few moments, the door slowly pulled back, revealing an attractive middle-aged raven-haired woman dressed in loose silk nightclothes.
"Um, hi," the purple-haired man chuckled, hand on his neck. "Sorry to disturb you . . ."
A slow grin grew on the brunette's face and she looked his unclothed body up and down. "Do you come with the room?" her sultry voice purred.
Blinking, Xellos laughed sharply. "Um, no. I was actually wondering if I could borrow a towel . . ."
She waved her hand behind her and winked at him. "No problem. Why don't you come in and get it yourself."
Thunk, thud. "Ow," he winced and clutched his head, glaring down at the heavy book now sprawled at his feet. "Sorry, Ma'am, but I don't think my wife would like that." He spared a glance to the suddenly closed door of his suite and cringed.
Undaunted, the woman licked her lips and said, "What she doesn't know won't hurt her."
"Uh," he began to nervously chuckle, "I'd better get going before I die a horrible and grizzly death - see you!" The demon waved and quickly moved away from the door, race-walking down the corridor.
With a shrug, the strange brunette returned to her rooms.
Groaning, Xellos glanced back to their suite, the door still shut. I'm never gonna get a towel at this rate. Hmm . . . He started to grin, and quickly walked to stand before the entrance. Beaming joyfully, the demon knocked on the door.
It swung open, revealing a stunned Filia, a bemused Valgaav and one chortling little demoness.
"Um," the violet-haired Mazoku laughed, biting his lip. "Could I borrow a towel?"
Filia opened her mouth as if to speak, then a devilish smile crossed her lips. "NO!" she cried, slamming the door in his face, the lock clicking as it shook.
Glaring, Xellos banged on the door, then tried the handle. "Hey, let me in! Come on, this isn't fair!"
"Too bad!" her voice came through the wall, and the sound of laughter echoed behind her.
His amethyst eyes narrowed as he turned to lean against the solid wood. "So, you really expect me to not come back until I get a towel, is that it?"
No one replied, but the mirth seemed to swell beyond the door.
"Fine." Mouth twisting, the General-Priest set out down the hall, unabashedly nude and rather furious.
(-(-(-)-)-)
"Maybe that wasn't such a good idea," Iyzeka chuckled nervously from her spot on the couch.
"Nonsense!" With a toss of her head, the blonde beside her sniffed and continued painting the demoness' nails. "He'll be fine." Changing the subject quickly, Filia added, "You must have really planned ahead to bring this much nail-polish."
Her son snorted as he watched them. "I think she's right, Mom. Dad is going to be very upset when he gets back. Whatever gave you the idea to do that?"
"You thought it was funny, too!" Filia countered, hand moving back and forth rhythmically as she brushed on the polish.
"Yeeees," the green-haired young man stressed, "but I thought you were going to let him in after you slammed the door. Instead, you just stood there laughing."
The dragoness rolled her eyes and began to hum along with the music. "He was gone when I opened the door," she muttered.
"Of course he was!" Throwing up his hands in exasperation, Val leaned back on the floor and sighed. "Whatever. He's gonna be really pissed when he gets back."
Expression faltering slightly, Filia glanced at the frightened girl before her. "Don't worry," she patted her, "he won't do anything!"
Iyzeka's brows rose incredulously, but she nodded and squeaked, "Okay."
—
In the empty corridor, a figure crept up to suite 405. It was the dead of night, the storm shrieking outside the old hotel; no living soul was present to see his acts.
With a careful hand, the stranger inserted the key into the lock and very gently began to turn it. Feeling the lock as it silently moved, he let the bolt slide back into the door.
—
"This is a lovely blue color," Filia gushed at the young girl bent over her hand. "Thank you for applying it for me."
"No problem!" beamed the demoness, carefully sweeping the brush across her fingernail. "But . . . do you think Mister Mettler will be back soon?"
"I'm sure he's fine," the blonde blinked, gaze faltering. "Really."
Valgaav opened his eyes from where he lay on the floor. "She didn't ask if he was okay, she asked if he would come back soon."
Blushing, Filia ignored him and concentrated on her wet fingernails. "Anyway, what would you two like—"
SHOOOM. Thunder shook the walls, the lights flickering—the girls yowled as blackness flooded the room—
—And the door burst open, a foreboding figure holding a flashlight pointed up to his face, illuminating his crazed features—piercing screams of terror filled the air—
"Here'sJOHNNY!"
Silence.
Then the figure began to giggle.
"RRRRRRR!" Filia leapt to her feet in the darkness and flung herself at the intruder, "I'm gonna strangle you, you bastard!"
Fumbling the flashlight, he fell to the floor under her onslaught, laughingly crying, "Come on, Veria, it's a joke! I can't believe you got so scared! BwaHAHAHAHA!"
"And I was worried about you!" Filia growled as they tumbled around in the darkness. "I see you found your towel!"
"Hey, give that back! I had to go through a lot to get that towel!"
Thunk—thud—CRASH.
A voice caught their ears, "Hey, you broke the lamp! Knock it off!"
The two stopped and looked up at the light shining brightly into their eyes.
"Hey, son!" Xellos waved happily from his spot sprawled nude on the floor, Filia's hands around his neck.
Val grimaced and shook the flashlight at them. "Get some clothes on!"
At that moment, the lights flickered on lazily, as if reminded of their jobs, and the blonde on the floor let go of her prey and rose quickly. "Damn moron," she muttered as she stomped back to the couch, then halted at what she found. "Hey . . ."
Iyzeka lay collapsed on the sofa, open bottle of azure nail-polish spilling across the gray carpeting and her eyes closed.
Rushing forward, the dragoness grabbed the redhead and shook her, Val appearing at her side. "Hey, wake up! Are you alright?"
"What's wrong? Did she faint?" Valgaav asked.
His mother frowned as she felt her pulse and forehead. "It looks that way." Grabbing an empty glass from the 'snack' table, she held it up to her mouth. "Still breathing."
Suddenly, the girl blinked and shook her head, then opened her emerald eyes wide and yelled, "AHHHHHHHH!!! . . . huh? What, did I dream it?"
Filia turned to glare at the culprit just in time to see the door close to the master bedroom. "My husband decided to play a prank." Her gaze slid back to the girl, becoming perplexed. "You fainted. Probably from screaming and running out of oxygen."
"Oh," Iyzeka put a finger to her lips, then sat up slowly. "So . . . it was Mister Mettler?"
Cerulean eyes narrowing, the blonde clenched her fists at her side. "Yes. Yes it was." She then raised her hands and rolled her eyes at the messy blue globs on her nails. "So much for the nail-polish."
(-(-(-)-)-)
"Well," Valgaav began, watching as Iyzeka spun around the living room, "that was certainly interesting. Now what? It's past midnight."
Xellos, once again clothed, sat across from Filia on the carpet, neither looking up from the blue stain on the floor. A few marks on his pale face were beginning to turn green, and Filia was busy removing the nail-polish from her fingers with chemical-scented cotton balls.
"Ohhhkay," Val sighed, scratching his cheek and sparing a glance to the shards of porcelain in the kitchen garbage can. "Hey, Iyzeka, would you like to play more Truth or Dare?"
The girl slowed her dancing and hopped over with the beat of the music. "Sure!"
"That alright with you two?" he asked his 'parents', and they both shrugged. "Great." The spiky-haired teen clapped his hands together sarcastically. "Okay, Dad, you did your dare last. It's your turn."
The Mazoku's mouth tightened into a smile and he leaned his chin into his hand. "I pick . . . my wife."
Blinking, Filia's head rose, eyes darting to look at him and away. "Alright. Truth."
"Of course," Xellos grinned coldly. "Okay." His smile fell and he glared at her with angry violet eyes. "Yes or No . . . Am I the best lover you've ever had?"
The teens gaped as Filia snarled back at him, "Why, you . . ." She leaned forward, dropping the cotton to clutch the carpet with her fingernails. "Yessss," came the hissed reply.
Val slowly began to back up; looking around, he caught the demoness' gaze and motioned away with his head. —Time to leave, these two will just get more upset if we're here . . . and I don't want to hear what they might say to each other.—
She nodded and began to quietly head towards the bedroom.
"What do you mean my 'Dare' is telling the truth three times in a row?!" Xellos was arguing from his spot on the floor, "that's cheating!"
"No," the blonde poked him in the chest, "you never said I couldn't do that, so deal with it!"
Sighing, the young dragon began to plan his retreat.
—
The demon's lip curled as his opponent began her question.
"Alright,Zander . . ." her blue eyes peered at him darkly. "How many woman have you slept with?" Filia's smooth voice fell and she murmured, "Tell the truth."
Xellos glowered at her. "I always tell the truth."
Closing his eyes, he pursed his lips.
"Sixty-eight."
The rock-music in the background seemed louder with her intake of breath. "Sixty . . . eight . . . women?" Filia's whispered words struck him as hard as the odd sensation of indignation mixed with hurt.
"Yes." The priest opened his eyes to see the blonde staring at him.
"Fine." Azure eyes still wide in shock and still leaning over the distance between them, the woman sat back and crossed her arms. "So. . . ."
"Truth or Dare," he mocked. Just you WAIT, Filia . . .
"Truth."
He smiled, teeth gritting. "Does knowing my past with women make youjealous?" Something was starting to stir inside him; the flicker of rage flowing like a blaze within his mind.
With a hard glare, she lowered her head. "Of course it does." Filia's cerulean eyes narrowed. "Two more truths to answer. So . . . of all those women you were with, who was the most beautiful?"
Xellos turned his head away a bit, the fury warring with a lingering, growing regret. Damn woman, it's her fault that this happened . . . so why do I feel so bad? "With anywhere?" he tried to smile, features still cold, "or just having sex?"
Her piercing stare made the Mazoku sigh, and his mouth twisted down. "You are the most beautiful of them all," Xellos admitted, violet eyes wincing slightly as an odd pain tore at him, unable to pull away from her steady gaze.
She is so . . . breathtaking. The rage they shared only served to heighten the dizzying arousal building within him.
But she just has to be the most frustrating and stubborn person; not to mention selfish, he added, eyes narrowing again. "Time for you, then. Truth or Dare?" he snidely asked.
Blushing, she spat, "Truth." A dare would, of course, be too frightening for her.
Xellos' smile curdled evilly as he leaned forward towards her. "When did you first realize . . . that you wanted to have sex with me?"
She did not answer at first, fingers digging into the carpet as she glared down at them. Finally, she growled, red-faced, "A few days after we first met."
"Really?"
Filia gave an embarrassed nod. "Yes."
Well, isn't that surprising! I don't recall her being attracted to me, but it was so long ago . . . and I could certainly sense if she were lying . . . The demon's brow furrowed, his mind wrapping around the idea. Could it be . . . nah, ridiculous. It can't be that Filia actually wants to sleep with me in particular . . . instead of just being lustful in general . . .
"Your last Truth," the dragoness declared, blush still prominent on her cheeks. "When was the first time that you wanted to sleep with me?"
Solemnly, he gazed at her, apprehension and bitterness contorting his pale face. What will she think? I wish I wasn't such a lout.
He took a deep breath. "The first time I saw you."
The blonde stared into his amethyst eyes, and Xellos closed them at her sudden overflow of anger, betrayal and worst of all, worthlessness.She thinks I'm lying, or contorting the truth again. Because she won't believe she's attractive . . . no matter what I do or say.
Her golden hair fell around her face as she dropped her head, muttering, "Truth. Just . . . just get it over with."
It ripped through him, and suddenly Xellos' mouth was dry, his fury replaced by a churning sickness. I have to end this . . . this torment. How could I have let this go so far? "What . . . what is the one thing you would like to do the most, but never did because it was too embarrassing?"
A sad smile pulled at her mouth as she gazed at the floor. "Humiliating you . . . somehow." Her lip curled with anguished ferocity. "Like how you humiliated me all those times."
The slender man sunk back into a cross-legged position, his head falling and long violet locks cascading over his eyes. Filia . . .
Taking a reign on his emotions, Xellos tossed his head up and stared at her. "Veria." Lust instantly clutched him as she gazed back with watering blue eyes. "I . . ."
The tears began to roll down her face as the demon leaned forward, pulling her into his lap. Haltingly, the blonde tried to speak, "Z-Zander . . . why do you have to be so mean to me?"
"Vengeance," he said, rocking her gently as his jaw tightened. "You . . . hurt me, Veria." He forced a connection with her hastily, blurting out,—You turned the game into a vendetta, and when I return and try to get back at you a little, you just wale into me - I mean,— his arms wrapped around her firmly, —I just wanted to have a good night with you and- — Stopping himself, Xellos clenched his eyes shut tightly.
A long silence and the strains of singing from the stereo precluded her reply. —I'm sorry, Xellos. Zander. Whatever.— Filia snuggled deeper into his embrace, humiliation tingeing her thoughts.—I wanted to get even with you for all of your pranks . . . but I shouldn't have attacked you, even though I was angry.—
The dragoness' head rose and she frowned at the darkening bruises along his jaw-line, cheeks and neck; he couldn't repair the damage without using his magic. "I'm so sorry I hurt you and started all of this." The tears immediately began pouring from her eyes and she covered her face in her hands. "I ruined your night . . ."
"No," the priest grasped her shapely form close, unable to stop himself from kissing her forehead though he knew where it could lead. "You didn't ruin it. It's fine. We're not fighting anymore, right?"
—It's okay, 'Veria',— Xellos hastened to add. —It's fine.—
Giving him a weak grin, the blonde pulled away, taking his hands in hers. "Come on," she said, standing and dragging him up with her, "let's get you some ice and go to bed."
Smiling, the Mazoku nodded, violet eyes relaxing. "Okay."
They walked hand-in-hand to the kitchen, not even noticing that the children had left the room.
