Once a Princess, always a Princess

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

In these last couple of days my mind had become completely taken over with thoughts of Xavier. As I was ordered by the chef to cut and chop vegetables (I was surprised he even let me do that for he had become increasingly controlling over the kitchen) I couldn't help but throw furtive glances in his direction and no matter the amount of concentration I put into the chopping I couldn't for the life of me erase him from my brain. Frowning to myself for being so stupid I had taken to blaming the mysterious bracelet that sat on my arm, twinkling in the bright kitchen lights. Staring at Xavier as he stirred the stirfry I was

stricken with how gorgeous he looked. Not like the annoying prince I always had him tagged for, but a more caring strong figure, one that I had found I relied on a lot more than I first thought.

During dinner we bickered and argued like usual about minor things, Abducted coming up again and once finished Xavier asked if I wanted to go for an evening swim. I couldn't refuse, the sun had shone down all day and heated the air and even now as it was becoming dark the air was still hot and humid.

Slipping into the fresh waters I let out a sigh of relief. The cool water felt so good on my sticky skin that I dunked my head under. When I came up for air Xavier was swimming in front of me.

"It's so relaxing out here. I could stay here forever." I spoke into the dwindling sunlight.

"Hmm," Xavier agreed. "No duties. No pressure. Just parties and hot girls."

I splashed water at him. "Dude. Wrong holiday, this ain't spring break."

Xavier smirked. "Dang it."

I rolled my eyes. Then wrongly thinking that we were past the seriousness of the whole situation I made a joke about it. "Well you can thank me for this little expedition." I laughed.

Xavier's eyes grew tight. "I don't think you should joke about it, you have potentially ruined your whole reputation."

Feeling like I'd been slapped I drew back. As the hurt, shame and guilt that I thought I had locked up came back to drown me. I waded to the patio and clambered out of the sea. Without looking at Xavier I walked into the hut.

"Hey, Adonnia wait."

Tears clouded my vision as a dripping wet Xavier came in the hut behind me.

"Look I don't mean to upset you..."

I turned to face him. "Well you might as well say it. That I'm at total failure, a disappointment. That I have brought shame on the family and you and your high and mighty standards." I was becoming illogically angry with Xavier even though I was the one that messed up.

"I'm sorry but you went and slept with a random guy Adonnia! What am I supposed to do with that? Wether you like it or not we are meant to be getting married and your off fucking some other guy!" He was shouting now, something I didn't handle well, so I shouted back.

"Yes, I get that Xavier, but I said I was sorry! And can't you see that I know what a big mistake I've made? I'm the one that has to live this down, I'm the one that was on the newspaper with a headline that might as well have said 'princess slut'. I was drunk and it was a mistake and I thought you were on my side! I'm..."

My shouting was cut short with Xavier's lips. My eyes widened and then closed as I melted into the kiss.

Xavier pulled away. "I'm sorry but I love you Adonnia."

What?

My eyes widened as my heart thudded loudly in my chest itching to break free from the restraints of my ribcage and sour in the sky. It felt as if the whole world stood still as his words sunk in.

"And I'm sorry for saying those things bust just the thought of someone else with there arms wrapped around you....it just makes me so angr......"

It was my turn to cut him off this time as I leaned in and kissed him back. Our wet bodies were soaking the floor but I couldn't care less as tingles spread throughout me. This kiss was nothing like the ones I shared with chad. I only realised now that he was forceful and needy whereas Xavier was gentle but passionate.

Pulling away to breath, I stared into his mesmerising eyes realising fully now that I actually liked it when he annoyed me or when we bickered. And the feelings inside me, though I said they were annoyance and irritation, we're actually love.

"I love you too." I admitted to an equally shocked Xavier. Warmth surged through my heart as Xavier took my hand and entwined it with his, smiling down at me his eyes twinkling.

The bracelet on my arm heated and then cooled. I looked down shocked again, surely I didn't imagine that again.

"Did you feel that?" I asked Xavier.

His eyes were sparkling. "It must be magic." Then he kissed me again.

Happiness bubbled inside me as his thumbs lightly tickled the sides of my bare hips.

He walked into the bathroom and re emerged with two towels. He chucked one at me.

"Here, before you get cold."

Although that was pretty much impossible with the way his kiss set me alight I gratefully took the towel and wrapped myself in it, vaguely conscience of my very exposed bikini clad body.

Xavier was staring at me with very intense but gorgeous eyes. I looked down blushing as he walked towards me. He gently brushed my cheek with the back of his hand.

"Hey, beautiful."

I laughed, "Hey." I stood on my tiptoes and pecked his lips. "I'm going to get changed."

Then I walked off into the bathroom.

"You could do that out here you know." He hollered from the next room.

I rolled my eyes. "Forever the perv."

I came out of the bathroom redressed in a flowing kaftan over my shorts, teamed with flip flops. Searching for Xavier I came up short until I noticed the slight swinging of the hammock out on the patio.

Walking through the double doors I saw Xavier lazing on the hammock and I climbed in with him.

"Hey again beautiful."

"Hey handsome."

I snuggled down closer, Xavier's arm wrapped securely around me.

We gently swung in comfortable silence under the stars until Xavier spoke.

"I'm really sorry I said those things Addy, they were stupid. I know you know it was a mistake and I am on your side, always."

"I know. And I'm sorry that I started to take my anger out on you when it should have been directed at myself."

"Hey." Xavier frowned. "Don't say that. We all make mistakes. Plus look on the bright side, I carried you out there like a night in shinning armour."

He smirked proudly.

I smacked his chest. "Of course, turn this around to feed your ego."

He chuckled as he lightly played with my hair.

Sighing contentedly I stared up at the stars. It was weird how things had turned out. I ended up falling for the one thing I opposed. But I guess in the end I had won. They wouldn't be able to force me to marry someone I hated because looking at Xavier I knew I never really hated him, so in the end I would get my prince charming to go with my castle just like I had always dreamed.

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