The Blood Prince

007

Tatiana had been escorted to the royal tailor.

Xavier sat in his father's throne, clutching the crown in his fist.

"You look miserable for a king."Nadia says.

"And you look radiant as always, sister."he says in his nonchalant tone.

"What's the problem this time?"

"My hands. They burn now."he says softly as she walks over to him.

"And the gloves?"Nadia asks as she takes his hands.

She immediately drops them as they were scalding hot.

"Oh my goodness Xavier, have you been releasing?"Nadia scolds.

"I've neglected using my power as of late."he says, looking back down at his father's crown.

"Are you worried about something?"she asks.

He doesn't respond, still looking at the the crown.

"Are you worried the crystals are going to drive you mad?" She asks, making him look up at her.

"Have you worn it? Have you heard what they say?"he asks.

"Papa would never let a woman wear his crown."she chuckles.

"Papa was an imbecile."He says, looking at the crown.

"Now Xavier, you shouldn't speak ill of the dead. You should be worried about your wife."she says, picking up the thick gloves Xavier wore.

He scoffs.

"You know the tradition brother."she says, slipping his gloves over his hands.

"Tradition is just peer pressure from ghosts."Xavier says.

"Well, you're the king now aren't you? Tradition or not, the bloodline must continue."she says, walking over to a beverage table.

He looks down at his gloved hands and huffs.

"I don't want to burn her."

Nadia frowns.

"Well then, might I suggest keeping the gloves on during interactions."she says softly.

He looks over at the portrait of his mother and father.

"She never burnt things."

"Mother had her powers for longer than you, Xavier."she chuckles.

"That's not the point."he groans before walking over to to the crown and picking it up.

"Xavier, you mustn't over excite yourself."she says calmly pouring a glass of wine.

"I'M NOT OVER EXCITING MYSELF!"he shouts, flames spouting from his mouth as he screams.

Nadia simply ducks, avoiding the fire spreading in the air.

Then she stands up and puts her hands on her hips.

"Xavier. You go release that flame, before it burns you to ash from the inside out."

Xavier breathes a huff of smoke before turning and walking out of the room.

"Men."she scoffs before sipping her wine.

....

"Isn't this lovely."the tailor asks, stepping away from me so I could look in the mirror.

The beautiful emerald green evening gown hugged my body so perfectly.

I was astounded, I had never seen myself so beautiful.

"It is. I love it."I smile.

"The kings favorite color too, I'm sure he'll appreciate it. There he goes now."she says, looking out the window.

I walk over a bit and take a gander, seeing Xavier stomping into the courtyard.

"Oh boy, you might want to look away your majesty."The tailor says.

"Why's that?"I ask, watching Xavier pull his gloves off with his teeth and then letting them fall into the grass.

"The blast is quite-"

She was cut off by a shout from Xavier, and then a blinding light that erupts from his hands and mouth that causes me to flinch and look away.

I block out the light, and feel heat building against the glass window.

"Away from the window ma'am."the tailor says, pulling me back.

After a few moments, the rumbling stops, and the blinding light flickers away.

Instantly, the tailor walks over and opens the window, letting cool air into the room. I stand up, looking out the window seeing everything nearly burnt to a crisp.

"Wow."I say softly, noticing the rock of the castle walls red and boiling, turning to lava and then slopping to the ground.

"He does that very rarely, no need to be afraid Ma'am."she says, suddenly pulling a measuring tape around my waist.

"What was that?"I ask, curious.

"The king must release his flame from time to time, otherwise he'll burn."she says.

I noticed Xavier had managed to disappear during the blast.

Suddenly an armored guard enters the room and then bows to me.

"The king is requesting your presence, your highness."he says.

I look at the tailor who simply smiles a friendly smile and then waves me off.

I release a shaking breath as the guard leaves and I trail behind him, headed to Xavier.

....

We arrive to the bedroom I shared with Xavier. The guard opens the door and speaks.

"Her Majesty, queen Tatiana."

"Leave us."

I couldn't see Xavier but I heard his voice.

The guard walks away and I nervously enter the room, closing the door behind.

I walk more into the room, looking for him, I see him resting neck deep in the golden tub.

I enter the room slowly.

"Xavier?"I say softly.

He looks up a bit and then sits up more, resting his arms on the back of the tub.

Again I see the mangled scar on his neck and shoulder.

He looks me up and down and then settles on my eyes.

"That's a lovely dress."he says quietly.

I spin in place, showing the full dress.

"The tailor said you might like it."I say, my face red.

He only nods, still looking at me.

"Take it off."

The sharpness of his tone makes me jump.

My hands come together and I twiddle my fingers nervously.

"Xavier i-i don't kn-"

"I said take it off, Tatiana. Take off the dress."

My lips quiver and I reach back, untying the corset strings on the dress, not wanting to see him upset.

The dress loosens, and I hesitantly pull my arms from the sleeves.

The dress slips down my body slowly as Xavier watches.

Once I'm bare, I cover my breasts slightly as Xavier looks up at my eyes.

"My shoulders."he demands.

Knowing the command, as my mother would do the same with my father, I slowly walk over to him and kneel behind his head, my hands coming to his muscular shoulders.

I try my best not to look down as I squeeze his shoulders.

He releases a sigh and his head relaxes.

"Very good."

....