The Shadows of Royalty

The Midnight Visit

This chapter is dedicated to : crazygirl3102 and TO ALL MY READERS!!!

I finished showering and dried myself up. I brushed my hair, and then I slipped into my undergarments and then my silky nightgown. I brushed my teeth and made sure to take my time in the bathroom. I mean it's not my problem that Alex wanted to wait for me till I was done. It was like midnight now!

I jump into my night slippers as I walk out the washroom. Xander's head rested against the couch as his hand was tousled in his golden hair. His emerald eyes snapped up when I called out his name.

"Xander?" His face lit up into his 100 megawatt smile. I mentally rolled my eyes. "Took you long enough." He grunted rubbing his eyes showing tiredness.

I ignored his remark," What matter did you need to discuss with me, your highness?" Now, it was he that rolled his eyes. I stood there standing hands on my hips. He was still splattered on my couch, leaving me no space to sit. This wasn't his lounge, to be lying on my couch, it was mine.

" Well, maybe I'm not here to discuss anything with you, miss Rachel.I believe this requires more than discussing, let's say it's more -" He paused trying to grasp the right word as he propped his gorgeous head on his elbow.

His eyes seemed to darken, as he continued. "It's more intimate." With that he stood up, towering over me with his 6 foot something height. He wasn't in his formal suit party wear; he was dressed in a white collared shirt. Its first buttons were carelessly open, revealing his perfectly light tanned sculptured chest. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows as his jeans hung low on his waist. His hair was devilishly tousled everywhere, but it was still perfect. He approached me, and now he was dangerously close. I bit my lip, as I became nervous; his intentions weren't clear for me to react.

He gazed down right at me, trying to intimidate me with his green eyes. . But I was proud that I didn't cower because of his intense gaze. Instead, I held his gaze and opened my mouth.

"Are you drunk?"

It was his turn to be thrown back. But instead of answering or retreating, he grinned widely as he snaked his hand towards mine, grasping it. Warmth flooded through my hand as his huge hand engulfed my own small one. he tipped his head toward my ear, " And if I were?" My heart did a somersault in response to his breath tickling my ear.

"Are you afraid?"

I gulped and mentally kicked myself. "No, you should be the one afraid, Your Grace."

A light laugh escaped his mouth. "If you aren't afraid, how about I do this." He leaned down to where my collar bone was and placed his lips on them. I froze in place, as his lips tingled against my collar bone; he was definitely drunk.

I pushed him back lightly, but his hand was still grasping mine. "I'm not like the other girls. I'm sorry to tell you but this-" I gestured toward him. "- isn't working. Also, this isn't a way to earn my forgiveness, Alex."

He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Is this about you talking about what happened earlier today?" I ask, cutting straight to the point. He wasn't drunk after all. I wasn't comfortable playing along with his majesties game, because he wasn't an open book, he was all sorts of things and his actions were unpredictable.

His face became serious. "Yes, and there is something else you need to know. I didn't have to tell you, but because I care about you, I will tell you." He said as his eyes flickered into warmth. He gestured for us to sit on the couch as he pulled me to it.

He sat up facing me, he still held my hand. My heart became beating like crazy. He had that effect on people. "First things first, my actions earlier today, were very -" His eyes turned down instead of looking at me. "- I lost control. I took it all on you, as if you were a punching bag. It wasn't your fault, I had a rough morning and some of the citizens were found killed by the forest. "he whispered.