The Shadows of Royalty

Again and Again

-Unedited-

Previously (Recap)

I hear his breaths harden before his back arched painfully and a scream tears from his lips. No one would hear him in this part of the castle, it was deserted. Only I could....

I cradle him in my arms, slightly rocking myself as if he was a child in my arms. "Shhhh, it will pass." My eyes begin to water at his state of being, and I began wiping the tears hastily.

After the moments of torture, his orbs open, crystals glistening, and his lips try to up curl into a tight agonizing smile. His finger reaches my face and he brushes the lone tears falling silently from my face.

"Don't cry, my love." He freezes once more and that was my sign that the firing unbearable pain had returned into his body. Another set of tortuous screams fill my ears, and I hold onto him like I have never done before. His body violently shook, and soon enough the pain faded. He was sweating, his lungs trying to heave in the air it wanted...it needed.

"Rachel..." He starts before coughing out.

"Hmm? What do you want me to do!? I don't know how to help you, Xander!"

My powers wouldn't work... You are useless...

His now emerald gaze connects into mine. With a final breath, he finally speaks.

"Rae, please, do what I am asking you. Do not refuse, if you truly want to help me."

I nod before he says his wish to me, in a mere tight low whisper, full of torment, the same moment his hand grips mine tightly.

I would do anything...

"Just kill me before it does."

~~~~~~~~~.~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Xander, don't you dare say that!" I breathed, my heart penetrating my chest, as more tears filled my eyes.

He shook his head. He was stubborn...I could not lose him...

The whispers crowd my ear.....

Selfish.

I cup his face with my hand, my breath hardening. "We can still help you! I will call for help!"

About to get up, a growl tears from his lips, causing me to squeal and still in place. "DO NOT LEAVE ME!" His voice was deeper and louder than usual, and it made me frightened, reminding me of a beast in a dying frenzy.

I bite the insides of my cheeks, retreating to the position I was in. I place his head into my lap and he nuzzles my dress. My eyes are complete waterworks...a silent water work. "B-but X-xander...?" I begin, my voice cracking, watching his fangs grow.

His beast like self-returns to the Xander I know. Another tear trickled down his face, as he glanced at me in sadness and guilt. "I'm sorry, Rachel. H-he...whatever is in me, doesn't want you to go. He wants you."

He needs you...

My eyes widen as a sniffle escapes my mouth, as my hands freeze within his golden hair. "W-what? What do y-you mean, he wants me?"

A tormented sign is exhaled from his lips. "I need you." He breathes. "You make the pain go away. When you leave he gets angry....You make him calm...Y-you make me calm...." He winces and I realize another wave of pain is going to course through him any second now.

His teeth clench and he audibly groans in agony. "You make us calm."

Us....

Whatever inside of him was taking over his lifeless body...