XAVIER IS DYING

Xavier is Dying: 24

Xanders POV

How do you numb a mind which can no longer be numbed?

I wished with everything in my heart that I could be. Things would just be...easier.

After last night, Aries slept in the guest room to make it easier on me. He claimed I hadn't been in the right headspace with the death of my father and that he wouldn't aid in something I'd regret.

I appreciated how concerned and caring he was being but I'd also felt so cold and alone waking up that I'd wished he'd stayed anyways.

Crawling from my bed, I felt like a train had hit me. It was 3pm in the afternoon and with the coronation tonight, I'm surprised I was allowed to sleep so long. Passing the very cracked mirror,  I saw how messy my hair was as well as how bad the eyebags under my eyes were. I sighed, not bothering to change from my grey joggers and white top, deciding to head down the stairs anyways.

"Xander, you ok?" I heard the voice of Aries say as I reached the bottom of the steps.

He was there, fully dressed, helping set up the coronation room. He was in blue jeans and a black top, Ruffled hair with a pen placed behind his left ear. He looked so goofy. As I went to reply a voice however cut me off.

"Xander baby those grey joggers still make your ass look good!" The voice hollered.

"Oh no." I muttered as I watched Aries' face drop.

"Zac, put a can in it." I shouted his direction before going to give him a hug.

Except apparently a hug wasn't good enough because he proceeded to rugby tackle me to the ground.

"You love me you future little king." Was all Zac said as he clambered off me and towards Aries. "This the mate? If so damn boy the Goddess blessed you both. If you're ever up for a third volunteer you know where I am."

The wink that followed that sentence threw Aries off guard and he finally snapped out the trance he was in.

"Who is this?" He snapped at me, pointing at Zac.

I finally got up from the floor, looking between the two of them as I placed my hands on my hips.

"Well, uh, Zac, Aries, Aries, Zac. Aries is my mate. I went to royal camp with Zac, he's also a future king." I briefly explained.

I could feel Aries relaxing slightly as he stared Zac down whilst Zac beamed at him.

This is gonna be a long day.

"Zac, not that i'm not thrilled you're here, but why are you here?" I questioned him.

"Well, when you ran away from camp, I never got to say goodbye, and as a royal I'm invited to your coronation so I thought I'd come a little early to catch up with you and find out why you left." He explained, a sad puppy look in his eyes.

"Well, You're looking at the reason." I laughed lightly, as I pointed in Aries' direction. "I'll let Aries catch you up whilst I grab some water."

Leaving the two, I headed towards the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water. I chugged half of it before leaving the rest for later. The kitchen was overflowing with chefs, unlike the time where it was just Bella and I in here.

Bella.

I miss her.

She still doesn't know.

With a small sigh, I left the kitchen before I got under anyones toes and headed toward the direction of Zac and Aries. I knew I'd need to leave and get dressed for the coronation soon as well as sort the rehearsal so I needed to clear something up first.

The two were wrapped up in conversation laughing which was a good sign, thankfully. So I waited a few moments before pulling Aries from the conversation. The moment I did, an attractive waiter caught Zac's eye and off he went.

"whats up?" He asked me, suddenly concerned.

"Bella. Is she attending tonight." I asked him.

"Yes. As is Ricky. Do you want me to uninvite them?" He asked me confused.

"No, I was just checking because I have a whopper of a speech prepared tonight and they need to both hear it. Xavier is being let out of the bag." I said, looking at him.

His face morphed into shock as he nodded completely understanding of what I was getting at.

"Well yes ill make sure they're there and listening." Aries said, kissing my forehead.

"Thank you." I replied, relief flowing through me at the feeling of his kiss.

"Are you ok otherwise? With everything last night?" Aries suddenly asked, the concern still evident in his eyes.

"fine, I was just overwhelmed." I explained with a small smile.

"Ok, well I need to get back and finish helping but after I'll help you go over your speech?" Aries asked, checking if the plan was ok with me.

"Sounds great." I smiled, before leaving him to his duties and heading up stairs again.

Anticipation flowed through my veins as I arrived back in the comfort of my room.

I'd be king tonight.

And everyone would know who I truly was.