CHAPTER SIX.
Zayn looked at Xantheia while contemplating on her request.
"But I'm from the opposing Kingdom, even though my mother was the Queen's best friend, it's still risky. The guards might have me killed before she even hears about me."
"Which is why you have the princess to excort you. No one will hurt you as long as I order it."
"I'll think about it."
There was a moment of silence, both deep in thought about the new information they just got.
"So if my mother wasn't Zayna, you would've killed me." Zayn said to her, trying to lighten the atmosphere and Xantheia sighed. She apologized about the misunderstanding and finally thanked him for saving her life.
_
It was already quite obvious in the Kingdom of Jadovia that Erika was kidnapped by the Queen Anaya so King Arsenio was already preparing his army. He had already sent a warning message to the Queen to release his daughter or else, he'll have her head.
In two days time, the Queen's reply got back to Jadovia saying that if she returns Erika, she would be in a sack cut into 20 different pieces. That message got Arsenio the more angrier and even persuaded his sons to join him in the war.
Queen Anaya on the other hand was such a fearless woman. She knew that Arsenio would stage a war and so she had her best soldiers prepared long enough for it. Her only worry was that her daughter would return before the war begins.
_
Early that morning, Zayn stepped out of the cottage in fresh clothes.
"Where are you going this early?" Joselu asked him with a suspicious look.
"To hunt…and also to see Xantheia."
After the previous night, Zayn seemed to feel a spark everytime he looked into those fiery golden eyes of hers. They were fiercely beautiful but to him, they were like warm honey, bringing so much comfort whenever he stared into them.
They had stayed hours on that cliff last night until Xantheia felt too sleepy and Zayn had to carry her home. In her sleepy state, she tried her best to direct him to the place she stayed, although he did memorize the way, Zayn was more distracted by the way she was so close to him and he could swear he felt her snuggle more into his arms two or three times, as though indirectly telling him he was the most comfortable thing she had ever slept on. It made him feel good.
When he arrived at her place, there were two women and two men waiting anxiously for her arrival. Zayn suspected they were guards and maids.
All of them rushed to him immediately they saw her in his arms.
One of the guards snarled at him, probably regretting letting the princess leave with him on her own. At least she's safe.
One of the maids tried to get Xantheia away from Zayn but sensing it even in her sleep, Xantheia held her Zayn's coat and tightened her hold.
After trying several times, the princess wouldn't budge so Zayn was led into the house to keep her on her bed. Luckily, she let go of him and fell into a deep sleep.
Zayn couldn't stop smiling everytime he remembered the incident, that was until he recieved a slap at the back of his head and he came back to reality.
"Do you know how many times I was screaming your damn name?" Joselu said and Zayn could only rub his head, looking blank.
"You like her don't you?" Joselu asked again.
"I can't tell yet."
Joselu couldn't understand what was going on with his friend anymore so he just pushed him to the door so he could leave.
He watched Zayn leaving and shook his head slightly.
"That man is done for."
Zayn went straight to Xantheia's place while greeting everyone he passed by. Anyone could tell he was really happy that morning.
On getting to his destination,he saw Xantheia already standing outside while her handmaiden helped her put on her cloak, the two were also engaged in a conversation which seemed to make Xantheia smile with a faint blush, Zayn couldn't stop staring.
When the two ladies spotted him coming, Xantheia's blush became even more visible.
"Good morning princess." Zayn took Xantheia's hand as soon as he got to her and placed a gentle kiss at the back of it.
"Good morning." She said in response, her handmaiden seemed shocked for some reason but she covered it up almost immediately and greeted Zayn as well.
"It's okay Hannah." Xantheia said to her, sensing why she was surprised.
"He's not a threat to us. And if possible, he's joining us on our journey home."
The lady still looked blank but she just gave a slight nod.
Zayn and Xantheia set out together while Hannah stood there, suspiciously watching Zayn.
"I hope I wasn't too much trouble yesterday." Xantheia said shyly.
"Not at all, you're as light as a feather. But I'm also a gentleman so if you want to sleep in my arms again, I'm at your service your majesty." Zayn gave a slight bow to which Xantheia smiled heartily.
"So where are we going today?"
"We're going hunting."
"What?" Xantheia was expecting him to say they were going to another nice view but hunting? He seemed to have forgotten she's a princess and that has nothing to do with chasing animals in the forest.
"Don't worry, it's going to be fun. And while we're at it, I'll teach you."
"Do I look like I'm prepared to hunt?"
"You don't need a specific attire to hunt princess. And don't worry, we're only hunting rabbits."
"But I like rabbits."
"Snakes?"
"Why would I want to hunt a snake?"
"Fine, antelopes." Zayn pulled Xantheia by the hand and headed for the wide mass of forestation. He good her cloak because he knew it would be a hinderance and put it in the sack hung across his shoulder. The whole time, Zayn didn't let go of Xantheia until they reached an open grassland.
A young antelope was grazing there, unconscious of the danger lurking.
Zayn turned to Xantheia and said in a whisper,
"You have to be very quiet because they are very sensitive."
Then slowly, he moved to stand behind her, taking out his bow and arrow.
"What are you doing?" She asked him in a harsh whisper.
"I'm teaching you remember?" He directed her by holding her hands on to the bow and arrow, and helping with the aim, he made her shoot.
The antelope seemed to hear the arrow zipping through the hair because it raised it's head in their direction but that was a mistake because the arrow immediately shot into its neck. It dropped to the ground immediately, struggling in pain.
Xantheia clasped her hands over her mouth as though not believing she just killed an animal.
"Oh no. It's going to die." Zayn looked at her in an amused manner, wondering why she would say that.
"That's the idea princess." Zayn moved to the animal and brought out a dagger from his boot. He stabbed the antelope on the head, killing it instantly.
Xantheia came to stand beside him, looking at the dead animal in pity.
"You're such a monster." She looked as if she wanted to bring the antelope back to life.
Zayn looked at her again and almost laughed.
"Don't you know this is how they kill all the animals you eat? That means you're a monster too."
Zayn squatted near the antelope's head, trying to figure out a way to stop it from bleeding so be could carry it home. Xantheia knelt on the grass and put her palm gently on the antelope, silently praying that its soul rests in peace for some reason, maybe she felt guilty because had a hand in its death.
"Stop being pathetic Princess." Zayn chuckled and stood up to ta
ke off his shirt while Xantheia stared at home with wide eyes.