CHAPTER EIGHT.
Zayn turned his head to face her and felt a tinge of sadness, he was beginning to love her presence so much.
"My mother is expecting me by nightfall tomorrow so I have to start my journey early."
Zayn propped himself on his elbows and looked at her face as though it was his first time seeing her. Her eyes met with his and they got lost in each other's gazes. Xantheia's red hair scattered on the grass around her, her skin glowed under the moonlight and her gold eyes were just too enchanting. She was the most mesmerizing thing Zayn had ever set his eyes on.
He opened his mouth to speak, coming to terms with the decision he made at the last minute.
"I'll come with you."
Xantheia's eyes brightened with delight and a warm smile crept up her face.
"You've made up your mind to come and see my mother?" She asked.
"Well, besides that. I don't think I'll function properly if I don't get to see you anymore." Zayn took a loose strand of her hair that was on her face and her breath hitched when she felt his fingers graze her cheek.
"Do you know how crazy I've been acting ever since I met you? My friend has to smack my head every morning to get me to think straight sometimes." Xantheia gave a small amused smile as she looked into his silver eyes, how could a man be this breathtaking?
Zayn put her hair behind her ear very slowly and reluctantly took away his hand, hoping the strand will slip out again so he could touch her again.
"I wouldn't want to stop seeing you either. These past few days have been quite memorable and I cherish them all. If I go to the palace, the next thing I'm facing is learning to be the upcoming queen and it's a difficult task. But with you there, things will seem easier. Your presence is of great importance to me Zayn."
Zayn flashed the sweetest smile Xantheia had ever seen that she let out a small gasp. Not controlling himself anymore, Zayn gently held her face and caressed her cheek with his thumb, Xantheia smiled warmly at him and put her palm over his, leaning into his touch. Their gazes were unable to leave each other's faces.
Zayn's eyes moved from her eyes to her lips and before he knew it, he slightly leaned in. Xantheia closed her eyes in expectation but all he did was lie back down and slowly take his hand away from her face.
Xantheia lay still like a piece of wood, staring at the moon with red cheeks, she has never felt so embarrassed in her life. Oh goodness, why would she think Zayn would kiss her? But even though it felt so long to her, they had only known each other for 4 days.
In the middle of her thoughts, Xantheia was wrapped by his large muscular arms and was pulled into his warmth.
With him so close, she felt relaxed and snuggled into his chest, already feeling so comfortable. She smiled subconsciously and inhaled his mild scent, everything about him just happened to soothe her body and soul and before she knew it, she drifted off to sleep.
_
Before the cock crowed the next morning, Xantheia and her group were almost set to leave. Zayn and Joselu came a while later with their bags. Before they left, Zayn had to inform the village elders that they were leaving, probably for good and they were really sad to hear the two lads had to leave.
They remembered 7 years ago when they arrived, so helpless and were seeking refuge. Looking at them now, grown into strong and handsome young men.
The elderly woman gave Zayn and Joselu a motherly hug and said they were always welcome in their village whenever they wanted to come back and since they were leaving that morning, the elders presented them with gifts of fruits, two horses and a carriage.
Zayn and Joselu extended their gratitude and promised to remain indebted to them until he was able to repay them.
The entire village saw Zayn, Joselu and the rest of the group off at sunrise. A few kids who were familiar with them cried, they didn't want them to leave.
Soon enough, the three carriages were leaving. The villagers bade them goodbye until they passed the huge wooden gates and were out of sight.
The group were made up of Zayn, Joselu, Xantheia, her three maids and four guards so the first carriage was riden by a guard with Xantheia, Zayn and Joselu in it. The second had the three maids and the third one had all the luggages.
The last two guards rode alongside each other.
Ragaounia was quite a long way and if there were no delays, they would be there by nightfall or if any, by dawn the next day.
The journey was quite silent and tedious in the morning, but by midday, everyone talked about what came to their minds. However, they had to stop to rest and eat and to also feed the horses. The maids set a big cloth on the ground by the roadside beside the carriages so the princess could sit and rest. Zayn and Joselu sat on logs and quietly ate from the fruits given to them and loaves of bread.
Every now and then, Xantheia kept on stealing glances at Zayn and he did same. At some point, their eyes met and they both smiled at each other before looking back at their lunch.
The maids happened to notice the chemistry going on between their princess and the handsome stranger while they giggled among themselves as they watched them.
They had a few more minutes before they all continued their journey and Xantheia felt odd sitting alone on that big cloth.
"Zayn." She finally called after mustering enough courage to not mind what the others thought. Zayn looked at her, waiting to hear what she wanted to tell him but she said nothing. She only tapped the space beside her twice, clearly indicating he should sit with her. Zayn gave a wide grin and in no time, he was sitting beside her, not minding the stares of the guards or the maids or the suspicious gaze of his best friend.
"Did you eat well?" She asked him.
"Yes I did. It wasn't my best meal but it tasted better since I got to look at you the whole time." He said it loud enough for everyone to hear.
Xantheia's cheeks flushed and the maids giggled, Joselu slapped his forehead and the guards only stared blankly at them.
"Did you have to say that out loud?" Xantheia asked in a small voice, she still felt embarrassed.
"I don't care if they heard it, all I want you to know is that you made my meal taste bettee than ever." He took her hand and kissed the back of it tenderly.
"I'm grateful." He said again with a sweet smile and Xantheia returned it.
"You're welcome."
Soon enough, they were back on the road and Zayn sat beside Xantheia this time, she had her head rested on his shoulder as she hugged his coat around her more to herself. Joselu who sat opposite them grew more suspicious by the minute.
'What the hell is going on?' He couldn't help but ask himself.
In the palace of the Ragaounian Kingdom, the Queen waited impatiently for her daughter's return.
Twilight was soon to come, she wished she could know how close she was to the Kingdom. It was so stressful and exhausting for her but she stood her ground.
Her daughter was the only person who mattered the most to her, her husband passed away because of a sickness when Xantheia was only 15, her best friend was killed by a very cruel man.
She was going to protect Xantheia with her life, she would make sure she was comfortable enough, never lacking anything. Anaya couldn't wait to have her dear daughter in her arms again.
As luck would have it, Xantheia's carriage and the others arrived safely through the Ragaounian borders by the time it got dark and the people cheered for the return of their princess. They sang praises and sent words of blessings her way until they reached the palace.
At the palace gates, the guards opened the giant gates once they saw the princess' carriage but the rest of the Ragaounians were stopped at the gate and told to return home.
The carriage finally stopped and Xantheia stepped out, everyone bowed to her immediately Zayn came out of the carriage, the palace guards drew their swords.
"No, put down your swords." Xantheia ordered.
"But your highness, he's recognized to be a prince of Jadovia." A guard answered.
"I know that, and I said put down your swords." Reluctantly, the guards slowly sheathed back their swords. Xantheia even ahead to hold Zayn's hand, silently daring anyone to lay a finger on him.
"Does my mother know of my arrival?" She asked.
"Not yet." A guard answered.
"No need. I'll meet her myself." As she moved towards towards the palace entrance while still holding Zayn, she spoke with the head guard and found out about the upcoming war between the two Kingdoms, and how Erika had been captured by Xantheia's mother.
Zayn turned his gaze to the guard at the mention of Erika, a sudden wave of hatred washed over him and he looked menacing. The only thing his mind screamed was revenge over his family, revenge for everything they did to him.
Zayn walked into the castle led by Princess Xantheia, the maids and guards kept on staring at them, particularly him since he was believed to be an enemy but their princess had declared he was harmless.
Xantheia and Zayn got to the throne room but before they entered, Xantheia stopped and turned to him.
"My mother is in there and she's a very-hard-to-impress, are you sure you still want to meet her?"
Zayn gave her a small smirk and looked into her eyes.
"Believe me, I've been through a lot of very-hard-to-impress kind of people." With that assurance, Xantheia turned to the door and the two guards standing there opened the huge doors.
Queen Anaya, Xantheia's mother sat sat on the golden throne at the other end of the giant room in all her glory, her outfit was ordained with valuable jewels and precious stones.
Now Zayn could see why Xantheia looked so beautiful.
Immediately she saw Zayn, Queen Anaya stood up from her throne and clutched her royal robes.
"Prince Zayn of Jadovia. What gave you the guts to step into my kingdom? Xantheia what is this madness?!"
She was about to call for the guards but Xantheia stopped her.
"Mother please listen to him. He's Zayna's son." Immediately she heard those words, Queen Anaya's facial expression softened.
Taking in his jet black hair and eyes as bright as the moonlight. Those were Zayna's exact features.
Zayna was her beloved best friend before she was brutally killed by her very own husband because of a mere suspicion.
She could literally see her face in his and tears nearly fell from her eyes.
The young lad did not deserve what he went through after his mother's death.His family was just too cruel.
"What do you want?" She said in a calmer tone.
"Forgive me if my presence has caused discomfort to your highness." Zayn said with a slight bow.
"So I'll just go straight to the point."
Anaya stared at him with a suspicious gaze as
she waited for him to speak.
"I'll help you fight against my Kingdom."
The Queen was shocked.
"What?!"