The Room Now Taken

Zoe inches herself back over towards the bed to sit down on the mattress as she looks at the door "What do you think is going on out there?" she whispers back to you as you caress Lexie's unmoving hand.

"Whatever happens, I don't want you to fight back. Understand?" you say "If they charge into the room, let me handle it. I want you to surrender, don't get yourself harmed or worse, killed. Okay?"

Zoe stays quiet as she looks down at the floor, she wants to rebuttal your words but knows at least for the moment it's no good. "Okay..." she grumbles out.

Many long moments go by where the three of you just sit on the bed in complete and total silence. You continue to caress Lexie's hand and look over her sleeping body while Zoe just continues to sit on the end of the bed, both her legs up as she's sitting cross legged trailing her index finger around on the thick blanket, tracing the patterns of it. After what felt like an excruciating amount of time, the door eventually opens back up and once again, the eagle enters.

Zoe leaps off the bed and takes a few jumps forward while you just stand up at the side, both of you just looking at the monster.

As he gets to the edge of the bed, standing directly to the side of Zoe, he looks in your direction "Take all the time you need." the words that escape his mouth was like a song from the angels with what he said.

"Yay!!! I knew Rixx was amazing! You're amazing! So so so amazing!" Zoe jumps in place with joy.

"You said Queen Bree was helping her?" he asks which you just reciprocate with a nod "I'll meet with her myself, let her know that you're here so she can bring what's needed. I suggest once Lexie gets the all clear, you guys make your leave out of Rathkin as soon as possible."

You know you should be grateful for what Rixx is doing but you're seriously questioning his actions "Why are you doing this?" you say bluntly "Hiding us from your King, ignoring his word, helping us out, helping...me out?"

With a long bout of hesitation he finally speaks "I believe you and I are one of the same, Darien. We like to be the best, be the one that people strive to overcome, but many others never come close to reaching the top. It's nice to finally see somebody else taking a chance, climbing that mountain and trying to dethrone the champion." his entire being just seems so powerful as he talks "Our time is coming Darien and I will give you that honorable **** you deserve. I would rather you not be rotting away in a cell as your army gets demolished."

"E-Excuse me?" you cast him a questioning look. "What are you getting at?"

"It won't be long until our two kingdoms are back in battle." he notices you raising an eyebrow "Control of the lands Darien, a constant clash of power, peace never holds long. Rathkin will **** the Syndicate's hand soon enough and when that happens, a war of all wars will be unleashed."

You gulp down at the words from this demon as it sounds like King Edmin has some type of plan in the works. "Why are you telling us this?"

"Because when the war breaks out... and it will soon enough, you of all people should know that many casualties will take place." he looks at Lexie "I suggest you keep the ones you love out of the battlefield because at that point, there's no holding back, there's no second chances and Darien..." he pauses, turning to look at your face "If they get in my way, I will put them down." his voice goes even deeper showing his strength.

"Trust me...I get it." you reply to him "Whatever Edmin is planning, the Syndicate will be ready for it. If you **** our hand and bring us to war, we won't be the ones who will lose."

He releases a few short laughs "I'll keep horses and a carriage outside this house and I will have some of my Elite Warriors watching the inner gates that will let you out when they see you." his gaze goes to Lexie again before turning back to your own "The next time we meet Darien, our kingdoms will be at war." he gives you a final nod before turning to Zoe. His hand goes up to her shoulder and rests upon it, Zoe can only look back up into his eyes from under his helmet "Pleasure to meet you, Zoe. If we meet in war, I look forward to our fight. Stay strong, Sunrider and you will go far."

And then like that, Commander Rixx turns his back to the three of you and makes his leave towards the exit. As the door closes behind him, watching the monster vanish from your sight, you release a puff of air, confused from his words about a war coming but grateful not only for allowing you to stay, but for Lexie to rest up as needed.

Zoe swoons down on the foot of the bed as her left hand goes to her chest, feeling her heart beat "Oh ma gawd..." she keeps repeating over and over again "Now, Darien..." she turns her head and connects with your eyes "HE'S a man I would sleep with!" she brings her hand off her heart and fans her face "Whew!!" she exhales.

"W-What the hell? Why?!" you grumble out at her.

"He's just so...wow. He like, controls the room. Like, power just emits off his body. It's..." she takes a few seconds to think "It's intoxicating!"

"Oh Zoe..." you groan "You're ridiculous."

"You think..." her finger goes up to her chin as she contemplates briefly "You think I should go after him? Think he'd sleep with me?" she sticks her tongue out at you.

"Whatever Zoe, shut up." you brush off her comments "Do what you want." you look down at Lexie.

"And did you see him pick up his sword?!" she acts amazed "Like, all one handed and moved it with such precision! I bet...I bet under that suite of armor, he's all buff and built and mmmmmm...." Zoe's eyes roll to the top of her head.

"I'm buff and built...I could pick that sword up easily if I wanted to. Whatever." you groan out.

"Oh my god! You are jealous!!!" she stands up and playfully moves over to you. Her hands ball up into fists and she lightly punches your arm over and over again "Jealous Darien! Jealous Darien!" she sings.

With a giant exhale you roll your eyes and shake your head at your High Commander.

"I'd sleep with Rixx but I wouldn't sleep with Darien...I'd sleep with Rixx but I wouldn't sleep with Darien..." she starts making up her own little song as she hums along to her own beat.

"Ya know, he did say make sure to keep my loved ones out of the battle..." you delay "But with you, I"m going to make sure you're the first one in." you glare back at her which she just laughs back at you as she skips around the room in circles humming her newly made up song.