Part 8


Xelloss was slowly going crazy. Since the night he had confessed how he felt for Gadiss, she had been avoiding him. He knew she had to think everything through. However, he had not expected he'd have to wait for weeks for her decision. He wanted to be close to her, but she'd always pull away, telling him to leave her alone.

However, that wasn't the only thing driving Xelloss crazy. As they traveled from town to town, they would stop at several inns. In each inn, there seemed to be plenty of men interested in catching Gadiss' eye, and for once, she wasn't ignoring them. She would sit down with them, let them buy her a drink, and let them flirt shamelessly with her.

Xelloss had to fight every reflex that told him to go over and beat those men to a pulp. However, he was afraid that would just push her farther away. However, he was pleased, that when a man would let his hands wonder too far, he would suddenly be crumpled on the floor from a carefully placed fist. He took these actions as permission, that once the man left her sight, that he was allowed to take out all his frustrations on him.

Problem is that he was getting more frustrated as the days went by. He was terrified that she was looking for someone. That he'd opened her eyes to all the possibilities a beautiful women like her had, and that she was going to choose someone else. He couldn't stand the thought of her with another. That's why he was standing outside the inn, in the dark, letting the tears run down his cheeks. He couldn't stand being inside, watching those men throw their attentions at her. He just couldn't!!!

Through his sobs he could hear someone walking up behind him. Quickly wiping away the tears, he whirled around, to stare at the beautiful apparition before him.

She was wearing nothing but a silk bathrobe, which had fallen off her shoulder. The moonlight reflected off her lustrous skin and he had to remind himself to breathe. She stepped towards him, the swaying bathrobe revealing her shapely legs.

"Hello, beautiful night, isn't it?" she asked.

Xelloss smiled, "Thanks to you, it's even more so."

She turned walking away from him, "You know, there's a huge library about a mile from here, I'll think I'll visit in the morning. Good night."

Xelloss watched her walk away and finding he couldn't stand it anymore yelled out to her, "Gadiss! You promised you would give me an answer. How long do I have to wait? It's driving me mad, not knowing what you're thinking. You won't even let me close to you. I don't want to push you, but I need to know. PLEASE!!!"

Gadiss slowly turned around, "You want to play a game?"

"No, not really...."

"The rules are you can only use your speed and agility...... no magic. Understand"

"GADISS, PLEASE...."

"Do you understand?"

Xelloss sighed, "yes, I understand!" in frustration.

"Good, we'll have a race. If I get to the archway of the library first, I win. O.K."

"O.K."

"Let's see, if I win, I want you to show me that library, you said you had. You must have some incredibly interesting books in it."

Xelloss sputtered "I said, all you had to do is ask....."

"Now, are you ready to start", she began as if she never heard him.

"Wait, what do I win?" Xelloss sputtered.

"Why, I assume, you'll already have what you want"

"WHAT!!!"

"Well, you'll be trying to catch me before I get to the library's archway, and if you catch me", dropping her bathrobe and smiling seductively, "you keep me."

And with that she bolted into the woods.

Xelloss stood there, shocked for just a moment before darting off after her. He sped up to her, trying to reach her, then he was past her. He stopped and realized that she had suddenly stopped and his speed had carried him past her. He then watched as she darted off in another direction.

These games continued until Xelloss found her standing at the library smiling triumphantly down at him. He fell to his knee, angry at himself for allowing her to get away from him. He guessed he had his answer. He tried not to cry in front of her, but couldn't keep all the tears inside.

"What are you doing?" she asked incredulously.

"Huh", was his only response, as he looked up at her.

"Aren't you going to catch me?"

Again, "Huh"

"Fruitcake, I told you, I won when I reached the archway of the library. I'm only on the stairs. The archway is a good two feet away. So, are you going to catch me?"

Xelloss felt a smile creep across his face and slowly walked towards her, afraid she would suddenly bolt toward the archway. However, she didn't move. She just stood there and smiled invitingly.

He reached out gently grabbing her arm. "I thought you wanted to see my library."

She sighed, "Maybe later, I'm more interested in knowing if you have a bedroom."

He couldn't help but laugh as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "If I didn't, I'd make one. So," he pulled her in closely, "does this mean I get to keep you."

She looked up at him and smiled sweetly, "Forever."

And with that she pulled him down and kissed him. Xelloss felt like he was going to explode. But first....., he phased out with her in his arms to go find that bedroom.


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