Chapter 79

"Akirexer!" Wadose yelled.

Akirexer fell off her bed in fright and hit her head. She moaned in pain as she got her duvet off her head. She held her aching head as Wadose angrily tapped his right foot with his hands folded.

"What the hell man?" Akirexer complained.

"Is this what you call a short nap?" Wadose angrily asked Akirexer.

"I don't know, what time is it?" Akirexer asked him back, still confused.

Wadose pointed at the wall clock. Akirexer gasped when she saw that it was thirty minutes past 7pm. She closed her eyes and braced herself for some more scolding from Wadose.

"You have been sleeping since noon! I asked you more than once to get up so as to prepare for the ball! The guests are already arriving and you are still in your socks and underwear! Need I remind you that you are the heir to the throne therefore your image matters a lot for the sake of Queen Sharaina's reputation?!" Wadose let her have it.

"I was tired Wadose." Akirexer tried to defend herself.

Wadose picked up Akirexer's red silk night gown and threw it to her face. "Put this on now and come with me. If I get into trouble with her highness over you I swear I will beat your ass!"

Akirexer burst out laughing. "Wadose you dog. I didn't know that you curse."

Wadose felt ashamed. He stepped back and adjusted his tie. "Only when I am pushed." He grabbed Akirexer's hand. "The queen must never know of this. Do you understand?" He sternly threatened her.

Akirexer playfully saluted him. "Consider it done sir."

"Goodness!" Wadose pulled Akirexer out of her room.

He cautiously pulled her through the hallways. The last thing he needed was for word to get out that he had failed to get Akirexer ready on time. Wadose made a sharp turn and bumped into someone. Due to the speed at which he was walking, Akirexer bumped into Wadose. Both of them backed away confused.

Akirexer cleared her hair off her face and gazed upon the man they bumped into. With his sharp and alluring eyes, he looked at them puzzled. His long brunette hair dropped down to his broad shoulders. In his medium muscular hand was a bottle of wine. His bushy eyelashes looked like they were moving in slow motion as he blinked at Akirexer. When he finally smiled at her, she saw his lovey dimples. He appeared to be at least 25 years old.

He is a male version of Queen Sharaina. Akirexer thought to herself.

"Prince Dawn, what are you doing here?" Wadose nervously asked him.

Prince Dawn took his eyes off Akirexer and gave Wadose the 'are you serious?' look.

'Called it! Wow so this is her son.' Akirexer was amazed.

'Are you going to start blushing like you always do when you are with the vice commander?' Umandaang asked Akirexer.

'Shut up.' Akirexer silenced Umandaang and focused on Wadose talking to Prince Dawn.

"Wadose you always crack me up you know. You always ask me the silliest questions." Prince Dawn teased Wadose.

"Please forgive me my prince. I don't know how I failed to see that you are at your bedroom door." Wadose humbly bowed.

"Never mind. I only came out because I thought I sensed my mother walking down the hall." Prince Dawn exposed his dimples with another infectious smile. He looked back to Akirexer and narrowed his eyes at her. "Wait a minute I did sense my mother." He walked to Akirexer and towered over her. "Are you her none pure?" He asked Akirexer.

Akirexer just nodded her head. She was too dumbfounded to speak.

"Oh wow, it's a pleasure to finally meet you, Akirexer."

"Thank you." Akirexer replied, surprised that this time her words came out. "The pleasure is all mine."

"Well, I must prepare myself for the ball. I guess I'll see you two later." Prince Dawn cheerfully said and went into his room.

Wadose sighed in relief. He took hold of Akirexer's hand and dragged her through a flight of stairs. He pulled her into the room that contained a lot of clothes and shut the door. Wadose then forced Akirexer into the bathroom. As she showered, he hastily picked out her dress and jewelry. When he was done, he sat on a stool with his legs crossed and arms folded.

"Akirexer! Your time is up! Hurry up or I will come in there and drag you out!" Wadose threatened her.

"I am done you pervert." Akirexer walked out in a short towel. She was drying her hair with another one.

"Put on that dress over there." Wadose pointed to a black dress on the sofa.

Akirexer picked the dress up and examined it. Her grin indicated that she was pleased with it. It wasn't like the first one she was made to wear the day she woke up in Dark Star. It was a lovely simple sleeveless dress with a long slit.

"Oh my I totally have the legs for this dress." She waved her eyebrows up and down to Wadose but he just impatiently pointed at his wrist watch.

Wadose got up and faced away as Akirexer wore the dress. It looked twice as good on her. It fit her so perfectly that Akirexer couldn't take her eyes off herself. Wadose looked at her from head to toe and nodded his head in satisfaction.

Wadose handed a beautiful diamond necklace to Akirexer and she silently put it on. He held out a pair of matching earrings but Akirexer stopped him.

"I am still not pierced, Wadose." She reminded him.

Wadose put them back in the jewelry box and picked up a comb. Akirexer sat at the dressing table and watched Wadose style her hair. He worked on it until it was silky smooth. He turned her to face him and he started doing her makeup. At some point, he took a step back to examine his progress and when he was satisfied, he clapped his hands and walked away. He returned with a pair of dazzling black high heels.

Akirexer went over to the full length mirror and was stunned with the woman looking back at her. The woman in front of her was beautiful and she looked stunning.

The memories of her first time in Dark Star came flooding in. She remembered how she was shocked the first time she saw her reflection in the mirror. She thought about the lunch she had with Queen Sharaina that ultimately led to her bizarre first training session.

Her memories went further to the night when she lay helplessly in the dark woods waiting for her death. She thought about how meeting Sharaina changed her entire life. So much had happened in two years that she couldn't believe she lived through it all.

Akirexer flashed a warm smile at Wadose, "You still haven't told me what you are. May I please know?" She asked him.

"I guess it is time I told you about my origin." Wadose said. "Come and sit here next to me." He patted the empty part of the sofa.

"You see Akirexer..." He began after Akirexer sat down. "I come from a realm known as Green. It is the home to beings known as Vexmorous Reptiles. They are intelligent magical beings that used to live independently and kept to themselves. This was until they formed an alliance with Queen Sharaina in order to escape slavery from King Meelzib. Part of the deal was that a fertilized egg was to be given to Queen Sharaina. I was the one that was given. I hatched here and I have been living here since as her advisor."

Akirexer laughed softly. "So she is kinda like your mother too."

Wadose laughed with her. "Sure you can say that. After all she was the first one I saw when I hatched."

Wadose got up and pulled out his elbow chivalrously. "May I lead my lady to the ballroom?" He offered.

"I would like that very much." Akirexer took Wadose's elbow.

Wadose and Akirexer got to the ballroom in a few minutes. They stood at the top of the staircase and looked at everyone having a grand time. Akirexer caught sight of Queen Sharaina on her golden throne. She looked elegant as usual. Sitting beside her was Prince Dawn. He had his crown on and royal robes this time around. He was talking to a sky blue haired man and a dark haired woman with the star birthmark on her forehead. Akirexer concluded that they were Emelinia's children when she saw the mixed resemblance of Emelinia and Sharaina. Emelinia sat beside Queen Sharaina and she waved at Akirexer. Akirexer waved back and faced away.

"Look who is here?" Wadose said.

Akirexer looked at the entrance and was happy to see Waxx, Quix and Melonina walk through the door. Waxx and Quix looked stunning and handsome in their black tuxedos. Melonina looked gorgeous in her long flared cream white dress and peach heels. Quix locked eyes with Akirexer and flashed a smile at her.

"Looks like I'm going to leave you two love birds alone for quite a bit." Quix said to Waxx and Melonina.

"Take all the time you need." Waxx laughed.

Quix pulled out the flower in Melonina's hair. "I'll be taking this too." He said and walked away before she could protest.

Melonina folded her arms and pouted. "It went so well with my dress." She complained to Waxx.

Waxx pulled out the flower in his jacket pocket and carefully pinned it in Melonina's hair. "I had a feeling that he was going to do that so I carried a spare."

Melonina kissed Waxx on his cheek. "You are the absolute best." She hugged him.

Quix walked up the stairs and when he was finally face to face with Akirexer, he gave her the flower. Akirexer blushed a little and shyly took the flower from his hand. Wadose smiled at the whole thing. He cleared his throat and excused himself.

"You look beautiful." Quix complimented Akirexer.

"Thank you. You look handsome too." Akirexer replied with a lovely smile.

Quix held out his hand. "Would you like to dance?"

"I was hoping you would ask." Akirexer took his hand.

Quix slowly led Akirexer to the dance floor. The band switched to a slower and romantic song. The two danced elegantly to the sweet melody. As the song continued, Akirexer found her head on Quix's chest. She could hear his heartbeat. She loved his scent and adored how she felt in his arms. She couldn't remember the last time she felt so peaceful in a man's arms. She felt vulnerable but she was okay with it.

"Would you mind if I stayed close to you for a little while longer?" Akirexer asked Quix.

"I wouldn't want anything more." Quix assured her.

Akirexer tightened her hold on Quix and her held her closer. The two danced slowly to the timeless melody. Akirexer looked up at Quix and the two locked lips while everyone else danced around them.

****

5 hours later

Queen Sharaina left the party and made her way through a flight of stairs. Her guards bowed before her as she walked passed them. Queen Sharaina came to a door and opened it. She smiled at the sight of a man lying unconscious in a bed. Observing him were two nurses. They bowed down to Queen Sharaina and promptly left the room.

Queen Sharaina sat beside the man and caressed his cheek lovingly. She tucked his long brunette hair behind his ear and gave him a kiss on his forehead. Queen Sharaina took hold of his warm hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Light, the kingdom has finally celebrated after months of mourning. At least when you wake up, you will find a peaceful kingdom." Queen Sharaina said. "It has been exactly 2700 years since you left me all alone. You are to wake up any time from now. I'm really hoping that it will be soon."

Queen Sharaina leaned over and kissed his forehead again. "I will be the happiest when you finally open your eyes."

Queen Sharaina got up and went to the door. She longingly looked at her husband with tucked lips. Queen Sharaina turned away and closed the door behind her.

A cool wind swept through the silent room and brushed against Light. A leaf was blown in and it swiftly landed on his chest. The sound of an owl hooting outside was heard and silence filled the room once more. A few minutes went by and then... he moved his fingers.