Chapter 12
Tonight was the night of the Royal Academy's welcome banquet and ball. Asher was nervous after spending the day getting ready, not because he is meeting new people. It was because he would be going as Xavier's date. The alpha had asked him to accompany him and just the thought of it sent butterflies dancing in his stomach. There was something about the alpha that made his heart race, he was inexplicably drawn to him.
Staring at the clothes that Beth, Asher pursed his lips in contemplation. It was an elegant men's tux, simple black and white, Asher was not a fan of such masculine clothing.
"I don't like it Beth." He told her, walking to the wardrobe to find something else. He flipped through all his clothes, tossing items he likes on the bed. Staring at the selection he grabbed a black coat with tails and deep purple embroidery. Next he grabbed a white silk shirt that he knew would cling to his upper body. Finally he stared between a pair of pants and a purple and black tulle skirt. He really liked the skirt, and it wouldn't be that flabbergasting for an omega to wear a skirt. So he chose that allowing Beth to assist him in getting ready.
He chose amethyst accessories to go with the outfit, suppressor, velvet collar, black lace gloves, and a low heeled ankle black boot. Adding a bit of pink tinged lip gloss to his lips, he decided that would wrap it up perfectly. With a glance at his phone, he saw he had a few minutes before Xavier would arrive. He clicked some pictures of himself, sending them to both his sisters phones. He worried his lower lip between his teeth, while he stared at the different tiara's he was expected to wear as a princess. He chose a simple rose gold circlet, with a fire opal sitting on his forehead from it.
Asher's phone pinged and he smiled at the message his sister sent. 'Behave, have fun, make friends' It made him laugh, his oldest sister was such a worrywart. He took a couple more photos, sent one off to his Aunt and Uncle as well as his sisters again. He stared as Astor's name, none of his texts had been read from her in over a month. He was starting to get concerned, as she usually went into a town or city at least every couple of weeks. A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts, and he turned towards the door.
"Princess Asher, Crown Prince Xavier has arrived." Beth's soft voice alerted him. With a nod he headed towards the door. When he stepped out into the hall, his breath was taken away from him. In front of him Xavier was dressed as though he had stepped out of a historical fantasy film from Japan. The outer was decorated with an elaborately embroidered imperial golden dragon on black silk, his pants were wide legged also made of silk, his shirt was just simple black. There was a wide sash like belt tied around his waist, where Xavier had tucked in a larger and smaller sword.
"Wow." Fell out of Asher's mouth before he could stop himself. Xavier chuckled in response.
"I could say the same. You look magnificent Princess."
"As do you Crown Prince." Asher lifted his eyes to look into those golden orbs that swirled with admiration. Xavier offered Asher his hand.
"Shall we Princess?" Asher slid his hand into the crook of Xavier's arm and nodded shyly. A light blush dusting across his cheeks. Kai, Gryphon, and Beth followed the two of them at a distance. Kai was dressed less formally than Xavier, but still carried two blades as well. Gryphon was in her typical clothing, that made it so she could move comfortable, and Beth wore a simple dress that showed her status as a servant.
Xavier lead the two of them down the stairs, Asher's other hand clutching at the skirt, lifting it slightly so that he wouldn't trip over the trailing fabric. They walked in silence to the banquet, Asher sneaking occasional glances as the handsome prince next to him. He worried on his lower lip nervously, knowing that the two of them arriving together would create all sorts of gossip throughout the campus. Asher could only hope that his sisters and Uncle didn't hear about his arrival with the Crown Prince.
Everyone else entered before those of us from the top Kingdoms. Connor and Alucard were announced; next was Cecilly and Caspion. Finally it was my turn to be announced, I went to step away from Xavier, instead he held my hand tight in his arm.
"We'll go together." Asher's face went completely blank, Xavier found it adorable that his omega was shocked. Xavier nodded to the Master of Ceremonies, and the two of them were announced.
"Princess Asher of the Kingdom of Solas escorted by Crown Prince Xavier of the Sunabae Empire." The entire hall went quiet as the two of them walked in. Tuxedos and ball gowns were the choice of attire for this occasion. Everyone's formal wear adorned with their accomplishments within their kingdom.
A large crystal chandelier glittered with light over the rows of tables set around the hall. At least thirty tables had people sitting at them, with chairs decorated in silver cloth. A large black bow on each of the backs of the chair signified royalty, the rest were other nobles or kingdom representatives.
Silver and black gauze was draped in a wave shape over the hall. Flowers in bright spring colors sat on each table, the higher the royalty, the more decorative the design. Goblets of silver glinted in the candlelight of each table. The tableware set for a full seven course meal, decorated with the schools coat of arms. A rampant dragon, wings spread wide in gold filigree. Between the hands of the dragon sat a four leaf clover with each of the top four kingdoms heraldry symbol.
Asher kept his eyes forward, trying to ignore the sudden fervent whispers that started as soon as they passed the first few rows of tables. They slowly climbed the stairs of the dias where the top kingdom's sat, Xavier pulled out Asher's chair for him, helping him be seated. As soon as Xavier took his seat next to Asher the welcome ceremony began.
'Blah blah blah' thought Asher bored by the droning on of the rules and explanations of the school. Next there were introductions of each royal or noble representative, followed by formal greetings to the top Kingdoms. Finally after everything food began to be served. Beth served Asher personally as his sister was the paranoid sort. There was light socializing during the meal, but most nobility observed a strict policy of not talking during meals. Of course not Asher's family, so this whole not conversing over food was just weird to him.
Finally the dishes were cleared, servants moved quickly to remove the tables to make room for dancing. The ceiling turned into a starry sky with the chandelier morphing into what looked like a full moon. Stars twinkled as a twelve piece orchestra began to play a waltz. Asher's eyes were glued to the dancers, as skirts twirled spinning out beautifully. His eyes were seeking other omega's hoping that he wasn't the lone royal omega. Although Asher was quite aware of how omega's are treated in many kingdoms, 'Then wouldn't that mean that their countries want to marry them off to powerful alphas?' Asher thought.
He was pulled out of his musings as Xavier stood up, his chair scraping against the wooden dias. Xavier bowed to Asher offering his hand.
"Princess Asher, may I have the pleasure of your first dance?" His eyes sparkled mischievously as he smiled at Asher. Taking Xavier's hand in his, Asher allowed the prince to help him stand.
"I would very much like that Prince Xavier." A graceful smile placed upon Asher's lips, he couldn't help but be eager to dance with the dashing Yokai prince.
They began their descent down the stairs to the dance floor, Xavier stopped dead in his tracks. He and Kai exchanged glances. Suddenly Xavier pulls Asher into his embrace catching Asher off guard. Kai leaps over the two, Asher catching a glimpse of him sees a golden light surrounding Kai. The double doors suddenly burst open.
Asher's heart starts rapidly thumping against his chest, as his fingers grip into Xavier's silk robes. Panic fills his whole body, as he freezes unable to move, as chaos breaks out around them. Suddenly their are men dressed head to toe in black, spells begin to fly, elements attacking the students left and right.
Screams begin to lift into the ceiling echoing the sound over and over. Asher feels himself being lifted and grunts as his stomach makes contact with Xavier's shoulder.
"Asher hold on tight to me." Xavier didn't need to tell Asher twice as he clung to the Yokai prince for dear life. Kai and Xavier were on high alert. Their senses alerted them to the sudden danger before it struck. They watched as students turned on each other, leaping to attack their own allies and friends. A man in black approached the three, Kai unsheathed his katana cutting the man down in a single slash, before returning it to it's sheath.
'Prince, the main exits are blocked. Every door out has enemy's approaching and students seem to be possessed helping the attackers.' Kai used telepathy to communicate with Xavier.
'I'll need to teleport us. The only point I can reach from here is the cafe' Xavier responded to Kai. With that decided the two of them fought, as a spell was slung towards Asher, Xavier felt the heat of fury rise inside of him.
'Keep your calm Xavier.' Kai yelled in his mind causing Xavier to wince. It would take Xavier time to write the sigil to the teleportation point. Kai took the time to wrap the three of them in shadows, his magic hiding the three from sight and attacks. Xavier and Kai ran until they found a closet, opening the door the rushed in.
Kai closed the door and began moving shelves to block the door, knowing it should buy them the time they needed for the sigil. Outside, the sounds of destruction reached the three of them. Xavier slid Asher down, the omega still seemingly frozen in fear. Xavier crouched down, placing his palm on the soft face.
"Asher look at me." He whispered to the Omega. Asher's amethyst eyes looked dark and distant filled with fear. The sound of an explosion made the omega whimper and reach out for Xavier. Emotions flooded Xavier's body, as he watched Asher shake in terror.
"Asher, I'm going to get us out of here. Do you trust me?" Asher tried to open his mouth to respond to the alpha in front of him. No sound escaped however, so all he did was nod his head in response.
"Kai guard the door. I'll let you know when we are ready." Kai nodded in response.
Time was of the essence here, the sounds of the battle in the hall had moved closer to where they hid. Screams of fear, the sound of steel on steel, cries of pain, as well as a high pitched maniacal laugh was what Asher's sharp ears picked up. He could also hear the sound of whimpering, that seemed too close. It was a realization that the whimper was actually coming from him. The sound of a being so terrified, that the only sound it can make is a pleading whimper.
Xavier tried to tune out the noises, specifically the sound of the whimpering omega, that made his very alpha instinct rear up inside. An instinct that demanded him to stop the whimpering at all costs, by saving the omega. Instead he wrestled with his instinct to write the sigil. Using golden sand from his home, he slowly began to pour onto the floor. It was a difficult sigil due to it's complex equations that were necessary. If he failed to write it properly he would destroy the three of them body and soul.
After half an hour a pounding began on the door outside, Asher pulled his knees up to curl into a little ball. Hiding his face in his knees he started mumbling to himself.
"I don't wanna die again. Please don't let me die again. I don't wanna die again." Asher whimpered, but Xavier couldn't comfort the omega at the moment. He had just a few more lines to do and the sigil would be complete. The sound of wood cracking brought Kai to stand firmly between the blocked door and the two royals. Growls and screams penetrated fully into the closet, right as Xavier finished.
"Done. Bring Asher to me, lets get out of here."
"Pardon me Princess." Kai said as he scooped up the omega, and placed him in Xavier's arms. Kai stood next to Xavier and the two of them poured magical power into the sigil below them. Suddenly a golden light filled the room completely, with a gust of air the sand blew away, and all that was left in the closet were falling shelves and confused enemies.