Chapter 33 - Leaving Italy

Xavier rolled his eyes when he saw the men come from behind Mel. They thought they could intimidate him, but he was just as big as they were, and he wasn't alone. He gave a long whistle, and his four royal guards came out of the SUV.

"I'm sorry, Mel, but I don't have your vampire acid, and we will be leaving." Xavier pulled Luci behind him and grabbed Janie before anyone could react, putting her behind him as well.

Luci and Janie held on to each other, worried about what was going to happen, despite Xavier's confidence. They may be vampires, but they had always been more into clubbing than fighting.

"Prince, you can't beat us. We're vampires and stronger than any other beings. Now give us back Janie before you make the boss mad, and he kills you all." Mel looked over her shoulder as another vampire appeared. He was tall and thin with a handsome face and thick black hair.

"What's all this ruckus out here? Janie, I demand you get over here now." The man looked at Janie sternly as she hid behind Xavier.

"Janie is going with us. We know about the potion you used on her to make her think she was your mate. You have no right to force someone to be with you. Now we're leaving, and if you try to stop us, you'll regret it." Xavier spoke with authority, and even though they were not lycans or werewolves, they could feel his aura affecting them.

Xavier backed up, pulling Luci and Janie with him as he walked toward the car. The royal guards moved forward and stood between the two groups. The vampires looked at each other but didn't want to take on the guards. They were trained to kill.

"This isn't over. I will get that acid from you and get my mate back by force if necessary. We have a bond. She won't be able to resist whether you like it or not." Sam was surprised when Janie stuck her head out the car window.

"Samuel Ricci, I, Janie Vachon, reject you as my mate. We haven't marked each other, and you're not my fated mate, so I don't care if you accept my rejection or not." With that, Janie stuck her head back in the car, and they drove off. The four guards got into the SUV and followed them out of the gates.

Luci looked at Janie as she laid her head on her shoulder and cried. She stroked Janie's head, letting her get it all out. She didn't know everything that bastard had done to her friend, but this wasn't over. Luci wanted him to pay for hurting her friend.

"We're leaving to go back to the palace as soon as we pick up our things from the hotel. Don't worry; you never have to see that man again." Luci held her tight.

"I thought he was my mate. Even when I noticed little things that didn't make sense, he convinced me. As soon as we got to Italy, he changed and stopped being kind. Sam hit me every chance he got. He threatened me with that vampire acid, even putting some on my hand as a warning. I let him think that he had worn me down. I did as he said, hoping you would call or visit and somehow help me." Janie hugged Luci, feeling better the further away they got from Sam.

"I'm so sorry that you didn't find your fated mate. At least you hadn't marked each other yet, or you would have felt the pain of leaving him. You'll be safe in the palace with us. My mom is there too." Luci looked up at Xavier, mindlinking him, asking if it was okay if Janie went to the palace with them. To which he responded, of course, she can.

When they got to the hotel, Xavier had Luci and Janie wait in the car with three guards while he went upstairs with the other one to get their suitcases. It took him less than ten minutes before he was back in the car, and they were on their way to the airport.

"How are we going to get a flight out of here? I don't have my passport or anything else with me." Janie was suddenly fearful they were going to have to leave her behind.

"Don't worry, we have our own ride." Luci reached over and took Xavier's hand in hers.

Janie didn't miss the way Luci was looking at her mate, and despite how upset she was, she was happy for her friend. She was anxious to see the palace and catch up with Luci on everything that had happened while she was in Italy.

They arrived at the airport a few minutes later, and Janie was surprised to see them drive to a private airstrip on the side of the airport and up to a private jet. She watched as Xavier got out and helped Luci and then her.

"We'll be flying back in Xavier's jet; no need for tickets." Luci smiled at Janie as they walked to the waiting aircraft.

"Wow, this is amazing." As they boarded, Janie looked around the plane, and Luci pulled her to the seat next to her.

"I know. Now, I can't imagine flying any other way." Xavier took a seat across from Luci and smiled. He felt better getting them out of Italy as quickly as possible. He knew Sam wasn't going to let this rest.

Not long after they took off, Luci and Janie fell asleep. It was late, but Xavier was too anxious to rest. He watched Luci sleep and wanted to hold her in his arms, but he left her where she was leaning up against Janie.

He woke them both so they could see the sunrise as they began their descent. Xavier always loved seeing the sunrise and sunset from the air; there was nothing like it.

Janie was just as awestruck seeing the palace for the first time as Luci had been. She looked down at her clothes and realized she had nothing to wear except the shorts and sweater she had on.

"I'm not dressed appropriately to go in here." Janie fidgeted with her clothes nervously.

"You're fine, trust me. Also, I have someone inside that will hook you up with clothes. She's Xavier's sister and made the dress I'm wearing." Janie looked at Luci's violet dress and smiled.

"She must be talented. That dress is beautiful." As they exited the limo, Janie calmed down when she noticed no one paid attention to what she was wearing. She saw that the palace's servants bowed not only to Xavier but also to Luci.

Xavier led them to a room just down the hall from his and Luci's and opened the door. He indicated Janie should go in, and when she did, she gasped. The room was enormous and done in pale blue and cream.

"This room is exquisite." Janie said as she touched the buttery soft bedding.

"Make yourself at home. Luci and I are just two doors down, and Alessandra is right next door." Xavier turned to leave, but Luci hung back.

"Are you going to be alright?"

"Yes, especially now that I'm here. This place is unbelievable. Sam won't have a chance getting to me in here. I'm really happy for you, Luci, and glad you accepted your mate. He seems like a great man, even if he is a lycan." Janie winked at her friend, making her laugh.

"I didn't accept him right away. He actually chased me across the country, trying to convince me to give him a chance. That's a story for another day; I have a lot to tell you. We'll catch up after you rest. Wait until you meet the king and queen; they're wonderful. I'll ask Bexley to come in a little later to bring you some clothes. You're going to like her too. I'm glad you're here, Janie." Luci gave her a hug before leaving the room.

When she got to her and Xavier's room, he was lying on the bed wearing nothing but boxers and a t-shirt. Luci had never thought he looked sexier.

"You know, if we keep having my family and friends come here, your family will think vampires are taking over." Xavier smiled at her as she began to take her dress off. He stood up and stopped her.

"That's okay; we need some diversity in the palace. Let me take this off of you. I've thought of little else since you put it on last night."

Xavier slowly undressed Luci, kissing every piece of flesh he exposed until her entire body tingled. When she was naked, he lifted her up and carried her to the bed, making love to her in the way that made her feel like the luckiest woman in the entire world.