Chapter 18

The sounds came again and Leilani moved further into the room.

Her heart was beating so fast against her chest and yet, she couldn't turn and run out.

"Help...me...help..."

Leilani gasped sharply immediately she heard the faint voice. She stopped abruptly, straining her neck, trying to see anything in the dark.

"Who could be here?" She mumbled to herself, walking slowly.

She heard a noise from behind and turned sharply. The door behind her was opening! She could hear the clicking from behind.

QHastily and blindly, she ran into a corner, crouched down on her knees, panting noisily but trying so hard to control herself.

She saw a figure walk around the room and few minutes later, it left.

Leilani breathed in heavily, her hand on her chest. She thought she was going to get caught. Although the room was dark and she couldn't see the face of the man that had entered, Leilani knew who it was.

King Tarzan.

Slowly, she got up on her feet, traced her steps to the door and left the room again.

She stood behind the stairs, stared around to make sure no one was in sight.

When she was finally out of the palace, she walked slowly back to the dungeon only to run into two guards before she could get inside.

"What are you doing out!" They charged at her, grabbed her before she could run in.

"Please... just let me go back to my dungeon. Please...just let me go back. I only came out to ease myself." Leilani pleaded.

"No! We will have to lock you up till morning then we will tell the king where we saw you."

Leilani gasped, her eyes big with fear.

They took her away and locked her in a different room.

*

*

**THE NEXT MORNING**

King Tarzan walked into the throne room, his eyes staring at the floor as he walked to his throne. About fifteen of his soldiers were standing there in the large throne room.

It was obvious that something serious was going on with the looks on their faces.

"Good morning my king." They all chorused immediately he sat down, their heads bowed.

"What's happening?" Tarzan's cold voice resounded in the room.

One of the men who appears to be the general of the soldiers stepped forward, his head bowed. "My king, some enemies are trying to break into the border. We've been sent a message to bring some more men to come protect the border my king." He spoke in his strong voice.

Tarzan looked at hlthe man before him. "Are they that useless that they can't take care of some petty fighters? Is that it?" The king asked but no answer came.

Everywhere was dead silent until he broke it. "Get some of the men ready. Not less than thirty soldiers." Tarzan ordered and the general's head went down deeper before moving backwards.

"This time, I'm coming with them to the border." King Tarzan added and everyone in the room were tempted to look him in the face with shook.

"But my King..." The general said and immediately stopped when he felt Tarzan's eyes on him.

"Good. Go now and get prepared. Alert me if you are ready. It's high time I visit the border." Tarzan said and immediately, the men bowed and dispersed.

Tarzan stood up from his throne, turned and took the stairs.

*

*

Luca sat on a brick, watching the young lady and her baby. He was finding it very hard to understand how they were going to make it in such a deserted dangerous place.

He watched the lady as she stared down at her baby wrapped in an old animal skin shawl with love and care. He stood up, moved closer to them. "You've not told me what your name is and ehi exactly you are."

The lady looked up at him, protecting her baby with her arms. "My name is Xenia. That's all I have to say to you." The young lady replied and Luca nodded. He moved back when he noticed how uncomfortable she looked.

"Xenia...you can't survive with a little baby here. You have to look for a village at least and get some help."

Xenia looked at Luca and laughed. *I've been prepared for this for several months now. I would have done it myself without anyone's help. You do not know how long I've been here so don't stand there and talk to me about surviving.

"You are strong enough now and I think you should leave us." Xenia replied.

"You've not even had anything to eat after bringing your baby to life. Just let me help you this once and then, I shall leave you." Luca offered and Xenia stared at him for a while.

"I'm sorry but I can't accept the offer of you going to look for what I'm gonna eat. I don't know you. You might be one of my enemies as long as you are concerned."

*You saved my life, Xenia. Let me get you. Something to eat. I will be back." Luca replied and headed out of the hideout.

Xenia stared at him as he left and tears fell off her eyes. They rolled down her cheeks as she stared down at her lovely baby girl who was silently sleeping in her arms.

She was yet to come up with a name to give her little daughter. Suddenly, she smiled and kissed the baby's head, then said, "I shall call you Amaya. Yes, Amaya. My little princess." Xenia mumbled and more tears rushed down her face.

*

*

(The Pavlovas Kingdom)

Zara sat on her bed, her eyes staring blankly into space like a zombie. Her hair was a mess, her lower lip torn.

Her black gown was dirty and some bruises could be seen all over her body. She wrapped her arms around her body as tears suddenly gushed out if her eyes.

"Leilani, please I need you." She cried out.

The door suddenly opened and her mother, queen Herietta walked in an evil look on her face. "Will you shut the hell up!" She screamed at the girl.

"I want my sister! Where have you taken her!!" Zara roared out. It was obvious she was under torment.

The queen stopped in front of her daughter, raised her hand in the air and brought it down on her left cheek. "Shut up! She's not your sister! What has she done to you!"

Zara screamed, her hands covering her ears. "Bring back my sister! Bring back my sister!" She continued crying until she passed out.

Queen Herietta stared into her daughter's flushed face and a tear escaped her eye. "What has she done to my baby?"