Page 37 of If the Shoe Fits (Rainbow Tales #2)

Xander was aware of weeping and a hand holding his. Then pain. He opened his eyes. Everything was too bright. Wincing, he turned away from the light.

“Xander!” Leo cried. The grip on Xander's hand tightened.

“Leo?” Xander whispered.

“Xander. Oh, thank God. How do you feel?”

“I . . . hurt.”

“That's what happens when you throw yourself in the path of a crazy woman with a dagger! Damn it, Xander. Why would you do that?”

Xander couldn't focus. “Do what?”

“Xander? Xander!”

“Come away, Son,” the King said. “Let the chiurgeon do his job.”

“Oh, God. Please, not Xander. Not him.”

“If you can hear me, Duke Xander, thank you,” the King said. “You saved my life. I will never forget that. Thank you, son.”

There was more weeping. More pain. Then a flash of light. A horrible roaring .

“What have you done to my son?!” a woman shouted.

“Mother?” Xander whispered.

A flash of blond hair swept past him.

“Who are you?” Leovar demanded. “How did you get in here?”

“Dear God,” the King whispered. Then, he asked, “Duchess Levania?”

“You humans! I leave my son in your care, and you do nothing but abuse him! You steal from him, take his innocence, and attack him! You don't deserve my Xander!”

“What are you?” the King demanded.

“You fool!” Levania hissed. “Don't you recognize another monarch?

Don't you see the magic in me? I am Princess Levania of the Shining Ones, and that is my son, Prince Xander. You are lucky that my father has agreed to allow my son entry to our realm at last, or I would kill you for this. Such a transgression is an act of war between our kind!”

“He saved my life! I didn't ask him to do that. Your son is a hero, Princess Levania.”

“Yes, he is. But you are the King. You knew he was the rightful Duke, but you did nothing!”

“No, I swear! I didn't know—”

“Enough! The knight I sent to my son has seen it all. You are responsible, King Bessaren. You and your son! You shall see to my son's holdings while he is gone. Protect them, keep them and his people well, and perhaps your kingdom will not suffer as my son has.”

And then Nevan was there, bending over Xander. “Hey, kid. Don't worry. Everything is going to be all right now.” He picked Xander up like a child and cradled him against his chest.

“My friend,” Xander whispered.

“Yeah. We're friends, you and I.”

“Xander!” Leovar cried.

His father held him back. “No, Son. You can't.”

“Leo,” Xander whispered, finally realizing that something was very wrong. It was the last thing he said in the mortal realm.