Wrapped in each other's arms, they eventually fell asleep. Xenia had rested her head on Roman's chest while taking deep breaths. His scent was so familiar to her. As if she had known him all her life.

But suddenly, late into the night, both of them were abruptly torn from their peaceful sleep when there was a loud bang somewhere outside. This bang was followed by a quake that shook the cottage. Xenia jolted up and looked around in confusion.

"What was that? What happened?" she asked Roman, who was sitting up.

"I don't know. But whatever he was... it's certainly nothing good. Get dressed. Quickly." he replied.

Both got out of bed and gathered their clothes. They quickly got dressed before rushing out of the cottage to see what had happened. But already after a few steps there was another bang. This time they could hear exactly from which direction the scary sound came.

"Oh my God..." whispered Xenia and started running towards her castle.

Roman followed her on her heels. And it wasn't long before they reached the edge of the forest. The castle was now clearly visible. And it wasn't because of the full moon that lit up the night. It was because of the flames coming out of some of the windows.

"Xenia! Xenia!" they then heard a voice.

Both knew immediately who it belonged to. It was Zela. She stumbled toward the two. Blood on her face, clothes torn and covered with soot.

"Zela, what happened?" asked Xenia.

"It's... it's Wyatt. He has returned. He has the king in his clutches." she gasped, out of breath.

"No... no, no. Are you all right? Can you walk? Go into the cottage and hide." the princess then said.

"I can't leave you alone again. I have to protect you." She replied stubbornly.

"I will take care of her. I promise you that. You're hurt and you can only help yourself right now," Roman said.

"Ro, we have to hurry!" urged Xenia as she grabbed his hand.

The closer they got to the castle, the more clearly they could hear the shouts and screams of people from the surrounding houses and from the castle itself. Fortunately, the princess knew the fastest way in. All the secret ways she had used in the last weeks to escape so that she could meet with her beloved.

As they got closer to the throne hall, they could hear voices. With each step, what was said became clearer. And to their horror, the king's voice sounded weak and panting.

"You will not succeed... Evil will never rule my kingdom!" gasped his majesty.

"Oh that will not be your worry much longer. I have gathered many different powers, besides those of your beloved daughter. Nothing could keep me in the place you banished me to. You thought my powers were bound, but look how wrong you were. I am now stronger than ever. And this time I will destroy everything you hold dear," Wyatt said threateningly.

"I will not let that happen. Xenia will never let it happen. She is stronger than you think." replied the king.

"Ha! Your beloved daughter.... I admit it wasn't part of the plan for her to survive, but the more I thought about it... the more I came to believe she might be the key. But you won't live to see it," spoke the evil.

"Get away from him!" screamed Xenia at him as she entered the hall and saw him walking towards the king.

"It's about time, princess. You have kept me waiting a long time. Now you and your precious prince can watch the king's life come to an end." he laughed.

"If anyone's going to die, it's going to be you," Roman growled as he stood in front of Xenia.

"Oh, such a brave man. Too bad you can't do anything against me," Wyatt replied before hurling a fireball in Roman's direction.

But Xenia reacted quickly and deflected the fireball against the wall. Wyatt shrieked with laughter. He sounded like he had lost his mind.

"Well, well..... You may not have lost telekinesis. But you can't do anything about freezing." he then said.

He closed his eyes and a second later, icy air filled the room. Before anyone knew what was happening, Roman's body had already frozen. Only his head was free.

"Roman!" cried Xenia, startled.

"Don't worry about it, beloved. This is not permanent. He's not going to win. Get your father out of here." replied Roman to reassure her, as he felt the numbness loosening.

"Ah... speaking of that...." Wyatt then said.

"Do you remember this one, Princess?" he wanted to know as he held a dagger in the air.

It was the dagger he had almost killed her with back then. Even her blood was still on it. Then he flung the dagger at the king. Xenia tried to prevent this. But it did not work. Her powers did not work. Shocked, she had to watch how the dagger penetrated her father's heart and he immediately slumped down lifeless.

"Father!" she screamed and ran to him.

Xenia pulled him into her arms as she began to cry. Desperately, she clung to her father.

"You can't do anything against your own powers. I killed him through your powers. That means you actually killed him." said Wyatt as he knelt beside her.

"Get away from her! Don't touch her!" growled Roman as he struggled against the immobilization.

But still the hold was too strong. Only minimally could he move. No matter how hard he tried.

"Or what? You're not a threat to me... But she will be. The king is dead... but the queen will only live as long as I need her. She'll destroy her own kingdom." retorted Wyatt.

"The hell I will!" replied Xenia, crying.

"Oh... I'm afraid you have no choice." Wyatt breathed very close to her face.

Like then, she could smell his bad breath. Nausea rose up inside her. And then he blew something into her face. It was a fine powder. Wyatt laughed out before he began to cast a spell.

"Willem meum sequere, voluntatem tuam non amplius. Coniuro te potestatem inferni. Malos suscitat in ea." was what he said. (Follow my will, no will of your own anymore. The force of hell I call. Awaken the evil in her.)

"Xenia, no! Fight it! You're stronger than him!" cried Roman desperately as he felt her vibes change.

The flame of good within her flickered. Evil rose up and settled over her like a shadow. He saw her following his voice, but when he saw her eyes it was as if not only his body had frozen. Her eyes were black... The irises as well as the whites. Black orbs was all he could see. Xenia was no longer herself.

And not only that, he could no longer feel her. It was as if her feelings were extinguished. The love was gone.

"Do what you have to do...you are the queen. And then we'll leave." Wyatt said to her.

Immediately she let go of her father's lifeless body and stood up. Her eyes were fixed on Roman.

"Xenia... please! Remember! Remember your feelings!" said Roman pleadingly.

But it was no use. This was not his beloved anymore.

Xenia raised her hand and forcefully tossed Roman against the wall. Wyatt laughed victoriously before placing his hand on her shoulder. In the next moment, the two of them were gone. As if they had simply vanished into thin air.

Once they were gone, Roman's freeze completely dissolved. He knelt on the ground, trying to comprehend what had happened here. The king was dead. Xenia had been pulled to the dark side. And it was Roman's responsibility, his duty to save her. Once again.