Roman closed his eyes to concentrate. He hoped with everything he had that Zela's idea would work. Because one thing was certain. He had only one chance. If he did not succeed in winning Xenia back, he was as good as dead. And her kingdom was doomed.

The only thing he did not understand was what Wyatt wanted to achieve with the destruction. If he himself aspired to ascend the throne, he could have done it by now. The king was dead and he had successfully taken control of Xenia.

There had to be more to this than mere revenge. Or he had simply gone even crazier in his exile.

"All right... Now tell me where she is...please!" said Roman finally.

Zela now closed her eyes. It took a little while until she could make out exactly where Xenia was.

"She's... She's on the southern tower. And she's in pain. Not physically... more spiritual." she replied as she opened her eyes again and looked frightened at Roman and then Dean.

"Thank you. I have to hurry." he said.

"You're not going alone. I'm coming with you." replied Dean.

"Dean, I-" began Roman.

"I'm coming too. This is no time to act by yourself, your highness." added Zela.

As much as he hated to admit it, Roman knew the two of them were right. And they had to hurry. Every minute Xenia spent in the clutches of this... this demon made it harder to save her.

Together they made their way back to the castle. The chaos was still immense. But from the looks of it, at least the fires had been put out. It was fortunate that the people had no idea what was going on. That could have led to riots and panic. And that would happen if Roman did not succeed in getting their queen back.

The sun slowly rose on the horizon. The golden rays sought their way over the mountains and the forests. But the peaceful impression was deceptive. The danger was so real and threateningly close.

Roman couldn't help but think about what had happened in the last 12 hours. He had not imagined it all to be like this. Xenia and he had united as a first step. Actually, they wanted to take the next important step in these hours of this new day. But this... this was so different from anything they could have imagined.

His heart was heavy when he thought about how Xenia had looked at him. Sure, it hadn't been her anymore, but still it hurt him deeply. What if she was lost forever? What would he do then with the rest of his life? Would he even want to have a rest? Questions over questions.

When they arrived at the castle, they crept inside. Zela showed them the way to the tower. A chill spread through the walls of the castle that could not be of natural origin. Something was going on. And it was not good.

"I hope you are ready, Xenia. I've waited a long time for this moment to see this kingdom go up in flames. It will be a pleasure to hear the screams. And I can't wait to get my reward. Too bad you won't be here much longer to experience the dark future." Wyatt's voice echoed through the halls.

They were close. Now it was now or never. They had to take the one chance they had.

Roman looked around the corner cautiously and saw Wyatt take Xenia's hands in his. He almost felt sick at the sight.

Then it happened. Circles of bright light, almost like lightnings, formed around the two. It was a force that would destroy everything. All three knew that.

"Xenia!" screamed Roman as he leapt from his cover.

"You're too late, Roman. There's nothing you can do." laughed Wyatt, totally unmoved by Roman's appearance.

"We'll see about that. Xenia, listen to me... You don't want this. You don't want to hurt your people. This is not you. I know deep down you're fighting," Roman said.

"Nice try. She's going to do it. But you don't have to watch." he replied, hurling a fireball at Roman.

He reacted quickly. Because he knew if he could reflect and deflect Xenia's powers, it would work on the evil one. And it did. The fireball changed direction and slammed into the circle of energy.

"Get yourselves out of harm's way." he shouted to Dean and Zela.

Fireballs flew again. Faster and faster Wyatt hurled them in all directions. Roman almost always managed to defuse them. Except once or twice, they barely missed him. Wyatt growled in anger and now let go of Xenia and concentrated on Roman.

But then he saw it. Wyatt was trying to make him freeze again. This was the chance Roman needed. If he could freeze the demon, then maybe that would give him enough time to save Xenia.

At just the right moment, Roman mirrored what Wyatt was doing. And it worked. With a grunt, he froze. But no one knew how long it would last until he could free himself.

"Dean! Keep an eye on him!" yelled Roman as he rushed to his beloved.

The whole time she had not moved a bit. Once again she was only a shell. Carefully he took her hands in his. Then he tried to hold her gaze. It took him a little while to succeed.

"Xenia. It's me... Roman. Please... I know you remember. You are stronger than any dark magic in the world. You are mine. As I am yours. Remember. You know it... here!" he said softly to her and finally put his hand on her heart.

Immediately he felt her trembling. But it did not happen what he had hoped. Xenia snatched her hands from him. She raised her hand and tried to knock him away, but Roman managed to deflect the attack.

"You don't want this, Xenia. I love you. You know how much I love you. Remember our connection." he yelled at her as she tried again and again.

Finally, Roman managed to get her hands back in his grip. He clasped both wrists in one hand and cupped her chin.

"I love you, Xenia." he repeated.

Roman saw her eyes begin to flicker. With the tiniest sigh of relief, he took a step closer. His eyes firmly locked with hers until he finally leaned in and pressed his lips to his.

At first it was a one-sided kiss, but then... then she began to return the kiss. Xenia's lips opened as they both began to glow. Hot rays surrounded them both as the spell released.

"Roman..." she breathed as he pulled away from her to see if she was really back.

"Beloved, you are with me again..." whispered Roman.

"Watch out!" Dean suddenly shouted.

Just in time he managed to pull Roman and Xenia to the ground before a fireball could hit them both. Xenia looked frightened in the direction from which it had come. The moment her eyes fell on Wyatt she remembered everything that had happened. And right then she was filled with a rage like she had never felt before in her life.

"You'll pay for this!" she screamed as she raised her hands and stood up.

Lightnings formed in the palms of the queen's hands. Lightnings so strong that Roman could feel the energy emanating from them. A second later, she fired the lightnings in beams at the evil. They pierced him like knives. He was levitated into the air, convulsing and screaming for his life. But not for long. The energy concentrated so powerfully until he exploded with a loud thunder.

Gasping, Xenia began to sink to the ground. Roman managed to catch her just in time. It had cost her a lot of energy, but she had made it. He had been destroyed.

Carefully, he turned her in his arms and looked at her.

"I love you, Roman," she breathed.

"I love you." he replied.

"Isn't that touching?" asked a voice suddenly.

"Who are you?" asked Dean, holding Zela's hand.

"Me? Oh I'm just the one to whom this kingdom belongs. The one who was promised the princess before the king changed his mind. And now that my companion has failed at the simple task.... I will do it myself." the foreign man replied as he quickly stepped closer.

Before anyone could react he raised his sword and thrust it with all his might through Xenia and also through Roman.

"Now it is my time. I will claim this kingdom. I will rebuild it.... redesign it. And no one can stand in my way now." he laughed.