Seeking A Queen (AU,M/L,ADULT) Pt 21 - 03/13/04 [WIP]

[Susan709]

I know it's been awhile, sorry. Thanks so much for all the FB it means more then you know. Here's the new part, hope you like it. Let me know what you think.

Title: Seeking A Queen
For Disclaimer & Summary see Prologue

Part 21

Liz had awaken almost immediately after Max had left. Her body missing the warmth that his had provided during their first night together. She laid upon his bed, correction their bed now she reminded herself as her mind went over the events that took place the night before. Her and Max had taken their physical relationship further then ever before. Even though they had yet to actually make love, they did share themselves completely with each other. They had made vows, promises of love and although they hadn't joined their bodies as one. They did become extremely initimate. Liz could still feel the effects of Max's touch upon her body as his scent lingered in the air of their now shared room.

As she laid there reminicing over the previous night, she felt a pull begin to take hold inside her. Almost like someone or something was calling to her. At first she thought it was just her imagination, but she was finding it harder and harder to ignore the call. It wasn't exactly a voice, but a force that she couldn't shake or try to ignore.
Getting out of bed she walked to the closet and found most of her things were already hanging on oneside of the massive walk in closet.
She recalled Max telling her earlier in the week that he was going to have the castle staff move her things into his room during the engagement party. At the time, they had already mutually agreed to bond to each other after the party, so Liz had thought it was a wonderful suggestion at the time. True to his word, as always, Max indeed had her things moved already.

Without thinking about where she was going, Liz slipped on a white flowing night gown and robe that matched it and began her journey toward the pull inside of her. Concisiously she knew what she was doing, but at the same time it felt as if she was in some sort of trance like state as her legs carried her down one corridor then another of the large castle. She found herself standing before a door that she had yet to see. She knew she was in the King of Antar's private corridor and normally individuals were not allowed in this part of the castle. She glided past the guards that were stationed at the beginning of the corridor without a word spoken by her or them which her mind told her was wrong. Yet, she continued to the doorway that stood at the end of the corridor without any of the guards making any attempt to stop her.

She placed her hand upon the door knob, but the door was locked. The pull was still calling her, telling her to enter the room. Liz still felt as if she were in a trance, but mentally she knew exactly what was happening around her. Placing her hand flat against the door, she wasn't surprised when the door slowly opened. Even though it had been securely locked only a second before hand. Slowly she entered the room unable to refuse the call inside of her. Once inside the door slammed shut behind her leaving Liz to stare at the massive structure before her.

The slamming of the door had brought Liz out of her trance like state, but only for a second. Once her eyes landed on the large inverted cone shape item she once again felt the pull inside of her. This time stronger, more forcefully, almost demanding until she stood directly in front of the massive icon. Before she could stop herself or even think of the consequences of her actions. Liz reached her hand out and placed it flat against the unknown object. The minute her hand touched it a bright light exploded from the top of it, but darkness consumed Liz as she passed out in a standing position. Frozen in time as her mind, body and soul connected to the Granolith for the first time.

Max didn't panic at first. Suspecting Liz had gone to visit with either her Earth friends, Maria and Alex, or perhaps to check on her parents. After discovering that Liz wasn't with those he had originally thought she would be with, he then ventured to her old quarters assuming the palace staff had forgotten something she wanted.
Not finding her there, he checked his private lab, the other lab that the many scientists he had brought to Antar were currently back to work at, but still no sign of Liz. He checked the royal garden and stables, everywhere he could think Liz might have gone to, but he still had no luck locating the love of his life. After looking for over an hour, the panic began to start.

Maria and Alex were also concerned when they saw Max and he admitted he still hadn't found her. The two of them immediately started searching for their life long friend, while Max notified the royal guards to help locate Liz. After several more hours passed and still no sign of Liz anywhere, everyone became part of the search. The palace was turned upside down and Max's concern for Liz grew with each passing minute. Antar was a peaceful society, they had no true enemies, but that didn't mean other planets weren't envious of Antar's natural resources and their uptopia society. Now that he and Liz were officially engaged and the people of Antar accepted her as their princess already, even though she wouldn't officially have the title until they were officially married. Max began to fear that someone had taken Liz in exchange for something, but there was no demand made for her return.

King Alexander and Zan had also insisted on helping in the search. By the time the three moons of Antar appeared Max was beside himself with worry as were Liz's parents and her two friends. Between the royal staff, guards, and everyone else the search for Liz had been very thorough with still no sign of Liz. When the search still came up empty and Max's frantic state began to grow worst, King Alexander approached his son. "May I have a private moment with you Max?" He asked, knowing what he wanted to discuss with Max was a very personal matter and he didn't want his normally private son to feel uncomfortable with what he needed to ask.

Agreeing to speak with his father privately, Max left Liz's parents and friends in Zan's company. "What is it father?"

"My son, I need to ask you something that is very personal and I thought you would be better off if we held this discussion in private.
Is there anything going on between Liz and yourself that would cause Liz to flee the palace?" He had seen the love his son and Liz shared for each other growing more secure with each passing day for the past several months and had thought their relationship was secure, but he had to ask.

Max stood up in defence of their love immediately. "NO, father! I love Liz, Liz loves me. We were going to bond ourselves to each other last night..." Max froze mid sentence as he realized what he had just admitted to his father. Zan had been the only person Max had told of his intention to bond himself to Liz. It was way too personally to discuss with anyone else besides Liz. While Zan was always very out going and personable, Max had always been the one to keep things to himself. He also hadn't mentioned his decision to bond to Liz to his father because they weren't married and it was almost unheard of to bond yourself to another prior to marrying that individual.

"Bonded? You and Liz became bonded last night?" King Alexander couldn't believe what he had just heard. As much as he cared for Liz, his son had a duty to his planet and before he were to be married, Liz would need to be tested by the Granolith. Bonding themselves to each other was so much more that it was hard to believe Max would do something so irresponsible before Liz was tested by the Granolith.

"No, we didn't bond...But, we were going to. We will be bonded soon." Max corrected his father, then quickly let him know of his intention.

King Alexander studied his son's face and saw how serious his determination to bond to Liz was, married or not. "It sounds as if you've made your mind up. May I ask why you decided to wait?" Now that Alexander knew his son was serious, he couldn't help but wonder why they had not actually bonded to each other last night.

Max lowered his head and quietly replied. "Zan asked me to wait."

Remembering the look on Zan's face the night before it all made sense.
Zan must have known of Max's intention to bond to Liz. Once bonded their relationship would be permanent, even more permanent then marriage. Alexander didn't bother to ask why, he already knew the reason behind Zan's request. By the way Max and Zan worked together today in their search for Liz, Alexander didn't believe Max knew of Zan's true feelings for Liz. A thought suddenly occurred to the King
of Antar. Max had planned on bonding himself to Liz, was it possible
the Granolith already knew of his plan? Could it be possible, the Granolith had called to Liz to test her? They had searched every possible location for his future daughter in law without success, every possible location except for one. The one place forbidden by anyone to enter, but was Liz the exception? King Alexander studied his son's face, then admitted. "Max, there is one room that has gone unsearched,
I think it's time we went to the Granolith."

"The Granolith? But, I thought..." With the knowing look his father was giving him, Max stopped his question in mid thought as the same realization hit him. "Are you thinking the Granolith called Liz to itself to be tested as the future Queen of Antar?"

Kind Alexander gave a simple nod, showing his son they were thinking the same thing. Without another word spoken the two men marched out of the room and headed to the King's personal corridor of the castle. The corridor where the Granolith stayed untouched and unused for decades awaiting a true King to be born and be granted it's powers. Upon reaching the corridor the guards were still at their post. When questioned if they had seen anyone, all four were quick to deny that anyone had entered the private corridor. But, Max was too determined to find his beloved Liz to be stopped due to the guards word. He needed to see for himself if what he and his father suspected were true.

Zan had seen his father and brother race out of the study they had gone into for their private conversation. With the look of determination set on both men's face, Zan quickly followed suit. By the time he caught up to them they were already at the door that held the Granolith inside. "What's going on?" Zan questioned already having an eerie feeling in his gut.

The King turned to his other son prior to opening the door. "We believe it is possible the Liz has been called upon by the Granolith to be tested today."

"But why? I thought she would have been tested the day of their wedding ceremony, why today?" He asked, then quickly answered his own question. "You bonded yourself to Liz last night, didn't you?"
It was asked in a question, but it was a accusation all the same. Zan felt his heart break at the thought that Max and Liz were bonded. Although Max had told him that morning that he had waited, Zan knew the truth. Max and Liz had bond themselves to each other. Otherwise the Granolith wouldn't have taken it upon itself to call to Liz, to test her.

Upon hearing Zan's words, the King's mind raced with thought. It would be the only reasonable explanation as to why the Granolith would have called upon Liz. Just the intent to bond to each other wouldn't have done it. Was is possible that Max and Liz had bonded themselves to each other without even realizing it? Before he could voice his own conclusion, Max was quick to jump to his and Liz's defense. "No, we didn't. I already told you both that we had decided to postpone our bonding. Not that either of us wanted to wait, but we did it for you Zan."

Reaching his hand out, Alexander softly grasped Max's arm. "Max, close your eyes and think of Liz. Tell me what you feel?" His son seemed adament about the fact that Liz and him hadn't bonded, but the fact was
if the Granolith called upon Liz to test her now there was a reason behind it. He didn't want to doubt his son's word, so he calmly asked him to look inside himself to see if he could feel Liz's presense there. For if they were bonded to each other, Liz would now be a part of his son's soul forever.

Max looked at his father, then at his brother. Slowly nodding his head, Max did as his father had requested of him. Closing his eyes he let his mind fill with thoughts and images of Liz. Her warmth and love surrounded him almost immediately once he allowed himself to truly let their connection ignite. After only a few minutes, his eyes opened to a whole new world. There was no doubt in his mind what he felt when he concentrated on Liz. She was in him, a part of him...forever. "She's inside." Was his only response.

End Pt21