That month was the best month of Niri's life. The kids adored her and she loved teaching them. Even the problem children respected her enough to do as she asked, which in turn caused them to behave better for their parents. Xander was great with the kids and when they were on break, he was all over her, extremely affectionate and sweet.
As the end of the month drew near, Xander went to the king to be permanently placed in the hatchery. The king granted his request. But with the holidays drawing near, Niri couldn't help but feel a little homesick. She missed her family.
"Niri?" she heard Xander ask while he was turning the last egg in Lania's clutch. "You ok? You haven't seemed like yourself for the last few days."
"It's just...Christmas is a couple weeks away," she said in a soft voice. "I miss my family."
"I can't imagine not being with my family at this time of year," he replied. "I'm sorry you were taken away from them."
"Thank you," she said, smiling. "But I do like it here."
He smiled a little. "So, who's turn is it to teach the children this week?"
"It's Aria's turn, but after today, she's giving the kids time off until after New Year's."
"That means we're done for the day," he grunted as he got to his feet. "Ugh, I swear...this sand gets lodged in places you didn't know you had."
"You're telling me," she laughed as he helped her up.
"Say Niri...we've got a week or so of free time...would you like to spend it with me? We'll do whatever you want."
"Sounds great to me," she replied, "The first thing I want is to soak in a nice, hot bath."
He grinned. "Follow me."
Taking her hand in his, Xander led her out of the hatchery. But instead of going to her chambers, he led her up the corridor and hung a right. They climbed a long, steep set of stairs. When she started getting winded, Xander took her into his arms and carried her the rest of the way up the stairs.
She laughed and punched him playfully. Setting her down at the top, she punched him as hard as she could. He laughed a little while rubbing his shoulder. Placing his hand against the small of her back, Xander led her down the hall and hung a left. Going up another short flight of stairs, he opened a large door on the left side of the corridor.
"Are these your quarters?" she asked, tensing and looking at him warily.
"Yes, but don't get the wrong idea," he told her, gently nudging her inside. "Like I said, we're going to do whatever you want; nothing more, nothing less. I want to prove that you can trust me. I promise you, nothing will happen if you don't want it to."
"Ok, Xander. I trust you, I really do."
As he shut the door, Niri took a look around the room. It was set up just like hers, just bigger. His bed was a large crater filled with pillows, large furs draped over the top.
"Bathroom's this way," he told her, going across the room and opening a door. "How's about losing the sandbox we collected?"
"Bathe together?" she asked, getting nervous.
"Trust me," he said, "It won't be a problem. Go ahead in. I'll join you in a minute."
"Alright."
He gave her a kiss on the cheek and headed into his closet. Niri went into the bathroom, her eyes going wide. His bath was a small pond, steam rising off the water. There were showers in the far corner of the room, walled off by thick, frosted glass. Towels were stacked in a tall cabinet. Grabbing a thick, fluffy towel, she set it on the edge of the bath.
Watching the door, she quickly shed her clothes and tossed them into a hamper by the towel cabinet. Niri sat at the edge of the bath and slid into the water, letting out a sigh. It was the perfect temperature. She found a ledge next to her and sat on it, the water up to her shoulders.
"You in the bath?" she heard Xander shout from the bedroom.
"Yes!" she called back.
He walked in, wearing nothing but a towel around his hips. Grabbing another towel, he set it on the far end of the bath and slid in, still wearing the towel. Pulling it off, he rung it out and set it on the edge away from the fresh one. He grinned at her.
"Told you it wouldn't be a problem," he said loud enough for her to hear.
"True," she laughed. After wetting her hair, she realized she forgot soap.
"Soap's in the basket to your right," Xander told her.
She looked to find a small basket to her right, filled with soaps and shampoo.
"Thank you," she told him. "Xander?"
"Yes, Niri?"
"How come you're always in your human form when you're with me?"