Chapter 212 Chapter 211
"Perhaps you’re right," Xenon murmured, sighing. "You’re not exactly trained in these affairs. The people may struggle to accept you—but they will. Eventually." Pressing a kiss to her chest, he added, "I’ll make sure of it. I don’t see myself with any other woman except you."
Rayena’s eyes watered. "I also can’t see myself with another man except you," she muttered, her voice sincere. With a small smile, she added, "You’ve truly ruined me for other men."
Xenon gave a dry chuckle. "I’m glad I did."
He took her lips in a soft kiss, and Rayena instantly melted into it, wrapping her arms around him as she clung to him. It lasted a while, but when Xenon pulled back, all he did was fall asleep, holding her close. Rayena burrowed into his chest, finding comfort in his steady heartbeat, but no matter how much she tried, she couldn’t fall asleep as easily. Xenon’s words kept ringing in her head.
She sighed, doing her best to keep her thoughts from spiraling. Muttering a soft prayer to the heavens, she hoped things would turn out well for him. She just couldn’t bear to be away from him now. With that thought planted firmly in her head, Rayena closed her eyes and finally drifted to sleep.
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Two days later, a Royal Council meeting was held. Nobles from both clans gathered in their designated sections within the vast courtroom, awaiting what the king had to say. Murmurs rippled across the hall, some officials were absorbed in their reports, while others conversed quietly among themselves. They had been waiting a while; it was the king’s habit to keep them standing in suspense, to tire them out before he spoke.
"All stand and bow as the King of the Realm enters the room!" a soldier bellowed, his voice echoing through the chamber. A sharp silence fell as everyone rose just as the great doors swung open and the king’s entourage entered.
He appeared among them like a living flame, his two-toned hair flowed freely over one shoulder, one side neatly braided and tied with a thin cord. His knife-like gaze swept across the room, cold and assessing, and his steps were smooth and unhurried as he approached the throne at the far end of the hall.
The nobles kept their heads bowed until he sat, motioning for them to do the same with a casual flick of his hand. Chairs scraped against marble as the council settled, whispers breaking out like a low hum.
“Thank you all for honoring my invitation,” Xenon began, his deep voice slicing through the chatter, calm but commanding. “I have something important to announce today, hence this meeting. I ask that you all pay rapt attention.”
He leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the room. “You gave me an ultimatum, and I have honored it. I have found someone I will be mated to—someone who will eventually be your queen.”
Gasps rippled through the hall. Shocked murmurs followed, some skeptical, others stunned into silence.
"Who is this person, if I may ask?" a noble spoke at the far end of the room.
"Her name is Rayena, and she is a princess from the human kingdom, Ravenille."
The sounds of disbelief doubled.
"A human?! That's preposterous!!" someone yelled, followed by the sounds of others refusing. The ones who were more aghast were nobles from the weretiger clans — and they had every right to be. Humans had once worked with the werewolves to bring them down and reduce their population.
"Isn't this against the law? We have never had a human queen in all our centuries of existence!" another seconded, and the cries grew louder.
"This cannot be, Your Majesty! It has to be a joke!" another yelled, and the clamoring turned thunderous.
"It isn't," Xenon said, his voice unwavering. He waited for the murmurings to subside into plain silence. Infusing more dominance into his voice, he continued, "She is my mate and will be my queen, and I have no inclination to refuse or reject her. You will all learn to accept her, and anyone who doesn't will be punished."
His eyes narrowed, flashing as the cerulean blue of his irises receded to reveal the green and yellow of both wolf and tiger. "That is my announcement to you all. Any objections?"
Slowly, he darted his gaze across the hall, waiting for the one who would oppose him so he could make an example of them. Many had displeasure carved into their expressions, but none opened their mouths. He leaned back, letting out a scoff.
"In that case, this meeting is adjourned. Have a great day, everyone."
Xenon stood to his feet and, with practiced ease, walked out of the room — the door slamming shut behind him. An uproar instantly followed his exit, nobles arguing amongst themselves about the king's pronouncement.
Chaos descended.
Dorian sat quietly while nobles around him bickered, thinking about Ysolde's words. She was indeed right. The king had found a woman, and this information would ruin his plans. He needed to act as soon as possible. Lips pressed into a thin line, he balled his hands into fists, mentally counting up things that needed to be done.
Xenon returned to his chambers, doing his best to keep his rage at bay. Rayena saw him walk in, and the smile she had on her face died the instant she saw his countenance.
"How did the meeting go?" she asked, unable to keep the tremor from her voice.
"Not good," Xenon admitted, suppressing the rage in his tone. Her face fell. She’d expected it, but it still hurt to know it was the case.
Xenon saw her expression and started to backpedal. "I just informed them. They still need further convincing to change their minds. Although things would be easier if..." He trailed off, the rest of the words stuck in his throat.
"Easier if what?" Rayena pressed, walking closer to him.
He didn’t meet her gaze at first. "Well, I was going to say things would be easier if you got pregnant for me. It strengthens my claim to the throne, as Morvan always says."
Rayena felt even more desolate. Xenon rushed to explain further.
"Apart from that, it would prove our union was true and not a desperate attempt to continue being king."
"But that will take some time!" She cried, dispirited. We aren’t even properly mated yet, and we can’t do that if your council doesn’t approve of me."
"You’re overthinking this," Xenon said, grabbing her face in an attempt to calm her down.
But Rayena had begun struggling with her breathing, her heart pounding in her ribcage as she tried to regain her composure. "I’m just so scared... Oh, I can't breathe" she moaned, and Xenon immediately carried her to a seat. She held her chest, trying to drag air to her lungs.
He touched her forehead and flinched. She was burning up. "Are you falling sick?" he asked, his brows furrowed. "Why?"
"I don’t know. Just woke up this morning feeling queasy. Couldn’t even stomach my breakfast."