Chapter 155 Chapter 154
Unable to let what she had seen pass, Ysolde went to confront Rayena about it. The latter was preparing for a bath when she stormed into her room, barely managing to knock and unwilling to wait for a response.
Everyone jumped at the sudden intrusion, and Rayena narrowed her eyes when she saw who it was, clutching her partly undone dress to her body. "Lady Ysolde, what are you doing in my room so early in the morning?" she asked, unable to keep the dissatisfaction from her voice or face.
Ysolde quickly collected her expression, raising her chin high and her shoulders higher. "Oh, nothing really. I just would like to know if you've been seeing the king recently," she muttered primly, trying to keep her voice as casual as possible.
"The king?" Rayena repeated, her face drawn into one of perfect confusion. She instantly shook her head. "No, I haven't seen the king at all. Matter of fact, we haven't even met," she said with conviction.
Ysolde grew shocked, then confused. She had clearly seen Rayena with him while she was returning to the harem—or were her eyes deceiving her!? "Y-you're positive you two haven't met?" she stuttered, trying to make sure.
Rayena shook her head again. "We haven't. Not since I've arrived here."
Ysolde let out a breath, unsure if it was from relief or doubt. "In that case, I'll be taking my leave now. Sorry for barging in the way I did, please forgive me," she muttered, bowing her head slightly. Turning around, she swiftly exited Rayena's room, closing the door behind her.
But as she made her way towards her own room, confusion still lingered. There was no way she was mistaken. That had clearly been the king. Rayena didn’t seem to know that was the king. Why didn’t he tell her who he was?
What’s going on?
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Soraya returned to the harem much later and went to see Rayena first. The latter had settled down for a late breakfast when a gentle knock rapped against her door. Rising to her feet, she walked towards it and pushed the door open. Peeking through and seeing it was Soraya, she opened it wider and gave her a hug.
"Soraya! You've returned!" she cried out excitedly, beaming at her. Soraya giggled, patting her back. They separated from the hug but smiled at each other. "So, how did it go?" she asked, looking all over Soraya's body and spotting a few hickeys on her neck.
"Well, it went the way it's always gone. But I'm back now and need to rest. How was your first night during the full moon?"
"It was splendid," Rayena answered with a smile. "I enjoyed myself, although I have to admit, I'm not really a fan of the howling."
Soraya chuckled, shaking her head. Then she narrowed her eyes at Rayena. "You didn't sneak out this time?"
"No, I didn't!" Rayena lied, faking a gasp. "Why would I do such a thing on a night like this!? Do you think so little of me?"
"No, I don't," Soraya answered with mock sincerity, smirking at Rayena. She felt her cheeks heat up as she tried to meet Soraya's gaze. "I'll be leaving to my room now. Need to recuperate," she said, and Rayena nodded.
"Take care of yourself," she called out as Soraya walked away, going to her room. Rayena gently closed the door and leaned against it, wondering why she couldn't tell Soraya about the fact that she did sneak out to see Lylall. Maybe she didn't want to be scolded.
Well, this is just one of her little secrets, Rayena mused to herself as she went back to her breakfast.
Every girl has one.
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In the palace, King Xenon was in his chambers, still battling the unexpected rut that had slammed into him. The ache was relentless, every muscle strung tight with need and hunger. He'd been so severely aroused that he had to jerk himself off, burying his nose into the handkerchief Rayena had given him, taking huge lungfuls of her scent into his lungs.
Jaw clenched and eyes squeezed shut, he continued to stroke his arousal, his rhythm becoming more frenzied as he approached his climax. Rayena's scent wrapped around him like silk, and he could almost see himself buried inside her, instead of using his hand to find his own relief. A tingle began from the tip of his head, spreading way down to his toes when his climax neared.
Then the horrific memories came crashing down on him, dousing him like ice water. Images of him thrusting into nothing but a pile of mangled flesh. His hands froze and he gasped, eyes snapping open. Gagging once, his knees faltered but he refused to sink to the ground, standing on shaky legs. Revulsion overtook him and his need for climax disappeared instantly.
His wolf banged at the edge of his chest, furious they didn't achieve release. It was even more angry at him that they couldn't get her to lay with Rayena to satisfy their rut. Xenon waited for the shaking in his legs to subside before he moved, hitting his chest to soothe his ache.
"Guards!" he bellowed, and the walls rattled.
A soldier burst through the door almost instantly, bowing. "Your Majesty, you summoned me."
"Tell the maids to draw me a bath," he ordered, hus voice harsh and raw.The soldier nodded and marched out of his chambers, and Xenon started to get rid of his robes.
A moment later, a huge tub of steaming water had been brought to his chambers, with fragrant oils, towels, and a bar of soap situated next to it on a stool. His clothes now in a heap on the ground, he motioned for the maids to carry them.
"Wash them properly and get rid of any scent that might be on it," he ordered, voice gruff.
"Yes, Your Majesty," the male maid responded, carrying the clothes and swiftly exiting the chambers. Stepping into the hot water, he sank down with a low exhale. The steam curled around him, clearing his head a bit. Picking up the bar of soap and brush, Xenon began to wash himself, allowing his thoughts to wander.
As far as he could remember, no female had triggered his rut before. Though they were always erratic, following no true pattern, they came from his own doing. Why did Rayena trigger one, and why did she not smell repulsive to him like the others?
He sighed, scooping a handful of water and splashing it on his face. He would have to meet Ladrian and ask for more information concerning this.