Chapter 194 Chapter 193
“Please,” she said again, her voice steadier now. Slowly, she watched as his struggles ceased and, one by one, every tiger that had been upon him carefully retracted, still assuming a defensive stance.
His chest heaved, and he slumped to the ground, his form reducing as he took on a half-shift. Rayena sprinted toward him then, throwing herself into a hug. He immediately held her, his grip suffocating, but she didn't care—soft cries spilling from her lips as she whispered placating words to him.
"It's okay... it's alright," she mumbled into his neck, her hands rubbing his back, feeling his body still tremble with despair.
A snarl twisted in Xenon's throat, but he suppressed it, his face wet with tears. "Why didn't they tell me?" he rasped, gritting his teeth. "Why didn't they tell me the truth!? For years, I was lied to! They told me I was born of rape! That I killed my mother. That she detested me, wished I was never conceived!"
The truth clawed through his chest, ripping its way out of his mouth, tearing out the rot of every lie he had swallowed since childhood. His body shook, his breathing ragged, but he didn’t let go. "They said it so much I believed them! I..." He cut himself off, grief stealing his voice.
"I know it hurts..." Rayena whispered, still holding on even as his claws dug into her back, breaking skin. "But now that you know the truth, let it set you free, please..." she whispered, her voice trembling.
Xenon's breath shuddered, a growl ripping itself from his throat. He dug his face deeper into the crook of her neck. "I don't know how... I don't know what to do." He was still feeling murderous. The need to tear someone apart was still clawing at him, his vision rimmed red.
Rayena kissed his jaw, threading her hands through his ruffled hair. "I'll be here until you can. I'm not going anywhere."
His hold tightened around her, and he focused on breathing her scent, feeling the storm in his mind settle—all of his senses wrapped around her, her warmth, her presence. His breathing evened out, and soon enough, he phased out of his half-shift, becoming fully male again.
Seeing this, the tigers present in the room reverted to their male forms as well, watching as the two held each other. Though she couldn't see their faces, Rayena could feel their gazes on them, and she was almost certain they were filled with concern. She tuned them out. Nothing mattered more than the male in front of her.
"You all can leave now..." Xenon eventually announced, breaking the silence. "I apologize for my tirade," he crooned in an exhausted voice, now caressing her back. One by one, Rayena heard the receding footsteps until blessed silence settled.
For a long time, neither spoke, the quiet punctuated by Xenon's occasional sniffs as he breathed her in over and over again. She let him, continuing to administer soothing touches till every tension bled out of him, leaving him pliant in her hands. After what seemed like forever, he finally dislodged from her hold, gazing at her.
His eyes were hollow but lucid. The beast had receded, leaving behind a man shaking beneath the weight of what he’d just uncovered.
"How do you feel?" she asked softly, caressing his face as she cleaned off his tear-streaked cheeks.
He sighed, resting his head on her chest, his hands now on her waist. "A bit better..." he groaned, his voice still rough.
"Are you sure?" she muttered, resting her hand in his hair. He nodded, his hot breath warming her chest.
"I'm not angry anymore," he groaned against her skin. Reaching for his chin, she tilted his face up so she could look at him.
Only then did she allow her lips to stretch into a small smile. "Okay..." she whispered, cuddling him back to her chest once more.
"Thank you, Rayena..." he murmured after a beat, readjusting himself. "For offering to help me. Although I have to admit, that was a pretty dangerous thing to do."
"I know..." she mumbled, resting her chin on his hair while stroking him. "I just couldn’t stay away. Nothing in me was listening." She felt him sigh, but his grip on her grew firmer. Rayena closed her eyes, allowing the tranquility of the moment to wash over her.
When she opened her eyes again, her gaze fell on the wounds on his arms, and she gasped, seeing the blood still trickling out. The sharp scent of copper stung her nose; fear coiled low in her stomach. "What about your wounds!?"
"They’ll heal on their own..." he groaned back, taking a deep breath.
"Are you sure?" she asked, still alarmed. "You sustained quite a lot."
"I’m sure," he answered, glancing at her. "None of my major organs were attacked, so I should be fine. It’s my men I’m concerned about." With a sigh, he settled on her chest again. "I hope I didn’t hurt them too much."
She resumed combing through his hair. "Won’t... their wounds heal?" she asked quietly.
"Oh, they will. But it depends on the severity as well," he answered, now absentmindedly patting her back.
"They’ll be fine. We’ll check on them later," Rayena muttered, not wanting him to pull away just yet.
"You need to freshen up..." she muttered after a while. "You must have expelled a lot of energy. Is there anything you’d like?"
"I’m a little hungry," Xenon mumbled. Rayena looked around, barely noticing the wreckage around them. She glanced at him in confusion. "I don’t quite know how to call on a maid."
"Just summon a guard. They’ll help deliver the message," Xenon answered.
"Okay... " She muttered. She stood up from him quietly and carefully made her way out of the chambers while he watched her go. Now alone, he took in the state of the chambers. Everything that wasn’t bolted to the ground or indestructible was shattered and scattered across the room. Blood sprayed everywhere, and for the first time, he took notice of the coppery smell in his nose.
Worry and guilt gnawed at his chest. He hoped to the heavens that they were all right. He’d never be able to forgive himself if one of them was gravely injured—especially Morvan. Footsteps filled his ears, and Rayena returned.
"I already asked them to bring in some food for you," she announced as she made her way toward him.
"Okay..." he answered, his gaze never straying from her. When she lingered just a few meters away, he beckoned for her. "Come here."
She hesitated but eventually went to him. He settled her on his lap, burying his face in the crook of her neck as he resumed breathing her in. Rayena shuddered, a soft sound slipping past her lips, and he tensed—interest stirring in him.
Pushing the urge aside, he focused on her scent and how soothing she felt against him. Rayena’s fingers trailed his arms, cautiously touching the scratched areas. "Are you sure your wounds will heal on their own?" she muttered, glancing at him.
"Yes..."