Chapter 219 Chapter 218
His gaze dipped to her stomach, and a hand shot out to caress her belly. Recently, he’d noticed the surface of her stomach had hardened, and there was a slight elevation to it. Their child was growing—healthy, hopefully.
More than anything, that was his reason to keep fighting. One way or another, he had to find a way to make the council agree to him mating with her, as well as protect her from the assassination attempts.
One step at a time. Lowering himself, he kissed her forehead and draped the sheets over her body, watching as she slept. Then he cleaned himself and stepped out of the chambers. He found Morvan waiting for him at the end of the hallway.
"Call for a court meeting," he instructed.
Morvan bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."
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Just as he feared, the meeting did not go well. A massive fight broke out in the council room, and he had to intervene. He stood in the middle of the court, brimming with rage as nobles from both clans surrounded him, teeth bared.
"Your Majesty! We cannot stand here and let this injustice take place!" a noble from the weretiger clan shouted. "A human as our queen?! After what those rascals did to us during the last war? Do you want another one?!"
"Besides, just because you think you’ve found a woman you’re compatible with doesn’t mean you can’t be impeached for the rash decision you’re about to make," another noble from the werewolf council seconded, his voice shrill. Xenon recognized him as the head of domestic affairs.
"She’s not the one the people want! They’ll never accept her! Something like this has never been done!"
Shouts of agreement filled the space.
Xenon’s gaze darted around the room, his rage almost boiling over. Their disdain for her was palpable, and though he would never admit it, it hurt. How could they already hate someone they had never even met? What kind of despicable monsters had he surrounded himself with?
The same monsters that want to get rid of you, a voice whispered in his ears.
"Besides, if you’re so sure of her being your mate, why don’t you bring her to this court? Have her answer to us—let us know if she’s truly eligible to stand by your side."
Xenon swallowed back the retort building in his throat, a maelstrom of fury forming within him. Bring her here, so they discover she’s pregnant and double down on their efforts to eliminate her.
"You can all eat stones if you think I’m going to drag Rayena to this slaughterhouse that is this council room!" he yelled, his voice booming across the hall. Several nobles recoiled when they saw his eyes flash, irises shifting.
"You gave me a condition to find a mate before the ultimatum was over—I did! Now you’re screaming bloody murder that she’s ineligible and you don’t accept her?! Can you spit out your true intentions so I can know who my enemies are and get rid of them right this instant!"
No one dared to speak, already sensing how murderous the king had become. All their bravery started and ended with their tongues.
Xenon took several calming breaths, doing his best to contain his anger. "I have done the right thing, coming to meet you and informing you of my plans to make her queen. Your refusal is your problem. You cannot change my mind or force me to do otherwise. If anyone has an objection now, we will settle it with a duel. Anyone willing to volunteer?!"
Several nobles inched backward, their faces pale with fear. No one had ever dueled with the king and come out alive. He was even dubbed indestructible—nothing seemed to harm him.
"No objections? My decree now stands. I am bonding with Rayena. Court dismissed!" He slammed his fist on the table, splintering the wood. More nobles gasped.
Whirling around, he marched out of the room, his soldiers following, forming a protective circle as he stormed off.
The door slammed behind him with a deafening thud.
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As Xenon continued down the hallway, he spotted a figure waiting for him at the end. A second glance and he realized it was Ysolde. He slowed to a stop. What is she doing here?
She didn’t even bother to perform a curtsy. “I told you they won’t accept you, didn’t I?” she asked, taking a step forward.
“Who let you in? Get out.” He ordered, not sparing her a glance as he made to walk past her.
“This conflict will only get worse the more you keep resisting. Just take me as your queen and you’ll put an end to this.”
Xenon glared at her, eyes narrowing. “So I can give you a free pass to having my life controlled? No, thank you.” Always the same—her ambition dressed as concern.
“You’re making a mistake!” Ysolde cried, reaching desperately for him.
“I said NO!” Xenon snapped, his voice booming across the hallway. He stepped back like she disgusted him, his eyes blazing.
“I’m not mating with you, and most importantly, I am not making you my queen!” he spat, vehement.
“If you would just listen to me, Your Majesty…” Ysolde tried to explain herself, pushing forward. The instant she touched him, Xenon flung her away like a piece of discarded clothing. Her back hit the wall with a loud thud, the table beside her crashing to the ground.
“Don’t you ever—ever—touch me without my permission!” he growled, his low voice filled with more fury than his raised ones ever possessed. A snarl tore through his throat, his vision already shifting colors. His control was slipping, and the tiger inside him was prowling for blood.
Ysolde’s cry of hurt died in her throat when she saw the king double in size, his irises already turning green. “Get. Out.” He growled in a guttural voice, completely animalistic.
Ysolde skittered away, fear clawing at her insides. Her heart sunk at the look in his eyes but her dread multiplied when she saw battling a shift. “Get out now, before I do something I’ll regret.”
She started to back away when a new voice broke through the chaos. “Xenon, what’s wrong? I heard things shattering.”
Ysolde stiffened. No. No, not her.
She would recognize that voice anywhere. Rayena. She stood up just in time to see Rayena amble to the scene, confusion filling her features. Ysolde noticed the difference in her scent first. She reeked of the king, all right—but beneath it, her own scent had altered slightly as well.
Her eyes widened as realization struck. She’s pregnant.