Chapter 220 Chapter 219
Xenon’s transformation quickly reversed, and he instantly reached for Rayena, placing her behind him. But they had already seen each other, and Rayena’s eyes widened. “Ysolde? What are you doing here?”
Xenon’s gaze darkened as he saw the recognition etched on Ysolde’s face. She knows.
Ysolde didn’t answer. She only whirled around and rushed out of the King’s palace. She quickly made her way to the harem and hurried to her room, locking the door behind her.
Her body shook as she ran to the window and whistled. A pigeon bird flew toward her, perching on her shoulder. Dorian had gifted it to her so she could share important information when the time came. Picking up a piece of parchment, ink, and a quill, she scribbled furiously and tied it around the pigeon’s legs before sending it away.
She watched the bird disappear into the dark sky, heart racing. He chose her. A human. Over me. Something dark twisted in her chest. She took what was supposed to be mine.
Rayena will pay for this humiliation.
Oh, she will pay.
.
.
.
Rayena watched as Ysolde ran out of the palace, confused.
Tension so thick one could cut it with a knife, filled the silence, making her nervous.
She turned to Xenon, who was now staring at the empty hallway with a dark look in his eyes. “What happened? Why did Ysolde run out like that? Did she come to see you?”
Xenon swallowed tightly, pulling Rayena closer. “Don’t worry about her. She just came here with her baseless demands yet again.”
“Again?” Rayena repeated as Xenon buried his nose into her neck, taking several calming breaths. “Doesn’t she know when to give up?”
“I have no idea. But I already told her off. Must be why she ran,” he mumbled, jaw clenched.
Rayena studied him. Although he seemed to be telling the truth, she felt there was more he was keeping from her. “Are you sure that’s all that happened? What I walked into was pretty intense. You seemed really pissed.”
“It’s not that big of a deal, I promise you. I was just irritated,” he said, trying to give her a smile but failing miserably. The unease in Rayena’s heart refused to fade, but she gave a breath of surrender.
“Okay, if you insist,” she murmured, reaching up to tuck his hair behind his ears. “I heard you were in a court meeting. Are you done now?”
“Yeah, I just concluded that. I was on my way to see you. How do you feel now?”
“Much better now that I’ve rested,” Rayena said with a smile. “I am a little hungry, though.”
“Let’s go eat then,” he said, and they started walking. Rayena’s steps were slow, and there was a strange waddle to them now. Xenon watched her, puzzled.
“Do you want me to carry you?” he offered, and she shook her head.
“No, thank you. The exercise is good for me too,” she said, glancing at him.
He let out a breath, placing his hand behind her back to support her weight. They returned to his chambers, and when she lowered herself to sit, his gaze dropped to her belly. His brows furrowed.
“Seems like your stomach has grown bigger,” he muttered, moving closer to caress it.
Rayena’s eyes widened, and she gave a strained chuckle. “Oh, finally. I thought I was the only one who found it strange. I woke up from sleep and found it even more rounded. What you did earlier today must have helped.” She said with a faint blush.
She glanced at him as he held her belly, and he could have sworn he felt movement. His heart skipped several beats, and he saw his fingers tremble.
“Wow…” he trailed off, gulping tightly. The guilt in his heart worsened. He had kept her pregnancy hidden for the past four months so she could live without problems—but now that Ysolde had found out, things would only get worse for him.
Only heaven knew if he wasn’t standing at the brink of another civil war.
“What are you thinking so hard about?” Rayena’s soft voice broke through his thoughts, and when he glanced at her, he saw the concern etched on her features.
“Nothing,” he hastily answered, pulling his hands away.
Her gaze followed him. “You keep frowning. What was it that Ysolde said?” she insisted.
“It has nothing to do with Ysolde,” Xenon responded.
He let out a breath, staring at her. "I'm just concerned about our future. I'm trying to think of the best ways to keep you safe in these times."
"But you already are," she protested softly, trying to stand up but thinking better of it. "I always feel safe and protected whenever you are around. You promised me no harm would come to me, and you've been fulfilling it since."
"I know I have. It's just..." He cut himself off, running a hand through his hair in frustration. His eyes flashed dangerously, and he began pacing around. "I won't hand you over to the wolves that want to devour you," he suddenly announced, his voice set in determination.
He gritted his teeth even harder, a growl building in his throat. "I'd rather die than watch it happen."
Rayena was at a loss for words. Why was he saying this?
Xenon closed the distance between them, placing his hands on her stomach, his gaze turning tender. "You, Rayena, are the most important thing to have ever happened to me. I couldn't imagine life without you in it. Not anymore."
Rayena raised her trembling hands to hold his face, eyes already stinging with tears. "I can't imagine life without you in it too," she whispered, feeling her voice shake. "What's going on? Why are you so troubled?"
Xenon bit back a grown, dropping his head on her chest, listening to her racing heartbeat. All the fears, desires, and wants he'd shoved down kept bubbling back up, and he was close to breaking down. He already knew the decision he had to make to keep her safe, but thinking about it was already killing him slowly.
He took her hand to his lips and kissed it, squeezing his eyes shut as he breathed her in. He felt her caress his face, humming a tune that both warmed his heart and made it bleed. Blinking away the sting in his eyes, he looked at her again.
Her eyes were now glossy, filled with questions he didn't have answers to. He didn't want her to ask. So he did the next best thing—brought his lips to hers and kissed her.