Chapter 226 Chapter 225
Soraya swallowed the lump in her throat. “Will everything be all right back home?”
Morvan hesitated. “Once the dust settles, you’ll be called back. I’ll come for you myself if it’s permitted.”
The words struck her harder than she expected. This might be the last time she ever saw him. Her chest constricted, tears stinging her eyes. “Please,” she whispered, “take care of yourself—and of the king. No harm must come to either of you.”
“Fret not,” Morvan said softly. “I’ll make sure nothing happens to him.”
“And to you as well,” she insisted, her voice trembling.
His eyes widened slightly, but he gave a short nod. “I’ll take care of myself too,” he murmured, his voice lower, rougher than before.
Soraya bit her lip to stop it from trembling. But then Morvan reached for her hand, lifting it to his lips in a gesture both respectful and intimate. He pressed a soft kiss there. “It’s unfortunate our time together had to be cut short,” he said, his voice thick, “but I hope to see you again soon—safe and sound.”
She gasped softly, feeling the warmth of his lips linger on her skin, sparks shooting through her veins. Butterflies fluttered wildly in her stomach. It was the first time he had ever touched her of his own accord.
“Y-you too, General Morvan,” she stammered, her cheeks burning.
He nodded once, released her hand, and stepped back. Two soldiers joined him, shifting into their tiger forms. With a powerful roar, they disappeared into the forest in a blur of motion. Soraya stood frozen, staring after them until they vanished from sight.
A moment later, Rayena peeked through the carriage window, her voice weak. “Is he gone?”
“Yes,” Soraya whispered, her throat tightening. She quickly joined her in the carriage.
It lurched forward again, passing through the narrow gates that led out of the shifter realm. The moment they crossed, Rayena broke down once more—anguish tearing through her in heavy sobs.
Soraya's eyes watered, but she took a steadying breath.
“We’ll see them again soon,” Soraya murmured, pulling her close. “What’s most important now is getting you to safety. Come now, stop crying… it hurts me to see you this way.”
Rayena whimpered, clinging to Soraya as the carriage rolled farther away—past the borders, into the human lands, leaving the shifter realm and the life they knew behind.
.
.
.
Morvan returned to the palace after a swift run through the forest, arriving at the crack of dawn, and saw that the mob had grown larger, with a good number of the people already shifting to their beast forms, clawing and ramming at the castle gates.
Morvan threw a quick glance around as he morphed into a half-shift. There were soldiers around, all right, but no trace of the king. He paused at the entrance of the courtyard.
Where could he possibly be? Shouldn't he be here?
Ignoring the crowd and their chants, he slipped into the castle, searching for the king. He eventually found him in his chambers, sunk to his knees, silently sobbing.
Morvan’s steps faltered, his eyes widening as he listened to the pained sniffles of the king, unsure of what to do. How long had he been like this?
“It hurts, Morvan…” he groaned with a hoarse voice, his frame trembling slightly. “Having her gone is killing me. I want her back. I need to get her back.”
Xenon held his face in his hands, unable to stop the pained whimpers that slipped out of him. His chest felt like it was being hacked into two, bleeding uncontrollably. It had taken all he had not to chase after Morvan while they left and snatch Rayena from his hold. That was how much it hurt.
Morvan quietly made his way to the front of the king, peering at his tear-streaked face. What he saw stunned him. The king was a picture of perfect misery. He looked like he was in pain — and maybe he was.
“But… you two haven’t mated yet. How is the separation still so hard for you?”
“I don’t know…” Xenon groaned, voice hoarse. “I thought I could do this. I’m not so sure anymore. I can hardly breathe as it is.”
Morvan cleared his throat, crouching in front of the king. “You did the right thing by having her leave. She cannot witness this chaos unfolding right now. Not in that condition.”
He managed to meet the king’s red eyes. “In her home, she’ll be protected. You’ve made sure of that.”
The king’s face crumpled, and he gripped his chest, beating at it. “But I want her here. I’d rather have her here than know she’s so far away.”
Even as he said that, Xenon came to a haunting realization. Was this the way his parents felt when they tried to separate them? It was cruel, going through this harrowing pain. He didn’t think he could bear it. Somehow, it was far worse than all the torment he had endured as a child.
Morvan’s chest tightened. Seeing the king like this–this man who had always been unshakable was almost unbearable. Hesitantly, he reached out to him.
“You will get her back. But we need to take care of this first,” Morvan said quietly, a feeble attempt to encourage him. “The soldiers are awaiting your orders. The mob out there has tripled in size and is about to break through our defenses. We still need you, Your Majesty. Don’t break down just yet.” With a deep breath, he added, “Take comfort in the knowledge that Rayena is safe where she is — together with your child. You have nothing to worry about.”
Xenon took a deep, shuddering breath, letting Morvan’s words sink into his subconscious. Morvan was right. In spite of all that was happening, he knew Rayena was in a much safer place, unaffected by all of this. That truth was the only anchor holding him together.
He wiped his face with the back of his hand, and his mask of icy indifference slipped on. Rising to his feet, he adjusted the clothing he had on.
Morvan immediately moved to his side, awaiting his next command.
“Let’s go,” Xenon eventually groaned, his voice now cool.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Morvan answered.
Together, they walked out of the palace to meet the angry crowd waiting just outside the palace gate. Their screams and chants only intensified at the sight of the king.
“Tyrant!” someone screamed, and the rest yelled it in response, banging against the palace gates.
“You deserve to be executed!” another cried.
Xenon ignored them all, his gaze sweeping across the crowd that had gathered and the soldiers pushing them back. There had to be a couple thousand people here—too many for a simple protest.
The roars outside swelled into a deafening tide as they approached the palace gates. The mob’s fury met the king’s silence, the air between them trembling with tension.