Chapter 229 Chapter 228
Rayena opened her mouth to speak, but no words made it past her lips. It hurt to admit, but her mom was right. She had to trust him. “I’m scared, Mom… it’s hard being so far away from him,” she cried as she threw herself into a hug.
Her mother’s voice broke slightly, though she fought to stay steady. “I know, my love. I know how that feels. But… please. Let’s get you somewhere safe. Let’s get help for the baby. You’ll feel better once you rest.”
They led her into the castle, back to her old room that had already been cleaned out for her. The familiar scene greeted her, but it didn't feel as comforting as it used to be.
Rayena stepped in with her mother, but the joy she should have felt from returning home was nowhere to be found. “I’ll get you something to eat and have the maids draw you a bath. You need a long, hot soak after all you’ve been through,” she said, gently tucking Rayena’s hair behind her ears. Turning to Soraya, she gave a little bow. “Thank you for bringing my daughter home safe and sound. My name is Remeta, and I’m Rayena’s mother. What’s yours?”
“It’s Soraya, Your Majesty,” she answered with a curtsy.
“Come, let me show you to your room. You’re welcome to Westfall,” Remeta said, leading Soraya out of the room.
Soraya turned back, giving Rayena a small smile. “I’ll see you later, okay?” Rayena didn’t respond, only sat on the bed, making tiny sniffles.
Her hands reached for her stomach, and a dull throbbing began at her neck where his mark was. The pain was incessant, always coming and going.
Her instincts screamed. Every heartbeat rang like a warning bell.
Remembering his warmth and voice, she crouched over, her chest feeling like it was being stampeded over, her stomach on fire. She felt her baby move, and tears gathered in her eyes. “Why won’t they listen to us? Something has happened to your father. My mate. I just know it. We need to go back. We never planned this.”
The ache in her belly worsened, and she winced, clenching her teeth against the pain. Her blood curdled when she felt something warm trickle between her thighs.
Pulling up her dress, she made to check what it was.
Blood.
Her heart began to pound, the room swaying around her, breaths coming in ragged gasps. This… this couldn’t possibly be happening. It can’t be!
She fought against the panic clawing at her chest, but she was losing the battle.
The trickle became a drizzle, and her abdomen felt like it was breaking into two. “Soraya… Soraya!!!” she screamed, clutching her stomach as the pain worsened. “Mom!! Somebody help me, please!!”
Footsteps approached, and the door swung open. Soraya burst in, her gaze zeroing on the blood drops on the floor before she saw the stain on Rayena’s dress.
“Oh gods! Rayena!!” she screeched, rushing toward her. “Calm down, you’re too worked up. I promise you, the king is alright!” she stated, her voice firm.
“Please help me… please help…” She lost strength in her legs, almost crumpling to the ground. Soraya held her fast. “I don’t want to lose my child. I don’t want to lose... " She trailed off, her entire body shutting down.
"Rayena... Stay with me.. Stay with me!" Soraya cried, patting on her cheeks. The rest of the words were muddled up as she lost consciousness.
When Rayena woke up a long while later, she found she was on the bed, already changed out of her dress, the smell of herbs and salves choking the air. Feeling her body, her worry eased when she noticed her bump was still present.
She waited for the haze in her vision to clear, then slowly turned her head to look around. Soraya noticed the movement and rose to her feet, walking toward her.
"What happened?" Rayena croaked as Soraya came to sit beside her, face grim. "My baby— is it alright?"
"Your baby is fine. You just went through extreme stress in such a short period, and your body tried to defend itself," Soraya explained, her voice tight.
Rayena gave a shuddering breath of relief, leaning back against the mountain of pillows that had been cushioned behind her. "Thank goodness... I was so scared." She rubbed her stomach absentmindedly. "I don't want to lose my child."
"Then get your act together!" Soraya snapped, her eyes blazing. Rayena flinched. "Gods, His Majesty sent you here so you could be safe, but all you've done is endanger yourself! Didn't you make a promise to him?"
"I... did," Rayena murmured in a hollow voice.
"Then keep it."
"It's so hard, Soraya." Rayena sobbed, feeling her heart break. "Without Xenon, it's so hard."
Soraya let out a sigh, reaching to hold her hands. "There's no denying that it is hard, but you have to find the strength. If not for anything, then for the child nestled within you. I'll help you, but you have to promise to give it your all. We can't have a repeat of what happened earlier. You have no idea how scary it was."
"I will." Rayena sniffed, wiping her tears. "I'll try to be brave."
It was the least she could do now that things had turned out this way. She held her stomach, taking several deep breaths. "I'll be strong for our child. For the father that is fighting for our safety," she murmured, caressing her belly. Her heart warmed when she felt the faintest flutter of movement.
"That's what I like to hear," Soraya said, giving her a hug. "You can do this. I believe in you."
"Thank you," Rayena muttered.
"You're welcome," Soraya said, patting her back.
The months bled by, yet there was no word or message from the king—let alone the decree to be called back. Rayena's hopes waned until they became nonexistent.
She had to carry the weight of the pregnancy alone, and it was excruciating. She could hardly sleep, barely ate, and though her family and Soraya tried to cheer her up, it could never compare to Xenon's warmth.
She missed him terribly.