Chapter 240 Chapter 239
"If you're worried about him usurping your throne, don't bother. He's not with us anymore," she whispered, struggling against the whiplash of memories and emotions.
Dorian's eyes glimmered, but Rayena couldn't tell if it was out of happiness or satisfaction. Either way, it had the anger brimming within her growing into an inferno.
"I do apologize for that. But I believe it's for the better." Taking a step closer, he erased the distance between them. "I assure you that with me, no such thing would happen."
His lips stretched into a sly smirk. Rayena's heart pounded faster when she saw the dark intent veiled in his eyes.
"Take off your clothes."
Rayena flinched at the command, but her hands refused to leave her sides. She met his stare head-on, unwilling to shrink beneath his gaze.
Where was this audacity coming from?
Dorian's eyes narrowed. "Didn't you hear what I said? Take off your clothes!"
A corner of Rayena's lips twitched upward, and she gave a scoff. "Didn't you hear what I said that night at the council room? Over. My. Dead. Body. I am not going to willingly lay with a vermin like you," she hissed.
Dorian's eyes widened in shock. In an instant, his hand shot out, reaching to grab her neck. He cut off her breath, but still Rayena didn't struggle.
"Don't let me be cross with you," he growled against her face. "I have been nice all this while!"
Nice? When was he ever nice?
Still, Rayena's hands didn't move, even as his grip on her throat tightened. She forced all her muscles to relax, refusing to give in to the panic clawing at her chest.
"How dare you defy me! I could kill you."
"Go ahead..." she egged him on. "I actually need you to do that."
Dorian raised his hand, ready to hit her when commotion burst from outside. He swung his head to the door, distracted.
A heartbeat later, a soldier burst into the chambers, forgetting to knock.
"Your Majesty! There's a problem!" he cried, sounding breathless.
Dorian released her. She collapsed to her knees, coughing, air clawing back into her lungs. She ignored the sting in her throat and pushed up to her feet.
"What is it? And how dare you barge into my chambers like this?"
"Several Weretigers have broken into the palace and are causing havoc."
Both of them froze.
Weretigers?!
"A tiger? Are you sure of what you're saying?!" Dorian growled, eyes flashing with anger.
"Yes, Your Majesty. They are in the palace right now."
"Damn it! I thought those fuckers went extinct. Take me to them!" he roared, rushing out of the chambers.
Rayena tried to catch her breath, ignoring the burning in her throat. "Weretigers?!" she repeated aloud. She hadn't seen anyone since she came into the palace.
Catching her balance, she rushed out of the palace as well, following Dorian as he ran through the hallways. They came to a scene where a tiger was battling several werewolves—and from the looks of it, winning too.
Blood filled the floor, limbs were scattered around, and the roars, growls, and whimpers of the werewolves as the tiger broke their spines rattled Rayena to the core. She stood transfixed, watching as the tiger cut through every werewolf that charged toward it. She'd never seen such skill and savagery before.
For some twisted reason, seeing this tiger fight reminded her of Xenon. Why was everything reminding her of Xenon?! He's already dead!
The tiger caught her gaze and paused, its eyes widening. Then it let out a powerful roar that shook the walls and charged toward her.
Rayena screamed, reaching out to defend herself when the tiger stopped right in front of her and instantly picked her up by her clothes, throwing her into the air and catching her on its back. It happened so quickly, she could hardly fathom it. With a growl, it turned toward the nearest window and broke through it, glass shattering around them.
Rayena screamed, gripping the fur of the tiger tight as he headed out of the palace. Her eyes widened as she realized what was happening. Whoever this tiger was, he was planning to help her escape.
"Wait, wait... wait!" Rayena screamed, hitting its steel-like body. "If you're going to take me, take Soraya too! She's in the palace!"
The tiger screeched to a halt, letting out a snarl. It urged Rayena down from its back and turned to look at her. In front of her, it morphed into a half-shift, adopting features she could recognize.
Morvan.
"Soraya is here?!" he asked in a voice that was more animal than male.
Rayena nodded fiercely, breathless. “Yes. She came with me. We can't leave her here!"
Morvan glanced around, a troubled expression on his face. "We don't have time." She heard him grumble under his breath, and her heart started to pound. Then he glanced at her. "Do you know where she is?"
"Yes! I'll take you there!"
"Climb on my back," he said, getting in front of her. Rayena immediately scrambled on top of him, her arms wrapped tight around his neck. Still in a half-shift, he sped back into the palace, and Rayena screamed out instructions. They eventually reached the wing that housed all the women in the harem.
Most of them had already stepped outside, forming a crowd as they wondered what was going on. Rayena’s eyes cut through the faces of people, singling out her friend's.
"There she is!" she cried, pointing forward.
Morvan turned his head and instantly spotted her. Hastily weaving through the crowd that had scattered on his arrival, he arrived in front of a petrified Soraya.
"Rayena!" she screamed, overwhelmed with fear and concern. "What are you doing at the back of a— Morvan?!" she cried in surprise.
He gave a low growl Rayena couldn't decipher, reaching forward to sniff her neck. Her eyes grew bigger. "Y-you're alive!" she squeaked, a hand reaching to touch him.
"We can save the reunion for later. We need to leave now," he growled. "Get on my back," he ordered before returning back to his full form.