Chapter 244 Chapter 243
Seeing the somber sincerity in Morvan's eyes, Rayena broke down in tears again. Morvan held as she cried till she had no more strength left, then quietly carried her away, Soraya following silently behind them.
He took her back to their rooms and laid her gently on the bed. Rayena didn't say a word, just kept staring at a corner of the room, gaze unseeing.
Morvan gave a low bow and stepped out of the room. Soraya wanted to stay behind to keep her company, but Rayena instantly dissuaded her.
"You should go." She heard Rayena say.
"What?"
"Leave, I want to be alone." She croaked.
Soraya wanted to protest, but held herself back. "I'll come see you later, okay?" She said, softly. With a lingering gaze, she walked out of the room.
For a moment, she stayed outside the entrance, her heart hurting for her best friend.
Afterwards, she went in search for Morvan and found him in one of the main lounge areas where most Weretigers sat. He was talking with other men, but instantly turned to her liked he'd sensed her gaze. Excusing himself from the group, he made his way toward her.
"I apologize if I kept you waiting, Were you looking for me?" He asked and she nodded, pressing her lips together.
"Please, let's walk together. I have a few things to ask of you." He said, leading the while she followed. They fell into steps together, taking one of the corridors that had very few people along.
"I've been curious, but didn't want to ask Rayena just yet. What about the child. Did you two not arrive to the realm with the baby?"
Soraya stiffened, her chest tightening. "Unfortunately, we lost the child. He was a stillbirth." She muttered.
Morvan’s face fell, grief softening his features. “Rayena had a son?”
“Yes.” She swallowed hard. “She’s been carrying that pain alone. And now she’s been told her mate is lost to a state worse than death. I don’t know how much more she can endure.”
“That is…” Morvan shook his head slowly. "That's horrible.." He whispered, voice thick with unspoken emotions. Soraya let out a sigh, and continued to speak, hugging her arms around herself.
"She's never had a moment's peace since she left the realm that night. I hope we can find a way to help her and the king especially. I really do."
"Me too." Morvan murmured.
.
.
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Back at the palace, chaos had descended in every corner as everyone wondered about the unknown weretigers that broke into the castle and kidnapped Soraya and Rayena. Servants whispered in corners, soldiers stormed through hallways, and the air itself felt thin with fear.
Dorian was especially restless because of its implications and he called on a impromptu meeting in his chambers.
“We searched the entire forest, Your Majesty,” one soldier reported, voice trembling. “We haven’t located them. No patrol saw where they went. No tracks. Nothing. No one knows who they are and where they came from."
"What do you mean you haven't found them yet?!" He thundered, his voice reverberating through the walls. "Have you searched everywhere in that dried up forest and didn't find them!?"
The soldiers lowered their heads, tensing at the rage in his voice.
Ysolde sat quietly in the corner of the chambers, rubbing the bump on her belly in a self-soothing manner as she watched Dorian paced around the room like a caged beast.
Picking up the almost empty bottle on the table, he smashed it at their feet and they scurried backwards, avoiding the shattered glass on the ground.
"Go back at there! People just don't dissapear into thin air. Find those weretigers and bring the women back to me! Otherwise, I'll have your heads! Do you understand?" He commanded.
"Yes, your majesty." The soldiers answered, giving a small bow and immediately exiting the chambers.
The door slammed shut behind them and Ysolde flinched, wincing at the sound.
"I thought we killed them all and enslaved the rest. Where the hell did those ones spawn from?!' He muttered to himself. "I need to know just how many of them are hidden. Should they attack the kingdom while we're in this state, there would be dire consequences."
Ysolde stopped caressing her belly, her breath hitching at Dorian's words. Though she was worried about the weretigers that had infiltrated the castle and wrecked havoc in the short time they were here, a part of her was glad they took Rayena and Soraya along with them.
That for her was a small win. She could concentrate on having this baby without the fear that the wretched human would sire one for the king.
"You don't have to worry so much. I'm sure the soldiers will find them." She said in a feeble attempt to comfort the king. She could feel his stress through the bond, as cursed as it was and it was causing her discomfort.
Dorian immediately whirled towards her, pointing a finger as he growled. "You had better not lose that child. I fucking need it for my claim to the throne to continue my legacy. Any mishap and we're as good as done, do you understand!?"
His words stung, but Ysolde swallowed it down, giving a shaky nod. “Yes,” she managed, her throat tight. “I—I understand.”
He hissed under his breath and began undoing the ropes of his robe. “Now get on the bed.”
Her stomach twisted, dread pooling beneath her skin. “Dorian… you’re—right now?” She didn’t finish the question. She already knew the answer.
His eyes dared her to challenge him.
Too weak to protest and afraid to incur his wrath, she rose to her feet and gingerly made her way to the four poster bed.
But despite her concern, her traitorous body still warmed even as she undressed, eager to be mounted. Dorian may be deranged, but he had been her lover for years, even before they became bonded. Her body definitely missed him, hungry for the familiar warmth.
She climbed onto the bed, lying face down and gave him her back, heart pounding with anticipation and dread. Moments later, she felt the bed dip with his weight as he joined in behind her, his heat surrounding her.
Ysolde shut her eyes, breath shaking, heart pounding relentlessly against her ribcage. Deep in her heart, she uttered a soft prayer.
Goddess help me.
.