Mina smacked his shoulder. "I do not eavesdrop!" Jayden's mouth corners twitched. He still liked to remind her how she listened to him talking to Rosalyn, and she thought he would sleep with Rosalyn. "Perhaps!"
Jayden put his lips next to Mina's ear. "I am counting on it! It's been a while since I punished you! And this time, I will spank your little ass in a nice shade of pink and have you dripping wet for me until we get to the Crystal Cave!"
Mina understood what Jayden meant by 'punishment.' And as for spanking... the first time he did it, it surprised her how much it aroused her.
Despite thinking Jayden was making a mistake by wanting to mark her, she could not stop herself from teasing him. "And what happens there?"
"I'll shove my big cock into your tiny ass," he replied before leaving.
Mina frowned and wondered if such a thing was even possible. Surely he was messing with her. A minute later, she was in the kitchen, hugging Kara—despite what Jayden said, she didn't want to listen to his conversation with Aksel. Shin and Xander sat at the table eating while Caesar was preparing tea. The other ocxoas were also present, wearing the clothes Mina purchased for them.
When Mina tried to hug Caesar—for she had missed him very much—he backed away. She wondered if she had done something to upset him. "Are you angry with me?" she asked.
"No, Andarra, but the last thing I want is to leave my scent all over you. The Commander would probably kill me!" replied Caesar. "But if I think about it, I would rather have him killing me than beating me again. He is rather scary when he is angry."
"And those wolves of his," added Shaun. "I would much prefer to face an Orc than them."
"At least we can defeat the Orc," said Einar.
"Remember when I stole one of the Commander's letters, and he had the wolves chase me around the camp for like an hour?" Arald asked, recalling a memory from the war. "I still have scars on my thighs from that night!"
The ocxoas talked about Jayden and the war. How Jayden and his wolves managed to wound the Necromancer after a long battle with undead creatures. When the Necromancer was trapped inside his tower, a seal that would last a thousand years had been put on it. Mina drank a cup of tea while listening to the ocxoas talking. She loved to hear about how Jayden defeated the Necromancer. When Caesar offered her food, she refused, claiming she was not hungry.
When they stopped talking, Mina looked at Einar and Arald. They had been the ones to take Landon, Violet, Belle, and the kittens to Ora Dorei. "And the children?" she asked. Shin turned his attention to the two ocxoas.
"Belle and Landon are delighted with their new home. Violet was a little sad, claiming she missed Shin." Mina knew Shin also missed Violet, and he could hardly wait for the day he would be reunited with her. Einar took out a small box from his pocket. "Talking about Ora Dorei. The Commander's father sent you this," he said and handed Mina the box. She opened it and saw a delicate gold necklace with a topaz wolf. She fell in love with it and decided to wear it the day she was in Ora Dorei. "He is sorry he can't come to the Trials of the Land, but he is looking forward to the day he will see you!"
"Thank you for giving me this. It is lovely." She put the little box in the pocket of her dress. "Talking about gifts, is it someone's birthday?" Mina asked, remembering the boxes from the foyer.
"I don't think anyone would dare to celebrate their birthday on the same day as you and the Commander's mating day. Unless they have a death wish," Herron replied, and everyone else agreed.
Mina wiggled her nose. "I saw the gifts, and I thought...." She stopped speaking when everyone stared at her. "What?"
"The ocxoas had been without a king and queen for a long time. The boxes started arriving a week after you and the Commander left for the Stone Tribe. There are more in your room," replied Caesar.
It never crossed Mina's mind that people she had never met would send her and Jayden gifts. Especially when she knew many tribes suffered from hunger because of the Litus Kingdom and the past war. Jayden had already sent money to ocxoa families, but it seemed not to be enough.
Aksel and Jayden entered the kitchen. Jayden seemed to be lost in thoughts. "Is something the matter?" Mina asked.
"Disappointed you did not listen to my conversation with Aksel," replied Jayden.
Mina shrugged. "Maybe next time."
Jayden grinned before looking at his men. "We are leaving in half an hour! But before that, I am famished! Caesar, do you have something to eat?" Caesar hurried to put more food on the table. Jayden sat in a chair. "Mina, come eat!"
"I am too nervous to eat!" she replied.
Andres chuckled. "There's no need to be nervous. I am sure the Commander won't bite... that hard."
Jayden growled.
"I am glad you are finally going to mark Andarra. Then maybe you will be less aggressive. My face still hurts!" Aksel complained.
"You know damn well why I beat you! You weren't there to see what she looked like, all bruised and covered in blood," Jayden stood up, and before leaving the kitchen, he said over his shoulder. "If I had lost Mina, Beliar would have been tame compared to my wrath. Shaun, Harron, call for three carriages. I want to be on Isyleon Island as soon as possible. Caesar, it seems I won't be eating after all. I suddenly lost my appetite."
Mina followed Jayden to their room. They did not seem to notice the many boxes on and around the bed. Jayden stopped in the middle of the room, and Mina hugged him from behind. "He should have suffered more for what he did to you." Mina knew Jayden was referring to Count Dickman. He turned around and took her face between his palms. "What is it about you that makes you so special to me? The idea of you being hurt or us not being together... What are you to me?"
"I am nothing special. Have you seen how many gifts we received?" she asked, changing the subject.
"Have I not told you that the ocxoas have been waiting for you for a long time? It is only natural that they would express their happiness by sending gifts to you," Jayden replied.
"But I feel bad. Many have a hard time and barely have coins to put food on the table. We should send everything back..."
"Mina, from the moment I chose you as my mate, you became a Queen. We might not have a kingdom, but our people are devoted to you and me. They worked hard for many years to send things for our mating day. Sending them back is like saying their hard work was for nay. We will find a way to help those that are struggling."
"I am not fit to be a Queen, Jayden. You are clearly making a mistake."
"The only mistake was not meeting you first. And you will be an excellent Queen to our people. Under your guidance, our people will flourish. How about we open a few boxes before we leave for the port?" he suggested.
When Mina did not reply, he picked a small one and opened it. A very revealing nightgown was inside, and Mina's cheeks turned red as she tried to shove it back in the box, but Jayden snatched it from her hands, holding it up. His eyes turned golden. "You will wear this for me!"
"But you can see through it!" Mina protested.
His eyes filled with lust. "Are there more?" he asked while opening more boxes only to find jewelry, shoes, dresses, and other items, but no more nightgowns. When Mina huffed in annoyance and crossed her arms over her chest, he finally stopped and glanced at the opened gifts. "I think it would be wise if you were the one to open the rest of them." Mina narrowed her eyes. He cleared his throat. "I will buy more of those nightgowns when we return! We should pack a light traveling bag. Not that I will let you wear clothes once I have you in the Crystal Cave, but at some point, we will have to return to Athea."
While Jayden went to see if everyone was ready and if the carriages had arrived, Mina packed two traveling bags—one for Jayden and the other for her—and made sure not to put the damn nightgown inside.
Hugo arrived at the house at the same time as the carriages. Jayden had sent him a letter inviting him to Isyleon Island with the condition he would let no one know of Mina and Jayden’s return to the capital. Mina had wanted Ivy to come to the island, but Ivy was yet to learn about the ocxoas.
After long hugs between Hugo and Mina, time in which Jayden kept pacing around impatiently and growling, everyone got inside the carriages and left for the port. They stopped by Oviella's Tavern, made small talk with Marty and Essy, and bought food and wine before taking the boat to Isyleon Island.
It was late afternoon when they made it to the island. The most beautiful woman Mina had ever seen waited for them on the dock. Her auburn hair was so long it almost reached her thighs. Jewelry adorned her pointy ears. Her violet eyes stared curiously at Mina. A long black cloak sat on her shoulders, and under it was a lilac dress. Behind her were seven ocxoa females.
Jayden was the first to kneel and bow his head, followed by his men. Even Hugo, Shin, and Landon did the same. Mina did not move as she looked at the woman.
"Welcome to Isyleon Island, Minerva," the woman said. The voice was soft yet strong.
When the woman said Jayden's family name, Mina frowned. "It's Mina Ruxman. The other name must be a mistake."
The woman smiled. "I see. Mina Ruxman, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I am Isis. Or the Lady, as many like to call me."