NOW
It wasn't the first time Mia had woken up without Xavier beside her. She had subconsciously gotten used to waking up without him beside her. Being used to it didn't remove the ache his absence brought her.Something had happened. Something happened to him, and she didn't know what it was. He wasn't the same Xavier she knew, at least not in the last three months.They slept beside each other, but she felt she was beside a stranger. She couldn't read his mind anymore, and in the seven years they had been true mates, that had never happened. She believed her inability to read him was her fault initially, but then she realised it wasn't. He had created a barrier in his mind to keep her out of it. It didn't make sense; why would he do that? What was he hiding from her?She confronted him a week later, and he told her he had nothing to hide.It was a lie; she didn't have to read him to know that. It was the first time in years that he had lied to her, and it hurt. What was he hiding, and why couldn't he tell her about it? They were mates, and that meant they were to share everything, yet this he had hidden from her.With this secret came the bridge between them. At first, she still gave herself to him, but it soon became unbearable, and their moment together brought her nothing but pain.She had cried seven weeks ago while they were united in lovemaking. He tried to console her, but she drew away and told him she needed the room.He hadn't touched her since then, and though they stayed on the same bed, nothing happened. There had been times she desired him as one would a mate, but it wasn't worth the torture. She didn't chase him away; she told herself he would come out to her with the truth, but many months later, nothing changed, and every day that went by, her heart broke even more.She pulled herself to sit down in bed, knowing the day had already begun and she didn't have the luxury of an excuse; she was the queen, and so she had duties to fulfil no matter how she felt.She caught her hand roaming over the side of the bed where he slept, and his scent lingered. She longed for him despite everything, and she knew she would never stop. He was her mate, king, and the only one for her.After getting ready, Sir Valerio was at her door to escort her to the maiden's court, where they held their monthly meeting.If Valerio noticed anything about her aura, he said nothing about it. They arrived, and Mia saw herself into the court, where the other maidens waited for her. The meeting kicked off with many maidens coming up with their ways of contributing to the coming war, just like they had done in the last few months.The elders in the council spoke and tasked the maidens with the roles they would have to play in the coming war, and a few of the maidens wanted to fight beside the men, which was welcomed and accepted."Are you okay, my queen?" Luna Elena asked as the meeting ended and the maidens took their leave. Mia would only leave once the maidens were out, so she had to wait.She forced a smile and asked, "How do you mean?"Luna Elena shook her head. "Nothing; I just noticed you are not yourself, and this isn't the first time you have been this way. I noticed it a few months ago, but I didn't want to pry. My queen, I hope you are okay."Her fake smile remained: "Well, I am fine; I'm just exhausted. The war coming is great, and all we can think about is preparation.""True, my queen." Luna Elena bowed her head. "Forgive me for intruding."Mia wished she didn't have to pretend, but she had to. The people looked up to the King and Queen for hope in the face of the coming war. Telling them all wasn't well would only bring doubt, especially since she wasn't sure what was happening with the king herself."It is fine; you only worried for the queen's safety; it is nothing to be sorry for."Mia returned home, and a part of her wished she didn't have to. She wished there was somewhere else to go. Somewhere to hide, the thought of staying with Xavier, pretending everything was fine, didn't sit with her. He wouldn't tell her what was wrong, and she couldn't read him."Mama!" Lyon called and yanked his hand out of his uncle's grip. He took to his short heels, and Queen Mia waited for him with an excited look on his face."Lyon, hey!" How are you?""I'm fine; Uncle Ace came to visit." He said this and pointed back to Ace, who stood near them.Queen Mia's eyes travelled to him, and they remained there. It's been many months since she last saw him. He had been behind the walls for close to a year now, and he had been in control of the fortification of the kingdom against the invasion of Foth. He knew Foth well, their mode of attack, and was, therefore, best suited for the task. His presence here now meant he had news about the work so far around the kingdom."Lord Ace," Mia acknowledged.He walked towards her and bowed when he got to where she stood. "It's so nice to see you again, my queen.""And you too, why are you back?""The King called to me," he answered."Why is that?"He stared at her as if expecting her to know the answer, and when her eyes remained blank, his narrowed. "The king needed my knowledge of magic."She didn't know this because the king didn't tell her anything, and she was in the dark as a commoner in Wahala."For what?""He charged me to tell no one," Ace answered, and his eyes showed remorse. "I am sorry, my queen."She wasn't just anyone; she was the queen, yet that was how she felt right now. She didn't know the first thing about the man she slept beside daily.She forced a smile. "You do not need to apologise for anything. I will speak to the king."She set Lyon down on his feet and asked, "Are you going anywhere soon?"He shook his head and said, "No.""Can you hold on to him for a while, then?"Mia entered the palace and walked through the throne room and the hall, looking to find Xavier because she didn't know how much of this she could take.She took the turn that led to the study only to see a fair blonde woman in a long white silk dress walk past the guard standing there, open the door, and step inside.For a moment, Mia thought she saw a vision because she had never seen the woman, and there was no way she would have walked past the guards without being stopped.Mia picked up her pace and came to stand before the guard. "I need to go in.:"I received strict instruction from the king to let no one in." He said, repeating almost the same line Lord Ace had used with her outside earlier.The king cut her off on many things, and she wanted an explanation.She wanted to know if they were on the same terms and ask why he left her in the dark. "I am not just anyone; I am the queen, for goodness' sake. I need to get through."The guard didn't look like he wanted to go against her wish, but he couldn't let her through. "I am sorry, my queen, but the king gave an order. He doesn't want to be disturbed by anyone."She didn't want to go against the King's order; no matter how hard it seemed, he had to have a genuine reason behind his actions. They had been together long enough to make her believe it. As for the fair, blonde lady in white, she was her imagination and not actual.Mia turned to leave when she heard groaning coming from behind the door. She tried to ignore it, but it came again, this time with a grunt.She couldn't leave; he was in pain.She returned to the door and said, "Stand aside, Luc." She commanded."My queen-" he began but didn't get to finish as Queen Mia shoved him out of her way and grabbed the knob of the study door and opened it. She didn't wait to be invited in; she stepped inside.Her breath cut in her throat at what she saw.Xavier sat on his chair, naked from the waist up, and the same blonde lady in white she had seen walk into the study moments ago stood in front of him with her hand on his neck and another buried below.Mia became as still as the dead as she saw what was happening before her.He wasn't in pain, as she foolishly thought he was. He was being pleasured by another and loving it.Her eyes grew glassy, and a weak sob left her mouth, making Xavier's eyes snap open to find her. The blonde lady also pulled away to stare at her.Xavier had a look of surprise on his face but not of remorse for being with another and breaking the vow they had made to each other.Mia's lips quivered, and her eyes blurred at the sight before her, but she held herself together. She couldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her in tears. He didn't deserve to, not after what he had done. He had broken their vows to belong to each other alone and no one else.She turned and walked away from the study as fast as her legs could.She needed to escape to a private place where no one would see her. She needed to find a place where she wouldn't have to bother about being queen and looking the part. Go far away, hide, and cry because of her shattered heart.She wanted to grieve her loss, and she wanted to be alone.Xavier didn't come after her, and she was happy about that.Her mind played back the grunts he made, and she remembered the blonde-haired woman's hands all over him as if he belonged to her. Her hand also had his most intimate member in her possession. She didn't need to see it to know it was there; how he responded said it all.Why would he do this to her?
Princess Kailani came to visit the capital and her family. In the last three years, she had made Soule, the northern region, her home, and though she had responsibilities to the throne as the princess, she asked for pardon to leave. She told them that staying in the capital only brought her pain from the loss of her mate, and she couldn't bear it. She promised she would do her duties in the north and rally the king's army together, and she also ensured that she kept the order there. Xavier granted her request and told her she was always welcome to visit. Mia remembered the joy the princess had on her face at the king's permission.In the last three years, she has visited over a dozen times, spending no less than a week with the royals before returning to the north.Having Kailani in the palace was a breath of fresh air. Mia knew she wouldn't feel as alone as she had in the last few months, especially the last few weeks.She didn't have to say a word about where she and Xavier were to
Mia sat in the maiden's court with her mind wandering. Usually, she stayed focused on the day and the issues at hand, but now she was disoriented. Kailani returned to Soule this morning, and a part of her wanted to leave.In the last week, Kailani stayed at the palace. Mia didn't feel alone; she had someone to talk to. Kailani understood a lot of things she was going through, being royalty. She understood the responsibilities of marrying an Ainsworth and how painful it could be. It was a trauma bond, but a bond nonetheless.Mia wondered how things would go for her now that Kailani had left for Soule. She would become alone but for her sons."My Queen," she heard her name called, and she snapped out of her thought."Luna Elena told us some slath armies are just like us." A maiden seated in the first row spoke."Yes," Mia nodded, "they are beings, broken to the point that they do not care about their safety or even life. But just as they have werewolves, they have those who aren't. All
It still surprised Mia that, despite the coming war breathing down their necks and staring them in the face, love lingered in the people's minds. The rate at which mates united in holy matrimony in the last few months had doubled, and it felt as if the impending end of their existence heightened their need to belong to each other even more.The same could be said for the family of Elder Hunter Grey, who was added to the council of elders a year ago. His oldest son, Mac Grey, had found his mate and wanted to be united in holy matrimony.The king and queen received a formal invitation, and so the king promised that they would be in attendance at the feast.Mia knew what their presence would entail. It meant they would have to put up a show before the people. After Xavier summoned her into the study to deliver the news of the marriage and their invitation, it was the first thing that crossed her mind."We are no longer together," she informed him."The people didn't know that, but your a
Mia tried to pull her hand out of his grip, but he only tightened it more, so the only way she would be able to set herself free was to make a scene."Let me go," she said through gritted teeth. He didn't do as told and, instead, wrapped his other hand around her waist.He had a smug look on his face, and she was about to smack him, damning whoever was watching, when she heard their titles from behind."My king and my queen."Mia stopped struggling with the king and, glancing up at him, saw the triumph on his face, knowing he had her in a tame state.Damn him.He released his grip on her arm but didn't let go of her waist. Instead, he turned her around, so she saw Marc Grey, Alpha Hunter's son, approaching them with his newlywed bride beside him."We are so sorry to interrupt you." He said and bowed his head. "My father told me about your presence, and I just had to come and say my greetings. Thank you for gracing us with your presence and your majesties.""You are welcome, and I am
Mia woke up the following day with a smile on her face. There was a lot ahead for her today. She had agreed to go with the king to the sites of the capital 3, especially the warrior's institute, and review their progress so far.Yes, they were not where they needed to be yet, but she was optimistic. The events of last night were all good; there was only a better future ahead for them.Xavier didn't need to explain; she understood he had battles, and she would wait until he was ready to discuss those battles. He was honest with her; she saw it in his eyes; he meant every word, and her heart believed it. The Xavier she saw last night differed from the one she had lived with these past months, and she found her faith.She got ready, and just as the maid finished dressing her hair, a knock came to her door."My queen, the king is waiting for you," the voice of Sir Alex said from across the door, and she rose to her feet.She walked to the door and opened it. "I am ready; we can go now."S
Xavier released Mia's hand and stepped towards the soldier. The weariness in his eyes still lingered, but he pulled himself through it."Soldiers, you can stand at ease," he ordered, and the soldiers immediately obeyed. "I have heard of your diligence, dedication, and perseverance in the training course and how intense they are. I know you may never see me again—at least not until the war begins—but I want you to remember why we fight and who we fight for. You do not fight for only the king and queen; you fight for Wahala. Remember, you fight for your home; you fight for your mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters. You fight for your friends at home, praying for victory and the right to live as free men and maidens. Never forget, and if you ever ask yourself why you're here, tell yourself this.""Yes, your grace," they replied in unison.Immediately, a flag bearing the seal of Wahala fell through the uppermost building, and all eyes turned to the flag, and all the soldiers saluted the
Mia didn't know how long she stayed on the ground, sobbing before the medical unit arrived with a moveable bed. They carried the king onto it and took him into the medical unit of the warrior's institute.Mia turned to Commodore Ian. "I will much appreciate it if the king's state of health is kept here and not spread."He bowed his head to her, showing her the respect she didn't deserve after what she had done. "Yes, my queen, the warriors are sworn to keep the secret of the king; you have nothing to worry about.""Thank you," she said, and she followed those who had come to take the king with them.She stood at the door and watched as the head of the unit attended to Xavier, trying to stabilise his heartbeat. They stayed a while to achieve their goal, and once they attained it, they departed the room, leaving the king to get enough rest."The king shows extreme signs of fatigue; a few hours' rest is all he will need to help himself. That would be the best time to return to the capita