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 Kailani after her arrival; the princess felt it herself. It was written all over them—the disconnect. They were not the people they used to be; there was barely any joy in their eyes, and though they put on a show, those who observed closely could see the façade.Kailani did.The princess walked up to her once they were alone and pulled her into a tight hug, and she cried on her shoulders."I'm sorry." Kailani kept repeating it even as she sobbed her heart out.When asked if she wanted to talk about it, Mia didn't know where or what to say. She just shook her head and told her he had changed and had someone.They shared a similar situation. Edward had abandoned his promise to his mate when he made a deal with Doom and Mischief, rulers of the dark dimensions. It left Kailani broken three years ago.It felt almost as if the Ainsworth men were predestined to ruin their mates, no matter how hard they tried to be better men. Mia didn't want to think too far, but she couldn't help it. Xavier had sworn and vowed that he would never follow in his father's footsteps in hurting his mother, and Edward did, too. However, that wasn't the case; they had both hurt their mates and broken them to the point of despair, just like their father did. The king had abandoned her and chased after strange women, just like his father did."How were you able to move on?" Mia asked, staring up at the princess."I realised I had no choice but to move on and be better. Unlike you, I have no child for Edward, so I just moved on because I knew that was what he would want." She sighed and moved to sit in bed. "It was hard to see it at first, but after a long while with myself and my thoughts, I realised he did what he did for me; he was ready to sacrifice three years instead of eternity. His way was better."Mia scoffed. "I doubt Xavier has a good reason for what he is doing to me-to us. Edward's reason was logical, and it made sense in the long run, but Xavier broke our promise because of a strange woman."Kailani gave her a pitiful look, but the last thing she wanted was pity."We will never know his reason, not until he tells it to us."She shook her head. "I do not want to know his reasons, Kailani, not after everything he has done. And you may be able to forgive Edward after what he has done, but his act is still noble. There is nothing noble about chasing after strange women and shaming your wife. I don't think I can forgive him; I don't have it in me," she said, sitting beside Kailani."I still want to keep hope alive for your sake, my queen. I saw the love you and the king shared, and it was enviable, and I am not ready to give up on it just yet."Kailani took her hand in hers and squeezed down on it. "I would love to see Lyon and Kim now," she said, changing the subject to a much more lively one.Mia's face broke into a big grin at the mention of his name, and she rose to her feet. "I am sure he will be excited to see you, too.""Yes, and he will have so many questions for me to answer." Kailani got up after her.The last time she visited, the boy asked if she was her parents' sibling, and when she said no, he asked if she was a princess. Kailani had to tell him she was married to Prince Edward, whom Xavier and Mia didn't talk about much and wanted to keep it that way. Lyon then asked where he was, and Kailani told him he was outside of Wahala.That night, Xavier had a lot of questions to answer from the little curious Lyon. After his fifth question, Xavier turned to her for help, but she shook her head and told him it was his turn to take the heat. She had taken the last round of questions Lyon had and would prepare for the next.His curiosity hadn't diminished; if anything, it had increased with his age, and sometimes, they thought hard to answer the questions he asked."I'm glad you are prepared." Mia chuckled, and just as anticipated, Lyon was excited to see her and had a few hard questions to ask her about Soule.Mia prepared herself for her turn.Somehow, Mia found comfort in Kailani's presence—not that Xavier would return to her, but that she could live through this. While Kailani had Edward's return to look forward to, she had her sons, Lyon and Kim. She would raise them to be better men or die trying.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
The door to the throne room, where King Xavier and Mia sat, opened, and Ace walked in. Behind him was a man in a black hooded robe, covering his head to his toe.Ace, in the last few months, had stayed close to the capital. Xavier explained it was to make sure he would be the first to know if anything went wrong since Edward was no longer with them. Mia didn't realise this until Xavier told her the entire truth.Ace apologised for not telling her the truth but told her he had sworn an oath to Xavier. She understood his reasons and held nothing against him. The king had put all these measures in place so nothing would take him by surprise.The next few days after Mia found out the truth were brutal, she had to readjust her life and think about the truth. She had caught herself crying helplessly and not wanting to be consoled. It didn't make things better, and she just wanted to be told it was all a dream. She didn't cry in the king's presence; she knew how much pain it brought him. He
Edward couldn’t wait to meet Kailani, and the thought that he would be with her soon made his heart race incredibly. His entire being testified to how much he had missed her. He would wrap his arms around her the minute he saw her—after he apologised for the last three years and for leaving.“I see you’re all set to meet Kailani,” Ace said, walking toward him just as he was about to open the portal that would take him to Soule using silent chants.“Yes.”“Good, then I’m coming with you.” He said that and came to stand beside him.A frown settled on Edward’s face, and it didn’t leave. “I didn’t know I needed your help to find my mate.”Ace didn’t glance at him as he spoke. “Believe me, I know how the bond of mates works, and after three years of it being broken, it would take a while for it to come alive. In the last three years, I’ve visited Soule more than I can count to see Kailani, and unless you want to search through that entire region, wasting many precious hours in search of my