Ace walked into the palace, surprised to see it crowded with people—nobles of all races and classes. He didn’t think he would meet this many people today, and he wondered if he should return to Wahala and come back tomorrow. Then he remembered that King Xavier’s instructions were to stay in Klean until his mission was accomplished.He took hold of a guard’s arm, making him stop as he asked, “What is going on today?”The guard’s eyes narrowed at him, as if asking what he was doing here if he didn’t know what was going on. Ace didn’t have the answer, nor was he willing to let him go until he said, “It is the late king’s remembrance week; we wrap up the week with a feast on the last day.”Then he remembered that it had been two years since the former king, Ferdinand Ono, died. They had received news about King Ferdinand’s sudden death, and Simone ruled it a natural cause in his letter to King Xavier.Ace released his hand, chuckling a little. “Oh, thank you. For a moment, I forgot.”The
“You are thinking.” It was not a question; it was an observation that was correct.Xavier turned to Mia with a smile on his pale face and said, “Yeah, counting down the days to the war. It is hard to count when I know I won’t be here.” He replied bitterly.She reached out and stroked his face slowly. “Do not think about that, Xavier. Think about us and now, and think about everything you set up to ensure victory for your people.”His hand came up to her hand on his face, and he took hold of it. Slowly, he squeezed down on it and said, “I do not want to leave you, Mia. I never planned to leave you this quick.”His words broke her heart, but she had to remain strong for him, herself, and the boys.She smiled and said, “I know, and I do not want you to leave either.”“Can we stay in bed for a while longer?” He asked with his brow arched in the form of a plea.She turned from him and stared at the ceiling. “Yes, we can.”He brought her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on it. “Thank you.
Mia shut herself up in the study after falling out with Xavier. It was the only place that gave her a little privacy in the palace. It was also the place that had the Xavier scent in abundance.Yes, they had a massive fight this morning, even though they shouldn’t have. Xavier had woken up first, and he seemed to have stayed awake thinking about ways to piss her off. When she woke up, he asked her to leave their chamber. He wanted to throw her out the same way he did months ago. He didn’t want her with him anymore, and when she asked why he wanted that, he asked if she wasn’t tired of him yet.That annoyed her, and she asked what that was supposed to mean. She was his mate, wife, and queen; this was her duty. Leaving him now when he needed help didn’t seem like something a true mate would do. Then he told her he wanted her to leave him.He told her if she loved him like she claimed, she would leave him alone in the chamber. He also told her he was doing her a favour since she had refu
Mia didn’t think she heard clearly when Edward said he was here to summon the moon goddess herself and make a deal with her.The moon goddess wasn’t one to make deals. That was not her nature.It was also almost impossible to summon her.She was fair to all her children and did not consider one better. Coming to Edward’s call and even granting a deal would mean she wasn’t a fair goddess. At least, that was what Mia grew up believing.Still, she didn’t want to stop Edward from trying. He was already drawing the floor with the white rock he found earlier, and after he finished, he proceeded to draw a few other elements that would complete the seal.When he finished, he looked up at her as if asking if she had any second thoughts. This was for Xavier, and for him, she would try everything.She shook her head, and he nodded and sat on the floor where he had drawn the seal. He closed his eyes, placed his hands on his knees, and began chanting. She stood there, watching him and wondering if
The goddess stood staring at Edward with her teeth clenched, then her eyes moved to Mia, who had become speechless since this battle of words began. Her eyes grew warm. “Mia.”“Is it true?” She asked in a small voice as she stared at her. “Are you my mother?”“I am the mother of all creation.”Mia’s teeth clenched, and she glared at her. “Are you my mother?” she shouted at her.The goddess pressed her lips together and said, “Yes, you are my child.”Growing up, Mia always felt different and didn’t know why. She didn’t understand why she looked so different from her father, mother, and sister. Her father always told her she was his, and though rumours flew as she was a child, he permanently silenced her doubt by reminding her she was his. He never let her believe otherwise; learning the truth had made her make sense of many things.“After the child was born by Layla Ainsworth called Xavier Ainsworth, I knew he had much magic in his blood, and he would never have a seed with anyone. I n
“Do I get to ask what you did?” Xavier asked, finally breaking the silence since they both woke up. “I am stronger than ever, and it couldn’t have been just luck.”Mia’s head remained on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat and being happy. She didn’t want to ruin the moment, so she remained silent.“Mia.”“I made a bargain.”Those four words made his heart skip immediately, and his body moved into shock. “What?” he sat up, forcing her to do the same.“Xavier,” she called, already knowing where this was headed.“Mia, why would you do that? Did Edward return from Jade to help you with it? Did you not see what it did to him?” he asked his numerous lines of questions. All of which she wasn’t ready to answer.“Yes, Edward aided me, but he came from Jade for another reason and he went to Foth to meet Kailani.” she answered, his teeth clenched and his fury showing. “I didn’t make a bargain with Doom,” she told him. “I wanted to, but Edward wouldn’t let me. Also, the dark dimensions
With Xavier’s regained strength, he embarked on his visitation to the four regions in the kingdom of Wahala, assuring them of the coming victory. This was what he wanted to do but couldn’t because of the shadow sickness.First, he came before the warrior’s institute, which had over twenty thousand soldiers trained and ready for the coming war. His presence, looking healthy, put much joy in their eyes, and Xavier was happy to see it. Then he visited the scholar’s institute and then the farmer’s institute. It was good to see that, despite his lack of presence or visitation, the three institutions kept to their duties and continued in faith. Seeing him now gave them a cheerful outlook for the coming war.Just as he promised the warrior institute, he promised the farmer and scholar’s institute of their victory, which was already around the corner.With the visit to the capital 3 completed, Xavier planned to visit the four regions in the kingdom. It was not only to check the fortifications
Damien Ferro, the king of Foth, and the ten ships on the sea would touch shores in a week, according to the estimations of Ace and Edward.Ace returned from Klean faster than Xavier expected a week when he left days ago. King Simone had responded quicker than he had imagined, and though he didn’t come along with his armies sent, Xavier had nothing but respect for him for keeping to his words of standing beside them in the war. The armies of Klean and Jade had reached Wahala. Their numbers, added to what they already had, would not only give them an advantage, but it was also a chance that they could win the coming war.The armies from Klean joined the armies in the capital 3’s warrior institute to train and harness their fighting abilities. They now faced an enemy they had never seen before and needed to be ready for anything. Being human puts the armies of Klean at greater risk. But having seen them in action three years ago, Xavier had hope in their abilities.“You must have put up