Chapter 1: The peace

Mia stood at the entrance of the palace with her heart racing at the return of her mate, Alpha king Xavier Ainsworth. She had heard the carriage not very long and then caught the faint scent of the alpha king in the palace estate and she immediately abandoned her studies at the in-built office and raced out to see him.

It’s been three moons since he left with Edward for the kingdom of Klean and it felt almost like three decades. He had put her in charge of his affairs and so she acted in his place for three moons.

Robb Ainsworth and Alpha Koz Lupe had been by her side, just as the alpha King instructed. They aided her and were close counsel and with their help; she ruled effectively just as Xavier would.

How does one survive three months, ruling without their mates by their side? She barely did. Yes, outside she carried out the task and responsibilities placed before her, but on the inside, she was crumbling and barely holding on.

She knew why he had to leave. Xavier felt the need to strengthen the peace they had kept in the last four summers with their neighbouring kingdom.

In the last four summers, the king of Klean, Ferdinand Ono, and his son, prince Simone Ono, had visited Wahala twice and Xavier had never gone to pay a visit. He had always sent Edward or the elders. And so after so long of everyone else but him going, he took the step. He believed the war drew closer with every day, even though no sign of it had shown since in the last four summers. Still, she believed his words about the war and the need to keep friends closer. She had gone to the kingdom of Jade a few months ago. The Queen, Luna Gail, had requested her presence at her birthday feast, and Xavier told her to go. But that only took a month.

This wasn’t a month, this was three, and she would have been a wreck if Edward hadn’t found a way to bring them closer magically. He called it a wander-walk, and it lasted a few hours every week. He also did the same to keep him and his mate, princess Kailani closer in their absence. All they needed was a body of water and he would cast a spell so that, although many miles apart, they would see and speak to each other.

The better Edward’s magic got, the easier life became. Unfortunately, wander-walking only could happen around water in a particular place and so after the king and Edward left the kingdom of Klean, they could no longer communicate.

It was difficult to not see Xavier for one month or touch him for three, but it was the sacrifice for royalty and she counted it as worth it.

She went to bed most nights, craving him and looking forward to his return. It was the one thing that kept her going. Knowing that soon her mate and lover would be back in her arms made her smile and prepare herself.

Xavier sent words ahead two weeks ago, informing her of where they were in the kingdom, which was Kame. She immediately did her calculations and found out that he would be here today, so she did the countdown to this moment.

The King’s guard moved to the door of the carriage and opened it up and in the next seconds, Xavier stepped out in a black robe that swept down to the floor. His hair was in a neat bun and his beard looked unkempt. But then again, he was journeying, and it wasn’t the time to be looking the best.

His looks didn’t bother Mia. She was glad he was home.

The elders were also present to receive and welcome the king and his brother since, just like her, they also knew the day of his return. They approached the king, who stood his ground as his chariot rode away after dropping both him and the crowned prince.

“King Xavier, you’re welcome back!” alpha Chado said and the alphas with him bowed their heads in obeisance.

King Xavier acknowledged them, and they lifted their head. “Thank you for welcoming us,” he answered.

“You’re welcome, Alpha King,” he answered, but the king’s eyes travelled from them, wandering as if looking for something, someone.

His eyes finally came to land on Mia and a spark of excitement showed itself over his eyes. A smile came onto his face that very moment and though his council spoke to him, he paid no mind as he walked past them and towards Mia.

He climbed up the stairs, and every step he took made her heart skip its beat. She didn’t know if she would ever have the heart to let him leave without wanting to come with him again.

He took the last three steps that led to her at this point. Her heart was racing and he could hear it.

She didn’t care.

“Hay.” he smiled at her.

“Hay!” she responded, her smile coming on.

“How are you, my queen?”

“I’m alright my king, just missing you.” She revealed, “how was your mission to the kingdom of Klean?” she asked, wanting or knowing the turnout of the reason she was left alone for weeks.

He smiled and dropped to his knees, which made her a little surprised and curious about what he intended to do.

He reached into the inside of his robe and pulled out a green and golden short rope and held it out to her.

She stared at him, not knowing if she ought to take it. So she kept her hands to herself.

“No, you take it,” he whispered to her.

“Oh,” she said and took it from his hand and stared at it in confusion.

“You also need to ask me to rise and explain what the ribbons are,” he whispered to her again, and it took a lot of strength to not crack up and laugh aloud.

“Okay! You may rise, my king,” she said, and he rose to his feet with the silly smile on his face that she had missed for so long. “What are these ribbons for?”

“It’s nice of you to ask, my queen. These ribbons are a sign from the king of Klean that he would always stand beside us. The green signifies his agreement and the gold, his readiness.”

“Oh wow, you’ve done so well, my king.” she reached out and stroked his face and he pulled her closer so her body pressed against him like she belonged to him. She did. She didn’t complain about it.

“How have you been?”

“Miserable without you.”

“As it should be.” he grinned and took her lips between his.

She pulled away, “And you?”

“You do not have to ask, my love, as you can see. I am a mess.”

She smiled, “I like the sound of that.” and closed the space between them.

The people were already used to them and their show of affection, especially when they had missed each other for so long. They showed it everywhere, damming what anyone had to say about it. Most of the time they took their love show to the chambers, but sometimes the feeling would take over and they would give into it and let it ride them out.

“Can you wait until you get inside? I do not want Kailani asking why our love life isn’t like yours.” Edward hiss out and they pulled away from the Kiss.

Mia hid her fave on Xavier’s chest as her cheeks burnt in embarrassment.

“Kailani is a sweet and contented maiden. Perhaps you are not doing it right to have her complain.” Xavier shot at him.

“What would you know?”

“I know Mia has never had that complaint.” Came his witty reply.

Mia pulled away from Xavier, having gotten control over the embarrassment she felt earlier.

“Welcome home, Edward,” she hugged him tightly, adding, “princess Kailani had locked herself in the kitchen with the cooks, not wanting to come out. She said something about needing to make you your favourite meal.” as she pulled away.

“That’s the first. Kailani is a terrible cook,” he mumbled to himself.

“She hears that,” Kailani said, and they turned around to find the princess in a colourful long dress and an apron covering her front side.

“Kailani!” he called out and stepped up towards her, taking her into his arms and kissing her passionately.

Xavier snaked his arms around Mia’s side and pulled her closer to him. “Now who’s creating a scene?” he asked, and the couple pulled away from their passionate kiss.

Edward ignored Xavier’s questions and stroked Kailani’s face, and she leaned against him.

“I made you something,” Kailani said and took Edward’s hand and led him into the palace.

Mia turned to Xavier, her eyes wide. “I didn’t make you anything.”

“It’s fine, it’s not food I want to eat.” he reached out and struck her on the butt hidden in the robe, making her gasp.

“Come with me, then?” She beckoned, and he fell in mind with her.

Because of the stress of the day, they didn’t always get to enjoy each other in bed when the day. They were either too tired to do a thing or not in the mood. Yes, they had been times since they had both fallen asleep while making love. Xavier woke up first and continued from where they left off.

Because of this, they did their best to always get as much attention as they could from each other, the little chance they got. They had taken advantage of the little time and breaks they had to be together. In the throne room, when they had a brief break. Xavier would tell the guards to stand outside and make Mia ride him and when she wasn’t in the throne room, he’d find her in her study or office and take her there. These places weren’t the best, but the best places weren’t giving them what they needed. They needed each other and were willing to pause a few things just to see it done. Edward had walked in on them a few times in the study and at her office. That had limited him from wanting to come in and visit the study and office because he told them the image of Xavier’s bare bottom haunted him.

Mia offered an apology to Edward, and he understood her. He told them to limit their intimate space to the study and king’s court and keep it out of the throne room for the sake of peace and sanity.

Xavier did not want to agree to it, but Mia agreed before he could speak. They had tried to keep the throne room as sacred as Edward begged them to. Most times they failed, though, but it was the thought that counted.

The king loved his wife and never failed to show it...