5: Love

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 absence from the throne room has made rumours fly. I accepted this invitation, hoping to end those rumours and show them that our union has only gotten better."

Mia scoffed, remembering what drove her to abandon her duties two weeks ago—his mistress.

"Those rumours are true, though; the king and queen are no longer together." She stressed the fact to him in case he forgot.

"The people do not need to know that," he said.

"What if I don't want to go?" She crossed her arms over her chest.

"You have little choice in this matter; you got us to this point."

She gasped; she couldn't believe his audacity in pointing fingers. "Well, forgive me for not having the grace to stay in the same throne room as your mistress, my king."

He adjusted in his seat. She could tell her words had gotten to him: "She isn't my mistress."

"Oh, I'm sorry, your whore, then."

His teeth gritted, and he was visibly fighting to restrain himself from speaking, but after a while, he overcame the anger and spoke. "A royal union is more than just feelings and emotions; it is also the vows we made to keep the kingdom and its affairs first."

She bowed in mock respect and said, "I will do as you have said, King Xavier. Shall I take my leave now?"

He didn't answer before she turned her back and took her leave.

Mia stood ready in her chambers, dressed in the same emerald lace the dressmaker had brought in earlier. She told her Xavier had picked it out, and Mia didn't doubt it; that man always had a sense of fashion.

She looked like a shadow of who she once was, but this dress did a great job covering it up. For that, she was grateful.

A knock came to the door, and she knew it was Xavier there because she immediately picked up his scent. She contemplated leaving him there longer, but she decided against it.

She still wanted to be a good person, even though he had lost his way.

She walked to the door and opened it, and he stood in a black, lacy-like suit that swept down to his knees. His hair was in a neat bun, and his beard appeared freshly shaven, bringing out his bold look. She took a deep breath at the sight, and her body yearned for what she knew she couldn't have anymore.

She pulled herself out of her thoughts, and she found Xavier's eye on her, drinking in her dress and seeing how much work it did to her figure. Everything he saw, he desired.

It belonged to him once, and he threw it out. She thought and felt a bitter taste in her mouth.

She cleared her throat, and he snapped out of his thoughts to look up at her. "We should go." He extended a hand to her, and though she didn't want to accept it, she felt compelled to, and she did.

They walked out to their carriage, and getting there, Xavier held the door open like he had done for as long as she could remember. She bowed her head in gratitude and climbed into the carriage.

They rode over to the Alpha's house, and it was an hour-long journey. Neither said a word, and the trip was done in silence. Mia remembered how these trips had been in the past. She remembered how any time alone with Xavier was a chance for him to get his hands and mouth on her. Most times, their arrival at their destination was the only thing that would make him stop and put himself under check.

She glanced at Xavier and saw a smile on his face, which meant he was also on memory lane, and the thought of them must have brought a smile to his face.

Or the memory of his new whore.

And just like that, she no longer wanted to be in the same space with him. Luckily for her, they arrived at the House Grey, and they made their way into the room in silence.

Mia tightly wrapped her hands around Xavier's arm, which he offered her, and she met everyone who greeted her with a beam on her face. She only had to keep the act up for a couple of hours, and their reputation as the kingdom's beloved couple would be cemented.

They met with Alpha Grey, who looked happy to have them in his house celebrating with his family. For those who didn't know yet, he informed them about the presence of the king and queen.

His happiness served as payment for her torture.

Though they didn't make it to the temple matrimony this afternoon, Alpha Grey still considered their presence here and now as important.

"Well, you are doing even better than I expected," Xavier said as he picked up a goblet of grape wine from the server's tray and handed it to her.

She accepted it with a smile still: "I have no choice at this point but to learn from the best teacher, my husband." She answered.

He pressed his lips together. "I see. You might be right about putting up a believable act, or it could be true that you do not resent my company despite our differences."

She almost scoffed at his subtle way of calling what had happened between them mere 'differences', but she calmed herself.

"You can believe whatever you want to believe, my king; I know the truth," she answered and tried to leave, but he caught her hands and pulled her back to himself.