The Crown's Entrapment

At The Lucian, Miran Ocean

After a few more training exercises for Princess Xenia, Osman instructed for the Lucian to go at full speed so that they could reach Cordon’s main harbor, Escol, as soon as possible. Looking out from the window in their cabin, Xenia had a wide grin on her face as she saw the approaching harbor. Darius, meanwhile, was busy drying her wet hair with a towel behind her. It was a serene sight, one where she knew that them being back on solid ground meant that she’d be done with all of her training.

“We’re finally going home,” she murmured. It felt so good knowing that she could finally wrap up her training and their visit to Valcrez. She had met her sister, and all of the things that needed to be done during their trip was over and done with once and for all. And of course, it felt good to be pampered by her mate like this every once in a while. He was even feeding her on top of doing her hair for her. It was a bit of an exaggeration on his part, but she simply decided to just let him do as he pleased.

“Again, you really didn’t have to do this, you know,” Xenia smiled, the sides of her mouth visible from behind her as she addressed Darius. “You being with me like this is more than enough.”

As much as she tried to tell him otherwise, Darius still wanted to pamper her as much as he could. He had told her how she was training so hard to fight for him, and it was the least he could do when she wouldn’t even allow him to use his power as the king to exempt her from the hardships that were yet to come her way.

“And again, I’m telling you that I simply want to do this for you, my love,” Darius insisted. “Besides, I’m sure this will be one of the last few times we’ll be able to be like this once the trials start.”

Xenia hummed in agreement. He was probably right…

Silence reigned as the princess let her mate do what he pleased, Darius gently combing her hair while she looked out towards the approaching shore.

Another beat passed when she suddenly asked, “Who named your wolf?”

It was a random question that suddenly sprang up in her mind. She was curious to find out more about Darius. Well, more than what she already knew at least. And what better way to start than to know more about his childhood? That, of course, included his wolf, Zeus.

“I named him that way…” Darius proudly answered. “Zeus had a nice ring to it. And since it sounds powerful and mighty, I just went ahead and used it ever since.”

“It indeed sounds good and powerful,” Xenia agreed with a smile. “Hmm… It does have some truth to it though, seeing as you and Zeus are actually powerful enough to wield the name…”

Another beat passed, and Xenia blinked as her smile was suddenly replaced by pursed lips and a heavy sigh.

“What’s wrong?” Darius asked.

Xenia bit her inner cheek, realizing that she must’ve sighed loudly enough to be heard by him. She really didn’t want to worry Darius, but she simply couldn’t help reacting that way upon recalling her Big Brother’s current situation. From what she had heard, Ezekiel could be compared to a werewolf now, with another powerful soul currently inhabiting his body. Only, he didn’t have a wolf. Instead, it was an actual dragon of all things.

“It’s just that Big Brother’s situation had suddenly crossed my mind. I’m wondering as to how he’s dealing with the dragon inside of him,” Xenia admitted with a murmur. “Given how he can’t return to his human form, it could only mean that he’s still struggling to control the dragon inside of him. It must be hard…”

She then turned around, facing Darius on the bed that they were currently sitting on.

“You grew up knowing that Zeus was already inside of you, right? Did you two get along right from the start?” Xenia curiously asked. “Was there ever an instance where a werewolf was unable to get a hold of his wolf?”

These were the questions she wanted to ask Osman earlier, only to baulk as soon as she realized who she was talking to. She had been trying to analyze every piece of information she could get ever since she received the report about the dragon showing up again. But from what she had heard, the dragon was simply keeping to the skies, avoiding attacking those who had seen it… It was as if he was merely showing his presence to the world….

“It happens… And it also happened to me once,” Darius admitted. “Zeus is such a stubborn wolf back then. Maybe even now.”

[Don’t you dare start with me!] Zeus growled in the background, making Darius chuckle.

“Why?” Xen curiously asked.

“Zeus loves complaining even if I’m stating a fact,” Darius chuckled. “Even now, he’s starting to complain.”

Xen pouted her lips and murmured, “I kind of wish I can also talk to Zeus now. He sounds fun. I can’t wait to communicate with him.”

“Let’s complete the Mate Bond then, love,” Darius quickly suggested. “That way, you’ll be able to talk to Zeus whenever you want.”

“Stop that. I want to do things correctly,” Xenia snorted with a frown. “I won’t let that royal council of yours court those who are against you even easier. They’ll use me as their reason to bring you down if I ever took that route. Instead, I want to become your stronghold. Someone who, instead of being a burden, can even help you in making those who are against you to see that there’s no better leader Cordon could have but you.”

Darius’s face reddened, his heart jumping into his throat in joy at how Xen was looking up to him that way.

“Aren’t you being a bit biassed, my love?” he teased.

Xen had a broad smile on her face as she replied, “Well, you can’t blame me for being that way, so I guess I am?”

This time, it was Darius’s smile that turned into tightly-pressed pursed lips. Seeing his reaction, Xen chuckled as she pounced at him and said, “I’m just kidding. Of course, for me, you’ll always be the best. Even if you develop a few weaknesses in the future, you will have me as your strength.” She smiled, “So look forward to it. You definitely won’t regret ever choosing me as your Queen.”

At her declaration, Darius kissed Xen’s forehead and gently stroked her back as he said, “I will look forward to it then, My Queen…”

[Ugh… This is too much sweetness for me to take…] Zeus groaned.

[Hahaha!] Darius chortled. [Sometimes, having some light conversation can be better than simply feeding your carnal desires, my inner wolf…]

[It’s not like I’m the only one responsible for your lust and carnal desires here,] Zeus snarled. [Don’t make it sound like I’m the only culprit in making our mate almost go limp from all of the nonstop humping. We are one, remember?!]

Hearing Darius chuckle, Zeus continued to complain. [Stop dragging my name through the mud to our mate. Tell her that I’ve been a good wolf from the very start, and that you’re really the stubborn one between us.] The wolf rambled on, [Should I remind you how often we got in danger simply because you wouldn’t bother listening to me? About how you chose to always act on impulse? Hell, if wasn’t your wolf, I bet you’d be long dead by now!]

“Right, my wolf wants you to know how grateful it was to be bonded with me since I’m a good medium…” Darius cheekily commented, ignoring Zeus’s constant growling in his head.

[You’re so dead as soon as the Mate Bond is completed,] Zeus threatened with a growl. [I’m gonna tell Xen everything that’s been going on in that head of yours!]

Darius simply smirked. He enjoyed teasing his wolf like this.

[Stop sulking, Zeus. If it would really please you, then let me say how grateful I am to you for being my wolf,] Darius earnestly thanked his wolf. [Thank you, because I wouldn’t be where I am right now if it wasn’t for you…]

Zeus remained silent, but Darius smiled knowing how his wolf was feeling right now. Leaving the matter for now, he then gently pushed Xen down and stared directly into her eyes.

With surety, he said, “I’m sure your brother Ezekiel will be fine, Xen. It might take some time for him to get a hold of the dragon inside of him, but he’ll pull through eventually.” He added, “Just keep believing in your brother. He’s no ordinary human, right? The angel blood you three all have in you is something special, seeing as it comes directly from heaven… From the Almighty…”