Three months ago
"Fada!" Lyon called, running down the stairs to where King Xavier stood beside his carriage, which had just brought him home. Queen Mia followed behind the little boy with a smile, holding the baby boy in her hand.
He dropped to his knees with his arms open as he welcomed his son into a loving embrace. "Lyon," he breathed in satisfaction.
"Welcome home, Fada!" he said, his little arms wrapping around what they could of his father's neck. "We have missed you."
At his words, Xavier's eyes lifted, and he saw Mia, his mate, and Luna Queen standing not so far from them. His smile increased, knowing that was the face he had longed to see for so long.
"Mia, my love," he called, stretching his hand out to her. She stepped towards him and took hold of it quickly. At the touch, he felt a spark ignite within him; he was home.
"Wahala has missed you, my king." She bowed her head.
"My king?" He seemed shocked she had taken his title instead of his name as usual. "I thought I was your husband before I was your king."
She smiled and nodded her head. "True. Sometimes, a maiden forgets you can't blame me when all I have in mind is ruling and nurturing in your absence."
His eyes dropped to Kim, their son in her arms, before staring back at her. "I am back now to relieve you of your duties, and I would love to be called by my name." He told her and rose to his feet to kiss her lips.
She kissed back.
"My king." Alpha Koz greeted them from not so far away, and they pulled away from the passionate kiss.
Xavier's eyes turned to the elder of his council. "Alpha Koz, I looked forward to finding you on my return, but I didn't want to be too optimistic."
Alpha Koz bowed humbly when he got to the king. "Well, I am here, just finishing my duties for the day."
"Then I will not keep you; Luna Elena deserves to have the man she loves home on time." He spoke. "We shall talk when you resume in court tomorrow. How does that sound?"
"That would be most generous, my king," he said, bowed his head again, and took his leave.
"How was your journey to the kingdom of Jade?" Mia asked as she helped Xavier take off his robe. They had tucked their sons into bed already, and it was their turn to retire for the night. "I heard the king, Aeon, is just as hot-headed as they come."
Xavier frowned at her. "You know better than to believe what rumour says about someone, my love."
"You are right, so how was the king of Jade?" she asked.
"Well, he is as hot-headed as they come." He said, quoting his exact words, which he had just called rumours.
His words made her frown back at him; however, he continued to speak before she could. "But just like me, he has a Luna queen that keeps him in check, Queen Olivia."
"I would love to meet her someday," she said, already sounding fascinated by the information she just received.
"If we are lucky, you might before the war begins." He said and pulled her closer to himself, his eyes darting over her with desire and need in them, making them flare. "But I have missed you, my darling," he declared, and his longing eyes settled on her lips.
"And I have missed you, Xavier," she replied, and a moan accompanied her words.