The sun was already up, but the weather was still cold as snow fell around the arena. Still, that didn't stop the warm atmosphere surrounding the arena from forming.
Arriving at the arena, Xenia underestimated just how popular she got with the Cordonians as she was met with great cheer and warm applause. Looking around, the crowd was practically accepting her with open arms, and she couldn't help but feel proud of what she had accomplished.
"And here she is! The ever illustrious Princess Xenia!"
Hearing the announcement of her own arrival, Xenia couldn't help but give everyone her beaming smile as she waved at them. It was so overwhelming that she couldn't describe the mixed emotions currently clouding her mind. Still, it was a great feeling even as she tried to stop the tears from forming in her eyes.
She had done it, but she quickly reminded herself that it was all still far from being over. Though, hearing the acceptance and respect coming from the Cordonians was more than a motivator for her to finish what she started. And of course…
[Welcome back, my love, I missed you so badly…]
Darius's voice finally filled her well-being. That was when tears finally rolled down her cheeks. Looking up at the spot where he was seated, the king's throne was currently occupied at one particular spot in the arena. She smiled sweetly in his direction.
[And what a fine horse you have there too,] Darius added, making Xenia chuckle as she wiped away the tears from her cheeks.
"Your Grace, it's time for you to take your seat," Gilas informed her.
Xenia nodded in understanding as she climbed down Pluto and followed after Gilas as he escorted her to a vacant seat at the upper part of the arena. That particular area housed five majestic seats, all of them lined up at a respectable distance from each other, as well as also being surrounded by guards to keep them all separated from the rest of the audience.
It was the final five seats, and she had secured one of them upon surviving the Element Forest. If it had only been the usual tournament for werewolves to become Queen, if the King happened to have no mate upon having reached the maximum time allotted for the wait, then there would only be four seats ready that day.
Taking her seat, the arena roared with cheers and applause, every Cordonian showing off their admiration for the human Princess who proved herself worthy to become their Queen.
Xenia turned and looked at the four vacant seats beside her before she then shifted her gaze to the twelve contenders on the other side of the huge arena. Those twelve would have to race their way to secure the vacant seats beside her. All she had to do now was to remain seated, and she would be good to go as soon as this tournament came to the last and final round.
She let out a sigh before her eyes darted towards a particular spot in the arena. There, she saw her dear friend Jayra sobbing hard for her. Their eyes met, and the latter quickly waved at her in acknowledgment.
"Look at her laughing and crying at the same time," Xenia murmured as she waved back at Jayra. Oh, how she wanted to get out of her seat right now and run toward her loved ones. Of course, Darius would be the first one she'd embrace before then going to hug Jayra.
Letting her eyes roam, apparently, her family wasn't around to watch her performance yet. Still, she was sure that they were on their way, knowing that they probably saw her finally getting out of the forest.
Her eyes then darted back to Darius, who she was aware had never let his gaze leave her. Even though she wasn't talking to him yet telepathically, she was well aware that her king could clearly feel the emotions currently clouding her at the moment.
[I miss you too, my love…] Finally, Xenia was able to reply to Darius through their Mate Bond.
[Hmm… It took you some time to reply, my love.]
Xenia chuckled, knowing how her husband was probably pouting at their conversation. [I'm sorry, my love. It just… It all feels like a dream to me, and it's still not sinking into me that I've done all of this…] she explained with a joking shrug. [By the way, I named the Spleinir Pluto. It was a horse gifted to me by Lord Devas. Also, I have a gift for you, my King…]
Xenia bit her inner cheek when she felt Darius's sudden change in emotion, so she added, [I couldn't help but accept it, my love. Pluto is just so adorable, and he's one of a kind, don't you agree?]
******
Darius was in a very good mood. Looking down at his wife, he also couldn't help but admire the Sleipnir she was riding. It was known to be a mythical horse, and he couldn't help but wonder just how Xen got it. Though, he was pretty sure that it came from inside the Element Forest. And hearing Devas's name simply killed his momentum.
[You're acting childish again…] Zeus reminded.
He just couldn't help it. Devas gifted his Queen with such a magnificent and mythical horse, while he…
[What? Don't be silly! We can gift her a son! Or a daughter if that's what the Almighty gives us!] Zeus barked at him. [A woman will always love having their own children more than anything.]
Darius didn't know whether to laugh or cry at his wolf's words at the moment.
[My love, please don't be like this,] Xen reassured him. [Lord Devas only gave this to me out of his own good will, saying that I deserved this mythical horse for all the hard work I did inside the Element Forest.]
[I'm sorry, my love. I hate being this petty, but that horse is indeed worthy of keeping,] Darius apologized with a sigh. [And I am truly proud of you, my Queen. For now, let's just watch the fight. And do remain in your seat, please…]
Xenia nodded at him, their eyes remaining on each other even from the opposite ends of the arena.
[Also, your family is on their way here right now,] Darius informed her. [They'll surely be present for the final round and your last fight tomorrow.]
[That's good. Also, you can stop the search for Princess Katelina now. I currently hold enough evidence against Nasser that she won't be needed anymore,] Xenia helpfully supplied. [Polo gave me a magical pearl where all of Nasser's past is currently stored, and I can open it for everyone to view as soon as you want to. I also have all of the written proof of Nasser's crimes on the sack saddled on Pluto.]
That was something Darius didn't expect. Hearing all of this now, he wondered just how did he end up deserving to have such a mate like Xen? She was a game changer in the most unexpected way.
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