Crossing the Border (Rania) novel Chapter 260

**He Asked Me to Leave My Dreams, So I Decided to Make Him One of Them by Mira Lorian**

The journey to the harbor would stretch over three arduous days by car, and once they reached their destination, they would embark on a week-long voyage to the Barlukan Kingdom by ship. This ship would make a stop at the Greenstone Pack, the closest pack to the capital city of Barlukan, before finally reaching their ultimate destination.

For Rania, this was an entirely new experience; she had never traveled by water before, and a flutter of anxiety danced in her stomach at the thought of it.

On the second day of their sea journey, the gentle sway of the ship turned treacherous as the waves grew restless. Rania succumbed to motion sickness, and the vibrant world outside faded into a blur as she retreated to her quarters, spending the remainder of the day lying down, trying to quell the nausea that plagued her.

As the sun dipped below the horizon on their final day at sea, Maximus leaned over her, concern etched on his face. “Feeling better?” he inquired gently, his voice a soothing balm against her lingering discomfort.

Rania managed a nod, pushing herself into a sitting position with a deep breath. “Yes, I’m fine now,” she replied, though her voice was still a whisper of its usual self.

“I should have brought Karin with us,” he murmured, regret lacing his words.

With a weak smile, Rania reassured him, “She had so much to manage back at the palace. Besides, I’m alright. This is just a new experience for me. I just need a little time to adjust.”

Maximus silently vowed to himself that he would never again embark on a journey involving water transport with Rania. The sight of her pale face and the absence of a healer aboard only served to heighten his frustration. He felt unprepared for this, wishing he could have done more to ensure her comfort.

“I want to go out,” Rania declared suddenly after finishing her meager meal. “I haven’t stepped outside since we boarded this ship.”

“It’ll be more shaky out there,” Maximus warned, his protective instincts kicking in.

“It’s okay; I’m fine now. I can handle it,” she insisted, determination shining in her eyes.

After a moment of hesitation, Maximus relented, ensuring she felt stable enough before guiding her onto the deck. “You won’t see much anyway,” he said, trying to temper her expectations.

Outside, the night enveloped them like a thick blanket, the darkness punctuated only by distant twinkling lights. Rania squinted into the abyss, her heart racing with excitement as she caught sight of the faint glimmers of Greenstone Pack in the distance.

“I can see the lights!” she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm as she pointed toward the shimmering city. “They look beautiful!”

Maximus wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close against the biting wind that whipped through the night air. “Careful,” he cautioned, helping her settle onto a sturdy wooden block. He removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, shielding her from the chill.

“Thank you,” Rania said, wrapping the jacket around herself and tugging Maximus down beside her. “Tell me about the Barlukan Kingdom.”

Rania was acutely aware of Maximus’s ambitions; he aimed to unite the six kingdoms, yet his approach with Barlukan was notably aggressive compared to the diplomatic finesse he employed with the others.

“That place is a nightmare,” Maximus replied, his tone casual but his eyes betraying a deeper disdain. “There’s nothing good there.”

Rania frowned at his words. “It can’t be that terrible, can it?”

“You’ll see for yourself soon enough,” he said, brushing his thumb gently against her cheek before pressing a tender kiss into her hair. The scent of her was intoxicating, a sweet aroma that stirred something primal within him. He longed to lose himself in her embrace, but he held back, acutely aware of her recent illness.

“Is it really that bad?” Rania grimaced, recalling the tales Maximus had shared about the previous king’s cruel reign over Barlukan. The idea that someone could govern with such brutality was unfathomable to her; it left her grappling with disbelief.

Rania had come to understand that while Maximus could be fearsome, the dread she sensed from the people of Barlukan was on an entirely different level. Their fear was palpable, a shadow that loomed over them, as if their very lives depended on their obedience in the presence of their former king.

“Don’t look at them,” Eiten advised quietly, walking alongside Rania. “I’ve tried to engage with them, but they act as if they want to flee whenever I approach. It’s pitiful, but if I force myself upon them, it would only deepen their terror. Best to let them be.”

Rania absorbed his words, glancing back at a small girl who had been hiding behind her mother’s skirt. The girl’s wide eyes peeked out, filled with fear. With a heavy heart, Rania turned and made her way toward the bedroom she would share with Maximus, the alpha’s quarters.

Exhaustion weighed heavily on her; all she could think about was the inviting bed that awaited her. She longed for a night of uninterrupted sleep, free from the ship’s rocking.

“Here’s your bedroom,” Eiten said, opening the door for her. Rania stepped inside, but paused when she noticed Maximus lingering at the threshold.

“Do you think this is wise? Inviting the leaders of the five kingdoms when your reign is still unsteady?” Eiten questioned, his concern evident. He understood the risks involved; the area was still vulnerable, and their enemies could be watching closely.

“Yes,” Maximus replied, his decision firm. He had contemplated this thoroughly, but as always, he wouldn’t divulge his full strategy unless necessary. There would be time for that later; for now, they had pressing matters to address.

“Actually, there’s one more thing that’s been bothering me,” Eiten said cautiously, stealing a glance at Maximus. He wanted to gauge the king’s mood before proceeding.

“What is it?” Maximus asked, his impatience creeping into his tone.

“May I ask if… you are holding back?” Eiten finally blurted out, struggling to find the right words.

“What do you mean?” Maximus’s brow furrowed in confusion; he had no clue where Eiten was headed.

“Holding back… I mean, are you postponing having a baby?” Eiten’s question hung in the air, and he could feel the tension radiating from Maximus, even if the king’s expression remained composed.

“No,” Maximus replied curtly.

“I mean…” Eiten scratched his head, desperately wishing he could retract his inquiry. But they were already deep into this conversation. “Why hasn’t Rania… you know…”

“Pregnant?” Maximus interjected, finishing the question for him with a hint of annoyance.

“Yes, that one,” Eiten grimaced. “Is there a problem? Have you had Rania checked?” His concern for her well-being was evident.

“Yes,” Maximus said simply.

“And what did Karin say?” Eiten pressed, eager for answers.