The King’s Tainted Mate
Chapter 67

The birth mark of the twin wolves was something I would never be able to forget. Well, I had tried to over the years. To keep from being scolded each time I inquired about it when I was younger and to keep the guilt at bay when I was older. I was successful most times, but it always had a way of bringing itself to rememberance when I least expected it. At the most awkward times usually while other times it haunted me in the confines of my dreams.

Seeing it in the flesh, on my mate's body, was more than bringing itself to rememberance. I had pictured a different end to my night with her. Being faced with that mark on her body was miles from it.

"Perhaps I should have been the one to go. I could have been more convincing." I kept pacing in the inner chambers of the royal gallery feeling as though the walls of the secret room were closing in the longer I waited. "What if they refuse to come? I know I could not hold it against them if they still refuse to set foot inside the palace. It is the place to have changed their lives after all, but-"

"Will you calm down." I was surprised to note that my father's tone did not hold his usual annoyance. "No matter the pain, Florithe and Lydo would never refuse a request from their king. More so since we have honoured their wish all these years." I hoped that was true, but it did nothing for the anxiety that plagued me still. "Besides if this is at all what we assume it to be, it is only fitting that we maintain the utmost secrecy around the matter. The king of Xatis appearing on the doors of a noble's house at such an awkward hour when he should be getting ready for one of the most important occasions of his life will be highly suspicious and will definitely send the wrong tongues wagging. Especially if the said noble house is the last place you are expected to show up."

If what I had discovered was indeed true, it would change everything or make everything worse. I had not decided which was which yet. "Perhaps you are right, father." I sighed, deciding to take my seat. "It is just so damn hard to have to sit and do nothing when I know our enemies keep plotting and are getting a step ahead each moment we are forced to wait."

"For what it's worth, you are doing a fine job. If you could get that hot head of yours under control, perhaps you might even outshine your own father."

I scoffed at that even when I appreciated my father's words. "I think I already did that when I beat you time and time again each time we battled."

"It was merely beginner's luck." My father scoffed. "Nothing to do with finess."

"Yeah, right, beginner's luck... Again and again. For what it's worth, I learnt from the best. It was not always enjoyable, but worth it." I welcomed the distraction my father offered from the matter at hand. If I didn't, I would go out of my mind. "Yeah, you did make the worst student at times. Drink?" The former king of Xatis rose from his seat and headed over to the cabinet holding the wine before I could protest being served by him. "It will take care of those nerves while you wait." "Yes, thank you. A generous amount please."

"Oh, now that I cannot do. Your mother and my mother will have my head for getting you drunk ahead of the banquet."

I arched a brow. "I would never peg you for one to be scared of women."

A cup of wine was handed to me. "Those are not just women and you will be a smart king if you learned that lesson sooner rather than later. Your future queen does not strike me as one to be any different either. Especially not when Liira has taken it upon herself to be the one to groom her."

"Grandmother loves me, she would never deliberately turn my own queen against me." My queen... Would Shyla really become that eventually?

"You have so much to learn." My father shook his head in a solemn manner. I was about to ask why when the doors to the inner chambers opened.

"How is she?" I rushed to Liira's side the moment she entered the chambers, inquiring about my mate. I had not seen her since the time in my chamber's bath. I had every intention to be the one to bath her then, but the appearance of that birth mark had changed everything. She'd caught me staring at it and even when I saw her own confusion, I could not stay or offer her any answers. Because, truthfully, I had none. None that would make sense.

"Oblivious to how her world is about to change." Liira shot me a disapproving look before she grabbed the cup of wine and downed all the contents. "You should not be drinking." Another disapproving look was sent towards my father who only shrugged his shoulders.

"The boy needed to calm down."

Liira glared, but said nothing more on the matter as she walked back out. "Lord Nevan is here."

"Nevan?" I slipped out of my seat and followed Liira into the gallery. The lord of the noble house was staring at the many portraits, but even I could tell that it was by no means because he was fascinated. Perhaps just passing time while he waited. "Your majesty." The man greeted me with a bow which I acknowledged.

"What brings you here at such an awkward hour?"

"It may be nothing, but with what is going on, I thought the king might be interested to learn of our findings regarding his mate."

What was going on? I refused to give substance to what the man was insinuating by asking him what he thought was going on and where. I had still yet to decide who my allies were.

"And what is it you think might interest me, Lord Nevan?" I asked nonchalantly when deep down I couldn't wait for him to spill whatever it is he'd discovered. Anything about my mate right now was a welcome curiosity.

"Well, apart from what you already know, which is that she'd conceived without shifting, we realize that her shift had nothing to do with her becoming of age either."

"What does that mean then?"

"We believe the pregnancy triggered her shift so her body could bear with the strain that comes with motherhood."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning she had no business shifting either as she was still not of age yet."

"How is that even possible?" I turned to Liira but her expression remained ever so thoughtful.

"Unfortunately, I am unable to furnish you with an answer to that. But I could point out that perhaps the answer lies in her origins." The lord bowed before excusing himself, leaving every one else in the room deep in thought. "Well, its a good thing we are about to be faced with perhaps the only wolves to know about her origins." Liira stated, but whether it was a good thing I was not sure.

"Your majesty, we came as soon as we could." Two faces I had not gazed on for too long appeared with Rakon by their side. "Is anything the matter? Has my brother been found wanting? Did our house perhaps error in some way and angered his majesty?" The distress in the man's tone who I sadly noted had aged for a wolf his age was evident. And suddenly I had one more reason to hope that this was indeed what it was. It was clear that the suffering which I had partly caused had taken a rough toll on the couple and I prayed to the gods that today they would find some peace and joy.

"It is nothing of the sort Lord Lydo. And do forgive me for making you ride at such an awkward hour. The matter could not wait I'm afraid."

The man only sighed. One of those sighs that spoke of one having carried a heavy burden for too long. "Forgive me, your majesty, but I do not go by lord anymore. Not after handing that title over to my brother. Are you sure he is not the one you sought to summon?" "I have made no mistake, fortunately. And I do hope that after the banquet you will reconsider your decision to give up your lordship." I hoped it would come to that, no matter the consequences. "Reconsider?" Confusion marred the man's tired face. "Why would his majesty ever consider such a thing all of a sudden?"

"Perhaps before we spend our energies on thinking about reconsidering such grave decisions, may his majesty enlighten us on this delicate matter..." Florithe held on to her husband for comfort. "Fair enough." I turned to my father and Liira wondering what the best way to peel off a scar covering a barely healed wound whose roots reached all the way into the soul was.