The King’s Tainted Mate
Chapter 68

It would be so easy to be carried away today. By revenge, getting back at Myrna for what she'd done, relishing her fall from grace, but I wouldn't let myself fall into that trap. I wouldn't let myself be as my own parents were. Selfish, caring more about their own needs at my expense. Today was about my child. The true heir to the throne of Xatis. I would do this for him as many were already doing.

The throne room was already filling up, according to Gol's reports. The people of Xatis were ready to welcome the young prince or princess. Having travelled from afar after the shortest possible notice, they'd come. Around the palace many had not seen even a wink of sleep just so they ensured that everything was perfect for the banquet. From the grand reception halls meant to host the thousands of guests, to the tiniest detail of the right kinds of spoons to be used for dessert.

"I will do this for you." My hands fell to my belly, caressing it in assurance to my child. But despite my resolve and everything that was falling into place, I couldn't get rid of the nagging feeling that there was more to it than that. I had never seen it coming before, but right now I could feel the wheels of fate turning. Churning my belly while at it.

I stared at the skin on my arm bearing the tattoo of the two wolves, wondering if they were perhaps a part of what fate was about to throw in my path. Would it be pain or would it be anything as beautiful as the two wolf figures. Was it strange that despite how they had appeared from nowhere, I had embraced them already?

"My lady, may we enter?" Astryn mumbled from my chamber's doors. For whatever reason, she'd felt the need to be granted permission each time she wished to enter my chambers.

"Of course, you may. No need to ask for my permission." I rolled my eyes. I had woken up to a very quiet atmosphere. It was so quiet I thought for a moment that I was the only living thing around the palace. That was until Astryn had knocked and delivered a hot pot of tea. It would make it the first time she'd refused to come in without my permission.

"All of us?"

"All of you?" I frowned, but my I got my answer when a stream of maidens flowed into the chambers carrying various things in their hands with Lord Quent right after them.

"My apologies, my lady, but we do need to get a move on. The time to head to the throne room is almost upon us." The man was practically panicking and to put him out of his misery, I nodded. "I do hope you have had more than sufficient sleep." I nodded to that too. After all of last night's pampering. I'd slept like a baby. That was after I could finally get rid of the image of my mate dressed as a warrior and appearing all kinds of delicious. "My lady, are you sure you are alright?"

Astryn's concern had me turning to the mirror. Noticing the colour flooding my face, I waved her away before it got worse. "Of course I am."

"If you say so." Astryn turned her focus on whatever she'd come in with, but I did not miss the mischievious grin on her face.

Knowing that asking her what that was about would be to my own peril, I turned to Lord Quent and his seamstresses instead. The bunch, as usual worked with an efficiency that I was sure was out of this realm. Transforming everything about me into something I could never have imagined. My sleeping gown was discarded and replaced with beautiful under garments. The beauty, however, was wasted as the garments got covered up by an even more beautiful garment. Having had fitted into it when it was in mere pieces, I was convinced Lord quent was a wizard who possessed a magic wand that had magically stitched it up, leaving the exquisite flowy golden gown that fit me like a glove. Falling freely over my features, I couldn't help but stare. "With this, the entire ensemble might be a little heavier than expected." Lord Quent said as he placed a golden cloak over my gown. "I'm afraid there is no alternative to the gold inscriptions required to be added to the sacred gown."

The entire ensemble was heavy, but it's weight was not in the gold Lord Quent claimed to have added or the strange inscriptions Liira had said spoke of the history of the royal line. No. Its weight was in what it symbolized. In what it spoke of me. I was never one to be ashamed of my origins, but whatever I wore had erased every little bit of that. Nothing remained of the Shyla from the forgotten village. As I stood there, even without knowing how today would end, I knew one thing was true. I'd been reborn. I might not have possessed a crown or a throne, but the maiden who stared at me was a queen. A beautiful pregnant queen!

"My lady." Astryn's awe filled voice broke through the silence that suddenly fell over my chambers once I was done. "You look-"

"Spectacular, if I do say so myself." Lord Quent beamed with pride and with good reason.

"Thank you." Was all I could say.

"Oh, no need for that. It was a joy to-"

"Behold his Majesty the King!" A soldier loudly proclaimed right outside my chamber's doors, sending my heart racing. He was here? I knew I would meet him at the throne room so his appearance was a shock. One that had too many emotions overwhelming me. I wished to see him, but then I didn't. And when that wine scent embraced me, I knew there was nowhere to hide. So I clutched on to my gown and waited, heart racing, galloping and yet never really escaping. Figures slipped out of my room, leaving me alone to face him.

But then I realized that despite his scent that let me know of his presence, he'd not made a move to approach. Curious to understand why, I decided to look, yet not at him. I searched for him inside my mirror, afraid of what beholding him in person might do to me. I should have known that my choice was no different. I gasped when I was met with the brightest shimmer of the gold in his eyes. His eyes were locked on my figure, silent yet devouring and igniting every part of me with need.

An appreciative growl, silent as the night, rumbled in his chest and I knew he'd caught it. Caught what he'd done to me. The longing in my centre that needed him and his touch. Rough and gentle. I turned fully, just because his reflection was no longer enough. I needed him and as though he could read my thoughts, he closed the distance between us, making me gasp.

"You are..." He trailed off while I hang on to his unfinished sentence, longing to know what he saw in words. But he merely watched, albeit painfully, but not in the very sense of the word. Painful because he couldn't take what he desired, couldn't give me what I longed for. He drew closer instead. "You are..."

"Yes?" I answered breathlessly, mouth needing his like yesterday.

"You, you, y-you'll be the death of me!" I drowned. Right along with his words as his lips devoured mine, albeit it roughly. And I, shameless and drunk on desire opened up in invitation, taking everything he offered as he kissed every inch of my mouth, leaving me close to asking if anyone would mind if we did not show up at the throne room. "I can't." He pulled back just as urgently as he'd dived in. Yet there was no hint of regret written on his face. Only desire. Raw and unbidden. "As much as I wish to live every one of my fantasies right here, right now, I can't. Liira will have my head if you are even a second late. Later?"

Now was more acceptable to me, but that promise in his eyes...I couldn't say no to that so I nodded. And beside's I was sure there would be a lot of disapproval from Lord Quent if I messed up even an inch of his master piece. "Later..." "This is for you."

"F-For me?" My eyes darted from an exquisite golden crown to his golden gaze.

"It's meant to complete this very beautiful ensemble." His strong hands guided me back to my seat and carefully placed the little crown atop my head, taking my breath away.

"It's beautiful." My voice was barely a whisper.

"Not as beautiful as you." A satisfied smile warmed my insides. "Shall we?"

"Of course." For a moment, that beautiful magical moment, before everything changed, forgetting about everything, I let myself fall, as he held out his hand and brought me to my feet, I let myself be swallowed up in his deep dark abyss. And as he led me towards the throne room I couldn't help but dream.

"I will see you in there." We'd stopped and I hadn't even realized it.

"Okay." I mumbled as my gloved hand caressed my cheek, right where he'd placed his good bye kiss.

"I'm the queen, I deserve to go first!" Myrna all but growled, drawing my attention. She stood at the entrance to the throne room, her guards surrounding her. I did not even know how long she'd been there. Had my mate not seen her? Or had he and ignored her altogether?

She was beautiful as always, but perhaps not as beautiful as me. The unhappy frown that graced her face each time she looked my way was enough evidence of that fact.

"It does not matter who goes first. Let her be." I mumbled when she insisted. The decision turned out to be something I appreciated. Somehow I realized that I did not wish to have someone behind me glaring at me with murderous eyes. And having her draw most of the attention to herself as we went down the aisle gave me enough chance to focus on my steps. That and the priest's chanting that accompanied us all the way to the end of the aisle. My mate wore a serious expression even as he sat on his royal throne, giving nothing away.

"Your highness." Myrna curtsied, in exaggeration, lips curled in a shameful flirtatious smile. None got acknowledged, thankfully.

"My queen, my lady, if you may." We were both invited to stand on either side of the king by the priest. The elder maiden who'd sang to me in the bath broke out in song as she had last night. I let the sound calm me while I noticed an annoyed frown grace Myrna's face. If she had her way I could have sworn Myrna would have had the maiden kicked out.

"My queen, shall we?" The priest stood in front of my mate a parchment in his hand and a dagger in the other, ready to begin the ritual. "A mix of the mother's and father's blood is of essence for what we are about to do." Hands were held out and the dagger used to pierce. Myrna flashed me a wicked grin as she joined her hand with my mate's.

Against my better judgement, a growl tore from my lips. I hated the sight of my mate's blood joining with hers, but I knew it had to be done. His gaze on me the entire time the priest kept chanting served to calm me too.

The blood dripped. One drop, two, three and the tiny bits of red fell on the parchment, instantly bringing the dead paper to life. It was as if the paper thirstly devoured their blood whole, leaving no trace. Confused at what was happening, I stared up at my mate and Myrna. The maiden I'd known to be my sister my entire life wore a smug smile and dared me to say something. I was not going to waste my breath, however, and focused on my mate instead. His gaze fell back on the parchment and stayed there, making mine do the

same.

I did not know how long we waited but suddenly all that blood reappeared as if it had been spat out by the parchment, but instead of dripping to the floor it flowed gently following the many lines that criss crossed the parchment yet never touched any or crossing any.

"Your majesty..." The priest lifted the parchment and showed it to my mate before lifting it higher and showing it to the multitudes. "Humble people of Xatis, behold."

My chest tightened not knowing what in god's name that meant. The gasps and loud mumblings that ensued only made that feeling worse.

"My lady, it is your turn." My legs shook as I drew closer, more so when my mate's expression remained as indecipherable as ever. The piercing of the blade was but a sharp painful cut that took me by surprise. The whole action was as before with I and my mate's blood dripping on the parchment and being devoured just as before. Except when it was spat out, it took a different path than before. It was as if a magical being guided it as it flowed right over the lines that criss crossed the parchment, spreading out in all directions and yet keeping to the pattern.

"Your majesty..." Just as before, the priest showed the parchment to my mate. Except his voice was laced with something. Pride? Joy? I could not tell. "Humble people of Xatis, behold."

I expected some mumbling at the very least when the multitudes beheld the parchment. I was not prepared for what came next, however.

My hands flew to my ears and had it not been for a pair of strong hands that held me, I would have found myself on the floor as the most defeaning noise filled the throne room. It took me a moment to realize that the noise was nothing to do with an attack. The people that filled the room were apparently celebrating?

"My king?" Warm hands cupped my cheeks and when I looked up that beautiful smile greeted me. "What does this mean?" I seemed to have forgotten whatever it was Liira had said would happen.

"Our son...or daughter has been welcomed by the royal ancestors."

"And Myrna's?" I couldn't help but ask, but before he could answer loud protests filled the room.

"You have to do it again, priest! Something must have gone wrong with the parchment! Or...that dagger!"

"Enough!" Sarabeth? I could not recognize the once soft spoken queen of Xatis as her eyes glared at Myrna. I could have sworn if she possessed a whip, Myrna would have received a thousand lashes already. "You carry another wolf's pup! I suggest you do not utter anymore words to embarass the throne any further."

"Sarabeth...I swear, it is not what you think."

"It is queen mother to you." The former queen of Xatis sneered. And if I thought Liira was scary, the usually calm queen was just as scary.

"Guards, take her away!"

"Mother!" My heart ached when my mate seemed to protest Sarabeth's decision. And when he let go of my hands to take Myrna's it cracked. And only the appearance of an ancient figure by his side kept me holding back the loud sob that threatened to escape. "Do you have it?" My mate's question was urgent.

The ancient figure's long hair swayed in the non existent breeze. "As requested my king." He opened up a now familiar wooden box and held out a sharp blade to his king.

"No! Elian!" When realization flashed in Myrna's eyes, she protested loudly. "My king! Do not do this! I swear, it is not what you think. I did not betray you! Please..."

If my mate heard her, he made no point of showing it as he reached for the sharp blade and cut.

My eyes widened. There was no hesistation, no emotion... just that-

"Noooooo!" Myrna screamed as she dove to pick up the two pieces of the twined strands of red and scarlet. And despite what she'd done to me, my heart went out to her as she attempted to reattach them with shaky hands. "No..." Her voice dropped to barely a whisper as her tears streamed down her face, washing away the many cosmetics that had been applied to her face.

"I Elian...King of Xatis, do hereby strip you Myrna of the position of queen and my wedded wife. And in the presence of the bond keeper do hereby server the bond signifying our union and call upon our royal ancestors to recognize it no more." "Please...you don't have to do this..."

"And for your treachery..."

Wait...There was more? If it were possible for my eyes to go any wider they did as I beheld the slow rising of the king's golden sceptre. I had not even realized it was now in his hands."... For your treachery in attempting to keep my mate from me...For plotting to kill my mate and my unborn child..." Jaws clenched tightly as he growled those words.

"Please don't say it! Forgive me Elian..." Myrna attempted to get closer to the king, but a sword, ready and shiny stood in her path.

"Don't." I'd never seen Rakon so emotionless. The head of the king's guard resembled an immovable pillar as he stood between Myrna and his king. "Please..."

"...You are forever banished from this palace, from Xa-"

"No! Anything but that my king!" Myrna cried out while my mouth fell open.

"Be glad I did not choose to have your head." My mate's gaze was murderous when it fell on Myrna. "Be glad my mate's love for you has saved you today." He all but growled before placing his sceptre down. I on the other hand only gaped his way. It was astounding that even when I had said nothing of the sort he'd known. He'd known that I could not bear having her death on my conscience no matter what she had done.

"You are free to carry everything you possessed while you remained under the palace's roof." And he was giving her a means of survival while she went out there?

"I do not care about any of it!" Myrna growled at a couple of guards that shifted to her side, ready to escort her out of the throne room. "I only want you Elian. Let me stay... Please... I promise-Do not touch me!" Her growls filled up the throne room as she protested. I did not know how to feel about the sight of her, thrushing as she attempted to escape the guard's grasp.

The multitudes had surprisingly remained deathly quiet. Watching just as I did, not knowing what to do. Even when I had expected it, nothing could have prepared me for the heavy atmosphere that resulted or the punishment that had been lavished on the queen. She was finally gone... Her protests faded with her absence, leaving me with a strange feeling of loss. Was any of this worth it? Was it worth her efforts to get rid of me, the thorn in her side? I did not think so neither did she. That I was sure of.

"My king." The sound of the high priest's voice drew everyone's attention. "It is done." He folded the parchments and handed them over to the bond keeper. "The celebrations can begin."

And just like that cheers erupted at the high priests declaration but their king held up his hand to silence them. I expected him to say something, but he merely turned to me, sending my heart pounding in my chest. And when he closed the distance between us with those sure strides, the floor beneath me shifted and I barely remained upright, thanks to familiar arms that reached out at the right moment.

"Are you alright?" Breathless, I could only nod to which he smiled. "I would have you rest but this has waited long enough."

"My king?"

"There is someone I wish for you to meet." His smile was comforting, promising me something good. But even before he could say who that was, I knew. Their scents engulfed me and sent my wolf howling in my head.

"Are they really here?" Tears brimmed as I looked at my mate for assurance. I would die if it wasn't true.

"Why don't you find out for yourself." He turned me around and I found myself facing two figures. Strangers, yet familiar at the same time.

"My baby..." Arms stretched out, coaxing my feet forward. I had been loved my entire life. Well, up until everything went to hell anyway. I had known a parent's love, that I could not deny, but this...whatever was being offered to me, even with having known them for only but a moment, made me realize that it was more than a parent's love. And when I landed in their arms it was as if my soul finally found a part I had not even known was missing. "I never thought I would see you again." The woman cried, her hold getting tighter and tighter. I was not complaining, however. This counted for one of the best embraces I had ever received in my entire life. Unfortunately it was cut short by someone.

"Brother? What is the meaning of this?" Someone whose wolf I also recognized too growled, their annoyance evident.

"Evarius." The man whom I knew to be my father even without introductions acknowledged the other man dryly. But if this Evarius was offended, he did not show it, but instead approached still.

"I did not expect to see you here. When did your taste for this place change?" Evarius' gaze shifted to take in the entirety of the throne room when in essense he spoke of the whole palace, I assumed.

"Not that I owe you an explanation, but as Lord of the third house and grandfather to the heir of Xatis, wouldn't you think it strange that I woud not be in attendance during such an important ceremony?" A smile lingered on my father's lips, but I did not miss the underlying anger.

"Wait, what do you mean lord, Lydo?!" Evarius bellowed.

"That will be Lord Lydo to you, brother!"