The King’s Tainted Mate
Chapter 71

Taken at barely a day old! Why would anyone do that? The thought had plagued me to no end and if I did not stop, a terrible headache would be my sure reward. Except, no matter the possible consequences, I couldn't bring myself to stop. The need to know the reason such had befallen me had gnawed at me ever since my mate had narrated the ordeal. Not knowing felt like a void in my soul that insisted to be filled. And the longer that did not happen, the deeper that desire to spill the culprit's entrails dug it's claws into my flesh. I had barely suckled from my mother's b****t! They couldn't even let me lay in her bossom even for a day. To relish her warmth before I was snatched away.

Then there was my magical tattoo which I now understood was no tattoo at all or family mark, but a birthmark. Staring at it, I still found it beautiful, but more than that, I found it strange. Because, how in God's name did a birthmark disappear for years on end only to reappear now? And why now?

Someone cleared their throat, barely drawing me out of my unending thoughts. "My lady, you have not touched your tea." I did not answer to that as another question burned on my tongue.

"Why would anyone separate a wee child from its mother so cruelly?" Something landed loudly on a surface and it took me a moment to realize that that had been my doing.

"Perhaps you should gulp this all at once." Eyes wide, Astryn shoved a warm cup in my hand before reaching for the head of a very beautiful dagger I had apparently slammed onto the wooden surface of the dresser. "I will keep this...safely. Until you have to step out of his majesty's chambers or until you are done with your tea."

Understanding her intent, I sighed. "I would never hurt you." Eyes watched me with scepticism, making me roll mine. "Besides I am not even sure I wish to carry that thing around." My mate had gifted me the dagger. The first of his gifts I had merely stared at when he'd presented it to me. It was beautiful, perfectly crafted and perfect in my hand, but it was still a weapon. And as much as I desired to spill the blood of the person reponsible for snatching me away from my parents, beholding one of the things to aid me in that task had left me shaking. Yet not because it intimidated me, but because in a way it called to me. Or perhaps it was I who was drawn to it. I was not sure.

My mate had merely given me a knowing smile and wrapped my hand around the sheathed weapon.

"Have this on you at all times." He'd commanded and I had wished to protest. To point out that he'd made sure I had enough men watching over me and that the palace was safe, but the way he'd looked at me had kept my lips pursed. He did not have to say it as I could see it clearly. Even when he'd tried to mask it, the truth seeped through the gold in his eyes.

He feared that history would repeat itself. Now that he'd realized that I and the pretty baby were one and the same, he feared I would be snatched away. Not only from my parents this time, but from him too. And I would not be alone this time around. The dagger, I gathered, was his hope of it being my last line of defence if it came down to it. I shuddered at the thought. Thinking of my own child and the possibility that that could happen to us, had me changing my mind. "Perhaps I will carry it after all." "Then please have another cup of this calming tea." Astryn reached for the teapot and got ready to pour, but I pulled my barely empty cup away.

"I do not need it." I growled, making Astryn eye me with a knowing look. "I'm sure I will be calm after this cup." I conceeded. Partly because even if I wouldn't be, I hoped my mate would come and his scent would create enough calm to keep my temper from flaring as it had been after learning of my unfortunate past. And partly because, I did not wish to have to keep excusing myself as I sought to relieve myself of the pressure the liquid would put me under if I had too much of it. That was one part of carrying my child I had regretfully realized was not desirable. Liira had said it was because my child was growing bigger and heavier by the day. And while knowing that filled me with immense joy, the side effects still left much to be desired.

"If you say so." Astryn gave in reluctantly. "Should I link Lord Rakon and inform him that we are done here?"

"Do we have to?" I whined, my body suddenly craving the comfort of my mate's very comfortable bed. It had been my comfort before I had been brutally awakened and reminded that the night was still young and so were the celebrations that characterized the royal heir's banquet.

The festivities would be going on for a few more days, but barely two days into the merry making, I already felt too tired to indulge in any of it.

"As tiring as it is for you, my lady, I'm afraid it has to be done." My maid gave me an apologetic look. "But I'm sure his highness will whisk you away if you so wish at any point." The suggestion coupled with Astryn's mischievious grin, left me blushing and very reluctant to protest or scold her for even thinking what I knew she was thinking. Because, well, time alone with the king was desirable in so many ways. Thanks to our bond, although I knew that was not the entire truth. Astryn sighed dreamily. "You could ask for the moon and I have no doubt his majesty would-"

"Uh...perhaps you should link Lord Rakon." I finally agreed seeing as neither one of us was in their right mind to keep from being distracted by the mere thought of the king of Xatis. It did not even matter that Astryn's and my distraction were oh so very different. "His highness is on his way." Astryn announced just a moment after and that familiar kick in my chest at knowing of my mate's approaching presence shifted my gaze to the mirror in front of me. I did not know what I sought there. Perhaps to ensure that I looked perfect? Which was quite ridiculous as I knew that the maiden's who'd gotten me ready for tonight would hardly leave a hair out of place.

They were perfect at what they did, and somehow knowing that I was the heir to a noble house, expecting Xatis's heir and was the king's mate on top of it all, had left them being extra careful, impossibly gentle. Hell, if I had decided to be readied while I slept the bunch would have only nodded in submission without so much as a protest and still been able to present to their king the flawless maiden that now stared back at me.

"Do not fret, my lady. You are perfect." I agreed with Astryn. "Today the third noble house will be standing an inch taller than the rest of them."

I frowned at that. "Why is that?" There was no hiding from all the politics that came with my new found position. This I knew from all the lessons I'd had with Liira. I just did not expect to be plunged into any of it so soon.

"Well, you are his majesty's mate. You carry the future heir of Xatis. You are practically the queen. All the things the other houses could only dream for their daughters. The things that grant power more than any amount of gold a noble family could ever hold in their vault."

"More than gold?!" My jaw dropped at Astryn's words. "You mean-"

"Oh, you should see just how envious the other maids and noble ladies are of mine and lady Carlytte's position now." Astryn smirked and I could only blink at her. My maid was by no means the stuck up kind and I knew this amused her more than anything. What I did not understand, however, was why there should be so much envy. "Many wish to be you right now, my lady. I bet many noble houses wish you were descended from theirs. They will say nothing of it, but they will surely be thinking it while you get introduced tonight."

Oh and then there was that. My introduction to the noble society of Xatis. I groaned at the very idea meant to happen tonight too.

After reuniting with my family in the presence of many kingdom folk, word had already spread far and wide, announcing the return of the daughter of the third most powerful noble house in Xatis. Many knew of me already, but apparently that was not to be had for the elite of Xatis.

Introductions among noble houses had to be formal and proper. And because my parents simply refused to wait for anything, knowing how quickly precious moments could be taken away, a suggestion by the king to introduce their not so little girl to society was met with their hearty approval.

It had been decided that since they couldn't very well hold that fancy ball meant to introduce me in the midst of the festivities, the first royal banquet dinner would have to do. It seemed for this, they did not mind me sharing the spotlight with my child. Of course I wished for nothing of it, but I had realized that with such traditions that were deemed important, I had little say.

A knock on my chamber's doors drew my attention. "I'll get it." Astryn announced as she took short quick steps towards the bed chamber's entrance. Knowing who that was gave my belly a little flutter. "Your majesty." I was already on my feet by the time my maid acknowledged my mate's presence. Just in time to note his serious features morph into a very appreciative gaze that raked the entirety of my form, eyes lingering brightly on my belly before stepping inside.

I too was not without a sight of my own to relish. As my mate closed the distance between us in those sure strides, my own appreciative gaze took him in a manner that was both appreciation and pride...and something else that had my wolf purring. He'd discarded his royal garments in favour of his armour that fit him so perfectly he looked deliciously battle ready. My cheeks heated up at my own thoughts. It was not my fault, however. Because if I did not know where we would be headed once we left his chambers, I could have sworn he was headed into battle. And having seen him battle twice already, I longed to see the flex of those beautiful muscles I knew hid under his armour. Yet not in a bloody battle, but perhaps right here, right now. "Your maje-Elian..." My greeting was a needy sigh that on any other day would have left me embarassed, but not today. Not when he'd let out a needy sigh of his own that was almost painful when he'd finally stood in front of me, barely inches away from my unsteady breath. It was a delight to note that his lacked the usual steadiness associated with the mighty king of Xatis while he battled.

"You.are.perfect." Astryn had said it. I knew it, but hearing that compliment from his lips while he stared at me like that, as though he'd devour me whole in the next breath, did things to me. Beautiful things that drew a breathy smile out of me. "Thank you." His gaze settled somewhere where my audible thanks had proceeded from and I wished he'd do more than stare appreciatively. He did. As if he'd read my mind, he took my lips in the sweetest yet consuming kiss that drew me into him and never wishing to let go. I wished to drown for all eternity, but that was not to be had as it ended ever too quickly for my liking. My only comfort was that I happened not to be the only one.

On a deep sigh that spoke of regret and annoyance, he gave my hands a warm squeeze. "Ready to meet the stuck up society of your kingdom?"

A hearty chuckle escaped my lips at his rather unflattering description of the most revered members of the kingdom after the royal family. It also did not escape my attention how he'd referred to Xatis as my kingdom. It was a rather blantant way of stating what many of the kingdom folk of Xatis had relayed with their impossible bows at the sight of me. A heavy path that was...well, heavy. "I would never think the king shared such...sentiments."

Eyes shone with mischief. "Well, it's hard not to. They can be a pain." I stared eyes wide, still not believing his words that he'd let out so casually. His whole demeanour painted a side of him that I could have never imagined existed. A side I found strangely appealing and totally not what I had imagined each time someone gushed over the prince of Xatis. That time, back in the forgotten village seemed like centuries ago now.

Then get to know me, Shyla. His pleas to start over echoed yet again and coupled with what I'd just witnessed reminded me that I knew so little of him. Well, the side of him I had not met yet anyway.

"Shall we?" Gladly tucking away my new view of him, I slipped my arm in his at the invitation. "Aren't you forgetting something?" I was about to step forward when the hint of anger in his tone drew my attention to him. His gaze was not on me, however, but on the dresser. Or more specifically on the dagger, that it seemed Astryn had forgotten to put away.

"I meant to carry that." I simply stated and whether he believed me did not reflect in the manner he reached for it and sought to put it away for me. I watched with a frown as he searched my gown for something. Realizing what the something was, I pointed to the little fold on my gown that opened to a concealed pocket. Liira had mentioned that noble ladies tucked such small weapons within their gowns as a protective measure. Mostly to be used if anyone sought to take their virtue without their consent. "I believe it's meant to be placed right here." I offered, but my mate merely shook his head.

"That is too obvious." He then crouched low and parted a couple of folds on my gown before he apparently found what he was looking for. An unusual hiding place that left me blooming with colour as his hands carefully slipped in the dagger.

"I did not know that was meant to conceal a weapon." Hell, I had not even realized I had been putting on such a pair of scandalous stockings until he'd laid bare my leg to him. And was it odd that he seemed unaffected by the sight while I, even with the careful way he'd slipped in the dagger, was left feeling hot and bothered?

Done with his task, he let the gown fall back in place before holding my gaze. "I chose the design."

Wait, he what? Had he chosen the stocking's too?