The King’s Tainted Mate
Chapter 21

I was this close to making a proclamation. The moment I had my mate safely in the palace and in one piece, I wished to shout out to the whole of Xatis that I had finally found her. The one meant to complete me. But even I was not that reckless. Not even when I knew that that was what my mate wished for. What she needed. Those beautiful eyes were begging for it as I held her in my arms, giving me a glimmer of hope of a future together. Perhaps she would ask to be marked someday soon. The thought made the temptation even more appealing, but as tempting as it was, I couldn't let any such words leave my mouth. For her sake.

Her life and that of my child had been threatened twice already and until I knew by whom, I would keep my promise to her. I would protect her. Even from her own blood.

I had not missed how her body had tensed at the sound of my wife's greeting or the rumbling deep in her chest that had left me swooning. And as much as it delighted me to hear her get all possessive, I knew the pain that came with it too. The pain I had caused her.

Seeing her sister would definitely unearth that pain that was barely buried and that was not something I wished to put her through. I would keep her from facing it for as long as I could. Besides, I needed Liira to tend to her. I needed to make sure everything was alright after the scare. My fears had dimmed a little on our way to the palace when her breathing had eased with no further incidents, but I still wished to have her examined by someone who knew what to look for.

"Oh husband!" Myrna, my chosen mate, was fast approaching where I stood, descending the flight of stairs with an unusual air of excitement about her. She'd greeted me with just as much enthusiasm too which was also odd in itself. It was not like we had ever been that kind of normal couple. The kind who'd display their affections in the open. Affections would not describe the intimate moments we shared just so I could have her carry my child and or punish my mate. And yet as she approached, she appeared to be as any normal cherished wife. Eyes beaming, hands clutching her gown as she hastily rushed to welcome her husband whom she had missed dearly. Her display as always was nothing but her doing what she was best at. Pretense.

Knowing whom I held, I tensed as I hoped she would not utter anymore of those useless endearments she had chosen to call me by.

I was in no mood for her antics today. I needed to search for Liira who should have been waiting for me the moment I walked through the palace doors. I meant to walk away too if only that would not be seen as me ignoring my wife by the crowd of witnesses that chose that moment to flood the room.

What was this? I tensed as the familiar faces that I did not wish to see at this particular moment flooded the public hall. Those I did not wish to know about my mate yet. Riding into the hall, I had not expected to be greeted by anyone else except for Liira, the guards or servants at the very least. The latter were there but wore stunned expressions as their gazes had settled on my bloody look, keeping them from welcoming me back home. I cared not for their behaviour as I had more pressing matters. Where was Liira? I stared out at the guests whose hands held some kind of drink. A celebratory drink? I frowned because I did not remember of anything that needed celebrating and I sure as hell had not called for any gathering of the sort. Lord Evarius...of course he would be among the nobles present...raised his glass in my direction, a lingering smile on his lips. I did not acknowedge it or him. His action only served to annoy me as I was still displeased with him. "Let me have her." Thankfully, Liira appeared with Rakon by her side. Knowing the little time I had before my wife came up to me, I hastily handed my mate to Rakon. She did not protest. I even suspected she was glad to be rid of me as she did not even bother to spare me a glance. I had no time to register my displeasure over the matter however, as Liira step away almost immediately, dragging Rakon with her. I watched them disappear before pasting a fake smile on my face and readied myself to greet the queen of Xatis.. "W-What is this?" Myrna's smile and excitement seemed to falter once she was close enough. "Are you hurt, my love?" I cringed at how much she overdid her concern for me. I could have sworn she did it to get everyone's attention which was not necessary as everyone had their eyes on me already. With the dried blood and the unusual bundle I had held, it must have made for quite the gossip among the nobles. Whether that was the reason my queen was working too hard at her pretencious self I did not care. "Oh, God, what happened?" She reached out as if wishing to make certain I was not hurt, but decided against it. Her gloved hand moved to clutch her chest instead in the most dramatic way that almost made me roll my eyes. It was so typical of her. "An outlaw in Xatis? In the palace?" Someone exclaimed and it took me a moment to realise of whom they spoke. Gol stood behind me, a murderous look on that I was sure had been brought on by all those judging eyes and haughty looks. Or perhaps that was his usual look. I had not yet studied the man to know otherwise. I realized that I needed to offer some sort of explanation as to why he was here before conspiracies that would come back to bite me ignited and spread like a wildfire amongst the power hungry lot. "This man and his daughter are owed a great debt for saving your king." Instinctively my eyes trailed the path Liira had used while she got away with my mate. Only after I had spoken had I realized what a perfect cover it was. It was not far from the truth either. With it their stay around the palace, however long, would be thought of as me repaying my debt.

"Oh kind sir, how would I ever repay you?" Tears glistened in my queen's eyes and I had to admit that she was good. Her theatrics worked to even distract those that would have more to say over the matter.

"Leave that to me, dear wife." I was not about to let her near Gol or her sister. Not yet.

"But my love...at least let me say my thanks to his daughter then." She protested and I pulled her in before she insisted.

"Why don't you tell me about what my dear wife has been up to in my absence instead." I wished to distract her, but I was also genuinely curious about what she had been up to. The absence of my mother and father only left her to be the only possible host of the gathering. It was not that she was forbidden from hosting events, it was just that I had expected a garden tea party with a couple of noble ladies. Not an actual event where she'd invited some of the powerful noble houses.

My eyes swept across the room, noting everyone present before they settled on her. She blushed and seemed to consider her words before looking up at me.

"Perhaps I should let his majesty take a bath first."

Curious, I declined. "Why not tell me, then I will see to that bath then join the party. Hmmm?"

She smiled then and I couldn't help notice how different she was from my mate. "I know it is probably too early, but you will have to forgive me my love. I couldn't just bring myself to wait any longer." Her words made me so nervous I reached for a drink of my own. "You might wish to get two or three of those." She smiled shyly, worsening my anxiety.

"And why would I?" Somehow I couldn't bring myself to match the enthusiasm in her voice. One would even say my tone was cold, but if she noticed it or was offended by it, nothing of it registered on her face.

"Because..." She reached for my hand and held on while I fought the urge to escape her grip. Hers were simply not the hands I desired to caress my skin, no matter how innocent the touch. "I know that we would have the midwives confirm it, but..." Midwives? My grip on the cup of wine I held tightened.

"But as they say, every maiden knows her own body." Her smile grew impossibly wide while I froze at what she could be insinuating. Surely the moon goddess had not chosen this moment to be gracious, had she? "I am finally with child, Elian!"