The King’s Tainted Mate
Chapter 30

"You stayed?" My eyes widened at the sight of the maiden who had defended my wolf in front of Myrna.

"My lady." She bowed impossibly low in front of me, the action rubbing me the wrong way. She was a noble lady who did not need to do such a thing, especially not towards me. I would have scolded her for it too, but I had had enough of that and did not wish to let my emotions run wild all over again. Was I even in the position to scold someone in her shoes? "Please rise. This is so unnecessary." I pulled Gol to the side with every intention to be on our way, but the maiden blocked our way keeping us rooted on our spot.

"Please, my lady, at least let me have some semblance of good news for my mother who expects me to make allies in the palace."

I frowned. "Allies?" I turned to Gol who seemed to have understood the maiden's weird request but clearly refused to get involved.

"My mother expects me to make allies here." The maiden sighed, her eyes taking in her surroundings as if the whole place overwhelmed her. "You happen to be the first noble lady my heart has genuinely sought to befriend." A timid smile graced her lips, making me think that in another lifetime, one where I was actually a noble lady, she would be someone I could befriend too.

"I do appreciate what you did for me and your desire to befriend me, but I am no one, so I might not be the ally you seek." I was not searching for allies, neither did I wish Myrna's wrath to fall on this poor maiden for my sake, even though I had a feeling that was already too late.

"If you can put the wretched witch...I mean her majesty in her place so spectacularly, I care not for your status in this wretched world." She scooted over and clasped my hand desperately. "If not an ally, then a friend, please, my lady?" I was at a loss for words and Gol's refusal to interfere was not helping me at all.

"Lady Carlytte?" A familiar voice drew all our attention, rescuing me from having to give an answer I did not possess.

"Astryn?!" The desperate maiden suddenly had her eyes lighting up at the sound of the loudest person I'd met in the palace and what followed left me mesmerized.

"I thought you'd been sent to the gallows!" The two maiden's embraced in the fondest of embraces that painfully reminded me of what I had lost. Once upon a time, that was me and Myrna. Best of sisters, best of friends.

"I would have, if it were up to my aunt." Astryn scoffed before a bright smile graced her lips. "But thank the gods who made me bump into his majesty instead. He was the one to save me as he needed something from me." Astryn turned my way, her face flushed and I growled at the thought of what that could mean. It did not even matter that I was annoyed with him at the moment.

"He needed something?" The words slipped out of my mouth before I could put a rein on them.

"I swore to never speak of it." Astryn mumbled and I growled, making her open her mouth quicker than I could blink. "Do you promise to protect me if he does come to cut out my tongue?"

"What?"

"Well, he did mention that that would be my punishment if I ever did let it out that he wished me to be by your side because you needed taking care of and you wouldn't be able to refuse me that easily."

"He needed you to convince me to let you stay?" I felt a little ashamed at the accusations I had leveled against Astryn in my thoughts.

"Well, you can be quite stubbon, my lady. And I suppose his majesty knew that when he sought my help." My lips twitched, making the other maiden relax a fraction. "So it wasn't about me then?" My stupid heart leapt at the real reason she ever came at all. He wished for me to be taken care of...

"But it was my lady." The maiden defended fiercely, earning a smile from me. "I knew I had to meet you as I said and his highness's request could not have come at a better time. And speaking of threats, perhaps it's time you headed back to the castle and have something to eat as lady Liira will surely have my head if you stay hungry."

My stomach chose that particular moment to make the most embarassing noise. "My belly seems to agree with you." I muttered. I was not eager to face him, but I did need to eat.

"Oh thank the gods!" Astryn exclaimed, earning herself a questioning look that sent her fidgeting with her tiny fingers. "Well, after what just happened I thought I might have had to drag you back there kicking and screaming." Carlytte's giggles kept me from adding a smart reply. "This is so refreshing!" The carefree noble lady sighed, making me frown.

"What is?"

"This palace has finally been graced by real people. Do you know how I have longed for that?" I did not, but as the maiden's smile grew wider, I knew I had to let her enjoy whatever that was a little longer. "Would you like to join me for breakfast?"

"Well, it would be a little too forward of me and so unladylike, but I never did care for any of those rules anyway." Before I could stop her, Carlytte bowed. "I'd be honoured, my lady." I cringed at the formal way she addressed me. "Please do not do that. And my name is Shyla. It would please me if you called me by that, instead of all that." I gestured at the formal way she addressed me.

"If you insist."

"I do."

"As you wish." A broad smile on her face, Carlytte straightened up as she reached for my hand but it got yanked away just as the ground disappeared from under me. And before I realized what was happening, I landed into familiar arms. His scent, a welcome assault on my senses as my annoyance towards him faltered. I inhaled to my heart's content, much to my wolf's delight. I would resume being annoyed at him later.

"Stay away from her!" His menacing growl sent Carlytte bowing in submission and me pulling back from the pleasureable endeavor and gaping at my mate. He offered no explanation, however, but merely marched towards the palace while carrying me as if I weighed nothing. And as much I loathed his actions at the moment, I knew attempting to escape his hold would be a futile endeavor. I could only wait until I found my feet on the ground again.

That seemed to take forever as silence stretched between us and questions about his harsh reaction towards Carlytte demanded answers. I did not know the maiden at all, but nothing about her had been questionable to warrant his anger. I made certain to avoid catching the glimpse of his neck too so as not to unearth my own anger towards him.

"Why do you insist on putting yourself in danger?!"

Back in that intimate garden, my feet finally found the comfort of the ground again, but it was not as peaceful as I wished, nor was I completely free. "I am not a child!" I met my mate's cold gaze with a glare. I did not appreciate his scolding tone. "Neither did I ask for you to take care of me." Hurt flashed across his face that I was only noticing had several claw marks that were almost healed. Had he fought his way to get to me? I fought the warm sensations that sought to creep up on me at the thought. "You are mine, Shyla!" He growled. "And whether you permit it or not, I will take care of you. As my mate-"

"What is this?!" I could not let him complete that declaration. Such things weakened me and I couldn't have that at the moment, so I chose to defend the one I hoped would be a friend, instead of facing another moment that would only prey on my weakness. "Carlytte is my guest!" I was not even sure I was allowed to have guests, but I couldn't stomach the distrust and rudeness being showered on someone who'd defended me and only sought to be a friend. "You know nothing about her!"

"I know nothing about you either!" Except all the pain. I sought to push him away, but his grip on me only tightened.

"Then get to know me, Shyla." His tone softened instantly and his fiery gaze turned a shade that glued my own gaze to his, weakening me still. Heart skipping too many beats at a time, I drowned in his gaze. What was he asking of me?

He cupped my cheeks and I froze as my body reacted, and yearned for something more than a simple touch. "We can start all over again. You do not have to forgive me...just...please give us a chance."

Start all over again? A chance? Was he asking to court me? My belly fluttered at the thought. It was tempting, but he was no longer mine. Myrna's mark painfully reminded me of that fact. "I'm hungry." I shoved past him as I headed back to the table. I couldn't do this on an empty stomach. I couldn't do this at all.