The King’s Tainted Mate
Chapter 54

I was no cry baby. Even when life got tougher back in the forgotten village, tears were never my source of relief or an outlet for my frustrations or pain. But that was when I had what I thought was the perfect family. When all I had to do was seek out a sister who'd always listen, a mother who'd comfort me with the best embrace, a father who'd help me dust myself up and encourage me to keep going. That was when everything was perfect.

Now...? Now I was all alone and that perfection was marred with betrayal, leaving me drunk on distractions to keep going each day. To keep the tears at bay, to keep from drowning in the lie that had been my life, I had turned to distractions. Etiquette lessons with Liira, Tea and long walks with carlytte, Naps that Liira claimed were good for the child I carried. And right now, I was as a doll draped in fine material.

"Oh, my lady, this is absolutely beautiful! Total perfecti-"

"I wouldn't touch that if I were you." Lord Quent snapped at Carlytte whose hand froze inches away from caressing a piece of cloth attached to my body.

"I had no such intentions, my lord." The maiden bowed to which the usually calm god of design only snorted.

"Whatever your intentions lady Carlytte, keep them away from my very important work." The man dismissed her with annoyance.

Lips curled in a pout, Carlytte shot the lord a displeased look. "How then is one supposed to admire a master's handiwork."

"Your house is well vested in this art, why don't you go and appreciate your own-"

"Oh, but lord Quent, Xatis may appreciate being dressed by the third noble house, but nothing places sophistication, elegance, out of this realm beauty in one garment quite like the fourth house. Please do not let my uncle get wind of his niece singing praises for the competition." Carlytte whispered the last bit which was quite pointless in a room full of wolves.

"Well-" Lord Quent paused, his posture suddenly taking on the shape of a man proud of his accomplishments.

And that was how the beast was conquered. I watched with amusement as the noble lord of the fourth house drove himself deeper into Carlytte's trap as he delved into speaking of the intricasies of patterns and designs. Laying out fancy materials for her to admire, parchments bearing patterns of more pieces that were meant to be added to my gown. And each time her big brown eyes grew wider in fascination it only served to spur the noble lord on.

"I do not know how she always gets him to loosen up. More so for someone who belongs to a rival house." Astryn observed when she joined me in the large room that had been turned into lord Quent's work space.

"It is so much easier than you think." I grinned, thinking of how Carlytte had merely preyed on the man's pride to get it done.

"And quite entertaining for you, I see?"

"Well, I can't say I am not." My admission of guilt slipped out of my mouth before I could put a rein on them. "That is not proper for a lady, is it?"

"It beats sore eyes and a puffy nose by miles. For you, I'd say it suits you." The understanding that lit up my maid's eyes warmed my heart. "How did today go?"

Appreciating the change in topic, I turned to stare at my reflection. "There is finally something to fit. Well, if the bits and pieces that are being pinned to my body count." As the days neared the one set for the banquet, the fittings had become more frequent and a

bit tiring, but I was not complaining as they were one more distraction from thoughts I wished not to indulge in. I could do with a break, however. And as if Astryn read my mind, she came to my rescue.

"I'm afraid dinner will be ready soon." She apologized to a maiden who was about to place one more piece over my shoulders. "My lady here needs to freshen up before then."

"Of course, I will just get these." The seamstress worked with ease as she carefully unpinned every piece of fabric and once I was finally free, a cloak replaced them.

"Will his majesty be joining us?" That perhaps remained the best distraction of all. It was just food and silence and yet in his presence I found the best comfort. Since the visit to my parents, I'd seen less of him during the day, but he'd made sure to dine with me each night. Well, me and Liira.

"He will." I froze when that did not sound like Astryn at all.

"Your majesty." Astryn bowed hastily in greeting while all I could do was stare.

Was it possible for men to dress to impress? Or was it that by virtue of him being our mate, I and my wolf would always replace him so...so irresistible?

There was something about him. He'd definitely had a bath, but that was not was it. Not even the lazy way he leaned on my chamber's door waiting for me, which I found weirdly attractive too and struggled to keep my wolf from purring.

"Does my lady perhaps wish to dine by herself tonight?" Concern flashed in his eyes.

"Of course not!" I blushed at my own forceful answer. "I merely wished to know if you would be joining me- us tonight."

"Well, I'm pleased to let you know that I am." He smiled, pointing me straight ahead to the something I thought was different about him. He smiled. He was here. All of him. He seemed more relaxed and more at peace. Definitely different from the man who'd seemed as though the weight of the entire realm was on his shoulders the past couple of nights. I wondered what brought on the change.

"Are you just going to keep ogling his majesty, or are you actually going to walk into your chambers and take that bath after all?"

"Astryn!"