The King’s Tainted Mate
Chapter 65

One would think me stopping my mate from publicly stripping Myrna of her position as queen was out of the goodness of my heart. It wasn't. At least not the part of my heart that had my mate thinking of me as one incapable of hating anyone. An angel. I'd seen the curiosity in his eyes each time he looked at me. Eyes wondering how that it was possible for one to be capable of such a noble thing when they had been hurt over and over again. But perhaps that was not the entire truth.

He was not wrong to think that I still cared for Myrna even after all the hurt she'd brought in my existence. Except that was but a piece of the reality. As it had been known in every realm, the gods gave everything in pairs. Light and darkness. Life and death. Joy and pain. One could not exist without the other, making it impossible to have love exist on its own. Where there was love, hate was bound to be present.

It was this fact that my mate had overlooked whenever he beheld me and thought me incapable of that dark emotion. I couldn't blame him, however, as the matter was still quite strange to me too. I still marvelled at how calmly I had entertained the thought when it occured to me. When I had thought that the rehearsal was not public enough for Myrna's downfall. It still surprised me that I had been the one to make the request of my mate too.

But perhaps it was inevitable after being reminded of her own plots to have me give the multitudes a humiliating show. When she'd lied that she carried his child. It was time she gave her own show. She did love attention after all. Except her show would be something of a final curtain.

Strong hands firmly squeezed mine, jolting me out of my many thoughts. "Are you alright?"

I wasn't. Not in the very sense of the word and definitely not in the tone he implied, but I wasn't about to speak of any of it, lest he decided to have us turn around and return to his chambers. Not that I dreaded the place, if anything, stepping into my mate's bedroom again had left me with a deep longing to return and perhaps stay a little longer.

"You have barely said a word since we left my chambers." My mate added when I still did not answer him. "Do you still wish to stay ba-"

"I do not." I placed my free hand over his that held mine in assurance. It did nothing to convince him.

"If you are tired, or something aches, anywhere at all, please say so and we'll head back. Whatever I need to do can wait."

"We are already here." I gestured for the doors leading to the throne room. My action was received with a scowl, however.

"That is not what I asked." His chest rumbled and I barely held in a purr at that display of care.

"I promise if anything of the sort does cause me problems, you will be the first to know." His annoyance still sizzled, but he conceeded anyway, more so because of the appearance of the head of his guard. Rakon wore an unreadable expression, but I had no doubt there was some mind linking going on between him and his king. I assumed they were done when my mate turned to me. "Ready?"

Was I ready to face Myrna after her little display? "Yes." I nodded without a second thought. I was ready to watch a display of tantrums from the usually composed queen when she realized how that nothing would go her way henceforth. "I'll be quick." Lips brushed mine in a surprising motion that left my belly fluttering terribly.

"Okay." I croaked out. It had been too long, I realized. Too long since I'd had a taste of his lips...a taste of him. And I longed for more! It was an odd time to be desiring more of anything of the sort, but what was I to do when whatever beast lay peacefully under the confines of my flesh had been awakened in such a manner?

"Your maje-" Lips... glorius and warm and delicious took mine in another surprising toe curling conquest. It was as if he'd read my mind, giving me the object of my desires whole heartedly and if he did not stop now there was no telling how much more I could take before I was utterly undone, just by his lips. This was so not part of the rehearsal I had left my chambers for, but-

"Call me Elian." Chest heaving deliciously, he pulled me close in one swift motion, caging me between his muscled chest and arms. "Not your highness, not your majesty, just...Elian, Shyla." His ragged tone slowed and softened at the mention of my name. As though it were his own personal calming elixir. "I will see you soon." That wretched satisfied smile did nothing for my racing heart. And as I watched his retreating back that was still covered by his grand royal gown, everything within me kept screaming that soon would be too long.

"My lady?" Rakon cleared his throat and it took me a moment to remember that we hadn't been the only creatures present in front of the private doors leading to the throne room. "You must not be too far behind him once he re enters the throne room." Rakon's head remained bowed, as if he couldn't bear seeing the remnants of his king's assault of my lips. I appreciated that, because I could not hide them even if I wished to.

"Right." Heat still flooding my cheeks, I followed the way Elian had gone. Elian... I blushed at the mere thought.

When I returned to the throne room, everything had remained as it had been before my mate had dragged me out. Well, every being still sat or stood in the positions they had been, as though they'd been glued to those spots. It was quite surprising, knowing how long it had been since then.

The king, my mate, stood facing his people, his presence domineering. The fact was written on all the faces that gazed on him in expectation. A figure stirred in front of him and a low growl escaped my lips when I discovered who.

"You came back!" On a dramatic sigh and a smile, Myrna wiped at her tears, before rushing over to my mate's side. "I knew you would." She cooed while I glared at her form that now rested against my mate's body. Why was I expected to go in after him again? "Will you calm down?" Someone invaded my murderous thoughts and craning my neck to my side I was met with Gol's steady eyes.

"I am calm." I snapped even when I knew he was right.

"The banquet will be held tomorrow-" My mate's pronouncement brought a stop to the ensuing argument I was about to have with my guard. And the sight of the king peeling Myrna off of him gave me some semblance of control. Just enough to witness Myrna's look of horror that had only been an assumption on my part when I'd requested to have the banquet set for the following day.

"Wait, tomorrow?! So soon!" Myrna bellowed. A rare sight for the multitudes gathered. "I mean-" Her tone softened when she realized that. "Why the rush, my love?"

My love... I hated everything about how that sounded.

"I'd think this would make you happy. Aren't you eager to have my son or daughter welcomed by his or her people?" Elian stood back, arms folded, leaving that welcome distance between them. "I know of someone who is."

Myrna glared my way, right before she pasted on a sweet smile. "It's just that there is so much to do and so little time. Couldn't we-"

"Nonsense! What is the point of being queen if you can't get such simple tasks done, hmmm?" Someone I had not expected appeared at Myrna's side. Her gentle smile shining.

"Queen mother?" Myrna was taken aback when the former queen of Xatis embraced her.

"Oh child, just call me Sarabeth."

"I can? Really?" Confusion marred Myrna's features. It was clear this was totally unexpected for her. Just as it was for me. Had my mate linked his mother and they had somehow worked out a plan I did not know about? I wished to ask my mate what in the world was going on, but his focus remained on whatever was unfolding before him.

"Of course, child. Now, seeing that we do not have that much time, I suggest that you come with me." Sarabeth gently tugged on Myrna's arm.

"But- his majesty, my king..."

"Oh, we do not require his presence. Besides, you are the mother, you are the one who deserves all the pampering." Sarabeth cupped Myrna's cheeks and I could have sworn I saw her flinch at the loving touch. The entire sight was almost laughable as Myrna barely let the former queen lead her out of the throne room.

Once they walked out, my mate turned to the bond keeper who I only noticed then still stood with the wooden box open. My heart ached at the sight of the two strands still twisting over each other.

"Why don't you hold on to those. Just until tomorrow."

The ancient man nodded quietly before closing the box. "As you wish, my king." Elian nodded in acknowledgement.

The high priest was also dismissed in a similar manner and when he seemed about done, my mate's gaze found mine. Many emotions swam in that golden gaze, leaving my heart skipping too many beats. And when he stalked towards me, I did not know what to do with myself.

"My lady..." Hands took mine and I was certain every wolf before us could hear the senseless rhythm with which my heart hammered in my chest.

"What in God's name are you doing?" My voice was barely a whisper which was pointless in a room full of wolves. And before I could be furnished with an answer, someone tugged on my hand.

"Speaking of pampering, it's time you came with m-"

"Uh, about that grandmother, a word?" My mate snatched my hand away from Liira, making both Liira and me frown.

"Would I-" Golden eyes darted to me and then back to Liira while my curiosity grew. But whatever that was about, I was completely cut off when the conversation was had in their mind link. A lot of head shaking and scowling later, Liira let out a huff. "Fine. But one word of complaint, anything at all to suggest something was not done right and you'll hear from me." Liira warned, while I remained oblivious as to the what.

"What was that about?" I inquired the moment Liira walked away.

"Nothing to worry about. I may or may not have just assigned myself a role in helping you get ready for tomorrow." Eyes widened, but my mate made it clear he would speak nothing of it.

"And what was that with your mother? You could give me that at the very least." I protested.

"Let's just say the former queen seen openly fussing over her daughter inlaw will dispel any protests the said daughter in law might have if things do not go her way."

He was playing her game. That should not have made me smile, but as I said, I had not stopped my mate from stripping Myrna of her position out of the goodness of my heart. "What now?"

"Now we get ready for the banquet.