The King’s Tainted Mate
Chapter 73

"I must say, you were right after all." My mind link buzzed, tearing my attention from my mate to my mother amidst the sound of cheer and happy conversation that characterized tonights dinner. Sarabeth's tone was every bit satisfied and happy as could be expected when every plan to host such an event fell into place. Seated next to father, who was deep in conversation with a dignitary from a city I did not care to remember, her face spoke of her delight too.

"I would have never expected this cold, empty and forgotten space to spring to life so beautifully." She beamed, reminding me of our not so little argument about breaking tradition. She and father had been displeased over my sudden decision to shift this dinner from the traditional reception hall that had served to host such similar important events in times past.

"It's quite remarkable." I noted. But while I agreed with my mother's new sentiments, the reception hall's beauty, however, had nothing to do with my reasons for shifting the banquet's dinner from the usual reception hall to this maiden hall. My decision had everything to do with the one person whose presence here probably mattered more than anyone else's. It was the beginning of the rest of her life as the noble heir to the third house and the only maiden in my life and I wished for this moment to be perfect for her. That meant not letting even the tiniest of memories of what had been before now to get in the way.

It had been an assumption on my part, but when Shyla had merely eyed the golden platform meant for me and her once the introductions were done, it confirmed what I had suspected.

She did not wish to be my chosen mate's replacement, at least not in the way sitting next to me in the seat meant for my queen would. With Myrna gone, Xatis had naturally acknowledged her as queen, a fact that had delighted me to no end. She'd needed no crown or royal pronouncements for my people to accept her, but what should have delighted her, unlike Myrna, had only brought her discomfort. I'd seen every wince and unnatural smile each time many made it known how they perceived her. The discomfort had only deepened when she'd found out that she was of noble birth too.

And because I knew I could do nothing to erase the thought from her mind, I'd instead settled to have the event in the one place I had not shared in any way with my former queen. If only to ease some of that discomfort. Letting Shyla know of that fact had been the thing to get my mate's feet moving. And while I knew that it by no means erased anything, I was glad that it was somewhat enough to make her stay.

Nodding at my mother, I shifted my gaze back to my mate, my wolf instantly purring at the sight. She'd left my side at her father's request for a dance and now she was the thing of beauty to grace the dance floor. "Undeniably mesmerizing!" I decided.

Her beauty was blinding, a sight I could not decide on whether it was so because of her own flawless beauty or the protruding belly that sang of my strength as a man...and wolf.

While music filled the hall, I watched with longing as she swayed beautifully to the soothing sound. There was an innocence to every one of her moves, but not even that could keep my mind from indulging in visions that were anything but. And if wasn't for Lord Lydo's delightful smile while he danced with his daughter, a smile I knew the lord had not worn in so long, I would have reclaimed her already and perhaps satiated my own longing with her closeness.

But having already decided to let the father daughter duo have their moment, my gaze settled on her form that I would not tire from beholding.

Lord Quent had outdone himself yet again. The gown he'd created for her was meant to highlight the heir she carried, but unlike the old boring gowns of old which only ensured the protruding belly was visible, Quent had brought fourth not only the belly, but the goddess of a maiden too.

I did not even know that someone so very heavy with child could be so very alluring...enchanting.

Her every curve that most would cover up with layers and layers of fabric still whispered sinful things to me just as they had back in my chambers. I still wished to devour her now as I had when I beheld her then. When I noted her own thirst while she'd raked my form with a needy gaze as I walked up to meet her.

I had had no business kissing her then, but I knew that the night would be too long without a taste of her. Not that that had helped matters.

I brought a cup of wine to my lips, the liquid doing nothing to quench the thirst that was no longer just in my loins, but in every crevice of my body that beat with life.

A figure in the crowd caught my attention and my wolf perked up, reminding me of the second reason I had chosen to dine here.

"What is it?" Rakon stirred beside me, hand still on the hilt of his blade.

"Nothing or something." I could not tell as the hooded figure gave me no other reason to be suspicious once they stopped to greet guests in their path.

"I will check it out anyway. Just to be, you know...sure." I watched as Rakon stalked the figure. It was probably nothing and I could have asked him to stay, but the unsolved mystery of my mate's a*******n had kept me on edge. While I thirsted after her, my instincts still remained on high alert too. She was back in the palace and I was intent on ensuring that history did not repeat itself.

I had not only chosen to dine in this hall whose weaknesses were unknown by my would be enemies and thereby lessening the chances of an attack, but food and wine had been tasted a countless times before it was placed in front of us. Samara and Norae were on serving duty instead of the usual maids who attended to my mate. And apart from Gol, I had guards whose sole focus was my mate at any given point. Hell, I had even decided she needed a dagger on top of all the protection.

My gaze fell on her at the memory of her scandalized expression when I'd strapped the small blade to her thigh. The hiding place was unusual, but I'd known of many maidens who'd been disarmed way before they could get to their weapon simply because their attacker knew exactly were it was hidden. I would not risk such happening to Shyla. And that was not to say my choice was void of benefits or consequences.

Desire rang out in my bones, speaking of the punishment I'd bestowed on myself.

"May I have this dance, your majesty?" I would have welcomed the distraction if only it had come from someone other than the owner of that voice. Kerina, Myrna's conreplaceante and Evarius's spawn appeared before me, a flirtatious smile gracing her face. On any other day her bold request would have been unbecoming of a noble lady, but not today. While Xatis was still in a celebratory mood, it was customary for the king to grant such requests to his esteemed guests. But that did not mean I was in any mood to entertain any close contact with any she-wolf that was not my mate.

"I'm afraid I have to decline, lady Ker-"

"Oh, please do not refuse me, your majesty. And it's just Kerina, not lady-" Three distinct growls sounded when my mate's cousin dared to lay her hand on me. My own that sent her freezing on her spot, Liira's that registered the matriarchs disapproval of the maiden's actions and the almost feral one that sought to mark her territory. Shyla still danced with her father, but there was no mistaking the murderous intent that hid in the shimmering silver that now clouded her eyes. I gloried in that sight even as she kept glaring.

"I'm sure there are plenty unmated wolves dying to entertain such shameless advances." Liira scolded before either me or Kerina uttered a word. Not that I would have as I spent the fleeting moment assuring my mate from this distance that I would be doing no such thing.

"Lady Liira." At a loss for words and the obvious knowlegde that she could simply not go against the matriarch, Kerina merely bowed before she retreated in defeat.

"I can take care of myself." I scoffed at grandmother.

"You know I never pass on an opportunity to put anyone wishing to overstep in their place." Liira smirked. "Now, will you ask your grandmother to dance?"

Desiring to be closer to my mate after her possessive display, I jumped at the opportunity. "May I have this dance, my lady?" I gave Liira an exaggerated bow that she acknowledged with a wide grin. My grandmother, however, had other reasons for requesting a dance and they had nothing to do with relishing the beautiful sound of music that graced the hall.

"So, who do you think is the guilty one?" We had barely swayed to the music when Liira spoke, gaze shifting to my future inlaws that seemed to be comforting a sulking Kerina at the dinner table. "One of those did encounter your mate at the capital and yet they did not think to come forth and embrace their long lost heir."

I stared, knowing I had failed to put a finger on the guilty party. None of the individuals from the third noble house had hinted at anything of the sort. Their faces only reflected the joy they claimed to feel at Shyla's return. "I do not know yet." I admitted. "But for the record, I do not believe for one second that Evarius's world is finally blooming with flowers at the return of Shyla and that he is more than glad to give up the title of heir apparent. The man had flaunted that title for far too long to claim otherwise." "The roach is as clean as those pesky creatures can be." Liira's frustrated tone reflected mine. Looking into Evarius's dealings had revealed nothing as usual.

"And unfortunately I can't even glare at the man without being scolded by my mate." Interrogations would have been appropriate, but no matter the suspicion towards my mate's family, that was simply not something that could be done. Not without inviting her resentment that would widen the gap to winning her heart.

"Oh, she's turning out beautifully."

I scowled at that. "You are supposed to be on my side."

"Not against your mate, no." Liira's matter of fact tone reminded me of father's words and I knew arguing was a lost cause. "I would not worry if I were you, however." When I only frowned at my grandmother's statement, Liira smiled. "Evarius may have won her smile now, but that is not remotely enough to earn her affections. In due time she'll come to realize what her dear uncle truly deserves." I hoped that would be sooner rather than later. Because no matter how clean Evarius turned out to be, there was still something unsettling about him.

"What the hell?!" Rakon suddenly linked, the tension in his tone rousing mine.

"Rakon?" Eyes snapped towards the last place I had seen the hooded figure, expecting to see my best friend at the very least. I was in for a disappointment that was enough to cut the dance with Liira short and urge my feet towards my mate as I waited for Rakon's report. "Either your guest is a ghost or they have finally found the magical formula for masking their scent completely and...mastered the art of disappearance."