The King’s Tainted Mate
Chapter 74

"That was quite...overwhelming." My mate sighed the moment the doors to my chambers closed. Liira, the last of the ladies to have insisted on accompanying us had finally left, letting me relax a fraction. The trio that included Sarabeth and Florithe had insisted on being our escorts, both as extra protection and as a distraction for the crowd who would figure out that something was wrong when their king exited the hall earlier than expected. And while the ladies' efforts were appreciated, their fussing over my mate was not. It was understandable, especially for Florithe, but that did not make it any easier to watch the discomfort it brought Shyla and her attempts to conceal it. "I should probably feel guilty for being happy to leave all of it behind, but I don't."

At her confession, I mustered a smile, hoping the tension that had wound every muscle in my body because of the looming threat remained concealed too. "I assure you that except those close in relation to you, the rest of Xatis probably only cares about the delicacies set in front of them right now." My statement may not have held the entire truth, but I was not about to plunge her into the guilt of abandoning her duties as host and the reason the reception hall was filled with celebration. Especially not when I had welcomed her decision without question.

Nothing unusual had happened yet, but once Rakon had narrated how he'd lost sight of my hooded guest, I knew I did not wish to have Shyla anywhere near what would or wouldn't happen. Not even the presence of so many guards was enough to get me to change my decision as the vastness of the reception hall would leave her exposed still.

Her request to abandon the dinner had come at the perfect time. Right after Rakon linked me with feedback, Shyla had bid her father goodbye and met up with me as I headed in her direction. For a moment I had thought she'd wished to switch dance partners, but the regretful expression that'd graced her face once I'd offered her my hand and bowed towards her had made me stand up straighter. I'd thanked the gods when her only words indicated that she'd had enough of the banquet.

"And you...what do you care about?" She blushed even as those words left her beautiful mouth and I couldn't help but draw closer. More so because I could clearly sense the hint of longing in her tone. And it was the thing to get most of the chords of tension around my muscles to relax. Something about her open curiosity made me think of the request I'd made to her in the garden. Would this be it? Her finally wishing to get to know me? Had she decided to give us that chance....to give me that chance? Her words were merely a question, but I could hope.

Hand cupping those beautifully tender cheeks, her chest heaving in anticipation, I wondered if she was really ready to know what I cared about. "Is it not obvious?" I hoped it was. I may not have pressed my intentions to court her, but I hoped that my intent since fate brought her back to me had been clear with every deed meant to let her know of that fact.

"Oh, how silly of me." She wiggled out of my hold, catching me off guard. Was it something I said? "Of course it should be obvious. We are mates after all." Apparently it was something I had said.

"It is not like that at all." I reached for her before anymore distance could be created between us. "I-" Deciding to swallow whatever had intended to slip from my mouth, I held my mate's gaze realizing too late that her question was not a mere question. It may have sounded casual, but the utter discomfort that now graced her face made it anything but. "Forgive me."

"It's fine." Apparently apologizing was the wrong thing to say yet again. The bitterness in her tone pointed that out perfectly.

"Shyla..." She flinched. The least reaction I could have expected from my touch.

"It's late." She pulled away before I could utter anything more. "It has been a rather long and eventful day, your majesty." Now it was my turn to flinch at her very formal address. And for the longest time I merely watched, helpless as she furiously pealed layer after layer of her garments.

She was mad and intent on ignoring my very existence, but bless the gods or was it Lord Quent for those straps that held her gown in place. Something she clearly needed my help with and before she could shout for her maid's help, I came up behind her and took the hands that furiously worked at getting the straps loose. "Let me get those for you." Eyes glared at me through the looking glass, stirring something in my blood.

Not the time! I chastized my wolf, but it was as if the beast had developed a mind of its own as it purred at every strap I loosed, stirring my need even more.

Desperate for distraction, I stole a glance at my mate while I worked at loosening her gown. "I would be lying if I claim the bond has nothing to do with anything." Not the words she needed to hear. I knew that, but we would be fools if we took away that fact from whatever it was either of us longed to share between us.

"The damn thing is a curse." She growled, but somebody else seemed to disagree as they caused her to yelp right after her bitter statement.

"Are you alright?" I was before her in a flash, eyes assessing every inch of her. My mate, however, was not bothered by all the fuss as her gaze remained on her belly. "Is she-he alright?" Panic washed over me when I realized that whatever it was that had made her yelp had everything to do with the child in her belly.

Another yelp was my answer. "Did you see that?!"

The excitement in her tone confused me. "See what?" My gaze dropped to her belly, but I saw nothing unusual. "I can't-"

"There!" Her hand wrapped around mine excitedly, drawing my attention. But whatever it was that had gotten my mate so excited had simply escaped my notice. "You didn't see that?" Disappointment replaced her excitement, but only for a moment as she suddenly stood to her feet and wiggled out of her gown.

And by the gods!

My mouth went instantly dry at the sight of her in nothing but a pair of those scandalous stockings that still held the dagger in place. I'd seen her unclothed before, but this...dear God! It wasn't something I'd considered when I had chosen their design. My interests lay in her having a place to conceal her small weapon that was not so obvious. Of course a glimpse of them when I'd slipped the dagger in had left me thirsting and cursing the fact that there was a banquet to be attended, but nothing could have prepared mefor this.

I couldn't help but entertain visions upon visions of the many ways I could take her. How I could have those slender legs wrap around me as I- "Elian..."

"Huh..." Gold...deep and dark, as I knew the shade of my eyes would be at this point, met silver. It too shimmered. Just as it had the night I'd pleasured her. The mere memory plunged me into a sea of tempestous need. Desire raged in every inch of me, my wolf wishing for nothing but to claim her.

"I thought you might see better without my gown." The colour that bloomed in her cheeks spoke of her shyness, but it did things to me that stirred me to want to reach out and touch. It took everything in me to focus on the thing she wished for me to see. And I was glad I did as the most precious sight greeted me once I really looked.

A little movement here and there. Almost as if my mate's heart were beating right in her belly, but at very awkward intervals.

"She's...moving?" Emotions rushed in, the wave bringing with it a lump that lodged itself in my throat. And as if the little royal knew that they had an audience, the movements became even more distinct, leaving me in awe of their presence. It was as if those tiny movements were the thing to solidify their existence and my own position as a father.

I was going to be a father! The feeling was more overwhelming than the day I was crowned king. And the intimacy of it, experiencing this moment with only my mate, in the confines of our chambers made it even more special.

"Liira had said to expect it, but with all that's happened, I may have forgotten to be on the look out." My mate wore the most beautiful smile as she reached to touch her belly were it seemed to gently vibrate. "Beautiful..."

Hand rested on delicate skin and caressed. "You are beautiful." I rasped, emotion coating every one of those simple yet profound words. I could not imagine sharing this moment with anyone else but her and for the first time I thanked the gods for denying Myrna the chance to carry my child. I thanked fate for bringing back the one meant for me even after my very regrettable decision to reject her.

Those alluring silver eyes looked up at me, the action every bit enticing. And because I couldn't turn away from the invitation therein, I drew closer and took her mouth, her warmth dragging me down deep at the first contact.

Her lack of protest had me scooping her up and carrying her to my bed. The expanse of comfort that was covered in the best silky material Xatis had to offer would have to wait however, as I chose to sit at its edge, my mate straddling me. The position had her blushing all shades of scarlet and I had never seen a more glorious sight.

"So beautiful." Like a kid let loose in a candy store, I longed to explore every inch of her all at once, but in the end I could only stare. And inhale the sweet scent of her desire that in this position was mine for the taking.

Mine...My wolf declared, earning us a very sexy purr from our mate. It was the thing that got my mouth exploring. Lips and tongue took in every inch of her within their reach, earning me the glorious sound of sexy moans from my mate's mouth.

My hands had gained a skill I did not even know I possessed as they explored her naked back, the taut jewels gracing her chest that were fuller than the last time I'd pleasured her.

"Elian..." She arched that back, bringing closer the fullness of her chest that had my mouth gladly taking her in and indulging in the feel of her warmth. The ensuing moans threatened to drain the very essence of my own mind. I did not care for any of it, however, as all I wished for was to drown in her. Body, mind and soul. "Make me yours, Elian..." Her request was soft, yet urgent, sure and everything in me wished for nothing but to fulfil her every desire.

Gently, I laid her down and made quickwork of losing what was left of my armour. Every inch of it. "So beautiful..." I froze at her statement that was full of wonder at whatever she beheld once I was totally naked. And I could almost swear I blushed a bit too when I realized just how much those silver eyes worshipped the sight of me. I stood up straighter too, mightier even as pride filled every inch of me at her hungry look. I was bursting at the seams and if I did not take her now, I would die.

What I did not know, however, was that I would die either way.

Ready to have her in every way possible, I slipped in, claiming every inch of her inner walls that recieved me with a glorious promise of pleasure. That, however, would not be as the most excruciating pain claimed my neck, making me utter the one name that I knew would tear my mate apart, but one I could not for the life of me keep from my lips.