The King’s Tainted Mate
Chapter 85

Horns, trumpets and battle ready men met our carriage's arrival at our unexpected destination. Of all the places Evarius could have crawled under to hide, this particular place would have never crossed my mind. And going by the display of military power, my uncle was not exactly hiding. My wolf was exceptionally pleased at the sight. Something about not being underestimated by the enemy. While I, I was gripped by the sad reality of what could have been. I hadn't yet been to my parent's home, but the emblems flying high on every raised banner was a familiar figure in my eyes that had me recognizing what would have been my childhood home. The beauty of the grounds against the golden sunset painted just the right amount of outdoor magic that would have appealed not only to the younger me, but the older too.

"It's mine now." Myrna mumbled, drawing my attention. It seemed to have taken the entire journey and my silence for her to replace her composure once again. Or at least the part of her that still thought could draw the jealous bone out of me. "All of it. Now that my mate will make every one of you insignificant lot pay for-"

I scoffed. I had resolved not to let her have a reaction out of me, but I couldn't help but scoff at Myrna's delusions. Did she actually believe that Evarius and her would end up victorious and be the ones to rule the realms? The smug look she now wore even when she remained shackled seemed to say so and I couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

"Stop the carriage!" Ignoring Myrna's haughty attittude, I commanded the small band of guards Evarius had waiting for me and Myrna once we had exited the palace walls to stop. Their work was done and henceforth began mine. And perhaps I couldn't pass the opportunity to slap Myrna with the truth of who was actually in charge in the face.

"My lady, this is not exactly were the lord is expecting you." If the guard who seemed to be the head of the small group could look anymore apologetic, he would have as he relayed his orders as though they tasted like sand on his tongue. "He was very specific in his instructions."

"As lord of the third house, I'm not here to bow to Evarius' wishes."

"Lord?" The surprise in Myrna's tone should have been satisfying, but I ignored her as I straightened up once my feet touched the ground. My words seemed to have caught the guards by surprise too. But once recognition settled in, there was no doubt in their eyes about my claims.

"Lord L- I mean, Lady Lily?" Relief graced the features of all the guards as they finally took me in in light of my own introductions. "We thought-" The head of the guards nervously scanned his surroundings before focusing back on me. "Surely Lord Lydo wouldn't have let his long lost daughter back here?" The warning was clear in the man's tone making me realize the men where not on Evarius' side even though they were carrying out his demands.

It was a little matter I could not celebrate however, as I was aware that with all the sorcery at his disposal, that fact could change at any moment. And until I knew for sure how far his sorcery could go in manipulating these wolves, I wouldn't be letting my guard down for whatever reason. No matter how safe I felt among my people or despite this being my home, I still had to remember that this remained the devil's lair. And until I had my mate by my side, I was but one wolf surrounded by what could turn out to be a problematic enemy even for the chosen.

"Letting his only daughter back here? Of course not. You know the man well enough in that regard." I smiled at the men who'd since straightened up and were according me the due respect of lord and not just the noble lady they'd been told to escort. "B-But-" Strange looks passed from one man to the next. "Then how is it that you are here? Surely Lord Lydo should know that his younger brother has gone mad and that this is no place for the only heir to the third noble house to be. Not if the Lord does not wish for his line to end with him."

"Because as the chosen, I maybe the only one capable of curing my uncle's madness." Jaws dropped as figures dropped to their knees in awe.

"Forgive us, my lady." The head of the guards' countenance was shinning with excitement when he looked back up. "We thought the chosen was still within the palace walls and did not realize how great a presence the gods had graced upon us while we journeyed. If we have offended you-"

"You are the chosen?!" I'd thought she was not listening, but Myrna's shackles rattled as she cut off the man's apology. "Is this some kind of a joke?" Not waiting for my reply, she laughed bitterly and if she could curse at the heavens she would have as she glared at what I assumed were the gods. "Wait, is that how you were able to get into my head?" Suddenly that realization had her sinking back into the carriage and I would have relished the terror that filled her eyes if not for the heavy presence that made itself known, forcing my wolf to be more alert than before.

Evarius stood with arms open wide in a welcoming gesture. And if one did not already know the dark reasons that had brought us together, they would easily mistake the smile gracing his face as of one extremely happy to welcome a long lost daughter of the house. "Now there is a sight that could warm a man's heart for all eternity." I cringed at the odd greeting, knowing of the man's intentions. Evarius on the other hand wore a victorious grin as he rode towards our carriage.

"Oh, Evarius, my love! See what they did to me!" Naturally, Myrna assumed she was the centre of attention, but this time around, I chose not to fault her for it, but used the opportunity to observe any weaknesses my uncle might have.

It turned out that he was not immune to the mate bond. If the death glares that landed on his mate's shackles were anything to go by. But that did not mean he'd let it control him. The man was impressive when with just one more look at his shackled mate and his composure settled in effortlessly.

I did not need to face Mryna to know how much that shattered her. The whimpering that followed her mate's choice was enough to let that fact be evident.

"I can see that you honoured my terms." Evarius observed with a tone I did not appreciate.

"I don't exactly see you doing the same." I growled and the lack of cracks in his composure told me exactly what I needed to know. Whatever he'd done was working perfectly against my gift. Bringing him into submission was out of the question. But that was something I'd expected.

"I must say you have grown since the last time I saw you." The way he took me in had my wolf growling and itching to mark some kind of boundary. Evarius was not welcome or more importantly, he was not worthy. And while that was a total surprise to me and something that let me know that there was no way in hell my wolf would let him mark us, Evarius seemed to be aware of it.

"No matter, I'll be worthy...eventually."

"Eventually?" I was missing something. Something important and I couldn't help but ask.

"First things first, dear child." Instead of furnishing me with an answer, the man turned to his shackled mate, making me ready myself to reject his request to let her free. But her freedom wasn't exactly what Evarius was after. "I, Evarius, do hereby reject you Myrna..."