The King’s Tainted Mate
Chapter 60

He would find me eventually, I was aware of that. If there was anyone to sniff out my scent even after attempting to mask it perfectly, it would be my mate. But until he did, I would keep going. My feet carried me deeper into the forest while my hands clutched tightly to my gown, lifting it higher to keep from tripping or getting caught on the roots or twigs that littered the forest floor. This was by no means an escape attempt. Well, it was, but not in the very sense of the word. I was escaping, but only from the ghosts from my past and present. Those that wouldn't let me be and kept reminding me of things I'd rather forget. I was escaping from the pitiful eyes that viewed me as a pretty fragile thing that needed taking care of. While I appreciated all the care that surrounded me, I felt smothered to an extent. I was escaping it all just so I could experience the freedom I'd enjoyed once before. I only wished to breathe without someone inquring if I was alright when I did.

I knew that by now Samara and Norae had noticed my absence and were probably on their way to report their failure. That is if they had not chosen to mind link their king. I hoped they had chosen the former just because it would give me more time to myself. If only I could find what I was looking for.

I came to a stop, eyes darting left and right, wondering which way to turn. This had seemed so much simpler when I watched the forest from my chamber's window. When it had beckoned me with the strangest of feelings to explore it.

A twig snapped to my right causing my heart to leap into my throat. "Who's there?" Despite the courage I'd had coming into the dense forest my voice shook at the thought of someone stalking me. I knew guards had been tasked to watch the place, but I had evaded many of them already and doubted they had been the ones to follow. Or had my mate found me so soon?

"I thought I would have to wait for eternity before you finally decided to leave your comfortable tower and come down."

The voice was very farmiliar, but so out of place and what did they mean they thought they would have to wait for eternity? "Zillah?" I let my gown fall.

"Such a comfort to know you still remember."

"Of course I remember." Surprised and relieved, I drew closer to the person I'd not laid my eyes on in too long but was glad to see regardless. Their hair was still so matted, I knew detangling it would come at a cost of a lot of inches. The familiar old gown they wore was in dire need of a wash. Had no one taken care of her at all?

The maiden's entire sight was a vision of one needing a mental physician, but their smile was as bright as ever. "What in God's name are you doing here?"

Annoyance marred her facial features that were in dire need of a wash too. "Why do you always ask me that? Do you still not believe that I'm your guardian?"

"Forgive me. It seems I needed reminding." I pulled her in for an embrace and as always the comfort spread in my own soul. Just what I longed for. "How is it that you always find me at the right time?" I had never understood it.

"I'm your guardian, silly." Her hands were calloused, but against my cheeks, her touch was warm and comforting. "I came because you needed me."

I pulled back, remembering her words. "How long have you been here?"

"Oh, I do not know." Zillah shrugged her shoulders and I knew that was as good an answer as I would get.

"Not that I'm not happy to see you, but you can't be here." Despite her state, Zillah was intruding and I had no idea how she'd be treated once she was found out. And speaking of which, a familiar growl ripped through the woods, letting me know that I'd lost my advantage.

My mate was obviously angry, if the way he furiously ate the ground between us was anything to go by.

Deciding to stand between him and zillah, I braced for his thunderous scolding, but he merely watched me, his gaze a golden tempestous sea that seemed to calm only when he beheld the person hidden by my form.

"Zillah?" Of all the things that could have come out of his mouth, Zillah's name would have never crossed my mind and neither would I have ever imagined the ensuing interaction.

"My prince, or is it your majesty?" Zillah showed herself and bowed shyly.

"You know you do not have to do that."

"Oh but I do. You are my king now." Zillah approached my mate and I was sure he'd growl in warning to keep her away, but I was in for a surprise. Their embrace was as natural as one shared between friends. When they finally pulled back, Zillah went away, gigling like a little girl while I fought to keep my jaw from hitting the forest floor.

"Should I be thanking Zillah for keeping you here?" Hurt laced his words and my wolf did not like it.

"I merely sought a moment alone. Away from...everyone." Unbelief flashed in his eyes. "The palace can be overwhelming at times." I mumbled and his unbelief morphed into understanding. "Did you find it?"

I didn't, but my heart had lost the heaviness I felt. "I found Zillah."

"She always did have a habit of showing up in the most unusual places."

"Oh?" I was curious. "So how did you meet? Was she a maid in the palace before royalty drove her insane?" Despite our many interactions, Zillah had still remained a mystery to me.

"Is that what you think?" He gave me an amused look to which I only shrugged my shoulders.

"If you must know, an apple was the thing to make our paths cross."

"An apple?" I couldn't keep the surprise from my tone.

"She swiped my apple while I was distracted. It was the first time I had ever been to the capital and I had just run away from my nanny. Rakon and I were bent on exploring the busy world by ourselves, but our adventure was cut short by the incident. My nanny was furious, but instead of me being scolded, her anger was directed at Zillah. Despite being scolded she took it well as she kept on smiling during my nanny's speech. I was fascinated by that, so each time I was in the capital I would still sneak out, but only so that I could gift her an apple."

My curiosity piqued. "How often was this? I mean gifting her this apple."

"I do not know. Why do you ask?"

"Just...please try to recall." A sinking feeling gripped my insides.

"It was so long ago, but perhaps weekly. Sometimes a whole month or more. Whenever father was willing to entertain my endless questions and carried me along. Why do you ask?"

"Because believe it or not, our paths crossed because of an apple too. Except she did not swipe mine, but offered me one. It was the sweetest apple I had ever tasted and so was every other one she claimed to have saved just for me." I stared at Zillah who was minding her own business as she pranced about. "I was always worried she was stealing them, but each time she swore she wasn't and well, I was always hungry when she appeared so I did not dwell on the matter as I should have. I merely ate and relished its taste while I looked forward to having the next." Eyes as wide as saucers stared at me once I was done talking.

"Do you by any chance think-?" The entire thing was absurd. But what if it was true?

"She always claimed she was my guardian. Of course I never took her seriously. I always thought those were the rumblings of an insane mind. But apart from my family, hers is the only face that has been constant in my life over the years." The realization left me at a loss for words. Was she really it? A guardian? Why would I even need one in the first place?

"When last did you receive an apple from her?"

"I do not know." I shrugged my shoulders. It had been a while. "A year or two perhaps. I have not laid eyes on her until today."

"As have I."

"You found her!" Zillah suddenly beamed. "I told you that you would."

"What is she talking about?"

My mate merely smiled. "I did, didn't I? I have you to thank."

"It was nothing. As long as you are happy."

"What is this?"

"The last time I saw her, it was in these very woods. My heart was heavy, I had come for some air, or perhaps I was hiding. I had no apple with me, but she did not mind. Instead she had something to gift me. A promise."

"A promise? What kind of promise?" I frowned. Zillah always had things to say. Many that made no sense, but she'd never made me a promise.

"That I would find the one meant for me. My mate." His deep gaze fell on me. "Of course I did not believe a word she said. I assumed they were the rumblings of a crazy wolf." Warm hands cupped my cheeks. "I should have known there was truth in the craziness."