Page 21 of His Stolen Queen
Does it pain me?
It used to soothe me, lending me comfort that my other half was out there, waiting to be found. It was like an anticipatory rhythm, counting down the beats when she would be mine.
But as the years drifted by, my visions of her decreased before they petered out altogether. Coupled with the rise of the BloodKin, increasing their kills and numbers, I had no option but to release her. The beat no longer calmed me. It only served to remind me that I would only ever be one-half of a whole.
I scrubbed a hand down my face. "Not physically," I concisely replied, leaving it at that.
Remus grunted in understanding while Damon sent me a conciliatory look. I averted my gaze. I did not need their pity.
"And King Artemis and Queen Sarai's records are definitely destroyed?" Dionyis queried. They knew how desperate I had been to uncover any information pertaining to the only King and Queen fated mate pairing. Something was missing, and I felt I was on the cusp of discovering it. But without their records, it may forever be out of reach.
"My Elders have scoured the Territories for answers. But it appears they have all been destroyed."
"Fuck, that sucks, man," Damon swore. "I can make inquiries into it if you like. Can't trust any fucker these days."
Damon's father had been murdered by one of his trusted Elders who had switched allegiance to the BloodKin, feeding information to Vladimir. Because this was the second time the Ameros Territory had been betrayed, once Damon took the throne, he ruthlessly cleaned his household by killing the remaining Elders and banishing his father's bond-servant. To claim he had trust issues would be a gross understatement.
And even though Damon had two hundred years over me, he continued to act like a young playboy. He indulged in every vice and was well-known for his sexual deviances, although I wished I had remained ignorant of that piece of information. Even now, his eyes were locked on the orgy taking place on his floor. I had no doubt he would be among them within the hour.
"Thank you, my friend. I will take all the help I can get." Despite deciding to call off the search for my mate, having their records may help to learn more about their mating and, in turn, help flush out more detractors.
"You have an indefinite invite to search my Territory," Remus offered. "For records and your mate."
"Mine, too," Dionyis agreed.
I inclined my head. "I thank you."
I felt guilty for deceiving them. The mere thought of giving up a bond-mate would horrify them, even more so that it was a King's. But they did not understand the torment I had been through. Thirty-three years, in the grand scheme of things, was a drop in the ocean compared to the centuries we had lived. But even a year apart from her was unbearable. The visions of her, the leads that led nowhere. The hopes that rose, only to be dashed. And now, there was a more pressing danger in the form of Vladimir and his Kin. I could not, in good conscience, bring such destruction to her doorstep.
She was also married—I could not forget that—possibly with children,andshe was human. There were so many obstaclesagainst us, ones that I would have gladly destroyed to retrieve her. But no more. I needed to let that dream die, just like I knew her human form would wither within the blink of an eye.
Two hours later, we left Remus to continue his drinking and Dionyis to a seductive Witch. The night was still and pitch-black, illuminated by the bright lights of restaurants and bars. The number of coats the humans were bundled in told me the air was chilly, but the cold would never touch us.
I mind-linked with Von.
Location?
Nearby, my King. Adon had much to discuss regarding a possible lead in King Artemis and Queen Sarai's records.
My hands clenched, and I forced my heart to slow.
Anything useful?
Perhaps. There is a supposition that the original documents were saved and that copies were burned in their stead.
My heart leaped again at his words.
It is hearsay, nothing finite.
I willed myself to calm. Hope was a terrible thing, and I did not wish to entertain it. Especially since I had given up any hope of—
A breeze blew on my skin, and a scent carried on it. My nostrils flared, and my eyes darkened in pleasure, my fangs tingling.
I often wondered what my mate's scent would smell like. There were scents I found pleasant, such as apricots and Jasmine. In my loneliest moments, I would ponder if her scent would be specific to aromas I found delicious or whether the perfumes would be unique to her and the scent would automatically please me.
Until you experienced the euphoria of your mate's distinctive scent, you realized that no fragrance in the world could ever compare.
Apricot? It was as if the freshest, most exotic fruits were stripped and laid bare before me. Jasmine? The freshest florals were bathing my skin.
