Chapter 39 I Am Surprised

Gladys glanced at Queen Adara's painting, tilting her head to the side. Casually, she brought her fingers on her necklace and played with it. "I don't know much, but I heard that she betrayed him. She had a lover…" Gladys stopped, pursing her lips.

Emma snapped her head in her direction. "She cheated on her husband?"

"Honestly, I don't know much about it, Emma," Gladys said, shrugging. "I was too young when she died, but her death wasn't a good one. When my father found out about it, he couldn't believe it. He loved her a lot. Unable to bear the deceit, he locked her up in a tower for many years. And in the end, he just sent her to the blood forest…"

"Blood forest?" A shudder passed through her giving way to dread.

"Blood forest is where the trees only suck blood," Gladys said with a deep sigh. "She was buried alive over there."

"Goddess!" Emma's knees shook as pure shock jolted her. "This is ruthless!"

"It is…" Gladys remarked. "But that's how the kings are. They have to set an example for others."

Emma's throat choked with emotions. Lazarus's mother was buried alive because she had fallen in love with someone else? Her blood drained from her face. She glanced at the painting once again. Her painting was hanging at the end of the corridor, and surely it would have been a sad reminder to King Viktor. Her gaze drifted to the necklace she was wearing and she remembered that she saw the same in King Victor's neck. "That necklace?" she asked, pointing towards it.

"My father wears it as a reminder of what his first wife did to him."

Emma let out a rough exhale. She didn't know what to say after it. It was such a sad story that her heart went out for King Viktor. How could his wife betray him after they had a child together?

"Why don't we go to the main hall. I can take you to the throne hall after that and if you like you can dine with all of us again?" Gladys suggested.

Though she nodded and walked with Gladys in the rest of the palace, her heart was heavy.

When they were in the throne hall which was empty, Gladys said with a chuckle, "That is the most coveted chair, pointing to the throne. "My father wants to give it to the most eligible and wise heir." She let out a small laugh. "Oh, we all know that you are his mate."

"Mate?" Emma asked, her eyes going wide. "What is a mate? I— I haven't mated with him." A blush appeared on her cheeks.

Gladys frowned. "Really? Lazarus hasn't even mentioned this to you?"

"No…"

"Strange," Gladys remarked. "Why does Lazarus do what he does?" she mused. "He should have told you this fact. You are his mate."

"And what is a mate?" she asked, bewildered as to why this is so important to know.

Gladys walked towards the dais on which the throne was. "A mate is rare in the Lore. It's like you both share a very deep bond with each other. The mate bond is revered over normal marriages. When the mates have come of age and look at each other, something inside them snaps. It's like all the puzzle pieces have snapped in place. The attraction is so severe that even if you want, you can't deny it. If one dies, the other follows to the Fade."

Emma was… stunned. She was feeling like that towards him for some time and then some more. There was an unexplained attraction for him. It was as if she couldn't resist herself. Her lips parted in a shaky breath as realization crashed on her. But even as Gladys continued to speak about mates, Emma remained quiet. If the mates were so strongly attracted, wasn't Lazarus feeling the bond and if he was feeling it, then why was he denying it and so interested in Maeve? So many emotions swirled in her mind that she blinked back a sting of tears.

They came out of the throne hall and Gladys said, "Would you like to tour the north wing corridors? That's where the king lives."

"N—no," Emma said. She couldn't after all that Gladys had told her. She wanted to stay alone. Why did Gladys mention this to her? Her misery only increased. "I want to go back," she said in a hoarse voice. "I am not feeling well…"

"I can understand," Gladys said, placing a hand on her arm. "It is too much for you Emma, but if my brother is being so difficult, it's not because he wants to be. He just is…" She cupped her cheek with one palm. "But I know that as his mate, you can help him. You are the light to his darkness and for him to be the king of Wilyra, you have to bring forth that light. He needs you."

"But I am not going to stay forever. He is—" her throat choked. "He will cast my soul out."

Gladys pursed her lips and looked away. "That is the hard part. At the risk of sounding selfish, I would still ask you to help him. The soul casting ritual is not in my control."

Emma nodded in resignation. She couldn't agree more. They walked back to her room in silence. Emma thanked her and then Gladys left. "I shall see you tomorrow, if you like."

Emma's lips lifted in a semblance of a smile. "I am tired, but I will surely like to meet you again."

Gladys placed a kiss on Emma's forehead and went away. With a very heavy heart, Emma came back to sit on her bed. It was almost evening and a headache had started forming. She crashed on the bed and before she knew, she had gone off to sleep.

It was night, when she woke up. She was covered with furs. Fire crackled in the room, making it warm and cozy.

She saw Lazarus on her side, watching her intently. He was sitting cross legs and there was a glass in his hands. His eyes were a bright red. She had a thousand questions for him. "I have questions for you," she said, rubbing her eyes.

"I am surprised," he said with a smirk. She always had questions. "Ask," he said as she removed the fur from her, exposing her thighs. His gaze locked on them.