Love and Chaos Series
His Forbidden Mate Chapter 40

I returned to our chambers and found her things untouched, which meant she had not been here to take any of them. She had run away just like she did eight years ago, only this time, I made her leave.

I lied to her, avoided the truth and broke her heart in the end.

I had sent out guards to search for her also and I went ahead with a carriage, but we couldn't find her. After many hours of searching for her, I returned to the Palace. I felt Kailani must have returned to Lurds, but I couldn't guarantee that was true. I needed a guarantee. That something bad hadn't happened to her. This was all my fault. She could be in danger for all I know, and I pushed her into that danger.

The voices in my head were surging higher and driving me crazier with their nagging and guilt. I needed Kailani; I needed the peace she brought me.

I stepped back into the hall, and this time found Xavier with queen Mia waiting for me. I wondered if they had gotten rest after the party or if I had also stolen their peace as well. The latter seemed to be the case. They were waiting for me. "Did you find her?" Xavier asked, and I figured Mia had already told him what had happened.

"No, I think she left."

"Why would she leave when she was coming to you?" Mia asked, her need for better clarification lingering.

"Because she saw me with the lady of the house, Black," I answered, and they stared at me with eyes of disbelief.

Neither of them could believe I could do that. I can't believe I did that either.

"Why would you do that?" Mia raised her voice, making a few heads turn to us, but I stayed silent.

Xavier placed his hands on Mia's shoulder, an act to calm her down, and it worked. She sighed and rubbed her hand over her forehead. Posted by FindNovel.net "Speak to your brother," she said, taking her leave.

We stepped into the study, and Xavier closed the door. I wanted to ask if leaving his guest downstairs was the best choice, but I kept that thought to myself.

Xavier just studied me silently and spoke up after a while. "Can you find her using your magic?"

I shook my head. "No, she's different. My magic does not affect her. No one's magic works on her."

"Why?"

"She was born that way. She's perfect that way, and I think I may have ruined things with my stupidity." I groaned, my guilt eating me up from the inside out.

Xavier's brows narrowed as he once again studied me in silence. He soon broke the silence to ask. "What are you not telling me?"

I knew there was no way to hide the truth at this point. Might as well come clean.

I had failed to welcome Kailani to the capital as he planned because our father had kept me with him, talking about plans for the future, and one of those plans involved finding a mate. He asked if I had been with anyone recently. I replied yes, and he asked if I had an interest in them and again I said yes. Then he asked if they were from a noble family and when I said no, his words were, 'so you're not that interested in them. I was interested in Kailani for reasons best known to me and one reason was the peace I had with her, but telling my father that would mean tossing a gold necklace to the swine. So I asked him why he asked and he told me the lady of the house, Black, lady Shewa, just returned from the kingdom of Jade. I knew of lady Shewa and her family.

House Black, from what the story says, stood beside our father during the war with the kingdom of Foth and served as allies, sacrificing many men just to win the war. Father had been indebted to the family ever since. He couldn't sacrifice Xavier because one; Xavier would never have allowed him, and two; Xavier was now married. He believed I might be the best choice.

I told him my brother had his bride chosen because he was being punished and there was no reason I should face such a fate. He then told me a war was coming, hinting the line Xavier had used for the past two years. He added how the Ainsworth needed allies and how union with the noble houses would grant us that.

Xavier had banished Elliott, our cousin, and declared him an enemy of the throne for his constant attack against him as the heir of the throne. That made me the only Ainsworth able to make powerful allies with a union.

He told me marrying into the house back wouldn't be punishment if I got to know Lady Shewa and started on the right foot with her before our declaration. He told me to go home and think about his suggestion. This was a clash of interest because I invited Kailani to the capital to meet the king, the Queen and our father and get their approval. His suggestion did not only ruin my plans but also complicated things.

"Our Father wants me to take lady Shewa of house black as a wife," I answered.

My answer didn't lessen his confusion. "Since when does the old man tell you what to do?"

"Since he, just like you, believes there's a war coming. He believes we need as many allies. With Elliott out of the picture and you married, I am the only eligible Ainsworth that can bring the Blacks to the Royal sides."

Xavier's eyes dropped with pity as he stared at me. "Don't give me that look, Xavier," I warned with gritted teeth.

"Gearing allies for our cause shouldn't be your responsibility, Edward. I am the king and this is my job as king to make sure the kingdom is ready," he stated firmly.

"No, it's not the responsibility of the king alone, it's the responsibility of every royal born. I learned that a long time ago." I knew what being royal meant. It meant sacrificing one's happiness for the kingdom, and now I feel like I am a hypocrite for not practising what I preached for so long.

"Do you love her?"

I pressed my lips together and nodded. "I've loved her for as long as I can remember. I've loved her since the day I first saw her."

Xavier placed his hand on my shoulder. "Then you have my blessing and support to go after the woman you love and I will stand by you."

My eyes grew glassy. "Brother."

"Being royal is madness on its own. You saw how cold our father was to our mother. Their union was out of duty and responsibility, and he never loved her. That's not what I want for you, you deserve to be with the woman that makes you happy regardless of her status. I love you too much to want to see you miserable.