Ileus: The Dark Prince

"How can a sorcerer help us?" asked Arel. "King Edyrm is one of the most powerful demon kings who can sense magic in his kingdom that doesn't belong to him. Only the royal line has abilities to wield magic and the king doesn't have a problem with the royals wielding their magic as long as it doesn't hurt his plans. If he, as much as senses a foreign ripple of magic, he is going to slaughter those responsible for it in a heartbeat. It is impossible for anyone to use their magic without being detected! Not only that, he can even identify who is using their magic." 

Ileus' brows drew together. He sucked in a sharp air as frustration corded the muscles of his neck. "My cousin Caleb is a very strong sorcerer. I am sure he can manage things. But the main issue is how to bring him here. He is currently in Ireland for his wife!" Elize had left Caleb and wasn't accepting him. Ileus was aware that he was stalking her every moment and the king of Ixoviya was now reduced to a stalker. What could he do? Elize was his mate and he was getting crazier by the day without her. And that was the problem. To get Caleb away from Elize— unthinkable. 

General Yion said, "If you allow, I can get him from there." What he meant was that he would use his muscle-power. His friend Arawn, the centaur, would definitely help him. Moreover, in Fullshire forests, he would stay in his corporeal form. 

Ileus shook his head. "You can't get Calen like that. You don't want to face his wrath! I will have to go and fetch him!" He looked at Anastasia and then shook his head. "No, I don't think I will go!" He looked too exasperated and walked out from the main hall. He wanted to help Rolfe with his plans because of his sister, but he couldn't leave Anastasia. He had left her once and she was attacked. 

Anastasia followed her husband knowing fully well as to why he didn't want to go. When they reached their makeshift room, she held his hand and said, "Aly, what are you so worried about?" 

Ileus stopped his tracks. He turned his face towards her. There was a coldness in the golden hue of his irises. "I won't go," he said with firm resolution. 

"What if I go with you?" she offered. 

"What? No way! I would never risk your health over anything!" he retorted fiercely. 

"Don't be so overbearing Ileus. I am absolutely fine. You are worrying too much and not giving me space!" 

"Not giving you space?" he snapped. "What kind of space do you want from me Anastasia?" His werewolf temper was coming out. "Our baby is an heir to so many kingdoms. I don't want to harm my child. Remember, that the baby in your womb is mine too!" His anger was laced with possessiveness. "There cannot be any space between us. You are carrying my child and don't even think of going away from me!" he growled. 

Anastasia stared at him, stunned at his outburst. She narrowed her eyes and then turned sharply to leave the room saying, "Will talk to you when you have calmed down!" She closed the door with a bang. 

A few seconds later Kaizan entered looking towards her. "That is one angry fae female. Whatever happened man?" 

Ileus gritted, "Nothing!" His fists were so tight that his knuckles were white and his eyes flickered a black, his wolf getting angry. 

Kaizan knelt in front of the fire and stoked the dying flame. "You know what Ileus, ever since Anastasia has fought the war against Etaya, she was trapped in this place. While I do believe that fate played a major role in all this, because then how could Iona meet her mate. And who knew that her mate would be none other than Rolfe, the exiled prince of Galahar."

"Why are you talking in riddles, Kaizan?" Ileus snapped again. He hated to see his wife walking out on him. That was their first fight in a while and he was growing antsy by the second. "What do you mean?" 

"Anastasia needs to go away somewhere. That girl is mentally tired. There hasn't been a day that she hasn't faced troubles. If you take her away from here, she will get some rest."

Ileus walked to the window and looked at the stars that peeped through the dense clouds every now and then. "You know it is not easy to get out of the wilderness of Tibris! I want to take her, but it's not like I can create a portal and take her. If I could do that, I would have done it by now. Jun has to come and guide us out of Tibris. Do you know how long it will take for me to reach you? Five fucking days! And that is the time it is going to take if I decide to go back. So please tell me how do I take Anastasia out of here in her condition? She'd rather rest over here." In anger, he punched the stone near the window, which splintered on impact. "And after the attack on her, I am too wary of leaving her alone with these demons! If the creature is found only in Galahar, how did it find its way to the fortress? There is something, which Rolfe isn't aware of." 

Staring at the flames which now rose higher only made Kaizan feel all the more uncomfortable. "I understand you Ileus, but we need Caleb. And I am sure that he can't be brought here easily. He would never leave the woman who is his mate, unprotected. Unless—" 

Ileus furrowed his brows. "Unless what?" 

Kaizan pursed his lips and shrugged. What he said next was so shocking that Ileus strode out of the room, banging the door so loudly that it was short of falling from the frame. He went back to the main hall and saw Iona's desperate looks. The way she was gazing at Rolfe like a lost puppy, it melted his heart. Anastasia wasn't there. He sniffed her scent and then located her in the courtyard. She was standing on the moss covered stony floor, watching the waxing moon with gloomy eyes. He came right beside her and then wrapped his arms around her waist after shackling her wings. He buried his face in the crook of his neck. "I am sorry…" he said against her skin. "I am too worked up, sweetheart." 

Anastasia rested her head on his and stroked his hair. "I now…" she whispered. Then she stared at nothing and said, "The Lore needs to be set right, Aly. And you have to do what you are supposed to…" 

"Ana…" Ileus looked at his mate. He turned her to face him. Her eyes had become violet. There were silvery sparks behind the violet. "What are you saying Ana?" She sounded mystical… like a goddess. 

She placed her palm on his cheek and said, "Get Caleb. It is important." We need him not for Iona, but for a lot more… And don't worry about me." Saying that she snapped her fingers. "Look around you," she said. 

And Ileus' eyes became wide when his gaze fell on the walls of the fortress.