Ileus: The Dark Prince

Their horses nickered as the caravan entered Galahar. The fields where once black magic swirled around them with skies overcast with dark gray, dense clouds, were bathed in pure mists. The sky overhead was clear with just a few stars still clinging to the moon that was yawning to go to sleep or perhaps shine in some other part of the world. She was surprised to see how beautiful a demon land could be when devoid of malevolent magic. Smell of the lush green fields mixed with that mist and pine and snow, was overwhelming. 

Iona, who was sitting in front of Rolfe on his black royal stallion, leaned against her husband's chest, as he wrapped his arms protectively around her while holding the horse reins. There were no bogs, no puddles and only stretches of farms till the green met the horizon. This was so different from Draoidh and Vilinski and it was so beautiful. She felt the melody of husband's heartbeat and reveled in it. She brushed her fingers over his muscled forearms and received a kiss on her temple. 

When they entered the main capital, she was surprised to see that even though it was not yet dawn, the streets were lined with men and women and children. There was a buzz of excitement amongst them and they all looked at their new princess with wide eyes and gazes that revealed their respect for her. 

The information that she had designed the tunnels to remove water logging problems from their kingdom had reached far and wide. They also knew how she was helping the Master Mason in creating more innovations for their kingdom. So as their horse passed the streets, Iona could feel that their eyes were on her. A faint blush rose to her cheeks. Some of them cheered for their prince. And in between she also heard them cheering for her too, though the cheers were still not so loud. She didn't mind. She was very new to them, an alien, and she still had a long way to prove that she was dedicated to them. She understood their apprehensions, their excitement about them for she too felt the same. 

A brush on her thigh made her comfortable. He placed his hand on her belly showing everyone that she was his wife and whispered, "Don't feel so nervous, Iona. Curiosity is natural." 

"I know," she breathed out. She wondered if she was appropriately dressed for the occasion. She was wearing a golden tunic with golden slacks with a red and gold cape—all gifted by her husband. And he was wearing a golden tunic with black trousers with a black and gold cape that billowed around his feet. 

As soon as they reached the palace gates, the portcullis was lifted. Flower petals were showered over them all the way to the steps that led to the throne hall. Soldiers stood guard with their hands on their swords, monitoring every movement. The nobles came to receive their prince and princess and surrounded them immediately in order to lead them to the throne, cutting them off with everyone else. It was as if they now belonged to the kingdom and were no longer a part of any family. 

A shudder passed through Rolfe, as he started to climb the steps of the throne hall, his cape billowing behind him. The last time he was here, it had been a massacre of the innocent because of the ego of his father. He loosed a sharp breath and felt himself wavering when his wife's hand firmly gripped him. That was enough for his spirits to boost. He walked up the steps with confidence. 

When they reached the thrones, the priest was already there. The nobles took their seats that were lined on both sides of the hall. While the fae and demon soldiers who had accompanied them stayed on the outside in the gardens in front of the throne halls, the family members were allowed to be seated in the balcony that faced the thrones. 

On the dais, the thrones were made from gold with red cushions, with high backs and jewels that lined the top curve. It seemed that Rolfe must have asked them to remove the previous thrones on which his parents sat and replace them with these. And the surprising part was that both thrones were of same height, same grandeur. It showed that the king would treat his wife as his equal and it was a big statement. 

Amongst the drum beats and flowers, they could hear the priest's chanting in old demonic language. Iona and Rolfe knelt before the thrones on the floor. 

He took the wrists of Rolfe and Iona and slashed them. The blood trickled down, which he collected in a small gold bowl. He offered the blood to the thrones. The prince and princess took the oath of their allegiance to the throne for their lives and beyond. As soon as they took the oaths, mist swirled all around them and covered them completely. The beating of the drums ceased as everyone waited for the mist to clear. And when it cleared, they saw the priest holding the crown in his hands. He placed the crown on his head and handed him the sword of Galahar. Then he walked to Iona and placed the crown on her head. He asked them to rise and face their court. 

"I present to you King Rolfe Cranon Aramaer and Queen Iona Aramaer of Galahar!" said the priest. He urged them to sit on the thrones. When they sat on the thrones, the entire nobility stood and bowed to their king and queen. 

Adrianna and Dmitri, who were watching the entire ceremony from the balcony couldn't help feeling proud. Ileus' chest was puffed with pride. He held Anastasia's hand and squeezed it. Things rolled the way they did because of her, and he couldn't thank her enough. And he marveled how naturally Iona bonded with Anastasia when it was time for her to come out of the clutches of dark spirits. The main reason was Rolfe. Perhaps that's how the Lore worked. The feeling overwhelmed him and his vision became blurry, but he didn't want to dampen the occasion with his emotions. He took a deep breath, kissed his wife's palms and watched the ceremony. He found Iona beaming and glowing. With Rolfe on her side, Ileus knew that she would be protected forever. 

When it was all over, every noble came to pledge their support to the new king and queen. Rolfe bowed to all of them with curtsey but there was tension in the air because even though they pledged their allegiance, none knew who would stay and would leave. 

It took nearly the whole afternoon for the ceremony to get over. Lunch in the palace halls was announced and the king and queen were escorted by at least a dozen guards when they exited the throne hall. 

Ileus and General Yion went to the palace gardens to address the soldiers who were waiting for their next orders. They were celebrating while dancing and chattering and whooping and cheering as soon as they heard that Rolfe and Iona were crowned. Ileus chuckled at the fervor. He walked to them and said, "The fae soldiers can leave for Vilinski today with General Yion." However what came next was a shock.