Ileus: The Dark Prince

All of them burst out in laughter. Anastasia was feeling on top of the world. She had full trust in her mother-in-law that she would guide them in the right direction. If she wanted an official wedding in both the kingdoms, then she was surely thinking of something. Perhaps a message that she wanted to blast to the Lore. Suddenly she found herself right in her mate's lap and heat built in her body. "What are you doing?" she asked, bewildered at his brazen act. 

"How do you feel about that, princess?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows, without a care in the world that his parents or the Shaman or the High Priestess were in the room, all watching them with delight. He folded his arm around her waist, caging her. 

She bit her bottom lip as her face flushed a pale pink. "I am feeling slightly uncomfortable in this position."

His eyebrows shot to his hairline as he looked at her with surprise, and then Ileus laughed aloud. His laugh rumbled through her as she placed her hand against his chest. 

Her embarrassment was through the roof. How shameless her husband could be? She was sure that on a scale of one to ten, he was at eleven or higher. 

"What I mean is how do you feel about our wedding?" he said, peering into her sapphire blue eyes. 

"Oh!" She said as her eyes became wide. "Oh god! That's what you were asking?" The heat because of her embarrassment almost made her sweat. 

Adrianna and Dmitri couldn't control their laughter and were in splits at the cuteness and naivety of their daughter-in-law. 

"Please disregard what I said," she said, feeling stupid as hell. 

"Nope," Ileus replied. 

"Gods, I hate you Ileus!" 

"Nope, I know you love me," he said with a wicked smile. 

She buried her face in his shoulders and a laugh so deep that it vibrated through her, rumbled from his chest. And she loved it because it was after a long time, she had heard him laughing with abandon to the world. "So how do you feel, princess?" he asked again. 

Without lifting her head, she said, "I am ecstatic. And I would like to sit back in my chair."  Ileus kissed her temple. Reluctantly, he loosened his hold on her waist and she sat back in her chair. 

The Shaman was visibly relaxed. "You have to tell me the date, Your Highness and I will be there." 

"That's good then," said Adrianna. "We will discuss it with the bride and the groom and let you know as soon as possible. However, we want the High Priestess too to officiate the wedding in Draoidh, and you to officiate in Silver Vales. Is that okay?" 

"Of course, Your Highness," said the Shaman. "Whatever you wish." He looked at Tamara who only looked extremely excited. 

She said, "If the princess likes it, I can also help her to prepare for the customs and traditions she has to follow during the wedding." There was excitement in her voice and demeanor. 

"What do you think, Anastasia?" asked Adrianna. 

Anastasia nodded. "I am okay with it, Mother. It would be of great help." 

"Lovely!" said Adrianna. Then she addressed her son. "You better not pull any antics till your wedding is over!" 

"Mother, when have I pulled antics? I am the best son you could ever get in this life or the next." 

Adrianna rolled her eyes while Dmitri said, "That's right son. You are the best!" 

"By the wolf spirits," Adrianna chided her husband. "Why do you blindly support him?" 

"I blindly support you, love," Dmitri said to Adrianna while meaning it for his son. 

"Ugh!" Adrianna said through her teeth. 

They continued to talk about other things. The king and the queen left first. As soon as they left, Tamara looked at Anastasia and said in her pleasant voice, "May I have a word with you, princess?" It was a voice that made Anastasia feel comfortable. 

"Sure," Anastasia nodded. After all, if Tamara was to help her through the wedding and festivities, she might as well talk to her. "But I am too tired for now. Let us talk tomorrow?"

"As you wish, Your Highness," Tamara said with a bow. "Shall I come to Eynsworth tomorrow after breaking the fast?" 

"That would be fine." 

Along with Ileus, she left the Shaman's office and they walked through the corridor to the gates of the temple along with Darla, Kaizan and Aidan. When they conveyed the news, the group erupted into merry and Darla couldn't hold her excitement. "I will help you will the wedding gown," she said. "I know so many places where they sell it. I can also help you with all your dresses for the endless occasions and events and dinners that you have to attend." 

"Girl talk!" Kaizan harrumphed. Then suddenly he stopped his friends and said, "Where are we going to have the bachelors party?" 

It was a beautiful night and Anastasia only felt so much better. After so many days of tension and struggle, she thought that she was entitled to this happiness and she wanted to revel in it. 

All of them talked enthusiastically until they reached the gates of the temple. However, as soon as they reached, Anastasia saw the woman she had treated a while back flanked by the guards. As soon as the woman saw her, she fell on her knees and raised her hands up. 

"I am sorry, princess," she whispered. "And I hope you marry our prince and forgive our insolence." 

Moved by her disposition, Anastasia rushed to her and put her hands on her shoulders. "Please, I did what I had to do. It wasn't an obligation." 

The witch shook her head. "You did everything selflessly. And I—" she choked. 

"Please rise," Anastasia replied softly. "Let's forget it all and begin again." Then she looked at the guards and asked them to release her. 

The woman's lips tugged up as she nodded vehemently. "You are too kind. I will never forget your kindness. My name is Yanga. You can call me anytime and I will be there for you." 

"I will," said Anastasia. The woman kissed her hand and then turned to leave. They watched her disappear in the darkness of the night. 

Ileus exhaled heavily. "Well, that was intense!" Anastasia shrugged. Then he asked Aidan, "What is the news on Draven? Did you come to know anything as to who killed the dancer or who allowed Lilette to come in?" 

Aidan shook his head. "No, but we have a lead and feel like I might have to use a network of my spies to find out more. Our search led us to your official seat in the kingdom at Sapphire Lane." 

Ileus' eyes narrowed. "That is interesting." 

"That is alarming," Aidan corrected. "If the problem is arising from your office, then surely it is an insider's work. The problem is that we are unable to find anything against Draven. It is only becoming complicated as we try to probe more." 

"Then this needs my intervention," said Ileus while looking at his wife who was in deep conversation with Darla.  A rustle of fabric distracted him.